National Guard Stationed in Downtown LA
The National Guard has arrived in LA as of now, however regarding concerns of this, the Trump administration has stated it is to put down protests over immigration that have gone “too far.” In an interview conducted on Saturday night, the interim U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli has determined that 2000 troops were not non-mandatory, but instead essential to keeping peace over the region. OR … Essayli has determined that 2000 troops were essential…
All of this first started when an immigration raid took place at a clothing wholesaler on Friday, when federal agents responded with military rifles and flash-bang grenades that was when the protest first began. On that same day alone, over 100 people were arrested, and a minimum of another 20 on Saturday with the majority being in the mostly Latino working-class suburb called Paramount. That was also the same day Trump ordered the National Guard to be mobilized.
To justify this Mr. Essayli says that, “They threw rocks at the officers, We had Molotov Cocktails thrown. We had all kinds of assaults on agents. The state has an obligation to maintain order and maintain public safety, and they’re unable to do that right now in Los Angeles. So the federal government will send in resources to regain order.”
Rob Bonta, California’s attorney general, responds that the local authorities have not requested for federal assistance in a social media post. His office has been in touch with local law enforcement and has been informed that they have the resources at the moment. Governor Gavin Newsom resists against the order making claims that it is “purposefully provocative.
Currently, downtown Los Angeles, the area created by the 110, 101, 5, and 10 freeways, downtown Los Angeles is sealed off. Other than a few exceptions like news and media members, all who enter the area are to be legally arrested.
Officers are dressed in tactical suits with gas masks trying to disperse the crowd, and helicopters have caught sight of a car going up in flames. At the detention center, on Saturday evening, protesters have rallied up at the entrance. Eventually, the police emerged from the gate firing rubber bullets, flash bangs, and tear gas to disperse the mob.
Though this has is already considered one of the most violent events in LA, we do not know whether it has truly reached the climax or if this is only the beginning. As protests go on we can hope that this political conflict will be resolved soon.
