‘No Kings’ instigators threw bottles at police horses in chaotic Los Angeles protest
Bloodthirsty ‘No Kings’ protestors caused chaos at last weekend’s riots in Los Angeles, injuring two police horses and an officer, according to officials from the Los Angeles Police Department.
The protests began peacefully at Grand Park in downtown LA on Saturday morning as part of a nationwide day of protests against President Donald Trump’s policies. However, as the day progressed, a small group within the larger demonstration engaged in violent assaults on police, acts of vandalism, and other unlawful behavior, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated in a press release.
During the mayhem, protestors threw glass bottles at two LAPD horses, causing minor injuries that required treatment. This incident followed a previous injury to an LAPD horse during a Dodgers celebration in November.
Video footage shared on social media showed a protestor attempting to block a horse with his body and receiving several kicks from the animal. The officer injured during the demonstration suffered minor cuts and bruises that did not require treatment.
Three crime reports were completed for assault with a deadly weapon on LAPD officers, with protestors hurling insults at cops and daring them to confront the growing crowd. The worst violence occurred at the Federal Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street, where protestors vandalized the fence and threw fragments of concrete bollards at federal agents.
Authorities gave warnings to the protestors, who responded by throwing pink smoke bombs, pieces of wood, and water over the fences. After multiple warnings, officers used tear gas to disperse the rioters and began making arrests. Some demonstrators attempted to climb the fence to gain access to the federal facility, with one protestor throwing a blue smoke bomb at federal personnel.
In total, the LAPD made 72 arrests, including 63 adults charged with failing to disperse and eight youths facing the same charges. One adult was charged with possession of a dagger.
Chief McDonnell emphasized that while the LAPD is committed to protecting peaceful protests, violence and property destruction are unacceptable. He stated, “We must protect people’s ability to speak, gather, and advocate. There is no place for violence, property destruction, and attacks on community members or officers.”
The LAPD responded to calls from federal authorities for help and ordered the protestors to disperse, triggering a citywide “tactical alert” used in significant emergencies or civil unrest. During such alerts, all on-duty officers are held over past their shift end times and only urgent and critical calls for service are prioritized.
Overall, the LAPD worked to contain the violence and ensure the safety of both protestors and officers during the chaotic demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles.
