Here’s the latest on the Los Angeles protests—and yes, there has been scattered violence:
🔥 What’s happening
1. Origins & Scope
- The unrest began June 6 after ICE carried out immigration raids in the Fashion District, a garment wholesaler, and in Paramount, arresting over 100 people.
- Protests quickly escalated into disruptive demonstrations involving freeway blockages (the 101), fires, vandalism—including burned Waymo vehicles and smashed windows—and clashes with law enforcement .
2. Authorities Respond
- President Trump deployed approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to downtown L.A. without state approval (a rare use of Title 10).
- Active-duty Marines have been placed on standby at Camp Pendleton in case federal forces are needed .
3. Violence & Arrests
- Incidents include Molotov cocktails thrown at officers, motorcycles ramming police lines, and protesters hitting police with rocks and skateboards .
- As of June 9, police arrested over 50–60 people during weekend clashes; federal authorities say more than 30 were arrested Saturday and Sunday, with additional arrests reported Sunday .
- A journalist was struck by a rubber bullet live on air on June 8 (Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi); thankfully injuries were non-life‑threatening.
4. Political Clash
- Gov. Newsom criticized the federal deployment as “illegal and unconstitutional” and plans to sue, saying the state had control without it .
- Mayor Bass condemned the violence but defended the right to protest, calling the Guard’s presence “provocative” .
- FBI Director Kash Patel negatively referred to the unrest as “marauding criminals,” offering federal readiness to intervene .
- Kamala Harris, Maxine Waters, and other Democrats denounced both the federal military deployment and the use of tear gas/force against protesters.
5. What’s next
- Protests are expected to continue Monday (June 9) and beyond. SEIU California is organizing support rallies, and some demonstrations have already been planned.
- With the city under heavy law enforcement presence and federal action underway, further clashes remain a strong possibility.