1/92As tensions boiled over on June 8, a man rides past a burning Waymo vehicle — one of several torched near LA’s federal building after ICE-led raids sparked outrage. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
World has never seen US scenes like this
The America the world believed that it knew has been blown to shreds after the shocking scenes out of California over the past few days.
2/92Holding a defiant placard, a protester stands their ground during violent clashes in downtown LA. The chaos followed a series of controversial immigration crackdowns across the city. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
3/92In Paramount, one of the first areas hit by federal operations on June 7, a man helps a bloodied woman to safety as peaceful protests gave way to violence. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
4/92With flames raging behind him, a protester skates through the smoke-filled streets near LA’s federal building, where demonstrators were met with tear gas and riot squads. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
5/92A Waymo car burns during the height of the protests on June 8. Demonstrators torched vehicles and faced off with police after immigration raids triggered mass unrest. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
6/92Waving a Mexican flag, a protester walks into the chaos near the federal building. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
7/92Amid clouds of tear gas in Paramount, a protester hurls a rock at police. The unrest erupted after reports of aggressive ICE operations across Latino communities. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP Photo
8/92One of several driverless vehicles set ablaze during the protests, this Waymo burns as crowds refuse to back down in their fight against the ICE sweeps. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
9/92In Compton, firefighters battle flames as a car burns during protests on June 7 — part of a wave of unrest that swept across greater LA. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
10/92A lone protester stares down a sheriff’s deputy during a tense stand-off. The image has become a viral symbol of resistance in what some are calling the biggest LA unrest since 2020. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
11/92Teargas floods the air as police move in on demonstrators. Despite calls from state leaders for de-escalation, federal forces have used flashbangs and rubber bullets in several cities. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
12/92A burnt US flag lies on the asphalt — a stark image of disillusionment. Critics accuse Trump of reigniting deep cultural divides through his immigration crackdown. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
13/92A lone protester stands amid tear gas in Paramount, where ICE actions prompted hundreds to take to the streets in what quickly turned into violent resistance. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
14/92Fire crews race to contain another vehicle blaze in Compton, where protests flared just hours after reports surfaced of ICE detaining families without notice. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
15/92LA County Sheriffs form a barricade in Compton as anger builds. The raids, reportedly targeting undocumented residents without warrants, sparked immediate backlash. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
16/92Tensions rise as Sheriffs hold the line. Eyewitnesses say agents arrived in unmarked vans, triggering panic in communities with little prior warning. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
17/92Law enforcement gather in Paramount, where protests erupted after it emerged that children were among those detained in early morning operations. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
18/92Deputies fire rubber bullets and tear gas during the June 8 protests in downtown LA. Police say dozens were arrested, while medics treated scores for injuries. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
19/92ICE agents guard the LA Federal Building as tensions spiral. City leaders condemned the raids and deployment of the National Guard, calling it a federal overreach. Photo: Apu Gomes / Getty Images
20/92A crowd smashes a car windshield beside a burning Waymo, just blocks from where National Guard troops had been stationed overnight. Photo by RINGO CHIU / AFP
21/92A protester stands defiantly, holding handmade placards in a smoke-filled street. Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to the ICE operations across LA County. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
22/92A lone protester stares down Sheriff deputies in a tense moment outside the federal building. Chants of “no human is illegal” echoed through the crowd. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
23/92Law enforcement remain stationed in Paramount, one of the epicentres of the backlash, where demonstrators say homes were raided without clear justification. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
24/92A protester defiantly waves the Mexican flag amid smoke and confrontation in downtown LA. The unrest followed Trump’s sweeping ICE operations targeting “sanctuary cities.” Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
25/92Sheriff deputies face off with demonstrators outside the LA federal building. The June 8 protests marked a third straight day of violent clashes sparked by sudden immigration sweeps. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
26/92A car speeds past a blaze in downtown LA as chaos engulfs the city. Dozens of cars were torched and over 100 protesters arrested, with riot police enforcing curfews. Photo by RINGO CHIU / AFP
27/92A woman raises the Mexican flag through tear gas in Paramount, where raids were carried out without local co-operation. Critics say families were separated in the process. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
28/92Protesters shout at police in Paramount as news spreads that undocumented community leaders had also been taken into custody. Many called the raids politically motivated. Photo: Eric Thayer / AP
29/92Residents shield themselves from heat and smoke as fires rage in Paramount. Witnesses say federal officers used flashbangs during overnight arrests, escalating tensions. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
30/92Compton streets fill with law enforcement as backlash over ICE raids grows. Local officials said they were blindsided by the Trump administration’s decision to deploy federal agents. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
31/92A 51-year-old man is helped by journalists after being tear gassed by LAPD officers near the federal building. Medics treated over 70 people across LA for nonlethal injuries. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
32/92Teargas flies as the man raises his hands in surrender. The 51-year-old had been demanding answers about detained neighbours when officers moved to clear the area. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
