The “No Kings” protests in Los Angeles, Portland, and Denver turned violent on Saturday, with demonstrators clashing with authorities and police ordering people to disperse. At least 13 arrests were confirmed in Portland, Denver, and Dallas, while Los Angeles also reported multiple arrests after authorities declared a tactical alert.
Los Angeles Protests Turn Violent
In Los Angeles, some of the worst scenes unfolded after a massive daytime march that later escalated outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. According to police, agitators tried to tear down a chain-link fence and threw objects at federal officers guarding the site.
As the crowd refused to heed repeated warnings to disperse, federal authorities fired tear gas to control the situation. The LAPD then placed the city on tactical alert as the confrontation intensified. Officers in riot gear formed lines as more than a dozen people were seen handcuffed against a wall.
Videos showed a man being tackled by federal agents and agitators throwing objects over the fence. Around 5:30 p.m., police began confiscating items from the crowd and used tear gas to regain control.
The situation escalated further, with protesters throwing rocks, bottles, and concrete at officers. The police later declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including a woman dressed as Lady Liberty.
Portland and Denver Protests Also Turned Violent
In Portland, the main rally had ended peacefully earlier in the day, but the situation became tense when protesters gathered outside an ICE facility. Authorities said demonstrators were involved in assault and criminal mischief before police moved in. By the end of the night, Portland police had made three arrests.
Denver saw the highest number of arrests, with nine people taken into custody. A smaller group broke away from the main protest and blocked a road where police officers were stationed. This led to the declaration of an unlawful assembly, and smoke was deployed while pepper balls were fired. One person was arrested after allegedly throwing a smoke canister back at the officers.
Dallas Clashes with Counterprotesters
In Dallas, tensions flared between “No Kings” demonstrators and “Pro America” counterprotesters. Police were forced to separate the two groups as tempers ran high. One person was arrested during the clash, but no major violence was reported.
Tense Confrontations in Rancho Palos Verdes
In Rancho Palos Verdes, outside Trump National Golf Course, tensions also ran high as two men nearly came to blows during a shouting match.
A counterprotester wearing a shirt that read “DEPORT WHITE LIBERAL WOMEN” screamed at a “No Kings” protester, with both sides shouting insults. The situation did not turn physical, but the confrontation ended with the counterprotester yelling into a megaphone, “This guy is fighting for illegal aliens.”
New York City’s March Ends Peacefully
While protests in other cities saw intense clashes, New York City’s huge march ended without any reported arrests, according to NYPD sources. The peaceful demonstration in New York stood in stark contrast to the violence seen in cities like Los Angeles and Portland.
