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A Los Angeles man says he suffered a brutal injury at the hands of law enforcement during escalating protests tied to the “No Kings” movement, which has swept across major cities in opposition to President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
Martin Santoyo, 33, told KTLA that he was struck in the groin by a rubber bullet fired by police during a demonstration near Temple Street on Monday evening. The incident reportedly occurred as Santoyo dismounted his bicycle and joined a crowd of protesters gathered downtown.
According to Santoyo, the rubber bullet severely bruised one testicle and “shattered” the other — injuries that have left him temporarily unable to walk or sit comfortably. “It sucks to sit down,” he said from his home, where he is now recovering.
The protest was part of a broader wave of “No Kings” demonstrations that have taken hold in Los Angeles and other major cities in recent days, aimed at condemning federal immigration crackdowns and challenging perceived authoritarian overreach by the federal government.
Santoyo said he never heard a police warning declaring the protest an unlawful gathering before officers began dispersing the crowd. He claimed there was no advance notice before force was used, which he described as “excessive and unprovoked.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has not issued a detailed public statement on the specific incident but has acknowledged the use of crowd-control munitions during the protest, citing rising tensions and reported attacks on officers with rocks, bottles, and even commercial-grade fireworks.
Santoyo’s injury highlights the rising number of civilian casualties reported during this week’s protests, where confrontations between demonstrators and police have intensified. Video footage from other areas of the city has shown officers in riot gear attempting to control large, agitated crowds with tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets.
Civil rights advocates have begun calling for investigations into police conduct during the demonstrations, accusing authorities of using disproportionate force against unarmed protesters. Legal observers have also raised concerns over whether standard protocols — such as clear warnings and de-escalation tactics — were properly followed.
As the protests continue to surge, fueled by anger over immigration enforcement and broader concerns about government power, local officials are bracing for more unrest.
Meanwhile, Santoyo says he is focused on healing — and considering legal action. “I came to protest, not to leave in an ambulance,” he said.
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