Latest news with #FOX11
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
LA protests: Riot gear distributed by masked group sparks questions
The Brief A masked group handed out gas masks and riot shields at a protest in downtown LA. Reporters observed street chaos, graffiti, and no police presence at a key intersection. Critics say Trump's deployment of troops is provoking violence, not preventing it. LOS ANGELES - The mood in downtown Los Angeles shifted from tense to surreal Monday evening as FOX 11 cameras captured a masked group handing out riot shields and gas masks just steps from federal buildings—despite official claims that protests remained largely peaceful. Reporters on the ground described chaotic scenes: protesters doing burnouts, tagging sidewalks, and climbing light poles as riot gear was passed around in full view. No local police were visible at the time, even as National Guard troops stood guard outside nearby federal buildings. The masks being distributed were branded "bionic shield," and the boxes appeared to be left behind in the open. The woman distributing them wasn't masked herself—but her intent, or affiliation, remains unknown. What we know Witnesses and journalists observed the scene unfold in real time, offering a clearer—but still incomplete—picture of how the gear was distributed and what role it played in the evening's escalation. FOX 11 reporters witnessed masked individuals handing out tactical gear to protest attendees. No arrests were made at the scene, despite visible acts of vandalism and street interference. The incident occurred near federal buildings as National Guard troops were stationed nearby. Protesters also reported graffitiing, burning rubber, and preparing for clashes with police. What we don't know Despite the footage and mounting questions, officials have not provided clarity on key details surrounding the distribution or whether any investigation is underway. Whether the individuals distributing riot gear were part of an activist group, coordinated effort, or acting independently. Why local law enforcement did not intervene despite the obvious gear handout and escalating street activity. If the gear handout is being investigated by federal, state, or local authorities. What led to the federal response in Los Angeles The backstory Tensions have escalated in Los Angeles following President Donald Trump's decision to deploy more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to respond to ongoing immigration protests. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have called the move unlawful, accusing Trump of manufacturing chaos to justify federal force. Monday's protest began peacefully but turned volatile as the evening wore on. FOX 11 anchor Elex Michaelson asked on-air whether the people being arrested were the ones committing violence on live television—or simply migrants caught up in the broader crackdown. "No, I haven't seen any arrests so far," reporter Matthew Seedorf responded from the scene. "People are still throwing bottles and glass at police… but it's really not stopping it." Michaelson later posted on social media: "We just saw people arrive in Downtown L.A. with truckloads of Bionic Face Shields that demonstrators quickly grabbed. It certainly seems like gear you'd wear if you're preparing for conflict with police. Who is funding this?" What they're saying Mayor Karen Bass has warned that the federal government may be trying to provoke unrest in order to justify a takeover of city and state authority. "This isn't about public safety. It's about stroking a dangerous President's ego," Newsom said Monday. Bass and other officials say protests had remained largely peaceful until the military presence intensified. The appearance of masked groups handing out gear only complicates the narrative. "You don't put on a mask unless you have a plan not to be seen," one FOX 11 anchor said during the live broadcast. Big picture view The incident has become a flashpoint in a larger political conflict over states' rights, federal overreach, and how protest movements are being handled in the post-Jan. 6 political landscape. While migrants are being detained across LA for relatively minor offenses, individuals caught committing violent acts on camera appear to be untouched by law enforcement. That disparity—combined with the mysterious presence of agitators—has prompted accusations that the unrest may not be organic, but engineered to justify a heavy-handed federal response. What's next California officials have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to challenge the National Guard deployment. Meanwhile, federal forces under Task Force 51 continue to increase their presence in Los Angeles. It's unclear whether any investigation is underway into who handed out riot gear—or why they weren't arrested. The Source This article is based on live reporting from FOX 11 Los Angeles, including on-air coverage from Matthew Seedorf, Elex Michaelson, and Christina Gonzalez. Additional context was drawn from The Associated Press, Pentagon press releases, and public statements by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsom: Trump wants LA unrest to divide us, using anti-ICE protest fallout for political gain
