LOS ANGELES — As a fresh standoff developed Saturday between protesters and armed federal authorities in Paramount, Trump administration officials were vowing to prosecute any demonstrators who broke the law during Friday's violent demonstrations that accompanied immigration raids in Los Angeles, and accusing Democratic elected officials of fueling lawlessness. On Saturday morning, a crowd began gathering at the Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. Citing federal sources, Fox News reported that the Department of Homeland Security has a nearby office in Paramount and was using it as a staging area. "Protesters found it and began gathering. ... CBP and Border Patrol have been brought in to provide security and extra bodies, and a handful of agitators have already been arrested today for allegedly interfering with federal agents," the station reported. What You Need To Know After a day-long series of immigration enforcement actions across downtown Los Angeles on Friday, a fresh standoff developed Saturday between protesters and armed federal authorities near a Home Depot in Paramount The enforcement drew crowds that turned over shopping carts and other objects that were left in the street, while federal authorities in riot gear stood by On Friday, federal agents took dozens of people into custody at multiple locations near downtown Los Angeles Friday, sparking impromptu gatherings of protesters who clashed with authorities at several scenes LA Mayor Karen Bass said she plans to hold a meeting Monday with local immigrant- rights organizations to discuss the raids Many in the crowd turned over shopping carts and other objects that were left in the street, while federal authorities in riot gear stood by. The street filled with smoke from tear gas canisters, and at least one protester could be seen on the ground bleeding in news footage, though the nature of the apparent injury wasn't clear. The Los Angeles Times reported that one protester set fire to a United States flag. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that deputies were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Saturday to the Home Depot for traffic control and "general public safety" in response to federal activity there. "ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning -- in my district," Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Los Angeles, wrote on X. "This is unacceptable. We will demand answers and accountability. For those out there - please stay safe, protest peacefully, and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS." At one point, demonstrators threw objects at a U.S. Marshals Service bus and attempted to stop the bus from moving. A few armed federal agents exited the bus and cleared the protesters and the bus continued. Employing tear gas, the authorities later moved most of the demonstrators away from the area in front of the Home Depot, scattering them in different directions. They closed the Alondra Boulevard off-ramps from the Long Beach (710) Freeway, and CHP vehicle were blocking the on-ramps to prevent protesters from walking onto the freeway. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn visited the Paramount site Saturday, meeting with Mayor Peggy Lemons, Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos and sheriff's and fire department personnel. "I'll continue to monitor the situation," Hahn posted on X. "Our sheriff's deputies and fire department personnel stand ready to support our city partners and to help keep people safe. I'm calling on everyone exercising their right to protest to remain peaceful." The protest was still ongoing as of 3 p.m. HAPPENING NOW 🚨: The protest in Paramount California has been deemed an unlawful assembly, an order to disperse has been given, police in loud speaker saying everyone who remains will be arrested for failure to disperse. pic.twitter.com/9sEaVd2TPQ — Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 7, 2025 On Friday, federal agents took dozens of people into custody at multiple locations near downtown Los Angeles Friday, sparking impromptu gatherings of protesters who clashed with authorities at several scenes. Angelica Salas of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant rights said at a news conference on Friday afternoon that there were at least seven immigration raids held across the region Friday, many of them at workplaces, including a doughnut shop. She said 45 people were detained in the various operations. Salas said the raids were "random sweeps" conducted without warrants, and those arrested were simply racially profiled. By late Friday afternoon, hundreds of activists began marching through downtown Los Angeles, near the Roybal Federal Building, in protest of the immigration raids. Meanwhile, federal authorities were assailing the actions of Friday's demonstrators, as criticizing the words of the many elected officials who expressed outrage at the raids. More demonstrations were expected to take place throughout the weekend, though specific details were not available as of Saturday morning. Paramount Dozens of protestors clashed with immigration and customs officers Saturday morning at the Home Depot on Alondra Boulevard after another federal immigration raid. Scenes captured on social media show law enforcement authorities firing tear gas to quell the protesters, who shout obscenities, turn over shopping carts and block traffic. Passing cars blare horns as they attempt to pass through. Citing federal sources, Fox News reported that the Department of Homeland Security has a nearby office in Paramount and was using it as a staging area. According to reports, law enforcement arrested several protestors for blocking traffic. One video shows authorities taking down a woman to the ground. Undocumented immigrants often gather at stores like Home Depot, looking for temporary work. On social media, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli urged the public "to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions." Federal law enforcement operations are proceeding as planned this weekend in Los Angeles County. I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution. — U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 7, 2025 Westlake District On Friday morning, agents from what appeared to be multiple federal law enforcement agencies could be seen escorting men in handcuffs into vehicles outside a Home Depot at 1675 Wilshire Blvd. in the Westlake District. People often gather at such stores looking for temporary work, and agents may have taken the opportunity to confront them in accordance with President Donald Trump's unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration. He has vowed to wage the most extensive deportation effort in U.S. history. Los Angeles police said they were not involved in any immigration enforcement operation in the area, but did respond to an assault with a deadly weapon report in the Westlake District about 9 a.m. Officers quickly cleared the scene after finding no evidence of an assault. Local Democratic elected officials and immigrants rights groups expressed outrage at Friday's operations. "As mayor of a proud city of immigrants, I am outraged by what has taken place and I'm appalled at the chaos that has ensued," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. "These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. It