logo
Los Angeles police order immigration protesters in downtown to go home

Los Angeles police order immigration protesters in downtown to go home

Straits Times7 hours ago

Police face off with demonstrators during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake
LOS ANGELES - Police declared all of downtown Los Angeles to be an unlawful assembly area and ordered protesters to go home on Sunday night after a third day of violence hit demonstrations against President Donald Trump's immigration policy.
National Guard troops - deployed by Trump at the weekend to help quell the protests in a move that California Governor Gavin Newsom called unlawful - guarded federal government buildings on Sunday.
The unrest in Los Angeles has become a major flashpoint in Trump's signature effort to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The Republican president has pledged to deport record numbers of people who are in the country illegally and to lock down the U.S.-Mexico border, setting the border enforcement agency ICE a daily goal of arresting at least 3,000 migrants.
California state and local officials, mainly Democrats, accuse Trump of inflaming initially small-scale protests by mounting a federal response. He calls the protesters insurrectionists.
Several self-driving cars from Alphabet's Waymo were set ablaze on a downtown street on Sunday evening.
Los Angeles police said some protesters had thrown concrete projectiles, bottles and other items at police. Police declared several rallies to be unlawful assemblies and later extended that to include the whole downtown area.
Police on horseback tried to control the crowds.
Demonstrators shouted "Shame on you!" at police and some appeared to throw objects, video images showed. One group blocked the 101 Freeway, a major downtown thoroughfare.
City Police Chief Jim McDonnell told a media briefing on Sunday evening that people had a right to protest peacefully but the violence he had seen by some was "disgusting" and the protests were getting out of control.
Police said they had arrested 10 people on Sunday and 29 the previous night, adding arrests were continuing.
NEWSOM BLAMES TRUMP
California Governor Newsom, a Democrat, said he requested the Trump administration to withdraw its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, calling it unlawful.
Newsom said in an interview with MSNBC he planned to sue the administration over the deployment, adding that Trump "has created the conditions" around the protests. He accused the president of trying to manufacture a crisis and of violating California's state sovereignty.
Asked if the National Guard was needed, the police chief, McDonnell, said police would not "go to that right away," but added, "Looking at the violence tonight, I think we've got to make a reassessment".
In a social media post, Trump called on McDonnell to do so.
"He should, right now!!!" Trump added. "Don't let these thugs get away with this. Make America great again!!!"
The White House disputed Newsom's characterization, saying in a statement, "Everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness."
Earlier on Sunday, about a dozen National Guard members, along with Department of Homeland Security personnel, pushed back a group of demonstrators outside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, video showed.
The U.S. Northern Command said 300 members of the California National Guard had been deployed to three spots in the Los Angeles area.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS program "Face the Nation" that the National Guard would provide safety around buildings to people engaged in peaceful protest and to law enforcement.
'ALL ACTION NECESSARY'
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump called the demonstrators "violent, insurrectionist mobs" and said he was directing his cabinet officers "to take all such action necessary" to stop what he called riots.
Despite Trump's language, he has not invoked the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that empowers a president to deploy the U.S. military to suppress events like civil disorder.
Asked on Sunday whether he was considering doing so, he said, "It depends on whether or not there's an insurrection."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday the Pentagon is prepared to mobilize active-duty troops "if violence continues" in Los Angeles, saying Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were on high alert.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blamed the Trump administration for inciting tension by sending in the National Guard. She also condemned protesters who became violent.
"I don't want people to fall into the chaos that I believe is being created by the administration completely unnecessarily," she told a press conference.
Vanessa Cardenas, head of the immigration advocacy group America's Voice, accused the Trump administration of "trumping up an excuse to abuse power, and deliberately stoke and force confrontations around immigration." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US imposes sanctions on Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel
US imposes sanctions on Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel

