Unleashing a Torrent of Protest and Military Forces: Los Angeles Faces a Test of Resilience
Contemporary Governmental Affairs |
By AMY TAXIN, LOLITA C. BALDOR and JAKE OFFENHARTZ, Associated Press
After a tumultuous week of protests against federal immigration raids, around 200 Marines rolled into Los Angeles last Friday, fortifying a federal building, as communities across the nation braced themselves for what's predicted to be a wave of large-scale demonstrations against President Donald Trump's immigration policies this weekend.
The Marines, equipped with combat gear and rifles, replaced National Guard members who were deployed after the protests explicitly erupted last week. Those protests erupted into dozens more in various cities, leading to clashes with law enforcement and numerous arrests.
On Friday, Marines assumed protective duties at the federal building west of downtown, allowing the National Guard soldiers to be reassigned to safeguarding law enforcement officers during raids, the commander in charge of the 4,700 troops stated.
The Marines' arrival preceded the planned "No Kings" protests nationwide against Trump's immigration policies, coinciding with a military parade in Washington, D.C. slated for the same day.
The Marines' appearance in Los Angeles transpired a day after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals momentarily suspended a federal judge's order directing Trump to relinquish control of the National Guard troops to California. The judge had determined that the Guard's deployment was illegal, violated the Tenth Amendment, and overstepped Trump's statutory authority. However, the judge did not deliberate on the presence of the Marines.
Military Mission
Over 2,000 National Guard troops were mobilized in Los Angeles, with hundreds assisting in arrests. Another 2,000 guardsmen were notified for deployment earlier this week.
Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, overseeing the combined 4,700 troops, confirmed that none of the military personnel will be detaining individuals, although Marines temporarily apprehended a man on Friday afternoon who wandered onto the property without obeying their commands. He was subsequently released without charges.
Roughly 500 National Guard members have been employed to offer security during the immigration raids, having undergone extended instruction, legal training, and rehearsals with arresting agents beforehand.
When asked about coordinating with the Marines, Los Angeles police Chief Jim McDonnell commented that collaboration isn't executed but rather communication lines are open among the military leadership, law enforcement, and local authorities.
Under federal law, active-duty forces are prohibited from performing law enforcement duties.
As of mid-afternoon Friday, over a dozen Marines protected the 17-story Wilshire Federal Building, primarily checking credentials from people there to renew their passports.
The federal building is significant, as last Thursday, Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was forcefully removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's news conference and handcuffed by officers as he attempted to discuss immigration raids.
No protesters were present near the building, though occasional motorists shouted from their windows, expressing mixed opinions on the military presence.
California vs. Trump
California Gov. Gavin Newsom described the troop deployment as a "serious breach of state sovereignty" and a power grab by Trump, and he pursued legal action to stop it. The President has invoked a legal provision that allows him to mobilize federal service members when confronting "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States."
The federal court ruled later Thursday that the actions in Los Angeles do not constitute a rebellion and issued an order for the Guard to be returned to California. However, the appeals court halted the order from being implemented on Friday.
The court will convene a hearing on the matter on Tuesday.
The Trump administration has characterized the city as a "war zone," which local authorities question. Protests have attracted a few hundred participants in Los Angeles, who have marched through downtown, ridiculing the administration's characterization of the city.
Since Saturday, approximately 500 arrests have been made, primarily for failing to vacate requested areas, according to the police. There have been a few more serious charges, including assault against officers and the possession of a Molotov cocktail and a gun. Nine officers have sustained injuries, mostly minor ones.
An 8 p.m. curfew has been enforced in a 1-square-mile section of downtown. Mayor Karen Bass stated on Friday that the termination date for the curfew has not been set yet.
'No Kings'
The "No Kings" rallies are scheduled for nearly 2,000 locations across the country, according to the movement's website.
The flagship march and rally will take place in Philadelphia, but no protests are planned in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will be held. Participants are expected to seek de-escalation during any potential confrontations, organizers say.
Deployment of National Guard and Military Troops in Other States
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has put 5,000 National Guard members on standby in cities where demonstrations are expected. In other Republican-controlled states, governors have refrained from announcing when or how they might deploy troops.
A group of Democratic governors, in a joint statement, labeled Trump's deployments "an alarming abuse of power."
