LA protests have escalated sharply this week, prompting the deployment of National Guard and Marines in an attempt to restore order. The protests were sparked by a wave of controversial ICE immigration raids across the city, which led to more than 100 arrests and widespread public outrage.
According to U.S. officials, more than 2,000 National Guard members have been mobilised across Los Angeles, with an additional 700 active-duty Marines tasked with protecting federal property. This marks one of the most significant domestic military deployments in the city in recent years.
Critics argue the presence of armed forces during LA protests undermines civil liberties. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the move as “an authoritarian overreach” and warned it could inflame tensions. The LA protests National Guard Marines response has also drawn legal scrutiny, with several advocacy groups threatening lawsuits over what they call an unlawful use of federal force on state soil.
Footage from the protests shows clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, with officers using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. A journalist from Australia was injured on live television after being struck by a rubber bullet, prompting international condemnation and a formal complaint from the Australian government.
Despite the heavy presence of troops, protests have continued throughout the city. Marches and sit-ins are being held in front of government buildings, immigration centres, and major intersections, calling for the raids to stop and for detained individuals to be released.
Officials say they are monitoring the situation closely, but tensions remain high as the public questions the legality and necessity of deploying the National Guard and Marines in LA protests.
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