Straits Times

time28 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

US imposes sanctions on Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled \"The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System,\" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo US imposes sanctions on Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel WASHINGTON - The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, labeling it a Specially Designated Global Terrorist as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to tackle cross-border drug trafficking. The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it designated Los Chapitos under illicit drug and terrorism authorities, accusing it of facilitating trafficking and production of fentanyl, the lethally potent opioid. Two of its fugitive leaders, both sons of convicted Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, were also hit with sanctions, according to the Treasury Department. "Los Chapitos is a powerful, hyperviolent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel at the forefront of fentanyl trafficking into the United States," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement. "At the Department of the Treasury, we are executing on President Trump's mandate to completely eliminate drug cartels and take on violent leaders like 'El Chapo's' children. Treasury is maximizing all available tools to stop the fentanyl crisis and help save lives." The Treasury on Monday also imposed sanctions on what it said was a regional network of Los Chapitos associates and businesses based in Mexico. Monday's action freezes any of their U.S. assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with them. Those that engage in certain transactions with the sanctioned parties also risk being hit with sanctions. The move comes after the Trump administration in February designated Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel and other drug cartels as global terrorist organizations. Trump, a Republican, issued an executive order after taking office on January 20 that called on officials to evaluate whether any criminal cartels or transnational gangs should be designated as terrorism groups. The U.S. terrorism designations have come alongside a government crackdown on migration, with thousands of foreigners being deported to third countries in Latin America. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Trump hints he would support arrest of California Governor Newsom
Trump hints he would support arrest of California Governor Newsom

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Trump hints he would support arrest of California Governor Newsom

FILE PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom gestures while speaking, as he announces the Golden State Literacy Plan and deployment of literacy coaches statewide, at the Clinton Elementary School in Compton, California, U.S. June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo Trump hints he would support arrest of California Governor Newsom WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he would support an arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom amid pro-immigration protests in the state, which prompted the president to deploy the National Guard. On Saturday, Tom Homan, the administration's border czar, threatened to arrest anyone who obstructs immigration enforcement efforts in the state, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Newsom responded during an NBC News interview by challenging Homan to "just get it over with" and move ahead with the arrest. Asked on Monday about Newsom daring Homan to arrest him, Trump said, "I would." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

US, China begin key trade talks in London
US, China begin key trade talks in London

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

US, China begin key trade talks in London

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng shake hands as they pose for a photo during trade talks at the Lancaster House in London. PHOTO: AFP LONDON - China and the United States began a new round of trade talks in London on June 9, Beijing's state media reported, as the world's two biggest economies seek to shore up a shaky truce after bruising tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are meeting in the historic Lancaster House, run by the UK Foreign Office, following a first round of talks in Geneva in May. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng was again heading the team in London. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported the start of the talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US delegation, President Donald Trump said on June 6. 'The meeting should go very well,' Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told Fox News on June 8: 'We want China and the United States to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva.' While the UK government reiterated that it was not involved in the discussions, a spokesperson said: 'We are a nation that champions free trade.' UK authorities 'have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody's interests, so we welcome these talks', the spokesperson added. Rare earths The talks in London come just a few days after Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally held their first publicly announced telephone talks since the Republican returned to the White House. Mr Trump said June 5's call reached a 'very positive conclusion'. Mr Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying 'correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction'. Tensions between the two nations have soared, with Mr Trump accusing Beijing of violating a tariff de-escalation deal reached in Geneva in mid-May. (From left to right) US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Chinese International Trade Representative and Vice-Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang, posing for a photo at the Lancaster House on June 9. PHOTO: AFP 'We need China to comply with their side of the deal. And so that's what the trade team will be discussing tomorrow,' Ms Leavitt said on June 8. A key issue will be Beijing's shipments of rare earths – crucial to a range of goods including electric vehicle batteries and which have been a bone of contention for some time. 'Rare earth shipments from China to the US have slowed since President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs in April,' said Ms Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. 'The US wants these shipments to be reinstated, while China wants the US to rethink immigration curbs on students, restrictions on access to advanced technology including microchips, and to make it easier for Chinese tech providers to access US consumers,' she added. In April, Mr Trump introduced sweeping worldwide tariffs that targeted China most heavily. At one point, Washington hit Beijing with additional levies of 145 per cent on its goods, prompting China to respond with tariffs reaching 125 per cent on US goods. After two days of talks in Switzerland, both sides agreed to slash the eye-watering tariffs for 90 days, but key differences remain – especially over China's rare earth export restrictions. The impact was reflected in the latest official export data released on June 9 in Beijing. Exports to the United States fell 12.7 per cent in May from the previous month, with China shipping US$28.8 billion (S$37 billion) worth of goods. This was down from US$33 billion in April, according to Beijing's General Administration of Customs. 'Green channel' Throughout its talks with Washington, China has also launched discussions with other trading partners – including Japan and South Korea – to try to build a united front to counter Mr Trump's tariffs. On June 5, Beijing and Canada agreed to regularise their channels of communication after strained ties. Beijing has also proposed establishing a 'green channel' to ease exports of rare earths to the European Union, and fast-tracking approval of some export licenses. China is expected to host a summit with the EU in July, marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties. According to a spokesperson for Mr Starmer, Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves took advantage of the talks in London to meet with her US counterpart Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng on June 8. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store