Clashes Erupt During Protests Against Deportations in LA's Streets
Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles use force to disperse protesting crowd - Military personnel in Los Angeles engage in confrontations with demonstrators.
In a chaotic turn of events, clashes between soldiers and demonstrators have erupted in the heart of Los Angeles, following the arrival of the National Guard. Reports from multiple sources, including photos, television footage, and witness accounts, suggest that soldiers and federal security forces have been using tear gas, smoke grenades, and pepper spray to quell rowdy protests outside a federal prison.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the clashes originated due to unspecified reasons. Meanwhile, CNN captured footage of local police officers wielding batons to disperse protesters near the federal prison, with arrests being made as a result of alleged bottle and stone-throwing incidents. The law states that the demonstration near the federal building was declared illegal and ordered to disband.
On the scene, a CNN reporter noted that police seemed to be pushing back several hundred protesters to avoid encountering the National Guard at the prison building.
In contrast, other parts of the city and the surrounding areas remained largely peaceful on Sunday. President Trump, however, took a different tone, labeling protesters as "violent, rebellious mobs" on his Truth Social platform, asserting their attempts to hinder federal agents from carrying out deportations.
Following protests against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who are responsible for deportations, Trump mobilized at least 2,000 National Guard soldiers in response. By Sunday morning, approximately 300 soldiers had already been deployed. California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued against the need for the National Guard, as they believed local security forces were sufficient, and military presence would only heighten tensions. Both urged protesters to maintain peaceful demonstrations.
- Los Angeles
- National Guard
- Deportation
- Donald Trump
- CNN
- Police
- Los Angeles Times
Additional Insights:
- In 2025, the deployment of the National Guard was due to immigration protests becoming violent, as protesters attacked federal facilities and law enforcement officers.
- Federal authorities, including the Trump administration, were involved in the escalation, labeling the protesters as "violent mobs" and advocating for military support.
- The deployment was projected to last 60 days and cost $134 million, with concerns raised about the necessity of such measures among local officials.
- The violent protests against deportations in Los Angeles have led to the deployment of the National Guard, a move spearheaded by the Trump administration, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and CNN.
- As the clashes between demonstrators and soldiers intensify in the heart of Los Angeles, the US government's involvement in immigration matters through ICE and the mobilization of the National Guard has raised concerns about the escalation of violence and the cost implications, totaling $134 million for a 60-day deployment.
