Tear Gas,Confrontations and Arrests in Los Angeles Protest

Tensions in Los Angeles have heightened as protests against immigration raids have turned violent, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops to quell the unrest. The clashes near the Edward R Roybal Federal Building, the Metropolitan Detention Centre, and the 101 Freeway mark the third day of Trump’s immigration crackdown, with dozens of people, including undocumented migrants, rounded up.

According to Marc Christopher, an immigration lawyer, the people of Los Angeles are angry with the “brutality” of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. “They’re seeing people being taken away by masked armed individuals. Many of these people have no criminal record. They’ve been in the community for a long time. Many of them have applications pending with USCIS,” he said. Christopher added that the situation is further inflamed by the presence of armed guards, National Guard troops, and tear gas, particularly as children are being handcuffed and teachers taken into custody.

The City of Glendale has terminated its agreement with the federal government to house immigration detainees, citing “divisive” public perception of its contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The city manager stated, “Despite the transparency and safeguards the City has upheld, the City recognizes that public perception of the ICE contract… has become divisive. And while opinions on this issue may vary—the decision to terminate this contract is not politically driven. It is rooted in what this City stands for – public safety, local accountability, and trust.”

Protests have also erupted in San Francisco, with hundreds gathering outside an ICE building to protest Trump’s immigration crackdown. The protest turned violent, with some demonstrators vandalizing vehicles and buildings. Business owners in downtown Los Angeles are reporting looting, and police have arrested at least 27 people in the area.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to sue the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops without consultation. “Under his executive order… they had to coordinate with the governor of the state,” Newsom said. “They never coordinated with the governor of the state.” Trump, meanwhile, has called for an escalation of force, stating, “Jim McDonnell, the highly respected LAPD Chief, just stated that the protesters are getting very much more aggressive… He should, RIGHT NOW!!! Don’t let these thugs get away with this.”

FBI Director Kash Patel has declared that the federal law enforcement agency “needs no one’s permission to enforce the constitution” and that “LA is under siege by marauding criminals, and we will restore law and order.” The situation remains tense, with a heavy police presence and ongoing clashes between protesters and law enforcement.