The Trump administration has deployed the California National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles that began Friday evening over immigration enforcement operations, which resulted in some clashes between demonstrators and authorities, the White House said in a statement.
The protest continued through the weekend to Sunday evening, where demonstrators halted traffic on the 101 Freeway as Los Angeles police deemed it an unlawful assembly.
This comes after President Donald Trump signed a memorandum “deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness” in California as demonstrations opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations continue in the state, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the Trump administration to rescind the deployment, saying the federal government was moving to “take over the California National Guard,” calling the move “purposefully inflammatory” and saying it will “only escalate tensions.”
LAPD declares all of downtown an unlawful assembly
The Los Angeles Police Department has declared all of downtown as an unlawful assembly, telling all demonstrators to leave the area immediately.
“Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY. You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately,” police said on X.
“Agitators have splintered into and through out the Downtown Area. Residents, businesses and visitors to the Downtown Area should be alert and report any criminal activity,” police said.
‘Our officers are really under attack,’ LAPD chief says
During a press conference on Sunday, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell decried the escalation of violence in Los Angeles as “disgusting” as Molotov cocktails, fireworks, rocks and more were used to target officers.
Nearly 60 people were arrested on Sunday, McDonnell said, as officials attempted to disperse the ongoing protests.
“It’s escalated now since the beginning of this incident,” McDonnell said, calling the protests “increasingly worse and more violent.”
“Tonight we had individuals out there shooting commercial-grade fireworks at our officers that can kill you,” McDonnell said.
The police chief said implementing a curfew was discussed with the L.A. County Sheriff and that officials will reassess if necessary.
101 Freeway’s southbound lanes remain closed
Southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles remain closed to traffic as protests continue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the closure comes as demonstrators continue to throw objects onto the freeway, damaging multiple police vehicles.
The southbound lanes will remain closed until further notice, police said.
