Fact check: How bad was the damage in the 2025 la protests

1. Summary of the results

The 2025 Los Angeles protests resulted in significant property damage and civil unrest spanning multiple days in June. The damage included:

• 23 businesses were looted and nearly 200 people were arrested during the protests ^[1]
• Vandalism, burglary, and the burning of self-driving Waymo cars occurred throughout the city ^[2]
• Multiple buildings, cars, and businesses sustained damage, though most damage was likely covered by insurance ^[2]

The protests escalated to the point where law enforcement deployed flash bangs, rubber bullets, and tear gas against protesters ^[3]. The federal response was unprecedented, with 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard members deployed to Los Angeles ^[4]. A curfew was implemented and Marines were specifically tasked with protecting federal property and personnel ^[5].

Downtown LA was identified as the most affected area, with businesses suffering from lost customers and employees due to the ongoing unrest and curfew restrictions ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the nature and scope of these anti-ICE protests. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide movement that spread to New York, Seattle, Chicago, Austin, and Washington, with varying levels of violence across cities ^[4].

Political tensions emerged around the federal response, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass criticizing the deployment of federal troops, arguing that Los Angeles was being used as "an experiment in federal authority" ^[4]. Senator Alex Padilla also voiced opposition to the federal response ^[5].

The protests had mixed characteristics - while some protesters engaged in violent activities and threw objects at police, others remained peaceful ^[4]. Many protesters remained committed to their cause, viewing the demonstrations as necessary to bring attention to immigration and social justice issues ^[7].

Media access was restricted, with a CNN crew being escorted away from protest zones and briefly detained by LAPD, highlighting tensions between law enforcement and press coverage ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but lacks important context that could lead to incomplete understanding:

• The question doesn't specify the cause of the protests (anti-ICE demonstrations), which is crucial for understanding the political and social context
• It doesn't mention the federal government's role in escalating the situation through military deployment, which benefits the Trump administration's narrative of strong immigration enforcement while potentially benefiting critics like Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass who can position themselves as defenders of local autonomy
• The framing focuses solely on "damage" without acknowledging the protesters' stated goals or the broader immigration policy debate that sparked the unrest
• It omits the nationwide scope of the protests, potentially making the LA situation appear isolated rather than part of a larger movement

The question's narrow focus on damage could inadvertently support narratives that either benefit law enforcement agencies seeking increased funding and authority or benefit political figures who want to emphasize either the need for stronger immigration enforcement or the dangers of federal overreach.