Los Angeles protests erupt for second day amid immigration raids, flash-bang grenades used
LOS ANGELES, June 8 — Federal agents clashed with angry protestors in the Los Angeles area for a second day yesterday, shooting flash-bang grenades into the crowd and shutting part of a freeway amid raids on undocumented migrants, reports said.
The standoff took place in the suburb of Paramount, where demonstrators had gathered near a Home Depot that was being used as a staging area by federal immigration officials, the Fox 11 news outlet reported.
They were met by federal agents in riot gear and gas masks, who lobbed flash-bang grenades and tear gas at the crowd, according to news reports and social media posts.
The immigration raids are part of US President Donald Trump's ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
The Republican was elected to a second term largely on a promise to crack down hard on the entry and presence of undocumented migrants—who he likened to 'monsters' and 'animals.'
Following the latest clashes in Los Angeles, authorities vowed to prosecute offenders and warned of an escalating security presence.
'We are making Los Angeles safer. Mayor (Karen) Bass should be thanking us,' Tom Homan, Trump's point man on border security, said on Fox News. 'We are going to bring the National Guard in tonight.'
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said multiple arrests had been made following Friday's clashes.
'You bring chaos, and we'll bring handcuffs. Law and order will prevail,' he said on X.
On Saturday, amid chants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to get out, some protestors waved Mexican flags while others set a US flag on fire, the Los Angeles Times said.
Cement blocks and overturned shopping carts served as crude roadblocks.
A crowd swarmed a US Marshals Service bus exiting a nearby freeway, with authorities later closing on and off ramps to keep protesters from taking over the highway.
The tense standoff came a day after masked and armed immigration agents carried out high-profile workplace raids in separate parts of Los Angeles, attracting angry crowds and setting off hours-long standoffs.
'An insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States,' White House deputy chief of staff and anti-immigration hardliner Stephen Miller said on X, sharing a video of protesters marching Friday outside Los Angeles's federal detention center.
Los Angeles, the second-most populous city in the United States, is one of the most diverse metropolises in the country.
The suburb of Paramount, home to about 50,000 people, is 82 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to US Census data. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Trump deploys National Guard to Los Angeles as immigration raids spark violent protests
LOS ANGELES, June 8 — Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to the streets of Los Angeles yesterday in what the White House said was an effort to quell 'lawlessness,' after sometimes-violent protests erupted over immigration enforcement raids. The US president took federal control of California's state military to push soldiers into the country's second-biggest city, where they could face off against demonstrators. It is a rare move that Governor Gavin Newsom said was 'purposefully inflammatory.' The development came after two days of confrontations that had seen federal agents shoot flash-bang grenades and tear gas towards crowds angry at the arrests of dozens of migrants in a city with a large Latino population. Footage showed a car that had been set alight at a busy intersection, while in video circulating on social media a man in a motorbike helmet can be seen throwing rocks at speeding federal vehicles. Protestors could be seen jeering at agents and filming them on their phones. In other scenes, demonstrators threw fireworks at lines of local law enforcement who had been called in to try to keep the peace. 'President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said late Saturday, blaming what she called California's 'feckless' Democratic leaders. '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.' The National Guard—a reserve military—is frequently used in natural disasters, like in the aftermath of the LA fires, and rarely in instances of civil unrest. It was deployed in Los Angeles after the 2020 killing of George Floyd. Newsom, a frequent foil for Trump and a long-time foe of the Republican, took to social media to decry Saturday's White House order. 'That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,' he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. '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. 'This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.' Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to ramp up tensions further, warning that nearby regular military forces could get involved. 'If violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized—they are on high alert,' he wrote on social media. Since taking office in January, Republican Trump has delivered on a promise to crack down hard on the entry and presence of undocumented migrants—who he has likened to 'monsters' and 'animals.' Saturday's standoff took place in the suburb of Paramount, where demonstrators converged on a reported federal facility, which the local mayor said was being used as a staging post by agents. On Friday, masked and armed immigration agents carried out high-profile workplace raids in separate parts of Los Angeles, attracting angry crowds and setting off hours-long standoffs. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged that some city residents were 'feeling fear' following the federal immigration enforcement actions. 'Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable,' she said on X. Roadblocks and chants FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said multiple arrests had been made following Friday's clashes. 'You bring chaos, and we'll bring handcuffs. Law and order will prevail,' he said on X. On Saturday, amid chants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to get out, some protestors waved Mexican flags while others set a US flag on fire, the Los Angeles Times reported. Cement blocks and overturned shopping carts served as crude roadblocks. A crowd swarmed a US Marshals Service bus exiting a nearby freeway, with authorities later closing on and off ramps to keep protesters from taking over the highway and to stop new people from flowing in. The White House has taken a hard line against the protests, with deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller calling them 'an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States.' Los Angeles, the second-most populous city in the United States, is one of the most diverse places in the country. The suburb of Paramount, home to about 50,000 people, is 82 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to US Census data. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Travel ban on Fahmi Reza incorrectly issued, says IGP
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said a 'misunderstanding' during a border check yesterday prevented graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza from flying to Singapore to attend a concert. PETALING JAYA : Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the police have not imposed any travel restrictions on graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza. Razarudin said a 'misunderstanding' occurred during a border check yesterday which led to a travel ban being 'incorrectly issued' against Fahmi, who was looking to fly to Singapore. In a Facebook post yesterday, Fahmi said he was stopped at KLIA Terminal 2 while attempting to board a flight to Singapore to attend a punk rock concert. He claimed that an immigration officer told him that Bukit Aman said he did not have clearance to travel abroad. In a statement this morning, Razarudin said Fahmi is free to travel in and out of the country, subject to regulations set by the immigration department, and other laws. 'The police wish to clarify that we have not imposed any official travel restrictions on Fahmi at this time,' he said. 'However, the police have placed his name on a list of people to monitor for internal reference purposes due to an ongoing investigation involving him. 'It must be emphasised that being on this list does not constitute a travel ban, but is instead a standard monitoring procedure implemented by law enforcement authorities.' Razarudin said police are reviewing the matter, and appropriate action will be taken to streamline the existing procedures. Anwar instructs police to look into Fahmi's 'travel ban' In a separate statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the police to review the 'travel ban' imposed on Fahmi. 'The Madani government upholds individual freedoms, so long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws,' the office said. 'Therefore, the police must provide further clarification on this matter.' The PMO said it will continue to monitor the situation accordingly.
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Trump warns Musk against supporting Democrats
US President Donald Trump warned tech billionaire Elon Musk of 'very serious consequences' if he were to support Democrats in the future following their public falling-out, dpa reported. 'He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,' Trump told NBC News in a phone interview set to air on Sunday.