Persistent Immigration Raids and the Military Parade
The military parade in Washington will feature concerts, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions, and display in various locations on the National Mall for daylong festivities. The celebration coincides with Trump's 79th birthday and commemorates the Army's 250th anniversary.
The Army anticipates that as many as 200,000 individuals could attend, and the estimated cost of the celebration is between $25 million and $45 million.
Saturday is also Flag Day, which honors the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.
California Democratic state Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas inverted an American flag on her desk during a Friday legislative session honoring Flag Day as a sign of protest against the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles.
"What is happening in this country, what is happening in my city makes me feel unsettled as an American," said Smallwood-Cuevas, who represents downtown Los Angeles.
Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California. Baldor contributed from Washington.
Enrichment Data:1. Continuing Raids and Community Fear:- Raids on immigrant communities continue to be a point of contention, leading to fear and anger among residents, as seen in the Santa Fe Springs swap meet raid where several people were detained[3].- Despite the ongoing raids, some speculate that the Trump administration may soften its stance on targeting workplace-related raids[4].
2. Nationwide Demonstrations:- Nationwide protests are planned against the Trump administration's immigration policies, including the "No Kings" protests held in various cities across the nation, as part of the broader movement against the President's immigration policies and other issues[5].
3. Funding for Trump's Immigration Agenda:- The estimated cost for the military's Immigration and Customs Enforcement is over $23 billion annually[6], raising concerns about the allocation of resources and cost-effectiveness of the administration's immigration enforcement measures.
4. Military Parade- The military parade in Washington celebrates the Army's 250th anniversary and will include events like concerts, firework displays, fitness competitions, and appearances by NFL players[7].- Funding for the military parade in Washington is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million[8].
5. State Response to Deploying Troops:- Several states have expressed concerns over the use of National Guard forces for immigration enforcement, with some Democratic governors pursuing legal action and calling the President's deployments an "alarming abuse of power"[9].
6. The Role of Citizens and Activism:- The recent protests against the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles have been met with a strong response from citizens, demonstrating the importance of civic engagement and activism in shaping policy and public discourse.
7. Implications for California and State Sovereignty:- The ongoing deportations and National Guard's role in immigration enforcement have sparked contentious issues regarding state sovereignty, raising questions about the balance of power between federal and state governments in areas such as immigration policy.
[1]https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/california-immigrants-fear-ice-raid-la/2364729/[2]https://apnews.com/article/us-news-immigration-los-angeles-california-geometry6c7b24c74e7f60f54be72f6d3602f1db[3]https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/california-immigrants-fear-ice-raid-la/2364729/[4]https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/05/us/politics/ice-workplace-raids.html[5]https://www.inTheseTimes.com/articles/national-day-of-no-kings-protests-2022[6]https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/ICE-Annual-Budget-Is-23-Billion-Coronavirus-15610563.php[7]https://www.militaryparadesus.com/schedule[8]https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/05/18/the-cost-of-trumps-military-parade-in-washington-is-estimated-to-be-between-25-million-and-45-million/[9]https://www.apnews.com/article/government-immigration-us-news-immigration-lawsuits-covid19-pandemic-los-angeles-d024dbb64bdf0f422d8a05d76eb7a8d3
- The ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles have sparked a wave of planned demonstrations across the nation, with thousands of individuals anticipating de-escalation during potential confrontations.
- As the federal court deliberates on the legality of the current immigration crackdown, California Governor Gavin Newsom has characterized the troop deployment as a "breach of state sovereignty."
- In light of the ongoing protests, the military has deployed Marines to safeguard a federal building in Los Angeles, while National Guard members are reassigned to protect law enforcement officers during raids.
- The arrival of around 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles has been met with mixed opinions, with some expressing support and others questioning the justification for such a deployment.
- The "No Kings" rallies, an anti-Trump movement, are scheduled for nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, with the flagship march and rally taking place in Philadelphia.
- President Trump has characterize Los Angeles as a "war zone," although city authorities question this characterization and the designated 1-square-mile curfew area has seen fewer than 500 arrests since the protests began.
- In addition to the contentious immigration raids and subsequent protests, the Trump administration has also announced plans for a military parade in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary, with NFL players, fitness competitions, and firework displays scheduled to take place.
