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The Line Between Protest and Riot: Los Angeles Under Siege
By Mike Connors. 13th June 2025
The streets of Los Angeles have been engulfed in chaos over the past few days, as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have spiraled into
what can only be described as riots. The mainstream media has repeatedly labeled these events as “mostly peaceful protests,” but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Burning vehicles, blocked freeways, and projectiles hurled at law enforcement are not the hallmarks of peaceful dissent—they are the defining traits of a riot. This distinction matters, and the failure to acknowledge it risks normalizing violence and undermining the rule of law.
A peaceful protest involves citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to assemble, speak, and petition the government. It is a cornerstone of democracy, characterized by orderly gatherings, clear messages, and respect for public safety. What has unfolded in Los Angeles, however, is far from this ideal. Protesters have blocked the 101 Freeway, halting traffic and endangering lives. They have set fire to vehicles, including self-driving Waymo cars, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Concrete, bottles, fireworks, and even chairs have been thrown at police and federal agents, with the FBI now seeking suspects for assaulting officers and damaging property. These actions are not expressions of free speech; they are criminal acts that threaten public order and safety.
The media’s insistence on calling these events “mostly peaceful” is not just misleading—it’s dangerous. When outlets like NPR and the Los Angeles Times downplay the destruction, they erode trust in institutions and embolden further lawlessness. The Los Angeles Police Department reported 29 arrests on Saturday alone, with 10 more by Sunday evening, while the California Highway Patrol detained 17 others on the freeway. Businesses have been looted, and federal buildings have been defaced with anti-ICE graffiti. This is not a cry for justice; it is an assault on the social contract.
Adding to the complexity is the presence of foreign flags, particularly Mexican ones, waved defiantly by some protesters. When individuals who are in the United States illegally brandish the flags of other nations while clashing with authorities, it raises a provocative question: Why wouldn’t this be seen as the behavior of an invading force? The United States, like any sovereign nation, has the right to enforce its borders and immigration laws. ICE operations in Los Angeles, targeting undocumented immigrants, are part of that mandate, with over 100 arrests reported this week alone. Yet, when foreign nationals openly challenge this authority while displaying symbols of their home countries, it can understandably be perceived as a rejection of American sovereignty. Vice President JD Vance and White House adviser Stephen Miller have called out these actions, with Miller describing protesters as “foreign nationals… rioting and obstructing federal law enforcement.”
This perception is not about xenophobia; it’s about the principle of national integrity. A country that cannot enforce its laws or protect its borders ceases to function as a nation. The Trump administration’s deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops—and now an additional 2,000, along with 700 Marines—reflects the severity of the situation. California’s leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, has criticized these measures, claiming they escalate tensions. Yet their reluctance to decisively address the violence only fuels the chaos.
The Los Angeles riots are a stark reminder that words matter. Calling a riot a “protest” sanitizes destruction and emboldens lawbreakers. When foreign flags are waved in defiance by those breaking U.S. laws, it challenges the very notion of sovereignty. The path forward requires clear-eyed acknowledgment of these realities, robust enforcement of the law, and a commitment to restoring order—not excuses for those who burn, block, and attack in the name of dissent.
You can follow Mike Connors on X @OmniNewsJournal
