Protests in Los Angeles: Trump sends National Guard as police enforce curfew
Mayor Karen Bass, LAPD, and National Guard act as Trump vows to 'liberate' Los Angeles, sparking mass arrests.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has made mass arrests after five straight days of protests against President Donald Trump's immigration raids where mayor Karen Bass declared an overnight curfew in a one mile area of Los Angeles downtown due to widespread vandalism and looting.
The protests began last Friday after federal agents started immigration enforcement operations in Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The protests escalated when President Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the actions of the president and stated that any military presence would be assaulting democracy.
Trump defends troop deployment amid rising criticism
President Trump defended the military presence there, saying it was done to prevent "los Angeles from being conquered by a foreign enemy." Even though the troops would not have arrest authority, their would be supporting ICE and protecting federal property while ICE conducts enforcement actions. The Pentagon estimates the total operation will cost $134 million.
Governor Newsom, who many Democrats view as a potential presidential candidate, was highly critical of the President. "He again chose escalation; he choose more force," Newsom said. A federal court denied California's emergency request for an injunction against the military presence with a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
ALSO SEE: Immigration protests in Los Angeles: Trump deploys the National Guard after violent clashes
LAPD response and escalation in other US cities
Los Angeles Police Department began enforcing the 8:00 PM curfew on Tuesday, firing rubber bullets at protesters to disperse the crowd. The LAPD has yet to release any specific numbers, but according to the may or, "close to 200 people" were arrested that day alone. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated the curfew was to protect lives and property, "not to silence dissent."
Mayor Bass said 23 businesses were looted Monday night, but no damage estimate was shared. While downtown saw unrest, much of the city carried on as normal. Bass urged the federal government to end the raids, saying, “We’ve reached a tipping point.”
