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.