Photo via FINNEAS’ Facebook Page
Award-winning producer and artist FINNEAS joined thousands of demonstrators who assembled across Los Angeles over the weekend, expressing solidarity with immigrant communities facing intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under President Donald Trump‘s administration. The musician documented his experience through social media, reporting exposure to tear gas during what he characterized as peaceful demonstrations.
In an Instagram story posted on Sunday, FINNEAS detailed the incident: “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown — they’re inciting this.” His social media documentation of the events included additional content expressing opposition to federal immigration enforcement, footage of an Australian journalist struck by less-lethal ammunition, and shared commentary from comedian Tim Heidecker condemning what he termed “fascist” policies.
The protests occurred on the same day President Trump authorized National Guard deployment to Los Angeles to address the demonstrations. This federal intervention has drawn sharp criticism from local leadership and military experts, with a former National Guard vice chief describing the deployment as unwarranted given current conditions.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has characterized the federal response as deliberately provocative, describing the National Guard order as an attempt to manufacture crisis conditions. Newsom has indicated his administration intends to pursue legal action challenging the federal deployment.
The weekend’s events represent the latest escalation in tensions between California state authorities and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement policies, with demonstrations spreading across multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods as communities respond to expanded ICE operations.
