Guards Deployed as Protests Erupt Over Immigration Raids
Mayors Demand Halt to Federal Actions Amidst Growing Unrest
Escalating tensions over increased federal immigration enforcement have prompted the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, while mayors across the region are urgently calling for an end to what they describe as terrorizing tactics. Protests have spread nationwide, fueled by fears within immigrant communities.
Military Involvement Intensifies
Approximately 2,000 National Guard soldiers are currently stationed in Los Angeles, with another 2,000 expected to arrive alongside 700 Marines, according to Maj.-Gen. Scott Sherman. Around 500 of these troops have received training to accompany immigration agents during operations, and some have already participated in such missions. The future of this collaboration remains uncertain.
“We are expecting a ramp-up,” Sherman stated, acknowledging the broader national context of the demonstrations. “I’m focused right here in L.A., what’s going on right here. But you know, I think we’re, we’re very concerned.”
Mayoral Plea for De-escalation
A unified front of Los Angeles-area mayors and city council members has appealed to President Donald Trump to cease the use of armed military personnel alongside immigration agents during raids. Brenda Olmos, vice-mayor of Paramount, California, recounted her experience, stating, “I’m asking you, please listen to me, stop terrorizing our residents. You need to stop these raids.”
She reported being struck by rubber bullets during weekend protests.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, asserting that the raids are instilling fear at the direction of the White House. A nightly curfew remains in effect in a 2.5-square-kilometer section of downtown Los Angeles, and Bass indicated it will continue as long as the raids persist.
Legal Challenge and Federal Response
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit seeking an emergency halt to the military’s assistance to immigration agents in Los Angeles. A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The Trump administration dismissed the lawsuit as a “crass political stunt endangering American lives.”
According to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, ICE arrests have increased by 25% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 compared to the same period last year. (TRAC Immigration Data)
Nationwide Demonstrations
Protests have extended beyond Los Angeles, with demonstrations occurring in cities including Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and New York. In New York City, police arrested 86 individuals during protests in lower Manhattan on Wednesday morning, though most demonstrators were peaceful, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
In Chicago, a 66-year-old woman was injured after being struck by a vehicle during a protest on Tuesday evening. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office announced that Texas National Guard troops are on standby in areas anticipating demonstrations, with some deployed to San Antonio.
Arrests and Incident Reports
Los Angeles police have reported nearly 400 arrests and detentions since Saturday, primarily for curfew violations. Several more serious charges have been filed, including assault against police officers and possession of a Molotov cocktail and a firearm. Nine officers sustained minor injuries, with some requiring hospital treatment.
The initial protests erupted Friday following federal immigration raids that resulted in the arrest of numerous workers. Demonstrators previously blocked a major freeway and ignited vehicles, prompting a response from law enforcement involving tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades.
The President posted on his social media platform that the city “would be burning to the ground”
if not for the military deployment. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing concerns about escalating tensions and the potential for further unrest.
