Rowdy Protests Against Trump's Immigration Policies Erupt in Los Angeles
Law enforcement officers are dispersing demonstrators in Los Angeles.
Update on social media: Share your thoughts using #LAProtests or #TrumpImmigrationPolicy
Los Angeles is boiling over with anger as hundreds of citizens rallied against President Trump's controversial immigration policies in downtown L.A. on Monday afternoon. The protests quickly turned chaotic, with law enforcement resorting to firing rubber bullets to disperse the increasingly agitated crowd.
The conflict started peacefully, but as the afternoon wore on, emotions ran high, leading some protesters to hurl water bottles at the authorities. This aggressive behavior prompted a forceful response from the police, who called on protesters to retreat and head home. One officer was quoted as saying, "It's getting rowdy, but we're managing it."
Demonstrators brandished signs reading "I stand with all migrants" and "ICE out of LA," voicing their opposition to the actions of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. An entrance to the federal building, used by various government agencies, was initially guarded by a small number of National Guard troops, with local police on standby nearby.
Highway 101, a major thoroughfare in California, was temporarily blocked by police as well. A man attempted to confront the security forces with a paintball marker fired from a vehicle, but the personnel remained calm, and the car eventually drove away. In the afternoon, a solidarity gathering was held at Grand Park downtown, drawing union members and demonstrators in support of a detained union leader, David Huerta.
Trump Mobilizes Military to Quell Unrest
Following the eruption of unrest, Trump sent in more than 2,000 National Guard soldiers over the weekend. On Monday, another 2,000 troops were added to the force, along with around 700 Marines. These deployments, trained for military operations and war, have raised concern among many, as their role is typically to control protests in American cities.
Trump's decision to mobilize the National Guard defies the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Under normal circumstances, U.S. states govern the National Guard. However, in times of war or national emergencies, the U.S. President can assume command. The National Guard is a military reserve unit and part of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- afp
- Los Angeles Times
Related Keywords:
- USA
- Immigration
- Protests
- Police
- Military Deployment
- Los Angeles
- California
- Donald Trump
- National Guard
- Marines
- Gavin Newsom
- Karen Bass
- ICE Raids
- David Huerta
- Despite concerns from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, President Donald Trump has mobilized over 4,000 National Guard soldiers and around 700 Marines to quell the unrest in Los Angeles, raising questions about the usage of the military for controlling protests within American cities.
- As Donald Trump continues to face backlash over his immigration policies, protests in Los Angeles have escalated, with the US military, police, and National Guard now deployed in the city, adding to the general-news and crime-and-justice discourse, and increasing the coverage of the sports-related union protests at Grand Park.
