Rioters in Los Angeles set fire to and spat on an American flag during a disturbing demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sunday evening, according to the New York Post. The crowd chanted slogans such as “burn it down” and called for the dismantling of America, as captured in video footage from the scene.
A man using a megaphone addressed the group gathered around the burning flag, declaring, “this is not just a gesture, this is something we need to make real. We need to take down this empire once and for all.” Protesters poured lighter fluid on the American flag to intensify the flames, while others stepped forward to spit on it.
The demonstrators voiced strong opposition to America, shouting expletives against “imperialism,” ICE, Trump, and “the system” while desecrating the nation’s symbol.
Additionally, multiple videos showed protesters throwing rocks at police officers and squad cars. In one particularly alarming incident, an officer was hit in the head by a large stone thrown from a highway overpass. The impact knocked off the officer’s helmet and “he was thrown to the ground by the force.” Fellow officers quickly rushed to his aid, pulling him to safety just as another rock struck the spot where his unprotected head had been moments before.
This flag-burning incident is the latest in a series of violent protests that have erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend. According to The Post, “Boulevards in the city have also been left strewn with torched cars as masked rioters wave flags from Latin American countries. The FBI has put out rewards upwards of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of various protestors who were caught on camera.”
In response to escalating violence, President Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in an effort to restore order, but disturbances have continued.