Protests against immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles Friday intensified into the evening, prompting authorities in riot gear to deploy tear gas and flash bangs to disperse crowds.

Police on Friday night issued a citywide tactical alert nearly two hours after declaring protests across the downtown area unlawful assemblies. "The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander," LAPD's Central Division wrote in a post on X .

The protest came after at least 44 people were arrested by federal immigration agents earlier in the day, the Associated Press reported, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers executed search warrants at three locations, according to a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations.

CNN has reached out to the Department

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