Police declare unlawful assembly during anti-ICE protest outside Los Angeles detention center

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:15:00 +0200

On April 11, 2026, a tense protest unfolded outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where demonstrators gathered to express opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Around noon, a few dozen activists decorated the facility’s fence with silicone sex toys of various colors, turning the scene into a mix of absurdity and defiance. Their signs denounced federal immigration enforcement, comparing detention centers to concentration camps. As some protesters moved into Alameda Street, police intervened to keep traffic clear, warning participants to stay off the roadway. Tensions escalated when officers in riot gear confronted protesters, leading to further unrest. By mid-afternoon, the Los Angeles Police Department declared the event an unlawful assembly, citing criminal behavior and obstruction of traffic. Five individuals were arrested for failing to disperse. The protest followed a series of recent confrontations over ICE’s aggressive tactics