California’s National Guard troops have arrived in Los Angeles after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered their deployment to quell protests against immigration raids.
Trump has ordered deployment of 2000 National Guard troops to the city and called the protests as a “form of rebellion.”
Governor Gavin Newsom, had earlier, objected to the deployment that he called “purposefully inflammatory,” arguing that the move would only “escalate tensions” with protestors.
According to Brennan Center for Justice, cited by AP, this is the first time in decades that a state’s national guard has been activated without a request from its governor.
On Sunday, activists planned a protest in L.A. near the City Hall at 2 p.m.
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted several raids against illegal immigrants across Los Angeles on Friday.
The operations set off resistance from onlookers and protests from immigrant rights groups.
After Friday’s raids, tensions soared between state and local authorities as protestors denounced raids against undocumented immigrants.
Governor Newsom reported that he had been in “close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”
According to a White House memorandum, the president has announced that the deployed military personnel “may perform those military protective activities that the Secretary of Defense determines are reasonably necessary to ensure the protection and safety of Federal personnel and property.”
The duration of duty shall be for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
The Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security prior to withdrawing any personnel from any location to which they are sent.
In a social media post, President Donald Trump argued that the Guards deployment was justified.
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
After Friday’s protests, ICE Acting Todd Lyons issued the following statement:
“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, who represents Paramount, said “We have everything under control… the sheriff’s in Paramount got everything under control yesterday and LAPD has cleared out downtown last night without the help of National Guard.”
LAist media outlet reported that according to L.A. Sheriff’s Department said about the situation in Paramount in the early hours of Sunday that “two deputies were injured and transported to a local area hospital for non-life threatening injuries and released. We have not been informed of any specific injuries to protestors. It was confirmed there was one car burned (Hyundai).”
A statement cited by the media noted that several people were detained, however, at this time there has been one confirmed arrest.
“There was a fire at a local strip mall that was quickly extinguished. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.”at this time.”
