Protests against immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles Friday intensified into the evening – prompting authorities in riot gear to deploy tear gas and flash bangs to disperse crowds. Police on Friday night issued a citywide tactical alert nearly two hours after declaring protests across the downtown area unlawful assemblies.

Helmeted police in riot gear turned out on Friday evening in a tense confrontation with protesters in downtown Los Angeles, after a day of federal immigration raids in which dozens of people across the city were reported to be taken into custody.

Surprise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in Downtown Los Angeles prompted fierce pushback from elected officials and protesters, who decried the action as "cruel and unnecessary."