LAPD Uses Rubber Bullets During Anti-ICE Protests in Los Angeles | Echoes of 2020 George Floyd Demonstrations

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Police Fire “Less Lethal” Weapons Amid Anti-Immigration Protests

Law enforcement in Los Angeles has once again deployed rubber bullets against protesters—this time in response to demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration raids. The scenes are reminiscent of 2020, when protests over the killing of George Floyd saw widespread use of similar crowd-control weapons across the U.S., including in Los Angeles.

Health and Human Rights Concerns Over Rubber Bullet Use

Though labeled as “less lethal,” rubber bullets and similar projectiles can still cause significant injuries. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, investigative reports and medical experts highlighted how these weapons led to eye loss, bone fractures, and permanent disabilities.

Public health advocates have long warned that rubber bullets can be especially dangerous when fired at close range or aimed at the head and torso, areas where impact is most likely to be devastating.

Echoes of 2020: A Pattern Repeats

The renewed use of force has reignited criticism of police tactics in crowd control. Activists and legal experts argue that while these weapons may be intended to avoid fatalities, they still pose serious threats to demonstrators and bystanders alike.

As in 2020, footage of injuries and violent dispersals is once again going viral, raising questions about how police balance public safety with the right to protest—especially when responding to politically charged movements like the current anti-ICE demonstrations.

The situation in Los Angeles continues to draw national attention, not just for the ongoing immigration protests, but also for how the city’s law enforcement agencies are choosing to respond.