Protesters in California clash with federal agents

UPDATE (5:24 PM): Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says dozens of his deputies stepped in to help ICE agents not with enforcement, but because they were under attack by protesters.

"We are going to support any other law-enforcement agency that's asking for help. The help is though is if they're under violent attack or something thing of that nature not because they need help picking somebody up under doing just strictly civil immigration enforcement," Sheriff Luna said.

Luna is calling for peaceful protests only, and says while he has had some conversations with federal authorities, his deputies are not involved in immigration operations.

"We will protect your right to peacefully protest, but we cannot and will not tolerate violence or destruction of property," Luna expressed.

PARAMOUNT, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Protesters clashed with federal agents Saturday in Los Angeles County, just one day after immigration authorities raided locations across the city.

The protest took place near a Home Depot in Paramount where protesters confronted at least 30 federal agents wearing tactical gear and gas masks.

People were yelling and chanting. Several flash-bang smoke grenades were also thrown into the street.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it was on the scene to keep the peace but would not get involved with making arrests.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said, in a social media post, federal law enforcement operations were "going on as planned this weekend in Los Angeles County" and urged "the public to refrain from interfering."

He said anyone obstructing federal agents would face arrest and prosecution.

In a post to social media, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in part, "If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

On Friday, Homeland Security Investigations said approximately 44 people had been arrested.