Skip to Content
Photo Essay

Photo Essay: L.A. In Resistance On June 8, 2025

From blazing Waymos and National Guard troops, to an anti-ICE Labubu, L.A. TACO was there to capture it all.

A person in a pink Labubu costume holding a sign that says "ICE Out of LA"

The anti-ICE Labubu. Photo by Kemal Cilengir.

A group of reporters from L.A. TACO was in Downtown L.A. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, witnessing our L.A. neighbors defend their civil rights amid dangers such as police projectiles and burning autonomous cars.

Photographer and TACO contributor Kemal Cilengir was there taking photos, which gives you the perspective of what it was like. Take a look at Kemal's photos from this past Sunday in Downtown L.A.

A group of L.A. police with "less-lethal firearms" on a Downtown street next to a black truck, with photographers behind them
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A white Waymo car spray-painted FUCK ICE, as a person writes on it and another takes a photo with their phone
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
Two cops lead a person away in handcuffs, seen through the back, framed by a car window
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
a line of National Guard troops, standing side by side with shields
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A car burns, releasing a lot of smoke, in front of Downtown LA buildings, with a crowd of protestors befor it
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A person stands atop a trashed Waymo car holding protest signs, as smoke billows behind them
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A masked person tags a Waymo car, as another burns behind it
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A line of cops shoots tear gas at unseen protestors
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A child waves a Mexican flag from the sunroof of a red car amid a crowd of people
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A person in a pink Labubu costume holds a sign that says "ICE out of LA"
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A protestor with a keffiyeh on their head holds up two fingers in a peace sign under the Temple St sign
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A police officer's torso, showing zip ties, a gun, and a radio
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
A large crowd of riot police in helmets guarding a freeway entrance
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.
National Guard troops standing next to a person with a black RESIST flag
Photo by Kemal Cilengir for L.A. TACO.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Eight Photography Labs in L.A. Still Honoring the Art of Film

These L.A. film labs are keeping the craft alive. While photographing the city's precious landmarks, these shops have become ones themselves.

December 8, 2025

Sunday Taquitos #5: Out Of Business

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

December 7, 2025

Daily Memo: Border Patrol In Disguise Try to Hire Day Laborers to Kidnap Them

Border Patrol raided five Home Depots, chased a man into a bus, and a flower vendor into a gas station, who were among at least 13 people kidnapped around the Southland, with most of the focus in Orange County today.

December 5, 2025

No Sign, No Menu, and Alcohol-Free: Inside Downtown L.A.’s Hidden Tea Speakeasy

This tea bar quietly opened in May this year, quietly carving out a hidden third space for the tea-obsessed and the sober-curious alike.

December 5, 2025

CBP Briefly Detains U.S. Citizen While at His Construction Job in Baldwin Park

"They told me that they dropped me back off, but no, they just dropped me off somewhere random,” the man explains, after being interrogated inside of a vehicle.

December 5, 2025

Weekend Eats: Free Bison Barbacoa ‘Tacos For Toys’ At Evil Cooks

Meanwhile, one of L.A.'s best Thai spot comes west, a Swahili food business arises in South L.A., and a chocolate vending machine graces West Hollywood.

December 5, 2025
See all posts