Protests Intensify for Third Day
Deployment of Over 300 National Guard Troops Heightens Tensions
As protests against the Donald Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants continue to intensify in Los Angeles (LA), California, police on the 8th (local time) declared the entire downtown area a no-assembly zone.
According to a CNN report on the same day, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced this via X (formerly Twitter), ordering protesters to "leave the downtown area immediately." Prior to this, the LAPD had stated, "Agitators are scattered throughout the downtown area," and urged residents, businesses, and visitors in downtown to exercise caution and to report any criminal activity immediately.
On the 8th (local time), protesters opposing immigration raids marched from Los Angeles City Hall to the LA Federal Building in California. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News
The protests, which began on the 6th, have continued for three days, during which at least two vehicles have been set on fire and protesters have occupied highways, showing increasingly serious developments. Police have attempted to disperse the crowds using tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang grenades. There was also an incident where a journalist covering the scene was struck and knocked down by a non-lethal round used for crowd control.
Jim McDonnell, Chief of the LAPD, stated, "Officers have been hit with Molotov cocktails and rocks, and some have faced motorcycle charges," adding, "The declaration of an unlawful assembly was an unavoidable measure to ensure the safety of protesters and maintain public order."
Tensions have risen further with the deployment of more than 300 National Guard troops to the scene. This is the first time in decades that the President has directly mobilized the National Guard without a request or consent from the state. Separately, it is reported that 500 Marines are also prepared for deployment.
On the 8th (local time), Los Angeles police are arresting protesters in front of the LA Federal Building in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News
Regarding the deployment of the National Guard, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he would file a lawsuit against the Trump administration. In addition, LA Mayor Karen Bass argued that the deployment of the National Guard was "an abuse of power and inflammatory."
The number of protesters being arrested by police is also steadily increasing. Chief McDonnell reported that a total of 27 people were arrested in downtown on this day alone. Of these, 17 were arrested on Highway 101, and the remaining 10 were apprehended in downtown. The previous day, 29 people were arrested during efforts to disperse the crowds.
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