Los Angeles on Edge: Protests Emerge as Immigration Raids Spark Community Outrage and Military Response

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has taken to social media to call for an end to recent immigration raids, expressing concern for the well-being of the city’s residents. In her post on X, Bass highlighted the fear gripping the community, stating, “Parents, workers, grandparents, and young people are scared to go about their daily lives.” She emphasized Los Angeles’ identity as a city of immigrants, lamenting that “Washington is attacking our people, our neighborhoods, and our economy.”

The unrest was sparked on Friday when it became known that Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting raids throughout the city. The situation escalated, prompting protests that have continued for days.

Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, a former National Guard officer, has criticized former President Donald Trump for deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles, asserting that their presence is unnecessary. In an interview with the BBC’s Newsday, Honoré described the deployment as an “escalation” by the White House, arguing that there are only a few thousand protesters in the affected areas out of a population of 10 million in LA County. “We encounter more significant protests when the Dodgers win the World Series,” he remarked.

The protests have not only drawn attention for their scale but also for incidents of violence. A video surfaced showing a police officer aiming a weapon at a news camera and firing, injuring Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi with a rubber bullet while she was covering the demonstrations. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as “horrific,” noting that Tomasi was clearly identifiable as a journalist and stating that the Australian government has raised concerns with the US administration about the event. Tomasi reported feeling sore but resilient after the incident. Meanwhile, a British photographer required emergency surgery after suffering a similar injury during the protests.

The situation has led to a heated exchange between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom on social media. Trump criticized Newsom as “incompetent,” claiming that without his intervention, Los Angeles would face dire consequences. In response, Newsom called Trump’s comments an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” challenging Trump to follow through on threats of arrest against him, saying, “Let’s get it over with, tough guy.”

Trump alleged that Newsom’s actions have incited the protests, vowing that those who confront law enforcement will face severe consequences. Newsom countered by labeling Trump a “dictatorial president” and dismissing the activation of Marines in Los Angeles as a “deranged fantasy.”

In a statement, Newsom declared his intention to pursue legal action against the federal government for the deployment of US Marines to Los Angeles, reiterating that the military should not be used as a political tool. He accused the Trump administration of an abuse of power, stating, “US Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country – defending democracy. They are not political pawns.”

As the protests enter their fourth day, the Pentagon confirmed that an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines will be deployed to assist with the federal response to the unrest. The demonstrations, which began due to ICE raids in Los Angeles, have also spread to other cities, including Tampa, Florida, Boston, Massachusetts, and Houston, Texas, as public outcry against immigration enforcement continues to grow.