A look at the ‘less lethal’ weapons authorities used to crack down on Los Angeles protests

See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Link Copied! Follow

Late Sunday, as protesters against federal immigration raids clashed with law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division sent out a warning:

“Less Lethal munitions have been authorized,” officials wrote on X , ordering crowds in Downtown Los Angeles to disperse. “Less lethal munitions may cause pain and discomfort.”

Over the weekend, police used a standard variety of tools to disperse crowds and quell protests that had devolved into violence: Protesters lit self-driving cars on fire . Two motorcyclists drove into a skirmish line of officers, injuring two. And LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell , condemning the “disgusting” violence, alleged on Sunday evening a Molotov cocktail had been t