33/92A protester in Boston holds a sign likening Donald Trump to Hitler, calling for the release of union leader David Huerta. Huerta’s arrest in LA sparked national outrage and solidarity marches. Photo: Rick Friedman / AFP
34/92A demonstrator waves both American and Mexican flags in Compton — a powerful symbol of identity and resistance as LA becomes the epicentre of national outrage over Trump’s ICE raids. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
35/92Protesters rush to help an injured journalist in Compton. Press organisations have condemned the use of crowd control weapons that left multiple reporters wounded or hospitalised. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
36/92Police investigate a car with someone still inside during a protest in Compton. Raids reportedly involved officers surrounding vehicles and detaining individuals without warrants. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
37/92Demonstrators scatter for shelter in Compton as clashes intensify. What began with morning raids has spiralled into three days of civil unrest across LA’s working-class suburbs. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
38/92A protester attempts to light a molotov cocktail as fireworks explode. Police allege “outside agitators” have escalated violence, but community leaders say frustration has reached a breaking point. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
39/92A man is helped from a vehicle by officers in Compton. While some law enforcement have been praised for restraint, others face criticism over aggressive tactics and racial profiling. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
40/92An attendee at LA Pride holds a “Crush ICE” sign, tying the immigration protests to broader movements for justice. Organisers used the platform to call for the release of detained LGBTQ+ migrants. Photo: Blake Fagan / AFP
41/92Carrying flowers, a protester walks past heavily armed police in downtown LA. Despite tear gas and arrests, demonstrations have included peaceful acts of resistance and mourning. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
42/92As a Waymo burns, protesters smash windows just metres from where riot squads stood. What began in Compton and Paramount has now ignited nationwide solidarity marches — including in Boston and New York. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
43/92A woman is detained as chaos engulfs downtown LA. Over 200 arrests have been made since the protests began, with civil rights groups warning of escalating state violence. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
44/92Protesters march through Pasadena chanting “ICE out of LA!” after reports claimed federal agents were staying at a local hotel. Demonstrators say Trump’s troop deployment was “an act of war” on migrant communities. Photo: Robyn BECK / AFP
45/92Amid rising smoke and scuffles, protesters gather near a fire outside the federal building. The violence followed days of raids that saw families taken in pre-dawn operations. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
46/92In a provocative act of protest, a demonstrator wearing a multi-coloured keffiyeh raises a Soviet flag — a sign, some say, of growing radicalisation and fury at state power. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
47/92The Soviet flag is raised again in a smoke-filled street as protesters clash with police. The scene reflects the ideological extremes and global iconography emerging in the unrest. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
48/92Protesters charge through downtown LA as law enforcement attempt to control the crowd. Trump has labelled the protesters “insurrectionists” — a claim condemned by immigrant advocates. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
49/92Placards rise through the smoke near the federal building, calling for justice, abolition of ICE, and an end to the raids. The demonstrations have now spread to over 30 cities nationwide. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
50/92Protesters and police collide outside LA’s federal building as unrest peaks on June 8. The violence follows sweeping ICE raids that sparked outrage across the city. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
51/92A demonstrator raises a placard through smoke and chaos. The protest movement has drawn support from activists, families and community leaders demanding accountability. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
52/92Police and demonstrators face off in downtown LA. Federal agents and riot squads were deployed after days of civil unrest sparked by immigration crackdowns. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
53/92Protesters push against police lines as tensions rise. Local officials have criticised the use of force, while President Trump maintains the crackdowns are necessary for national security. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
54/92A young child yells “stop” at LAPD officers as crowd-control rounds are fired. The emotional moment has become one of the most shared images of the protest’s third night. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
55/92LAPD officers fire rubber bullets and tear gas toward demonstrators. The force’s use of heavy crowd-control tactics has drawn backlash from civil liberties groups. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
56/92Downtown streets remain blocked as demonstrators clash with police. Despite the chaos, many residents say they will continue protesting until all detainees are released. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
57/92A protester stands near a flaming Waymo holding signs. Demonstrators say tech companies and institutions have quietly aided immigration enforcement through surveillance partnerships. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
58/92Police officers line up as protesters fill the streets. Critics argue the overwhelming federal presence has only escalated tensions rather than diffused them. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
59/92A Waymo burns as violence erupts near the federal building. The image has become symbolic of a city on edge, grappling with political division and unrest. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
60/92A protester holds signs as flames engulf a Waymo vehicle. The targeting of tech-linked vehicles has sparked debate over surveillance, privacy, and corporate complicity in immigration enforcement. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
61/92Demonstrators gather in Grand Park calling for the release of union leader David Huerta. His arrest has galvanised support from labour groups and reignited criticism of political crackdowns on activists. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
62/92Anti-ICE graffiti covers the steps of the Edward Roybal Federal Building. The vandalism followed one of LA’s most volatile nights, as state officials threaten legal action against the Trump administration. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
