Militants in Los Angeles engage in confrontation with demonstrators
Straight from the Streets: A Showdown in LA
Los Angeles (dpa) - It's chaos in the City of Angels as the deployment of the National Guard has led to a skirmish between troops and protesters, according to local media. A fracas outside a federal prison saw soldiers and officers spraying tear gas, smoke grenades, and pepper spray to disperse the agitators, videos and footage reveal. The brawl's cause was initially unclear.
Later, waves of cops whacked protesters with batons near the federal prison, live CNN feeds showed. The cops maintained they faced off against rock-throwing agitators, resulting in apprehensions. The protest near the federal building in the city center was declared unlawful and had to be quelled.
On the scene, a CNN reporter commented that the cops seemed hell-bent on pushing back the swarming protestors to avoid conflicts with the National Guard at the prison building.
Trump Tweets Incendiary Remarks
Across LA and its suburbs, Sunday initially delivered a tense calm. However, the official rhetoric from the federal government was anything but: US President Donald Trump passionately condemned "violent, rebellious mobs" on his Truth Social platform, claiming they aimed to block deportations by federal agents.
Against protests in the Los Angeles area against ICE agents, who handle deportations, Trump ordered the mobilization of at least 2,000 National Guard soldiers on Saturday evening (local time). By Sunday morning, around 300 soldiers had already been deployed, according to the US military.
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass voiced skepticism over the National Guard's deployment. They argued the local forces were sufficient, and militarization would only fuel tensions. Both appealed for peaceful protests.
Enrichment Insights:
- Background: The current unrest in Los Angeles was ignited by a conflict involving federal agents, resulting in protests and calls for the National Guard's deployment. This has drawn parallels to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, particularly regarding President Trump's response.
- Involvement of the National Guard: President Trump has advocated for the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles, despite local officials claiming it's unnecessary. Critics point out the contradiction in Trump's rapid action compared to his delayed response during the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.
- Protests and Confrontations: Recent protests have featured anti-ICE protestors clashing with National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles. These confrontations highlight the ongoing tensions between protestors and security forces in the city.
Amidst the escalating war-and-conflicts in Los Angeles, Trump's incendiary remarks on crime-and-justice issues adds fuel to the flames, as demonstrated by his posts on his Truth Social platform. His condemnation of "violent, rebellious mobs" further politicizes general-news events, particularly those related to protests against ICE agents.
