Los Angeles police officers reportedly withdrew from the streets on Sunday night as protesters waving Mexican flags took over intersections and freeways, blocking traffic in response to President Donald Trump’s deportation policies targeting criminal illegal immigrants.

Independent journalists on the ground captured video footage showing LAPD officers in riot gear, equipped with zip ties and nightsticks, attempting to clear demonstrators from the streets.

The officers issued a one-minute warning for the crowd to disband before engaging with the protesters.

LAPD moving in on protestors https://t.co/fgHJbKK8VE pic.twitter.com/VrvjxsP8AA

— Aldo (@AldoButtazzoni) February 3, 2025

Dennis Quaid’s #1 Warning for Americans

Journalist Anthony Cabassa posted footage on X showing officers confronting the demonstrators.

However, just as arrests were expected to be made, he reported that law enforcement abruptly left the scene.

“Just as officers were about to make arrests, all the police officers just … left,” Cabassa stated in his post.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he continued. “Hundreds of police with zip ties, and all of them have just left.”

Cabassa reported that no arrests were made, and protesters were seen celebrating as police vehicles drove away.

UPDATE : As LAPD were about to make arrests, all of the police officers just … left. I’ve never seen anything like this. Hundreds of police with zip ties, and all of them have just left. No arrests, protestors shout in victory as police leave the area. pic.twitter.com/TruInH38Qf

— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) February 3, 2025

Demonstrators in Los Angeles and other cities across the country took to the streets on Sunday in opposition to Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

According to Breitbart Texas, the protests were organized in response to the administration’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants with criminal records.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that LAPD officers on the ground were “not happy about this apparent stand-down order.”

Hearing that LAPD rank and file who were down there are not happy about this apparent stand down order.
“Same old crap.”
“Chasing these guys around all day for nothing.” https://t.co/gzsHPrMP2P

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 3, 2025

Earlier in the day, protesters repeatedly occupied the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, causing disruptions as police and California Highway Patrol officers attempted to regain control.

KTLA reported that officers and demonstrators engaged in a back-and-forth struggle for control over portions of the freeway.

NOW: Anti-ICE protesters are blocking both sides of the 101 Freeway near the Alameda Street exit in DTLA. The CHP has since closed that portion of the freeway. Read more: https://t.co/K60ImdzmDi pic.twitter.com/iO5ARSTyTL

— KTLA (@KTLA) February 2, 2025

Videos and images from the demonstrations showed a large number of Mexican flags in the crowd, along with Honduran and Salvadoran flags.

Few, if any, American flags were visible among the protesters.

As the LAPD’s decision to withdraw from the confrontation raises questions, law enforcement officials have not yet commented on whether the stand-down order came from city leadership.

The protests mark an ongoing clash between the Trump administration’s immigration policies and activists seeking to prevent deportations.

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