Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump has defended his decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles, as California Governor Gavin Newsom initiates legal action against the move. The deployment follows widespread protests across the city in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Demonstrations began in downtown Los Angeles on Friday after reports emerged of ICE raids taking place across the city. Mr. Trump’s subsequent deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops ignited a political dispute, with Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass asserting that local police were capable of managing the protests.
Away from Los Angeles, protests have also been observed in San Francisco. The city’s police force provided an update on Sunday regarding the impact of these demonstrations. Acting Chief Paul Yep stated that what began as a First Amendment right to protest had “turned into violence and property destruction.”
Chief Yep confirmed that one officer required hospital treatment but has since recovered. He also reported that 60 individuals who “refused to disperse” were arrested. In total, 148 arrests were made across “multiple locations” on Sunday night, with 147 of those arrested subsequently released. Six minors were also detained. Roughly half of those arrested were residents of San Francisco, while the other half resided outside the city.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, a rally is underway this afternoon protesting the detention of US labour union leader David Huerta. Mr. Huerta was arrested during an ICE operation on Friday and is scheduled to appear in court today.
Officials claim Mr. Huerta, who is president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), “deliberately obstructed” federal agents by blocking their vehicle. However, the union maintains that Mr. Huerta was “peacefully observing” the operation.
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