A disturbing video has surfaced showing a man being trampled by police horses during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The incident occurred Friday, June 6, during one of several nights of intense demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters gathered to speak out against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions. As tensions escalated, riot police moved in, and what followed resembled a scene from a war zone.

In widely shared footage—also aired on national television—a man wearing a backpack is seen lying in the street surrounded by mounted and foot officers. One horse kicks him, another stomps on him, and a mounted officer appears to strike him in the head with a baton or similar object.

Although the man eventually manages to get up and retreat, another officer is seen forcefully throwing him back to the ground.

Warning: The video is graphic and may be distressing to viewers.

Police reportedly deployed rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd after officers were hit with rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, reporting for 9News, was caught in the chaos while covering the protests. “I’m all right,” she later said. “Myself, Jimmy, and our cameraman are all safe. Unfortunately, this is sometimes the reality of covering these types of events.”

Tomasi described downtown L.A. as tense and heavily secured, noting that parts of the city had been sealed off, with warnings that anyone crossing certain lines would be immediately arrested.

In response to rising tensions and reports of violence against federal agents, then-President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, June 7, that he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the area.

“If Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs—which everyone knows they can’t—then the federal government will step in and take care of the RIOTS & LOOTERS the right way!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back forcefully on social media, saying:
“I’ve formally requested the Trump administration rescind the unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command. Before federal involvement, there were no issues. This is a clear violation of state sovereignty. Reverse the directive. Restore California’s control.”

Mayor Karen Bass also expressed concern, referencing Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expand deportation authority:
“This kind of overreach is creating fear across the community. People don’t feel safe—not just because of what happened, but because of how fast this fear is spreading.”

Los Angeles residents have since been urged to avoid public gatherings and stay off the streets for their own safety.