'No Kings' protests: Tensions rise in LA as crowd hurls concrete, police allege

Law enforcement leaders came together Friday to discuss their preparations ahead of demonstrations planned for the weekend.

The agencies present at the news conference included the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

Over 2,000 protests are planned nationwide in what's being called "No Kings Day," which also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

"We're talking about two things right now, one is the national exorbitant and frankly authoritarian military parade happening in DC tomorrow," said Hunter Dunn, one of the organizers for No Kings National Day of Defiance Coalition. "Our communities are under attack by the federal government, ICE has shown up without warrants, serving as the administration's personal Gestapo, kidnapping people from churches, graduations, from people going to their court appointments."

"No Kings" Day rallies will be held in over 1,000 communities across the United States on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his policies.

To curb any potential of violence over the weekend, the late-night curfew in downtown Los Angeles has been extended and will take place each night through the weekend from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"The curfew has played a key role in helping to restore order, particularly by curbing the criminal activity that was largely ocurring during the evening hours," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

LAPD will continue to operate under a Unified Command with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, CHP and the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"The coordinated approach ensures that we're sharing intelligence, aligning resources and responding quickly and effectively as conditions continue to evolve," McDonnell said.

The chief reminded everyone planning to protest this weekend to do so peacefully.

"Help us to ensure that the focus remains on the message and not on mayhem," he said.

"We do not want violent agitators out there destroying property or committing acts of violence, specifically against our police officers, deputy sheriff's and CHP officers," said L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Sheriff Luna said he has had 10 deputies injured as a result of these agitators' actions, which at times have involved rocks, Molotov cocktails and commercial pyrotechnics.

The sheriff added that as the lead Mutual Aid coordinator for Los Angeles County, he is in constant communication with other law enforcement agencies, including representatives from the California Office of Emergency Services, and conducts daily checks to ensure any required needs are met.

"So we are coordinating these requests, asking for additional personnel, not always only to be deployed but to be staged at strategic locations around this area to make sure that we are going to respond when our partners need us," Luna said.

Sheriff Luna said the agency is at about 170% over what they normally staff for the weekend, just to be prepared for the events this weekend that not only include over 30 planned demonstrations, but two major soccer matches at SoFi Stadium, and added vigilance stemming from the Israel-Iran conflict.

"We have activated special response teams, which are specially trained officers, and they will all be activated, working throughout the state of California," said CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp.

Beauchamp said the CHP is on tactical alert in L.A. County, meaning that all days off for CHP officers are canceled.

"So that we can provide the highest level of safety and service to everyone here in Los Angeles County, and so that we're ready to stand with our law enforcement partners tomorrow in ensuring that safe events take place here in Los Angeles County," Beauchamp said.

CHP officers will be on active patrol throughout the state looking for areas of concern to ensure everyone remains safe, according to Beauchamp. He added that CHP will be flying their patrol aircraft to make sure demonstrations remain safe, as well as for the safety of law enforcement officers.

A rally is scheduled to take place in downtown Riverside Saturday at 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Market and University.

"We're expecting a peaceful event. Our job as law enforcement is to help facilitate a safe and peaceful environment for anyone coming out to express their First Amendment rights, that's what we're going to do," said Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback. "If you're going to come here and try to harm our businesses, or try to harm law enforcement, we're not going to tolerate that, we're going to take the appropriate action that needs to be taken."

One of the largest SoCal demonstrations is set to begin around 10 a.m. in Grand Park in downtown L.A.

Watch the full news conference below:

Law enforcement leaders discuss preparations ahead of weekend protests across Southern California.

In New York City, what's expected to be the biggest demonstration will take place at Bryant Park starting at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and move down Fifth Avenue to Madison Square Park.

A second 'spur march' is planned at Grace Plaza, described as "a New Orleans-inspired funeral second line parade as a unique artistic delegation" that will join the main march along the way.

Another rally is planned at Columbia University, where organizers say they will also march to join the main rally at Bryant Park.

The NYPD and organizers say they have the same goal - give people a chance to take part in their right to protest and ensure everyone remains safe.

"You do not have a right to engage in violence and lawlessness," Mayor Eric Adams said ahead of planned protests on Saturday.

Janice Yu reports on the security for No Kings Day in New York City.

Philadelphia could have one of the largest so-called "No Kings" protests in the country on Saturday.

Protesters in Philadelphia will begin marching in Love Park around noon and then go to the famed Art Museum.

With immigration enforcement a heated issue, officials hope cool heads will prevail.

READ MORE | What to know about 'No Kings Day' protests across US to counter Trump military parade

City leaders say people are well within their rights to protest, just do so peacefully.

Philadelphia leaders urge peace ahead of protest

"I'm the mayor and I have to do what I think is in the best interest to protect all Philadelphians," said Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Anticipating what the weekend may bring, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office vows to punish those who break the law -- whether they be looters and agitators or police and ICE agents -- if they act outside the law.

MORE | Philadelphia 'No Kings' protest: What to know about road closures, parking restrictions and more

"We will also hold accountable anyone and everyone," said District Attorney Larry Krasner (D-Philadelphia), "whether they are uniformed ICE agents or opportunistic criminals who would tuck in behind lawful protests in order to loot. We will hold all of their property accountable."

Governor Josh Shapiro released a statement saying his office is coordinating with the office of Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Their goal is to ensure all protests remain peaceful, lawful and orderly.

More protests over President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement are expected to get underway this weekend in the Chicago area.

The Chicago Police Department has canceled officers' days off for the weekend in preparation for "No Kings Day" protests and other planned events in the city. Thousands of people are expected to be downtown, and problems can come up quickly with a crowd of that size, but CPD says it's ready to act quickly.

"It's essential for getting the number of officers on the street that you need in order to enforce the laws and protect the citizens," said Monterrey Security Director of Public Safety Anthony Riccio, who is also a former CPD first deputy superintendent. "We still have to police and patrol the neighborhood on a Saturday night or Sunday night in June."

Two demonstrations flooded parts of Chicago's Loop earlier this week, and one resulted in 17 arrests following clashes with CPD. Riccio says heading into the weekend, officers are prepared to respond to any illegal behavior.

"When you identify those individuals, they are identified pretty quickly. You have to grab them and take them into custody, arrest them and remove them from the crowd. One thing I know for certain is bad behavior, criminal behavior, is contagious," Riccio said.

This comes after a large wave of mostly peaceful protests on Thursday night.

A sea of protesters could be seen holding signs, chanting and marching to voice their frustrations and anger with recent immigration raids in the area. Demonstrators also marched and rallied near Chicago's Trump Tower.

Saturday's protest in Chicago is set to take place at Daley Plaza. CPD says its officers are ready to handle the large crowds and prepared with all necessary resources.