The Ongoing Anti-ICE Resistance In Southern California

(Use promo code MostlyPeaceful for 10% off your purchase at Ex Umbris Designs)

It was always going to be a long summer for the federal agents stationed at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. In the months since the first major anti-ICE riots, the street activists and agitators have consistently been outside the loading dock area of the Federal Building.

For those unfamiliar of the layout, this area on North Alameda Street is where federal vehicles come in and out with either arrestees or agents (circled). This was the area where the riots really kicked off because illegal aliens are brought to the facility for further processing. Up until that point in early June, protesters in other parts of the country dispersed once agents left the scene of an operation. Not so with Los Angeles residents.

These days, the protesters and sometime rioters stage themselves across the street from the loading area (rectangle). Because of the open space, it is very easy for people to block the driveway or step onto federal property.

For months, DHS agents and military members have had to stand guard by the sidewalk to prevent rioters from getting close to the building.

Temporary security fencing has now been installed along the perimeter in response to the constant attempts to interfere with agents and trespassing. It is the same type of security fencing installed at the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon during the Antifa siege in 2020. The same fencing was placed around the White House in 2024 during large anti-Israel protests after a crowd attempted to push in one of the gates. The crowd went on to target the temporary fence to get closer to the White House.

Late Friday night, anti-ICE protesters were arrested and got into a scuffle with DHS agents. It is unknown at this time what the reason was for the arrests because the video uploaded by the anti-ICE organizers did not start until DHS moved in (unsurprisingly).

It remains to be seen how the new security infrastructure at the Federal Building will affect the protesters’ tactics. In my experience, a large enough crowd will try to tear it down. This almost happened at the Kenosha County Courthouse during the riots there five years ago. The fence in Portland was breached in multiple areas, forcing the DHS and CBP agents to come out of the building to get the rioters away from it.

While the recent gatherings have been small compared to the ones from two months ago, I believe the next big date for a large protest or riot will be on September 16th: Mexican Independence Day. That date has historically brought out large crowds in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Given what has happened with immigration enforcement this year, I suspect even more people will be on the street on that day.

Typical for direct actions by the far-left, while they have made a big show with sometimes chaotic scenes, it has done little to slow down arrests of illegal aliens. Border Patrol is currently leading the operations in the region. It is only a matter of time before someone within that side of things realizes that and will decide to take it to the next level. Thankfully, the federal government is cracking down hard on those who want or attempt to do serious damage.

With summer coming to a close, Los Angeles will still see far-leftists in the streets because that famous southern California sunshine still burns bright in November and December.