Los Angeles went bonkers over the weekend in response to massive ICE operations that were launched under the tenure of President Donald Trump. What was originally planned as a limited action to get certain undocumented immigrants turned out to be quite violent riots in no time, thus a record-breaking federal reaction was elicited.
ICE Raids Spark Confrontations
On June 6, ICE mounted an offensive, operating in unison across various Los Angeles-area communities, including open parking lots of Home Depot, warehouses, and even a donut shop. The operations generated at least 44 arrests thus they led to mistrust, causing protests in a very short period of time. No one expected there would be a counter-action like this hence hundreds climbed, particularly in Paramount and Compton, they were so many and so violent that they were throwing objects, blocking streets, and clashing with the agents. The law enforcement responded very harshly and used tear gas, flash-bangs, and rubber bullets to disperse them
ICE Raids Spark Confrontations
Trump took a very unusual step when he 2,000 California National Guard troops were sent to the protest scene without a formal approval of the State. Besides that, the Navy was put in a state of high alert at Camp Pendleton and the Marines were ready to be deployed as well. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth considers the deployment as “to address the lawlessness” saying that the police will go on without stopping in their enforcement work.
Local Leaders Push Back
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass did not receive the federal intervention warmly and make it known that, in their opinion, it was not based on real public support but rather a politically motivated “spectacle”. Mayor Bass emphasized clearly that the use of tear gas was something she never approved of and insisted on only peaceful opposition to the raids.
The Political and Civil Rights Fallout
White House staff and conservative friends called the marchers “rebels” and promised to sue those who took part in the action At the same time, the rights groups expressed their doubts that people who were arrested were not going to lose their legal status and that the harsh arrests were like a problem with the violation of warrantless detentions and the breach of the due process.
On the Ground in LA
Deep inside Los Angeles, the atmosphere was electric: cars burned, and the areas that the police had closed had a huge amount of tear gas filling the air, while the communities that were most affected by this were repeatedly shouting, “ICE out of LA!” David Huerta, SEIU leader, was the one who got arrested while he was recording the raid and later he was taken to the hospital. Despite the fact that the local police tried to keep everything in order, the situation became very intense as the federal agents were facing the demonstrators.
What Comes Next?
- The National Guard has not left the place yet while the situation between the feds and locals is still continuing.
- Those who are against the move say that it is not legal and not according to constitution that the troops were sent without the state’s consent.
- Groups of civil rights are coming together and they say that they will do all they can in court if they find that the police have been rough to the detainees, moreover, they emphasize the protections of the law.
- The scene that is now happening at the place gives an opportunity for peoples views to be revealed about federal power, state autonomy, and immigrant rights in today’s America.
- Federal vs. State Power Clash: The ongoing situation with the National Guard in the area has caused controversy relating to the constitutional authority. Opponents argue that the deployment is not legal if it is made without the consent of the state.