Pepper spray, tear gas, or taserCaliforniaProtester
Protesters pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, or tased in California
Documented stories describe protesters and bystanders in California cities including Los Angeles, Paramount, San Francisco, Alameda, and Ventura County who were pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, or struck with pepper rounds during ICE enforcement operations or demonstrations against them; several were also thrown to the ground, tackled, or struck by vehicles, and some faced criminal charges afterward. This pattern was first documented in June 2025 and has recurred in multiple months since, with June 2025 marking its peak share of reported stories and recent months showing a smaller share than at that peak.
Recurring since Jun 2025. A smaller share of recent stories than at its peak.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
11 stories in 1 state. What accompanies this practice →
“I was in shock, disoriented and terrified that I might stop breathing altogether.”
California
Woman thrown to ground, protesters pepper-sprayed by ICE in Ventura CountyA woman observing an ICE operation outside the Ventura County Sheriff's Office was thrown to the ground, and an agent then pepper-sprayed the crowd of witnesses documenting the scene.Ventura County, CA · Feb 2, 2026 · CBS News, Noozhawk, Edhat +1
Jonathan C.: CSU lecturer arrested during immigration raid at farmA CSU Channel Islands lecturer was arrested during immigration raids at Camarillo cannabis farms, accused of throwing a tear gas canister at agents. Released on bond, he pleaded not guilty in November.Ventura County, CA · Nov 6, 2025 · FOX 11 Los Angeles, LAist, Magzter +3
Jorge B.: Pastor shot in face with pepper round by ICE at prayer vigilRev. Jorge Bautista, a pastor, was shot in the face with a pepper round while trying to deescalate an Oct. 23 prayer vigil in Alameda, California, suffering days of burning eyes and headaches.“I was in shock, disoriented and terrified that I might stop breathing altogether.” — the Rev. Jorge BautistaAlameda, CA · Oct 23, 2025 · United Church of Christ, Religion News Service, San Francisco Chronicle +4
David H.: Union leader thrown to ground by agents while protesting ICE raidDavid Huerta, president of SEIU California, was thrown to the ground and pepper-sprayed while protesting an immigration raid in Los Angeles. Felony charges against him were later dropped, but the 15-month ordeal strained his marriage and mental health.Los Angeles, CA · Oct 18, 2025 · Associated Press, CBS News, NBC Los Angeles +3
Caleb R.: Protester tackled by ICE officers outside San Francisco field officeCaleb Alexander Ranney, tackled and detained outside San Francisco's ICE office during an August standoff, now faces trial on two misdemeanor charges. A judge is weighing claims that agents mishandled evidence from his backpack.San Francisco, CA · Aug 8, 2025 · Mission Local, KQED, San Francisco Standard +2
Protesters dragged and injured by ICE agents at SF immigration courtA protester outside San Francisco's immigration court was dragged by a federal agents' vehicle and nearly run over; she said she was left cut and bleeding after falling from the hood.San Francisco, CA · July 2025 · ACLU, Mission Local, San Francisco Standard +1
Luis H.: U.S. citizen protester pepper-sprayed, tackled by ICE agents, convulses during arrestLuis Hipolito, 23, a U.S. citizen, was pepper-sprayed and tackled by ICE agents in downtown Los Angeles, convulsing after being restrained. He was charged with assaulting a federal officer and later released by a judge.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 27, 2025 · Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, CNN +3
Christian C.: U.S. citizen carpenter arrested by ICE, car rammed with children insideChristian Cerna, 28, a U.S. citizen carpenter whose father was deported when he was a boy, was arrested after agents rammed his car with his partner and children inside; a judge called it vindictive.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 11, 2025 · The Guardian, Al Mayadeen (English), Fascism News +2
LA anti-ICE protesters arrested as police fire flash bangs, rubber bulletsProtesters demonstrating against ICE raids in Los Angeles were arrested and zip-tied after police fired flash bangs and rubber bullets near the Arts District and Little Tokyo.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 9, 2025 · Associated Press, CNN, ABC7 +2
Finneas: Grammy-winning musician tear-gassed at L.A. ICE protestMusician Finneas was tear-gassed while joining a peaceful protest against ICE raids in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025, and described the experience on Instagram.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 8, 2025 · The Independent, San Francisco Chronicle, The Fader
At least 44 detained, protesters tear-gassed during ICE operations in ParamountImmigration raids near a Paramount Home Depot led to at least 44 detentions and drew over 1,000 protesters, sparking clashes with tear gas and flash-bangs and prompting a National Guard deployment.Paramount, CA · Jun 7, 2025 · Spectrum Local News, NBC Bay Area, Yahoo News +2