63/92A wall at the Roybal Federal Building is left covered in protest slogans. Activists say federal buildings have become symbols of oppression after years of rising deportations and militarised enforcement. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
64/92A protester raises a fist while holding the Mexican flag in front of a burning Waymo. The image has become a powerful symbol of resistance and cultural pride in the face of state-sanctioned raids. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
65/92A demonstrator stands atop a burning vehicle in downtown LA. Protesters say the act represents rising frustration with decades of broken immigration promises from both parties. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
66/92A city worker scrubs graffiti off the Roybal building as tensions remain high. Some officials worry ongoing clean-up efforts may be temporary if protests reignite over new ICE actions. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
67/92Crews remove the burned remains of a Waymo car. While calm has returned to some areas, LA remains under heightened security as investigations into protest-related property damage continue. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
68/92A woman is arrested on the 101 freeway after demonstrators shut down traffic. Protesters say blocking highways is a last resort to force national attention on unjust detentions and mass deportations. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
69/92California Highway Patrol officers push protesters off the 101 on-ramp. Road shutdowns have become a hallmark of LA’s civil resistance movement since the start of the June 6 immigration raids. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
70/92A burnt Waymo is removed by clean-up crews as LA reels from three nights of unrest. The National Guard remains on standby while officials assess the damage. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
71/92Work crews clear the charred remains of a driverless car torched during the riots. Debates have reignited over AI surveillance and tech companies’ links to federal enforcement. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
72/92Demonstrators in Grand Park call for the release of union leader David Huerta. His arrest has become a flashpoint in a protest movement uniting labour, immigrant and civil rights groups. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
73/92Crowds in downtown LA gather to protest ICE and the arrest of Huerta. The union boss has become a symbol of alleged political targeting by the Trump administration. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
74/92Police assist a person from a car as fire blazes nearby in Compton. Witnesses report chaos erupting when federal agents entered residential areas without warning. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
75/92Another torched Waymo is hauled away from the street. Community leaders say damage is secondary to the trauma inflicted on families taken in the overnight raids. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
76/92Law enforcement guide an individual from a vehicle as clashes continue. Dozens have reported being forcibly removed from their cars and detained without cause. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
77/92In Boston, a protester holds a sign calling for Huerta’s release. The rallies have now spread to over 40 US cities, reflecting rising discontent with federal immigration policies. Photo: Rick Friedman / AFP
78/92A man turns back towards a fire in Compton as police escort him from his vehicle. The incident took place shortly after ICE officers reportedly breached private property. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
79/92A protester photographs anti-ICE graffiti outside the Roybal building. Federal facilities have become targets as anger mounts over what critics call authoritarian tactics. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
80/92The charred shell of a Waymo vehicle draws a passer-by’s attention in central LA. Images like this have become emblems of a city under siege from its own government. Photo: Frederic J. Brown / AFP
81/92In Boston, a sign comparing Trump to Hitler is raised outside City Hall. Protesters say the President’s use of military force against civilians echoes authoritarian regimes. Photo: Rick Friedman / AFP
82/92Protesters gather outside Boston City Hall demanding Huerta’s release. Many say the co-ordinated raids were an attempt to silence influential voices in the immigration debate. Photo: Rick Friedman / AFP
83/92A protester holds a sign aloft while standing in a smoke cloud in LA. The haze came after officers fired tear gas to disperse crowds refusing to leave federal grounds. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
84/92Marchers protest outside the AC Marriott in Pasadena, where they believe ICE agents are housed. The hotel has denied involvement but has since faced mounting pressure online. Photo: Robyn BECK / AFP
85/92Chants of “ICE out of LA” ring through Pasadena as demonstrators march outside a suspected ICE hub. The protests have started targeting federal contractors and affiliated businesses. Photo: Robyn BECK / AFP
86/92Protesters in Pasadena take aim at the AC Hotel, demanding transparency over government affiliations. The demonstrations mark a shift towards corporate accountability. Photo: Robyn BECK / AFP
87/92A protester smashes a Waymo window during a fiery standoff downtown. Protesters accuse the rideshare industry of enabling ICE through silent tech partnerships. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
88/92A law enforcement officer works to control a blaze in Compton. Fires broke out as tear gas was deployed and crowds surged through the streets. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
89/92LA County Sheriffs remain on alert in Compton. Their presence has been heavily criticised by locals who accuse them of excessive force and racial profiling. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
90/92Clashes erupt near the federal building in downtown LA as protesters face off with police. The area has become a flashpoint in what many are calling the largest immigration-related unrest in years. Photo: RINGO CHIU / AFP
91/92A protester holds a sign as a Waymo burns behind them. The juxtaposition has been widely shared online, symbolising the raw anger driving LA’s spiralling demonstrations. Photo: BLAKE FAGAN / AFP
92/92Spent tear gas and flashbang canisters litter the streets of Paramount after protests on 7 June. Residents say the heavy-handed tactics left entire blocks in fear well after the crowds dispersed. Photo: Ethan Swope / AP
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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/wild-never-before-seen-scenes/image-gallery/0a741c7251d5ed14ba7600d32023e909