Bridgette Covelli was enjoying the “No Kings Day” festivities near Los Angeles City Hall on June 14 when things took a sudden turn. She described the atmosphere as peaceful, with people chanting and dancing, and no visible tension with the police. The city’s curfew was still hours away, but without warning, officers began firing rubber bullets and launching smoke bombs into the crowd protesting against aggressive immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.
Covelli, 23, grabbed an electric bike and tried to leave the area. Just two blocks away, she felt a sharp pain in her arm and fell to the ground. She had been hit by a hard-foam projectile fired by an LAPD officer. Even as she lay injured, she reported that officers continued to fire at the crowd. “There was no dispersal order. Nothing at all,” she said. “We were doing everything right. There was no aggression toward them.”
The tattoo artist was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a fractured forearm that has left her unable to work. “I haven’t been able to draw. I can’t even brush my teeth correctly,” she lamented.
Covelli is one of many demonstrators and journalists who suffered injuries from LAPD’s use of foam projectiles, tear gas, and other crowd-control methods during recent protests. Despite ongoing lawsuits and promises from city leaders to curb excessive force, the LAPD is again facing criticism for its tactics during these events.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell defended the officers’ actions, stating they were responding to a chaotic situation. He promised a thorough review of the incidents once the protests concluded. However, many observers noted that the LAPD’s response seemed more aggressive than in previous years, raising concerns about the use of force against peaceful protesters.
Witnesses reported that the police used tear gas and rubber bullets after some individuals began throwing objects at them. In one instance, a protester drove a motorcycle into a line of officers, resulting in multiple injuries among the police. Yet, many protesters felt the LAPD’s response was disproportionate, claiming that officers fired on those who posed no threat.
Amidst the chaos, Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders were reportedly urging restraint. However, some LAPD officials expressed frustration over delays in making arrests before the protests escalated. The city has faced significant backlash over its handling of protests in the past, particularly following the George Floyd protests in 2020, which resulted in costly lawsuits.
As tensions escalated, the LAPD’s mounted unit also came under scrutiny. Some protesters claimed that the horses caused confusion and injuries rather than restoring order. Videos from the protests showed mounted officers advancing into crowds while officers fired less-lethal rounds.
The situation has left many participants feeling uneasy about future demonstrations. Audrey Knox, a screenwriter, was struck in the head by a foam round while watching a skirmish from the sidelines. After receiving medical treatment, she expressed her concerns about returning to protests, feeling that her freedom of speech had been attacked.
The LAPD’s recent actions have sparked renewed discussions about police tactics during protests and the balance between maintaining order and respecting the rights of demonstrators. With ongoing scrutiny and potential legal challenges ahead, the department faces a critical moment as it reassesses its approach to crowd control.