Law enforcement personnel at Home Depot parking lot in Cypress Park Photo by Eastsider reader Cypress Park -- Federal agents were taking people -- presumably suspected immigration law violators -- into custody at multiple locations near downtown Los Angeles today, sparking impromptu gatherings of protesters who clashed with authorities at one of the scenes.One of the raids apparently took place in Cypress Park, according to L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis. An Eastsider reader took a photo of what appeared to be law enforcement officers with "POLICE" written on their jackets walking in the direction of a day laborer hiring site at the Cypress Park Home Depot. The presence of the officers, who arrived in unmarked vehicles, sent vendors along San Fernando Road fleeing, said the woman, who works nearby."The scene at Home Depot this morning was awful," said the reader in an email. "People running, street vendors abandoning their stands. A lady making tortillas with fresh masa on her hands running away from the scene."The incident, which began at about 7:30 am, was over in less than an hour, she said. She did not know if anyone was apprehended.Meanwhile in the Westlake District, agents from what appeared to be multiple law enforcement agencies could be seen escorting men in handcuffs into vehicles outside a Home Depot at 1675 Wilshire Blvd.There was no immediate comment from Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the operations. 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. 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., but quickly cleared the scene after finding no evidence of an assault.Later this 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.Early this 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. ☀️ The Eastsider Morning Newsletter A free roundup of the latest from The Eastsider delivered to your inbox weekdays. Please enter a valid email address. 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.It was unclear how many people were arrested in the various operations.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.At the end of today Los Angeles City Council meeting, Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez said her office had received reports throughout the morning "about swift and aggressive immigration raids and enforcement.""My team and I have been in contact with community members and rapid response organizers since early this morning in my district," Hernandez said. "They're swooping in fast, without warning and leaving just as quickly. They don't hang around because they know we mobilize. Our resistance is working, and that's exactly why they have elevated their approach and changed their approach, colleagues."She urged residents to be prepared and know their rights if they are contacted by law enforcement or federal agents.County Supervisor Solis, whose district includes many Eastside communities, said that today's "immigration sweeps across the First District in downtown Los Angeles, Westlake, and Cypress Park are deeply disturbing. The individuals detained are hardworking Angelenos who contribute to our local economy and labor force every day ... Trump said he would go after criminals, not innocent hardworking people contributing to our economy and supporting their families."A member of the immigrant rights group Union del Barrio told the Los Angeles Times numerous calls regarding immigration raids in Los Angeles and Orange counties were made to his office."There were ICE agents at a Home Depot in Cypress, there's ICE agents at Wilshire Boulevard and Union Avenue, a construction site in North Hollywood and in South L.A. They're everywhere."The Eastsider contributed to this report Support Eastside Community News — Now Tax-Deductible You can now make a tax-deductible contribution to support The Eastsider’s civic and accountability coverage on the Eastside.Choose what works for you: • Become a monthly supporter and help us reach 500 neighbors funding daily reporting• Make a single gift to our new Eastside Community News FundStrong local news keeps residents informed and leaders accountable.Thank you for your consideration.—Jesús Sanchez, Publisher