Peaceful Protesters With Head Wounds From Police Munitions Speak Out At Press Conference

MARINA DEL REY, CALIF., June 25, 2025 – Three people who suffered serious facial and head wounds from “less lethal” projectiles used against them on June 8 while they peacefully protested the federal government’s aggressive ICE raids have filed claims against Los Angeles County, the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD.

In California, a claim must be filed first before a civil rights lawsuit can be lodged against the city or county over the actions of their police officers and deputies.

*Video Coverage Below*

Two of the injured protesters will speak at a press conference Wednesday. The third will not speak because his jaw was shattered by some sort of police device shot at him, and it now is wired together, but the facts of his injuries will be shared. The press conference will be held 11 a.m. (Pacific) Wednesday, June 25, at the offices of V. James DeSimone Law, 13160 Mindanao Way, Suite 280, Marina del Rey, Calif.

 The press conference will also stream on Instagram at @civilrightslawyerjimdesimone.

 (Photos and documents can be found here.)

“Every one of these people has sustained a serious and traumatic head wound while they peacefully protested against the extralegal acts of ICE in the community,” DeSimone said. “Both LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department have policies explicitly prohibiting their officers and deputies from shooting at people’s heads because of the danger posed. Allowing them to shoot indiscriminately at head level, into crowds, ensures that many people will be hurt and with life-changing injuries. That is exactly what happened here.”

MIGUEL MENDOZA was taking photos and videos of the protests near the Los Angeles City Hall on Main Street when LAPD officers started coming towards where he stood, using batons to hit people in their way. Mendoza did not witness anyone in his immediate vicinity acting violently or posing a threat to any officer or individual, yet the officers started firing less-lethal projectiles at them.

Mendoza had just taken a picture of a flag and was looking down at his phone when a bullet from a less-lethal projectile hit him directly in his face. He was brought to an emergency room, where a CAT scan showed he had a broken nose and facial fractures on the right side of his face. He also needed stitches for lacerations below his nose, above his lip and inside his mouth.

His injuries will leave him likely needing nose surgery and with a scar from below his nose to above his lip. Moreover, after his swelling subsides, the doctor will be able to determine any other permanent damage and if reconstructive surgery and scar revision will be needed for other parts of his face.

DAISY BRAVO decided to peacefully participate in the advocacy againt ICE human rights violations occurring around Los Angeles. Like many of the advocates, she felt it was important to take a peaceful stand against ICE’s abuse of hard working families in her community.. After work, she arrived in Compton and parked near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Alondra Boulevard, joining roughly 150 individuals exercising their First Amendment rights.

She spent the evening observing and occasionally photographing and filming flag-waving marchers and musicians. At no point did she threaten officers or impede traffic, which remained open on Atlantic Avenue while Alondra Boulevard was blocked by a single skirmish line of police in riot gear.

At about 1:20 a.m., LAPD squad cars pulled forward and activated sirens to seal Atlantic Avenue, yet no dispersal order was issued. Within 10 minutes, LASD deputies arrived to reinforce the closure. When Bravo asked an LASD deputy for permission to cross the street to her parked car, the deputy, instead of responding, grabbed her arm and pushed her away. As she walked away to comply, LAPD officers and LASD deputies, without warning, suddenly fired rubber-bullet projectiles indiscriminately into the crowd.

As Bravo was moving away in compliance with the commands, one of those rounds struck the back of her head, leaving her dazed, bleeding, and nearly unconscious. Emergency room doctors closed the wound with seven staples. Persistent headaches, dizziness, and confusion prompted a follow-up CT scan confirming a concussion. Nearly two weeks later, she still suffers constant pain, cognitive difficulties, and anxiety that disrupt both her life and that of her five-year-old son.

ATLACHINOLLI TEZCACOATL went to downtown Los Angeles to peacefully protest human and civil rights violations committed by ICE. Arriving around 3 p.m. at Aliso and Spring Streets, he made his way toward Temple and Alameda, where he engaged LAPD officers in a 30-minute conversation about their constitutional duties and the moral implications of their actions.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Texcacoatl experienced a brief moment of connection when some officers appeared to acknowledge his words with nods. At no point did he act aggressively or threaten law enforcement.

By approximately 5 p.m., LAPD officers began escalating their presence and advancing on the crowd without provocation. As demonstrators were pushed east along Temple Street toward Los Angeles Street, officers opened fire with “less-lethal” projectiles. Mounted officers joined the assault, trampling protestors and striking them with long clubs. Tezcacoatl, who had not engaged in any unlawful activity or posed any threat and was retreating peacefully, appeared to be singled out by an LAPD officer who fired projectiles directly at him, first striking his ribs, then his face.

The impact shattered his jaw and facial bones, requiring emergency surgery to install bolts and wire his jaw shut. He now faces a lengthy recovery, including additional reconstructive surgery. Since the incident, Tezcacoatl has endured chronic headaches, nightmares, and emotional trauma. His ability to eat, speak, and sleep has been severely affected, compounding the physical pain and psychological harm inflicted by the LAPD’s unjustified use of force.

“Firing impact munitions without warning at non-threatening civilians, and especially firing them at peoples’ heads, violates our First and Fourth Amendment rights and California Civil Code,” DeSimone said. “These are serious injuries, and they exemplify a broader, well-documented pattern in which LAPD and LASD tolerate, condone, and even encourage excessive force against peaceful protestors. This has to end.”

Los Angeles civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone has dedicated his 40-year law career to providing vigorous and ethical representation to achieve justice for those whose civil and constitutional rights are violated.