makes people fearful to attend school, workplaces, houses of worship, community spaces and so much more." Bass said she had met with families impacted by the raids and vowed that "LA will always stand with them and stand for what is right." The mayor said she plans to hold a meeting Monday with local immigrant- rights organizations to discuss the raids. Fashion District Later Friday morning, another raid took place at an Ambiance clothing store along Towne Avenue in the Fashion District near downtown Los Angeles. A crowd of people and some protesters gathered outside the store as the operation was being carried out, most of them taking photos or videos with cell phones. Several people wearing FBI vests were seen standing by outside the store. Several hours after the raid began, what appeared to be at least two dozen people were led out of the Fashion District building in handcuffs and loaded into white vans and driven away, escorted by troops in the street in tactical gear. Some spectators could be seen throwing objects at the vans, while others ran into the street. At one point, a protester placed his hands on a white SUV that was being driven from the scene and tried to maneuver in front of the vehicle, but fell to the ground and was nearly run over. The driver of the SUV came to a quick stop, then backed up and sped away. The person on the ground stood up a short time later and did not appear to be seriously injured. South LA Early Friday afternoon, a throng of federal agents amassed at what appeared to be an Ambiance clothing warehouse or corporate headquarters building near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in the South Los Angeles area. One person wearing a Drug Enforcement Administration vest was seen at that location. Dozens of protesters also gathered at that location, and at one point, federal agents had to shove protesters out of the path of a van that was being driven into the building's parking lot. At least one protester was taken to the ground and arrested as the crowd gathered, prompting more shoving by agents to keep the group at bay. The unidentified person was later seen being given medical treatment, apparently having been pepper-sprayed in the eyes. Around 12:25 p.m., LAPD officers responded to a report from "another agency" of a man with a knife in the 2400 block of East 15th Street — the location of the Ambiance warehouse — but no arrests were made, a department spokesman said. LAPD officers also could be seen establishing a skirmish line at the location due to the number of protesters gathered in the area. There were also reports of additional raids being carried out Friday in areas such as Pico-Union and Cypress Park. In a statement to Spectrum News, an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said they could not confirm the agencies involvement. "To ensure the safety of our personnel, ICE does not confirm or discuss the existence or status of operations," the spokesperson said. "The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate. As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality." Homeland Security Investigations spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe told the Los Angeles Times that search warrants were served regarding illegal immigrants and anyone harboring them. The FBI also provided a statement to Spectrum News. "The FBI is supporting our partners at the Department of Homeland Security in their immigration operations all over the country, as directed by the Attorney General," the statement read. "The FBI is accustomed to providing investigative and technical assistance to our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners on a regular basis. As we have been asked to do, we are sending Agents to participate in these immigration enforcement efforts. That includes assisting in cities where major operations are already underway and where we have special agents embedded on operational teams with DHS. Our help may vary depending on what DHS needs, such as SWAT operators, who can support high-risk arrest operations, and other resources such as intelligence analysts and technical support working from command posts." In a statement to Spectrum News, the Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said: “Today, the LAPD became aware that ICE was conducting operations in the City of Los Angeles. I’m aware that these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos, so I want to make it clear: the LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement," McDonnell said. "While the LAPD will continue to have a visible presence in all our communities to ensure public safety, we will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual’s immigration status. Since 1979, our policy has barred officers from initiating police action solely to determine a person’s immigration status. The Department remains focused on critical issues like crime reduction, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life for all Angelenos. I want everyone, including our immigrant community, to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one’s immigration status.” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna also insisted that his agency did not take part in any immigration actions. "The Sheriff's Department does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do we ask about an individual's immigration status when responding to call for service. Our focus and priority remain on enforcing state and local laws to ensure safety and well-being of our diverse communities throughout Los Angeles County," Luna said in a statement. "We deeply value diversity, inclusion and public trust within our communities and we want our residents to know that when they call for help, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will respond, investigate, and protect everyone — regardless of a person's legal status. "We recognize that these reports have caused fear, anxiety, and concern within our communities. We urge everyone to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to place your safety and well-being at the forefront of our efforts," he added. SEIU president David Huerta The Service Employees International Union California issued a statement saying the union's president, David Huerta, was "injured and detained" during one of Friday's raids. It was unclear if Huerta was the man seen being arrested outside the Ambiance headquarters. "SEIU California members call for the immediate release of our president, David Huerta, who was injured and detained at the site of one of today's ICE raids in Los Angeles," the union's executive director, Tia Orr, said in a statement. "He is now receiving medical attention while in custody. We are proud of President Huerta's righteous participation as a community observer, in keeping with his long history of advocating for immigrant workers and with the highest values of our movement: standing up to injustice, regardless of personal risk or the power of those perpetrating it." David Huerta, a dear friend and SEIU CA President/USWW President, was arrested during an ICE raid in the warehouse district of Downtown Los Angeles today. We are calling for his immediate release and the release of all of the protesters standing up for targeted communities. — Isaac G. Bryan