'No Kings' protests: Tensions rise in LA as crowd hurls concrete, police allege

More than 2,000 "No Kings Day" protests were held on Saturday, organizers said.

WLS logo
Last updated: Sunday, June 15, 2025 1:50AM GMT
ABC7 Eyewitness News

Saturday marked the first full day of Marines on duty in Los Angeles, one week after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids ignited in LA and spread to other cities across the U.S., including New York City, San Francisco, Boston, and Austin, Texas.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 "No Kings Day" protests were held across the U.S. on Saturday to protest the Trump administration and to counterprogram the military parade in Washington, D.C., organizers said. More than 5 million people participated, according to organizers.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
ABCNews logo
Jun 12, 2025, 12:45 AM

Timeline: How ICE raids sparked LA protests

As demonstrations continue in Los Angeles and spread to other cities across California and the nation, watch the video for a timeline on how the conflict has unfolded.

With migrant communities already living in fear amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE raids in downtown Los Angeles sparked days of protests.
ABCNews logo
Jun 12, 2025, 12:45 AM GMT

Timeline: How ICE raids sparked LA protests

As demonstrations continue in Los Angeles and spread to other cities across California and the nation, watch the video for a timeline on how the conflict has unfolded.

With migrant communities already living in fear amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE raids in downtown Los Angeles sparked days of protests.
ByWill McDuffie ABCNews logo
Jun 12, 2025, 12:40 AM GMT

Multiple protesters arrested in NYC

Several people protesting ICE detentions were arrested in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday. Officers began detaining people after the protest, which started in Foley Square near City Hall, began moving down Broadway before being stopped by police at the intersection of Broadway and Duane.

The arrests appeared to take place after protesters did not clear a crosswalk when ordered to by police.

Hundreds of protesters remain in the area, chanting behind barriers, with dozens of officers standing by.

A demonstrator with carrying a Mexican flag chants during a protest against deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York, Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
A demonstrator with carrying a Mexican flag chants during a protest against deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York, Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
ABCNews logo
Jun 11, 2025, 11:34 PM GMT

'You spit, we hit': Immigrant charged with felony for allegedly spitting on ICE officer

An immigrant in Los Angeles has been charged with one count of assault of a federal employee for allegedly spitting on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that the suspect, Omar Pulido Bastida, 41, faces a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison for the alleged crime.

The incident happened earlier this week when the officer was executing a warrant for Bastida's arrest, according to the DOJ. Bastida allegedly spat at the officer through an iron security gate on his door.

ICE officials eventually forced entry into the residence and arrested Bastida.

"This defendant found out the hard way: When you spit, we hit - with a felony charge," said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. "Law enforcement officers risk their lives and safety to uphold the law. To treat them with disrespect, like this defendant did, mocks our great nation and such behavior will be punished accordingly."

FILE - A sign outside the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building is seen in Washington, May 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
FILE - A sign outside the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building is seen in Washington, May 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
ByJenna Harrison Esseling ABCNews logo
Jun 11, 2025, 11:22 PM GMT

At least 5 criminal cases related to LA protests, DA says

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a press conference on Wednesday that there have been at least five criminal cases stemming from the ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles.

Juan Rodriguez, from Gardena, California, was charged with one felony count of assault upon a peace officer, resisting arrest and advocating violence against an officer that has caused injury. He faces six years and four months in state prison, according to the DA. Rodriguez is accused of distributing and throwing commercial-grade fireworks at police officers on June 8.

California National Guard stand guard along a street near protesters and Trump supporters in Santa Ana, Calif. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
California National Guard stand guard along a street near protesters and Trump supporters in Santa Ana, Calif. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Randy Ruiz and Georgina Ravallaro were charged with two felony counts of assault upon a peace officer and face six years and four months in state prison. They are accused of driving motorcycles into police officers, injuring one and knocking down several others.

Timmy Paulk and Raven Mitchell have been charged with one felony count of second-degree commercial burglary and grand theft for allegedly robbing and facilitating the robbery of a Nike store on June 8. Paul is accused of stealing multiple items from that store and getting into the car driven by Mitchell. They each face up to three years in state prison.

Ulysses Sanchez is accused of recklessly driving a minivan in downtown LA on June 8. He's charged with one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, one misdemeanor count each of reckless driving and possession of a smoking device. He faces 25 years to life because of the three-strike rule.

Christopher Gonzalez and Jocelyn Johnson have been charged with one felony count of conspiracy to commit vandalism and two felony counts of vandalism. They face three years and eight months in state prison. They are accused of vandalizing an apartment complex and the Hall of Justice, respectively.

"If people want to engage in crimes, we will prosecute them," Hochman said, adding, "hurling bricks, hurling cinder blocks, hurling fireworks, will not be tolerated in this county now or ever."

The DA did note that peaceful protests have largely outweighed instances of violence. "We estimate that there's probably thousands of people who've engaged in legitimate protests," Hochman said.