Why did Trump deploy the National Guard to LA protests? How many have been arrested? What to know

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2 hours ago

WASHINGTON – National Guard members have started to arrive in Los Angeles after President Donald Trump ordered thousands of troops to the area over tense protests targeting the administration's crackdown on immigration enforcement.
With demonstrations set to continue in the afternoon, area officials have declared an unlawful assembly and responded to protests over the weekend by firing tear gas, pepper spray and flash-bang concussion rounds toward gathering crowds.
Video footage of some of the protests showed dozens of green-uniformed security personnel with gas masks, lined up on a road strewn with overturned shopping carts as small canisters exploded into gas clouds.
Demonstrators allege the Trump administration's immigration enforcement has violated civil and human rights. The sweeping immigration efforts, a hallmark of Trump's second term, has also caught up people legally residing in the country and led to legal challenges.
"Now they know that they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are, and try to kidnap our workers, our people – they cannot do that without an organized and fierce resistance," said protester Ron Gochez, 44.
But where are the protests taking place? How is California Gov. Gavin Newsom responding? Here's what to know:
More: Illegal border crossings at record lows as crackdown spreads
Trump ordered approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to help quell the protests in Los Angeles, where helmeted police in riot gear clashed with protesters who opposed tougher federal actions against undocumented immigrants.
Some protesters hurled large chunks of broken concrete at officers, slashed tires and defaced buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump signed a memo June 7 deploying the guardsmen 'to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.'
'The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs,' she said in a statement.
On June 7, a large protest erupted in the city of Paramount in Los Angeles County, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It came as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted enforcement operations in the area and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.
About 350 to 400 protesters had gathered, and some were seen throwing objects at agents.
Since then, demonstrations have widened out across parts of Los Angeles. A second protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night attracted approximately 60 people, who chanted slogans including "ICE out of L.A.!"
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said two deputies were taken to an area hospital for injuries, but they have since been released, according to multiple reports.
Demonstrators have also reported injuries. One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.
Newsom wrote in a post on X on June 7 that the move from the federal government to deploy National Guard troops is 'purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.'
"LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment's notice. We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need," Newsom wrote, alleging "This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust."
The Department of Homeland Security said that ICE operations have resulted in the arrests of 118 undocumented immigrants last week in Los Angeles, including five alleged gang members and others with criminal records for smuggling, drug trafficking and assault.
Los Angeles police confirmed early on June 8 that one person had been arrested in connection with the demonstrations, along with several others who were detained but not yet formally charged, according to multiple reports.
Contributing: Bart Jansen, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about tense immigration protests in Paramount, LA