Fact check: Were there any arrests or violence during the No Kings protests in June 2025?

1. Summary of the results

Yes, there were multiple confirmed incidents of both arrests and violence during the June 2025 No Kings protests across several U.S. cities. Key incidents include:

• Los Angeles: 38 people were arrested after protesters threw rocks, bricks, bottles, and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, batons, and chemical irritants ^{[1] [2]}
• Virginia: Joseph R. Checklick Jr. was arrested for intentionally driving an SUV into protesters in Culpeper ^[2]
• San Francisco: A motorist was arrested after driving into protesters, injuring four people ^[3]
• Salt Lake City: Shots were fired, critically injuring one person ^[1]
• Portland: Four police officers were injured during clashes ^[1]
• Atlanta: Eight protesters were arrested when demonstrators entered a roadway ^{[2] [3]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual information:

• The protests occurred simultaneously with anti-ICE demonstrations in some locations, particularly in Los Angeles ^[4]
• While there were violent incidents, sources indicate that most protests were peaceful ^[3]
• Law enforcement's response included various crowd control measures such as:
• Tear gas and flash grenades
• Rubber bullets
• Chemical irritants
• Dispersal orders ^{[1] [4]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple yes/no nature of the original question could lead to oversimplification of a complex situation:

• Law enforcement perspective: Sources emphasize protester violence and property damage, which could justify police response
• Protester perspective: The escalation of violence often occurred after police deployment of crowd control measures
• Media coverage: Different sources emphasize different aspects - some focus on protester actions, others on police response
• The term "No Kings protests" itself requires context, as these protests were occurring alongside other demonstrations ^[4]

It's important to note that both protesters and law enforcement engaged in actions that led to violence, and the situation varied significantly by location.