National Guard in LA as protests enter third day
The third day of protests over the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policy saw tensions rise in downtown LA, where clashes occurred between protesters and police.
Key information
- Sunday marked the third day of anti-ICE protests in LA
- Donald Trump deployed around 300 National Guard soldiers in LA, with more to come
- Mostly peaceful demonstrations turned chaotic as night fell; tear gas and "non-lethal" bullets were used by police
On Sunday, thousands of LA residents flooded the streets around City Hall in response to Donald Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops to the city. Protesters surrounded the local courthouse and a detention centre, which holds many of the arrested in the days before. They have also brought traffic to a stop on the 101 freeway.
Although vocal and numerous, the demonstrations held on Sunday were mostly peaceful. Protesters carried signs with messages such as "Billionaires are the real enemy. NOT immigrants." The LAPD has declared the gatherings an "unlawful assembly" and urged residents to disperse. As the night fell, tensions reached a boiling point, with self-driving vehicles being set on fire and protesters throwing items at the police from behind a makeshift barrier.
On Sunday evening, California Governor Gavin Newsom formally requested that the Trump administration withdraw the National Guard troops stationed in Los Angeles.
"There is currently no need for the national guard to be deployed in Los Angeles, and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such a lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation," Newsom wrote in a letter to the Seceretary of Defense.
Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to protect the federal buildings in LA was met with criticism from local authorities. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has said Trump's order was "the last thing Los Angeles needs."
However, Trump took to TruthSocial to escalate the tensions, writing: "Don’t let these thugs get away with this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" and "Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!"
