Live updates: Arrests made as protesters clash with officers in downtown Los Angeles after ‘ICE Out’ protest

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke to the media on Friday evening after an otherwise peaceful “ICE Out” protest in downtown Los Angeles ended with a smaller group of protesters clashing with police.

According to Bass, by about 7:30 p.m., about 150 people remained near Alameda Street between Aliso and 1st Street. Bass said at last check, up to five people had been arrested for failure to disperse after Los Angeles police issued multiple dispersal orders and declared an unlawful assembly.

The protest began as part of a national day of action protesting ongoing federal immigration operations. Bass says she believes other protesters were there after the arrest of former CNN journalist Don Lemon.

“I know additional people came out because they were outraged at the arrest of Don Lemon here in our own city last night,” Bass said. “Here you have a world renowned reproter, Don Lemon, no one questions that he is a reporter. For him to be arrested for doing his job, and for them to attempt to restrict his ability to do his job, is just an egregious misuse of our justice system.”

“This is the 250th year of our democracy, and I just wonder how much more our democracy will be eroded with this administration,” she continued

Bass noted that while she supports ongoing protests, it’s important that the demonstrations remain peaceful.

“I think the protests are extremely important, but it is equally important for these protests to be peaceful, for vandalism not to take place. That just hurts the city. That does not impact the administration in any kind of way that is going to bring about any type of change,” Bass said. “I will say, what can happen if the protest gets violent, that is exactly what I believe this administration wants to see happen… then don’t be surprised if the military re-enters our city.”

AIR7 video shows things first begin to escalate when a group of protesters came face-to-face with federal agents behind the federal detention center in downtown L.A.

Video shows protesters throwing objects at federal agents and moving what appeared to be a large shipping container.

The federal officers eventually deployed tear gas, and Los Angeles police slowly began to push the group further up the street and away from the building.