Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against multiple protesters involved in recent demonstrations, issuing a firm warning that violence and property destruction will not be tolerated under his administration.
⚖️ DA Hochman Issues Strong Message on Protest Violence
At a press conference Wednesday morning, DA Nathan Hochman stated that his office is filing criminal charges against protesters involved in illegal activity during recent public demonstrations, which have swept across Southern California in response to federal immigration enforcement and military deployments.
While affirming the right to peaceful protest, Hochman made it clear that “violence, vandalism, and threats to public safety will result in prosecution.”
“Let me be clear,” Hochman said. “We will not allow violence to masquerade as protest in Los Angeles County.”
According to his office, charges include felony assault on law enforcement, arson, destruction of public property, and weapons possession, among others. Several of the arrested individuals were allegedly involved in attacks on police officers and attempts to breach federal buildings.
🔥 Violent Incidents Under Investigation
Recent protests, especially those near City Hall, federal courthouses, and ICE detention facilities, have escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. In one incident, protesters allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks, injuring multiple officers and setting a patrol vehicle ablaze.
The LAPD and federal agencies are conducting joint investigations, using surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts to identify further suspects.
🛑 Hochman Draws Line Between Protest and Criminality
Hochman, who took office earlier this year, is positioning himself as a law-and-order district attorney after years of debate over how to balance public safety with civil rights in Los Angeles. His tone marked a departure from previous DA policies, which were seen by some critics as too lenient on protest-related offenses.
He emphasized that the right to assemble does not grant immunity from accountability.
“If you bring a weapon to a protest, you are not a protester—you are a threat to public safety,” he added.
👮 Police and Political Support
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement supporting the DA’s actions, saying the city “cannot allow chaos to become normalized.” Several city council members and local leaders echoed support, stating that lawful dissent must be protected, but violence must be prosecuted.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), however, cautioned that law enforcement must be careful not to conflate nonviolent civil disobedience with criminal activity, calling for transparency in how arrests and charges are pursued.
