Tensions flared in Los Angeles for a third consecutive day on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement and set vehicles ablaze, following President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to the city in response to controversial immigration raids.
Gatekeepers News reports that the protests erupted after federal immigration officials conducted high-profile daytime raids targeting individuals believed to be undocumented immigrants and gang members, detaining at least 44 to 118 people.
The operation, part of what officials described as a broader national ramp-up of immigration enforcement, sparked swift condemnation from local leaders and immigrant-rights advocates.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the immigration raids and arrests, stating, “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”
As protests intensified, law enforcement deployed tear gas and flash-bangs to disperse the crowd. The situation escalated further when Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, drawing criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move “purposefully inflammatory.” Newsom formally requested that Trump rescind the deployment, citing concerns over escalating tensions.
The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly in downtown Los Angeles, and arrests were made. The protests also spread to other areas, including Paramount and Compton, with reports of clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
The unrest comes amid a renewed national crackdown on undocumented immigrants, sparking debates over immigration enforcement and community safety.
