Grammy winner Finneas claims to be tear-gassed during peaceful ICE protest in LA

Finneas Baird O'Connell, who goes by his stage name, Finneas, took to Instagram on June 8, 2025, to speak out about being tear-gassed while attending a peaceful protest in LA. The singer-songwriter posted a story on Instagram and wrote:

"Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They’re inciting this," referring to the LAPD, federal agents, and military forces.

Several protests have erupted all over Los Angeles after President Donald Trump ordered the National Guard troops. The mayor of Los Angeles and the California governor have voiced their disagreements regarding President Trump's actions.

Finneas protests against ICE on social media

Finneas has always been a big supporter of immigrant rights and social justice. During the recent chaos, O'Connell stood in solidarity with the people by attending one of the peaceful protests. However, he reported that he was tear-gassed immediately by the authorities, and he believed that they (the government) are "inciting" it.

He also posted a story for GI Rights Hotline, addressing all the National Guard and Active Duty Military who feel forced to "violate the Constitutional Rights". The post was accompanied by Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down audio. It said,

"You don't have to go through with it," along with the number 1-877-447-4487.

Finneas also shared a video of an Australian reporter, Lauren Tomasi, who was shot at by a rubber bullet. The video revealed one of the armed men turning towards Tomasi and firing a rubber bullet, which hit her on the calves. The cameraman moved in to help Lauren, and she can be heard saying she's good in a high-pitched voice.

As for the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, he wrote a letter addressing the issue. He believed that the deployment was:

"A serious breach of state sovereignty."

Newsom met with the local leaders, including law enforcement, but has not said if he has met with President Trump.

LA Mayor Karen Bass also spoke out about the incident. She said:

"What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration... This is about another agenda — this isn’t about public safety."

After Gavin Newsom's letter, the White House responded by saying:

"It’s a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved."

The protest attended by Finneas was one of the few that got strained over the week. There was another protest where immigrants were reportedly detained by ICE in basement holding cells without any prior notice.

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