Los Angeles has entered its fourth night of protests in response to the federal immigration crackdown instigated by United States President Donald Trump, who has ordered the deployment of 700 Marines and an additional 2,000 National Guard members to the area.
This development has intensified the discord between Republicans and Democrats, particularly highlighting the tensions with California’s leadership.
The deployment of Marines is reminiscent of events from 1992, when both National Guard and Marines were dispatched to assist law enforcement during the riots ignited by the acquittal of four policemen, who were filmed beating Rodney King, a Black man.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing to sue the Trump administration over the National Guard’s deployment, which he claims has occurred without his consent.
In recent protests, Monday’s demonstrations were notably more peaceful, drawing thousands to rally at City Hall while hundreds gathered outside a federal complex that includes a detention center for immigrants detained during recent workplace raids.
Participants at the protests expressed their solidarity with migrants, holding signs that read “I stand with all migrants,” “ICE out of LA,” and “Fascism must go.”
Late into Monday night, police initiated dispersal of crowds near a federal detention center as tensions escalated.
Notably, trade union leader David Huerta was released on a $50,000 bond after being arrested. Huerta, who serves as the president of the Service Employees International Union of California, represents thousands of workers in the state, including janitors and security personnel.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that some protesters began throwing objects at officers, leading to the authorization of less lethal munitions for crowd control, which the department noted could cause pain and discomfort.
The weekend saw heightened unrest, with crowds blocking the 101 Freeway and setting fire to self-driving cars, prompting police response with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang explosives.
In response to the unrest, the LAPD declared the protests in downtown Los Angeles an “unlawful assembly.”
Protests expanded beyond Los Angeles, reaching San Francisco, where demonstrators rallied in support of those in Los Angeles, leading local police to declare this an unlawful assembly and resulting in about 60 arrests.
Protests also occurred in at least nine other U.S. cities on Monday, including New York and Philadelphia, as reported by local news outlets.
Legally, an unlawful assembly refers to a gathering of three or more individuals aimed at disrupting public order.
The Los Angeles protests commenced on Friday night after ICE officials arrested 44 individuals for immigration law violations.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later disclosed that ICE officials had detained a total of 118 undocumented immigrants.
Uniformed ICE agents executed arrests in caravans of unmarked military-style vehicles, triggering widespread public backlash.
Historians like Robert Cohen, a professor at New York University, analyze these events as symptomatic of the Trump administration’s conflicting narratives regarding immigration and crime.
Cohen remarked, “Even though the crime rate for undocumented immigrants is low, Trumpists spread hysteria about an imaginary immigrant crime wave and claim their priority is deporting millions of these supposedly criminal immigrants.”
The protests prominently took place in downtown Los Angeles, where demonstrators spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on the Edward R Roybal Federal Building.
The federal response to the unrest intensified as President Trump commanded the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members, who began arriving on Sunday amidst a surge in violent protests.
The violent outbreaks observed during the weekend formed the backdrop to calls for order from officials, leading to the subsequent orders for an additional 2,000 National Guard members and the deployment of Marines, which deepened tensions between Trump and Governor Newsom, as well as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The escalating protests began as ICE agents initiated immigration arrests, prompting the LAPD to be called for assistance in managing public disorder.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell commented during a press briefing that while the protests primarily remained peaceful, any transformation into vandalism or violence against people or law enforcement would necessitate a firm response.
McDonnell also expressed concern that the Marines’ deployment without consultation with the police department would present significant logistical challenges.
Governor Newsom condemned Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard without involving him as a grave breach of state sovereignty, further igniting tensions by diverting resources that could be better utilized elsewhere.
In contrast, Bass characterized Trump’s deployment orders as a “chaotic escalation” that was unwarranted.
President Trump defended his actions, asserting that the National Guard was dispatched to manage “violent, instigated riots,” claiming that without this intervention, “Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
Mayor Bass contested Trump’s claims, stating that the unrest was limited to a few streets and did not reflect citywide turmoil.
As part of the military’s Northern Command announcement on Monday, it was revealed that approximately 700 Marines would be mobilized to work alongside other forces to protect federal personnel and property within the Greater Los Angeles area.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth justified the military deployment by citing increased threats against federal law enforcement officers and buildings.
Hegseth emphasized the military’s role as an ally to ICE, adding that they stand ready to support law enforcement.
Other members of the Republican party echoed similar sentiments, promoting the need for strong responses to maintain public order.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “One of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength.”
In stark opposition, Governor Newsom labeled the Marines’ deployment as reckless, suggesting it undermines the trust and respect due to service members.
The controversy began to attract national attention, which led to discussions surrounding the pattern of arrests made during these protests.
To date, the Los Angeles protests have led to at least 56 arrests, with over 150 arrests reported across various U.S. cities where demonstrations have erupted.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott noted that more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested in Austin, while Santa Ana authorities stated that the National Guard had been deployed to secure federal buildings.
Amid the chaos, several self-driving cars owned by Waymo were targeted by protesters, resulting in vandalism and torching incidents, underscoring the unrest in Los Angeles.
Reports indicate that protesters spray-painted anti-ICE messages on the Waymo vehicles, leading local police to advise against visiting the affected areas.
Trump administration officials have responded publicly, with Trump using his platform to criticize both Newsom and Bass for their handling of the protests.
In a post, Trump asserted that Newsom and Bass should apologize to the Los Angeles community for their perceived failures in managing the unrest.
Vice President JD Vance echoed the administration’s stance, asserting their commitment to restoring order and supporting law enforcement amid the perceived lawlessness.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed similar sentiments on social media, issuing a warning to those participating in the protests, insisting that ICE would continue enforcing immigration laws.
In a critical analysis, Professor Cohen refuted Trump’s characterizations of the protests as an “insurrection,” highlighting the hypocrisy given Trump’s history of praising real insurrectionists from the January 6 Capitol riots.
Democrats have faced the challenge of balancing their criticism of the ICE raids with the need to support lawful protest while condemning violence against law enforcement.
Mayor Bass reiterated the importance of protecting Angelenos’ rights to peaceful protest while emphasizing that acts of violence would not be tolerated in Los Angeles.
Additionally, she advised the community to avoid engaging in violence, urging residents not to provide the Trump administration with the justification for a heavy-handed response.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, a prominent California politician, described the National Guard’s deployment as a dangerous escalation designed to foment chaos, linking it to a broader agenda of division and panic pursued by the Trump Administration.
In his comments on the scene, Governor Newsom vowed to take legal action against Trump’s federal deployment, calling it illegal and immoral to commandeer a state’s National Guard without proper consultation.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed similar sentiments, labeling the deployment unnecessary and a manipulation of public sentiment for political gain.
He went further to clarify his stance, stating, “There is no invasion. There is no rebellion. The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.”
Critics have drawn historical parallels between the current protests and the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, ignited by the acquittal of officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King.
The 1992 unrest led to the deployment of thousands of National Guard soldiers, and the recent protests have rekindled discussions about the state’s military responses to civil unrest.
Despite the potential for violence, the ongoing protests remain characterized by a larger number of peaceful demonstrations overall, compared to the destructive chaos witnessed in 1992.
Although instances of violence have been reported, many voices emphasize the peaceful intent of the majority of demonstrators, who seek to address the consequences of immigration policies.
As events continue to unfold, the ramifications of these protests—both socially and politically—will surely evolve, with implications stretching far beyond the immediate response to ICE raids in Los Angeles.
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