President Trump has stated that protesters who burn US flags should face jail time, labeling them paid “insurrectionists.”
Despite a curfew and President Trump’s authorization of National Guard and Marine deployments, protests in Los Angeles related to federal immigration raids have continued.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that groups of rioters persisted in gathering downtown, leading to mass arrests.
The protests began on Friday following the detention of several individuals by federal agents as part of Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The demonstrations quickly escalated into riots, widespread looting, vandalism, and violent confrontations with police.
Online videos depicted protesters setting fire to police cars and US flags, obstructing highways, displaying signs criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, and holding Mexican flags. Nearly 400 arrests have been made, with hundreds of protesters and several law enforcement officers reported injured.
4) Protesters continued to march and drive around Los Angeles well past the 8pm curfew, although it was unclear where exactly the line was drawn as to the zone of enforcement.
They left a wake of graffiti like “f*** ICE” in their path.
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer)
In response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew effective Wednesday night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., covering a one-square-mile area in downtown Los Angeles. Prior to this, Trump deployed at least 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal officials, law enforcement personnel, and government property.
Los Angeles, California
About a dozen rowdy people playing with the cops, LAPD is getting good practice with these guys,Curfew Worked,Arrests worked – however a lot of them moved into Long Beach to protest.
But LA is calm for the exception of a couple people.
— MəanL¡LMə♡₩ (@MeanLILMeoW)
California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the deployment as unlawful and filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a violation of state sovereignty.
WATCH: LAPD continues to mobilize in downtown Los Angeles as the anti-ICE protest and riots continue, despite Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordering a temporary curfew. |
— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA)
Trump defended the federal government’s response, describing the protests as “a full-scale assault on peace and public order,” and the rioters as “agitators and troublemakers.”
7-Eleven store took on the anti-ICE rioters in LA and won.
The employees’ relentless and righteous resolve created the opportunity for a rare sane protestor to make the insane rioters feel defeated enough to move on.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl)
“Somebody is paying for it,” he said, suggesting the demonstrations were being funded by outside entities. Speaking at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Trump advised Newsom to “get his act together” and attempt to quell the unrest, while advocating for prison sentences for those who burn US flags.
President Trump calls for a 1-year prison sentence for those burning the US flag.
He previously did so on the campaign trail.
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4)
“People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. And we’ll see if we can get that done,” Trump stated, adding that his administration is collaborating with senators to enact such legislation.
Trump has not ruled out invoking the Insurrection Act, a highly significant emergency power available to the President, which permits the deployment of the military within the US to suppress insurrections. When questioned about invoking the Insurrection Act earlier this week, Trump told reporters “we will see.”
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