In Los Angeles (LA), protests against the Donald Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants continued for the eighth consecutive day, and on June 13 (local time), U.S. Marine Corps troops were deployed to the scene. This marks the first time since the 1992 LA riots that military forces have been deployed to a protest site within the United States.
Major General Scott Sherman, commander of "Task Force 51," which leads the Marine Corps, stated on this day, "About 200 Marines have already begun joint operations with the National Guard troops deployed at the scene," adding, "These forces will take over and carry out security duties in the area."
He emphasized, "So far, neither the Marines nor the National Guard troops have detained anyone (whether undocumented immigrants or protesters)," and stressed, "Military personnel will not participate in law enforcement activities."
However, Reuters reported that a Marine was seen detaining a man in front of the Wilshire Federal Building. One Marine chased the man across the lawn after vaulting over a bench and subdued him, after which another Marine joined in.
In photos taken by Reuters, the Marines are seen tying the man's hands with cable ties and then, about two hours later, handing him over to personnel from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The U.S. military officially confirmed the detention, and Reuters reported that this is believed to be the first case of a civilian being detained by active-duty military personnel. The U.S. military explained, "Under certain circumstances, it is possible to temporarily detain an individual," and stated, "Such detention ends immediately once the civilian is safely handed over to law enforcement personnel."
The detained civilian was identified as Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old immigrant and U.S. Army veteran. He stated that he crossed the security tape to avoid walking around the building and was ordered to lie on the ground for entering a restricted area. After being released, he told reporters at the scene, "I was trying to go to the Veterans Affairs office, but it seems the Marines mistook me for a protester."
The deployment of military personnel to a domestic protest site is extremely rare.
According to Reuters, the last time the military was deployed for riot control was during the 1992 LA riots following the Rodney King beating incident. At that time, the Governor of California requested military support from the President.
However, in this case, as protests against immigration raids intensified in LA, President Trump ordered the deployment of the Marines, and although California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the deployment, it was carried out regardless. As a result, 700 Marines arrived in LA on the night of June 9 and prepared for deployment to the scene.
On the previous day, which marked the third day of the nighttime curfew in LA, a total of 49 people were detained by the police. According to the police, 33 people failed to comply with dispersal orders, and 13 people violated the curfew.
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