Tally so far: at the anti-ICE demonstrations in June, CHP and LASD fired 9,600 projectiles and chemical munitions at protesters.
Recently published use of force reports outlines their gratuitous and forceful response during June's anti-ICE demonstrations across Los Angeles.
A group of over one hundred demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway during an anti-ICE demonstration in June. It's a tradition for protests in LA to sneak on what is often times filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic. There's no better way of getting the public’s attention in a city dominated by cars than shutting down one of its major freeways.
The crowd of over 100 people stood chanting and waving signs as dozens of California Highway Patrol officers closed in on them. Officers deployed rubber bullets and fired flash bangs into the air. Bang, after bang, after bang. It never seemed to end.
Aerial flash bangs exploded over people's head at an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles. June 8, 2025. Credit: Joey Scott.
If the purpose was to force people to leave, it wasn't effective. It took multiple hours and numerous arrests before the group fled back into the streets above. By the day’s end, CHP officers had fired 160 rounds of aerial flash bangs into the air and shot 262 projectiles at demonstrators.
In total, from June 7 to June 9, California Highway Patrol fired 392 rounds of 40 mm rubber bullets at demonstrators during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Additionally, the department fired 211 beanbag rounds from modified 12-gauge shotguns and gassed people with 29 canisters of CS gas.
It's a modest amount compared to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tally. They fired nine thousand projectiles and chemical agents at four separate protests over the course of two weeks. Deputies went through 3,000 rounds of pepperballs and had a field day throwing concussive grenades and tear gas at people. On June 8th alone, deputies used 150 aerial flash bangs alongside 34 tear gas grenades.
A LASD deputy fires pepperballs at a group of people outside LA City Hall. June 8, 2025. Credit: Joey Scott
The numbers come from state-mandated use of force reports that outline an agency's use of kinetic energy projectiles and chemical agents in crowd control situations. Also required is the justification for their use and whether injuries occurred to anyone involved.
According to both accounts, the use of force was warranted as they took on bottles and rocks from protesters. They also cited people failing to disperse as their rationale for firing on people.
CHP's report narrative said they also refrained from using random force against the crowds. But journalist Toby Canham with the NY Post, who was shot in the head by an CHP officer with a rubber bullet, would disagree with that assertion. As would others who were protesting and unjustly took the brunt of projectiles or choked on tear gas in the streets of Los Angeles.
LAPD's has yet to publish their reports. They have 90 days from the incident date to post them online. I'll update my reporting once they're up.
You can read LASD's reports here:
CHP's reports are here:
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