LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is under fire for its passive approach to handling thousands of protesters who illegally occupied the 101 Freeway during an anti-Trump immigration policy demonstration on Sunday, leaving many Angelenos questioning whose interests the department truly serves.

People march along U.S. Route 101 during a protest against arrests and deportations of migrants by U.S. government agencies in Los Angeles, California, U.S. February 2, 2025. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez

What began as a gathering of 300-400 demonstrators at Los Angeles City Hall around 9:30 AM swelled to over 2,000 protesters by 10:30 AM. The situation escalated when protesters illegally stormed both the southbound and northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway at 12:09 PM, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and severely disrupting weekend travel for thousands of law-abiding citizens.

Despite the clearly illegal nature of the freeway occupation, LAPD officers stood by, characterizing the demonstration as “peaceful” while taking minimal action to protect the rights of ordinary citizens trying to use public infrastructure. The department’s permissive stance has drawn sharp criticism from residents and commuters alike.

“I understand the right to protest, but blocking a major freeway is not just illegal – it’s dangerous and disruptive to thousands of innocent people,” said Mark Thompson, a frustrated motorist who was stuck in the resulting traffic for over two hours. “Where was LAPD when we needed them to maintain order?”

The protesters, carrying signs with slogans such as “The real criminal is in the White House” and “Jesus said ‘Love thy neighbor,’ not ‘Deport thy neighbor,'” were allowed to continue their illegal occupation while LAPD merely redirected traffic and monitored the situation.

The department’s soft approach appears to align with the city government’s generally accommodating stance toward illegal protests, particularly those targeting Trump administration policies. Critics argue this selective enforcement of the law undermines public safety and faith in local law enforcement.

The demonstration was organized in opposition to the Trump administration’s strengthened immigration enforcement policies, which include:

  • Increased military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border
  • Expanded ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) authority
  • Removal of restrictions on arrests in sensitive locations like schools and churches
  • Daily promotion of approximately 1,000 arrest cases

While LAPD continues to defend its hands-off approach as necessary for maintaining peace, many residents are questioning whether the department has abandoned its duty to protect the rights and interests of law-abiding citizens in favor of appeasing political protesters.

“When did it become acceptable for our police department to simply watch as protesters break the law and hold an entire city hostage?” asked City Council critic Jennifer Martinez. “This isn’t about the message – it’s about maintaining order and protecting the rights of all citizens.”

As of Sunday afternoon, no arrests had been reported despite the clear violations of multiple traffic laws and public safety ordinances. The LAPD’s passive response to this illegal demonstration has sparked a broader debate about law enforcement priorities and political influence on policing in Los Angeles.

For Radio Seoul New Media Desk
February 2, 2025

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  • 박호명, February 3, 2025 @ 7:21 AM Reply

    We need to fire LAPD chief.

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