On Monday, tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement continued to escalate in Los Angeles following a tumultuous series of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend.
Demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in violent confrontations and the igniting of vehicles in downtown Los Angeles.
In response to the unrest, President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen to help manage the situation, with the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the deployment aimed to ‘address the lawlessness.’
However, the response has faced legal challenges, as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced plans to sue the Trump administration.
They claim that the federal government unlawfully ‘trampled over’ California’s sovereignty by federalizing the state’s National Guard.
As the protests spread, similar demonstrations have erupted in New York City, Austin, Texas, and Santa Ana, California, indicating a growing nationwide movement against federal immigration enforcement policies.
By Monday evening, the number of National Guard troops in Los Angeles had dramatically increased from 300 to 1,700, according to an update from the Department of Defense.
These troops hail from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a California National Guard unit, and are operating under Task Force 51, which also includes 700 Marines.
Their primary focus is to protect federal personnel and property during the ongoing unrest.
In a memo issued over the weekend, President Trump had authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen in light of the civil disorder resulting from the protests.
California Governor Newsom confirmed on Monday that he had been informed of the plan to send additional National Guard troops to the region.
As the protests unfolded, law enforcement took a strategic approach to safeguard federal buildings across Los Angeles.
Onlookers witnessed officers build a formidable presence around these facilities, issuing warnings to protesters who seemed intent on taking over the 101 Freeway.
An officer could be heard through a bullhorn threatening the gathering, which was declared an unlawful assembly, that they would be given five minutes to disperse.
While an hour passed and the protesters remained, the police escalated their response, with Los Angeles Sheriff’s SWAT teams employing armored vehicles and sound cannons to disperse the crowd.
This operation resembled a military exercise, as law enforcement coordinated movements from various locations, effectively surrounding and isolating the demonstrators.
Officers strategically occupied high ground and flooded lower areas with personnel, leading some protesters to scatter.
During this engagement, law enforcement utilized less lethal rounds and deployed flash bangs to regain control of the situation.
Prominent locations in the city, including Temple Street and Alameda Street, saw an overwhelming police presence, with dozens of cruisers and hundreds of officers securing the area.
As the situation remains fluid, the community and authorities continue to navigate the challenges posed by ongoing unrest and the implications of federal involvement in local law enforcement.
The developments mark a critical moment in Los Angeles, highlighting the intense feelings surrounding immigration policies and the federal government’s response amid civil disobedience.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/la-immigration-protests-live-updates-trump-deploys-2000/?id=122621279
