PROTESTS in Los Angeles, California, have surged after United States President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen to the city.
Around 300 troops are currently on the ground to break up demonstrations and guard federal facilities, including the Metropolitan Detention Center, where immigrants are detained.
The protests, sparked by immigration raids, mark their third day on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Thousands of protesters blocked major freeways and set autonomous vehicles on fire. They clashed with police, who used tear gas, rubber bullets and flashbangs to disperse crowds declared unlawful.
Protesters shouted “shame” and “go home” at National Guard troops armed with rifles and riot shields.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and demanded Trump withdraw the troops, saying they inflamed tensions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass labeled the move politically motivated and urged peaceful protests.
This marks the first time in decades a state’s National Guard was activated without the governor’s request, escalating federal response to protests against Trump’s immigration policies and deportations. / FROM THE WIRES