Amid rising tensions and protests in Los Angeles regarding federal immigration raids, hundreds of US Marines have arrived in the area at the orders of President Donald Trump.
The local mayor, Karen Bass, has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in parts of downtown Los Angeles to curb vandalism and looting that exploded during demonstrations.
The curfew, which began Wednesday night, will be in effect from 8 PM to 6 AM local time and covers a 2.5 square kilometer area of downtown.
Mayor Bass emphasized that the unrest has been confined to select areas and distinguished between the peaceful majority protesting against the immigration policies and the minority responsible for the violence and looting.
She mentioned that the curfew had been under consideration for several days, especially after 23 businesses were looted during protest activities on Tuesday night.
In a charged speech at an army base in North Carolina, President Trump called Los Angeles “invaded by a foreign enemy” in connection with the unrest linked to immigration raids.
“We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy,” he declared, portraying the protests as a threat to public order and national sovereignty.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has contested the deployment of these troops, labeling it an overreaction to predominantly peaceful demonstrations occurring over the last five days since the federal immigration actions began.
California has taken legal action against President Trump and the U.S. Department of Defense, seeking to block the federal troop deployments and to clarify their role regarding police enforcement.
Attorney General Rob Bonta voiced concerns about potential violations of a longstanding law that prevents the military from participating in civilian law enforcement, invoking the 1878 Insurrection Act.
“Protecting personnel likely means accompanying ICE agents into communities, posing a risk of escalating situations further,” Bonta asserted.
The protests sparked by the federal immigration raids have led to clashes with law enforcement, resulting in numerous arrests over the past few days.
Approximately 700 Marines are stationed in a staging area in Seal Beach, around 50 kilometers south of Los Angeles, awaiting deployment orders.
While these Marines do not have the authority to make arrests, they will focus on safeguarding federal properties and personnel amid ongoing chaos.
As of Tuesday, about 2,100 National Guard troops were deployed in the greater Los Angeles area, with more reinforcements expected.
President Trump has framed the recent protests as a violent uprising, a narrative that both Newsom and Bass have criticized as exaggerated.
In a briefing at the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that Los Angeles would likely be in flames without the military’s intervention and vowed that National Guard troops will remain until the situation stabilizes.
While most protests remain non-violent, incidents of aggression, such as demonstrators hurling rocks at police, blocking highways, and setting vehicles ablaze, have occurred.
The police responded with what they described as “less lethal” measures, including pepper balls, flash-bang grenades, and tear gas, leading to over 100 arrests on Monday alone.
This brings the total number of arrests since Saturday to more than 180 individuals.
In connection with the protests and Trump’s immigration agenda, he has indicated plans for unprecedented deportations and strict border enforcement measures, giving authorities a directive to apprehend a minimum of 3,000 migrants daily.
As the situation in Los Angeles continues to unfold, the administration’s actions remain a focal point for intense debate regarding civil liberties and the role of federal forces in state matters.
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