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Emigration and immigration

National Guard Deployed in Los Angeles Amid Protests Over ICE Raids

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tensions flared in Los Angeles on Saturday as protests erupted over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting illegal immigration. The demonstrations turned violent, with a shopping center and car set on fire, and several arrested. In response, President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to "regain order." California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, criticized the move, calling it "purposefully inflammatory" and warning it would "only escalate tensions."

Key Takeaways:

  • The protests were sparked by ICE raids targeting illegal immigration, which resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects on Friday alone.
  • The arrested migrants had previous convictions for violent and drugs-related offenses, and some were gang members.
  • The protests turned violent, with a shopping center and car set on fire, and several arrested.
  • President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to "regain order," despite criticism from California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom.
  • Protest organisers claimed the demonstrations were small-scale and peaceful, while a US attorney described the situation as requiring "regain order" due to Molotov cocktails and assaults on agents.
  • A British photographer, Nick Stern, was shot by police despite wearing a Press ID round his neck while covering the protests.
  • President Trump vowed to "have troops everywhere" if protests worsened and to "send whatever we need to make sure there's law and order."

Statistics:

  • 2,000 National Guard soldiers were deployed to Los Angeles to "regain order."
  • 45 suspects were arrested on Friday alone during the ICE raids.
  • 1 man was sent back to Mexico on the same day as his arrest.
  • 18 years is the length of time a British photographer, Nick Stern, has lived in the US.

Sources:

  • Chris Pollard, "National Guard soldiers moved in to regain order after LA riots," The Sunday Times, no publication date provided.
  • US Government sources, as cited by Chris Pollard.

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