Chaos erupted across Los Angeles as protests against ICE immigrant raids turned violent, leading to widespread looting overnight.
On Monday night, the Apple Store on Broadway was vandalized, with windows shattered and merchandise stolen. Just down the street, a crowd overwhelmed the Adidas Store, making off with sneakers.
A nearby jewelry store reported extensive damage, and looters stripped shelves bare. Additionally, two marijuana dispensaries were targeted in the melee. Reports cited by NBC reveal the scale of the destruction.
Video footage captured the chaos, showcasing masked individuals pouring into stores, grabbing items, and racing back to the streets with their stolen goods.
In the frenzy, some looters confronted police, while others managed to slip past overwhelmed officers.
A business owner expressed frustration, commenting, “This is so ridiculous. It doesn’t seem like a protest against ICE; it’s just looting.” As violence escalated, a sushi restaurant across from Little Tokyo was similarly attacked, with looters stealing computers and equipment while taunting onlookers.
The Japanese American National Museum was not spared either, as it was marred by graffiti reading “F**k ICE.” This occurred near a display honoring Japanese-American soldiers from World War II, whose families were held in internment camps.
The next morning, volunteers arrived to help clean up the graffiti using brushes and soap. Meanwhile, employees at various stores worked to clear out damaged stock and board up broken windows.
Authorities reported that at least 14 people were arrested specifically for looting, with an additional 96 arrests made for failing to disperse.
The protests appear to be ongoing, even on the fifth day, as President Trump has ordered further deployments of military personnel to restore order. According to local leaders in California, the disturbances could cost the city upward of $134 million, with the Pentagon estimating military presence may last around 60 days.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses commented that protesters may be branded as “rioters, looters, and thugs.” Tensions began rising in Angel Town after ICE conducted a series of raids, leading to increased confrontations between activists attempting to obstruct arrests.
