Unlawful Assembly Declared Near Metropolitan Detention Center

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an‍ unlawful assembly and issued a dispersal order on Saturday,February 17,2024,near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. The order, issued at 6:55 ⁢p.m. PST, affected the area of Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple Streets, giving individuals 15 ⁣minutes to leave or risk arrest.

The action followed a day of protests across Southern California and the nation, addressing⁢ a range of ⁤concerns including President Trump’s policies on transgender rights,‌ foreign policy, ‍the‍ ongoing federal government shutdown, university funding, and immigration. the ⁤Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal facility, has ‍become ‍a significant site for⁣ demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Escalating Tensions ⁣and Use‌ of Force

Tensions escalated around 7:00 ‌p.m. PST as LAPD officers attempted to disperse protesters gathered outside the ‌detention center.According to reports, police‍ deployed multiple less-lethal rounds and used tear gas in​ an effort to push back the crowds. A mounted police unit was also brought in to assist with crowd control.

Demonstrators accused law enforcement of escalating the situation, despite what they described as peaceful daytime rallies. The protests included ‍criticism‌ of the white House’s efforts⁢ to⁣ conduct immigration raids in U.S.⁢ cities, including Los⁣ Angeles, targeting individuals without legal authorization to reside in the country.

Protesters Disperse,⁣ No Arrests Reported

By 8:30​ p.m. PST, protesters had largely ‍moved‍ away from their ⁤position‍ near the‍ detention center, while police worked to reestablish a security line in front of the federal building.As of 9:00​ p.m. PST, the LAPD reported⁢ that no arrests⁣ had been made in connection with the protests.