Latest Updates on LA Demonstrations Triggered by Immigration Raids
HOST A:Let's head to the chaotic streets of Los Angeles, where protests against President Trump’s aggressive deportation campaign have been heating up.
HOST B:That's right, Jose. For three days now, protesters have taken to the city's streets in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration raids. And in a bold move, the President has dispatched the California National Guard to the city against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Local and state officials are accusing Trump of deliberately causing chaos.
A HOST:Alright, let's get the lowdown from our man on the ground, NPR's Adrian Florido in LA. Adrian, what's the scoop? How did things spiral out of control so quickly?
ADRIAN: Well, it all began on Friday when immigration agents arrested immigrants at a Home Depot and some downtown warehouses. When word got out, folks showed up to try and stop the arrests, yelling at agents, blocking their vehicles, even throwing rocks as they drove away. footage of these confrontations circulated online, and top Trump administration officials heavily criticized the protesters, insisting they were interfering with ICE.
On Saturday, after more scuffles, President Trump issued a proclamation, deeming the protests a rebellion. He invoked a seldom-used presidential power to federalize the California National Guard and pledged to send 2,000 troops to LA to protect ICE agents. They arrived yesterday.
A HOST:So, what happened next?
ADRIAN: Yesterday, things started peacefully with large crowds gathering to protest the ICE raids. But as the day went on, A, things became more chaotic. Law enforcement used flash bangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Some protesters retaliated by throwing cinder blocks and setting a few cars on fire. Police made numerous arrests, including several who blocked a freeway.
A HOST:Now, Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are taking the President to task for this unrest. What are they saying?
ADRIAN: They claim that Trump thrives on chaos and is inciting violence to justify a crackdown. They assert that they had things under control but that Trump's decision to take over California's National Guard exacerbates the situation. The last time a President deployed a state's National Guard troops without a governor's request was 60 years ago. Governor Newsom has promised to sue the President over this.
A HOST:Alright, so what are local officials saying to their constituents who are out there protesting ICE?
ADRIAN: All day long, they were pleading with them to remain calm and peaceful. Newsom asked protesters not to give Trump an excuse to crackdown. Trump officials claim they are pushing ahead with their deportation plans, so it remains unclear whether the protests and the federal government's response will continue to escalate.
For NPR, I'm Adrian Florido in Los Angeles.
Today, President Trump's deployment of the California National Guard to Los Angeles, in response to immigration protests, has escalated the situation. The President has labeled the protests as a rebellion and invoked a seldom-used presidential power to federalize National Guard troops. Local and state officials accuse Trump of deliberately causing chaos and thriving on it, with Governor Gavin Newsom promising to sue the President over this action. Meanwhile, politics surrounding war-and-conflicts and immigration, as well as general news, continue to dominate the headlines.
