Law enforcement used excessive force and deliberate brutality against Los Angeles protesters and journalists during demonstrations against Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in June, a Human Rights Watch report said Monday.
Scores of people were injured as officers fired hard foam rounds, flash-bang grenades, pepper balls and tear gas from close range, during the largely peaceful response to a dramatic increase in immigration arrests across Southern California.
"Law enforcement officers...used brutal, excessive, and unnecessary force against people standing up for human rights and those reporting on the protests," said Ida Sawyer, the rights group's crisis, conflict and arms director.
The protests erupted on June 6, in anger at raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which