The Brief California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump for sending the National Guard to Los Angeles County, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. Newsom accused Trump of using the unrest for political gain and creating a constitutional crisis. Trump responded by blaming Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for failing to manage the protests effectively. LOS ANGELES - California Governor Gavin Newsom is accusing President Donald Trump of being reckless with the federal response to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles County. What we know In an interview with FOX 11's Elex Michaelson, Newsom blasted Trump for sending the National Guard to LA County, which the California Governor claims is illegal and unconstitutional. "Donald Trump is reckless, he's immoral," Newsom said. "He's acting unlawfully. He's putting people's lives at risk. And it's my job to clean up Donald Trump's mess, because he's making it by the hour." Newsom's rant against Trump comes after the National Guard clashed with civilians – which includes anti-ICE protesters and agitators with no ties to immigration advocacy – on Sunday, June 8 in downtown Los Angeles. The California Governor claims Trump using the weekend of unrest in Los Angeles County for political gain by dividing the nation and undermining the rule of law and democracy. "It's been a disastrous presidency and so, of course, we're here with another distraction that puts, in this case, people's lives at risk, and he's testing the boundaries of the Constitution in a way that we can clearly argue is a constitutional crisis," Newsom told Michaelson on Sunday. The other side Trump accused Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of not getting the job done during the earlier stages of the 3-day protests in LA County. "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved," Trump wrote on his Truth Social page. In a separate post, Trump claimed Newsom had been "incompetent," dating back to California's response to the Jan. 2025 wildfires. "We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task," Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Source This report used information provided by Elex Michaelson's interview with California Governor Gavin Newsom. President Donald Trump's responses were from his Truth Social account.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
LA ICE protests, Day 3: National Guard arrives, as directed by Trump
LOS ANGELES - After two days of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles County, the National Guard has made its way to Southern California. The guard members' arrival comes as the Trump administration declared it will send the National Guard in response to the protests that took place in Paramount, downtown Los Angeles and Westlake over the last 48 hours. The protests have led to tense clashes between federal law enforcement, protesters and alleged agitators with no ties to immigration advocacy. The clashes between federal law enforcement and civilians come as border patrol officers have made their way to Southern California in gray SUVs and attire resembling riot gear this weekend. Their presence has alarmed Angelenos, prompting witnesses and activists to suspect the staging of ICE raids. FOX 11 caught the tense moments in both downtown Los Angeles and Paramount on Saturday, as cars were set on fire, armed federal agents fired nonlethal rounds at demonstrators. Below are live updates of the ongoing protests happening across Los Angeles (all times listed in Pacific Standard Time): 5:24 p.m.: After dispersing protesters in downtown LA, CHP has reopened the 101 Freeway in both directions. 5:20 p.m.: Multiple driverless Waymo vehicles were set on fire by agitators near the ongoing downtown LA protests. 5:03 p.m.: LA Mayor Karen Bass addressed the public for the first time since the protests began on Friday. She condemned the ICE raids and encouraged Angelenos to express themselves without violence. She said she is in opposition of Trump sending the National Guard to LA. "My disappointment is I have been talking to the federal government for days. I was hoping to prevent this situation from happening. I was trying to encourage the administration that if they deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles it would create a sense of chaos, it's the last thing our city needs. Our city is still trying to recover from the wildfires," Bass said during a press briefing. 4:10 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol are attempting to remove protesters on the southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway in downtown. Please avoid the 101 Freeway between the 110 FWY and the 5/10 FWY interchange. 4:06 p.m.: Police said two LAPD officers were injured after being hit by motorcyclists who attempted to breach a skirmish line at Alameda and Temple. Both riders have been detained. The officers were treated at the scene. 3:57 p.m.: LAPD declared an unlawful assembly in the areas of Alameda, Los Angeles St, Aliso St, and the 101 freeway in downtown LA as protesters blocked the freeway. Anyone on the 101 Freeway between Alameda and the 110 freeway are subject to arrest, police said. People are urged to avoid the 101 Freeway in the Downtown Area. 3:25 p.m.: California Governor Gavin Newsom formally requests the Trump administration to rescind deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles County. "We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved," Newsom said in a post on social media. 2:50 p.m.: LAPD has declared the downtown LA protest scene unlawful assembly and law enforcement can now start shooting nonlethal rounds, or rubber bullets. This is for the area of Alameda between 2nd St. and Aliso St. 2 p.m.: Anti-ICE protesters have come face-to-face with the National Guard in downtown Los Angeles. 1:45 p.m.: California Governor Gavin Newsom urged protesters to remain calm despite the National Guard's presence. FOX 11's crew reports no local law enforcement are present next ot the National Guard in downtown LA. 1:40 p.m.: The National Guard could be deployed in Los Angeles County for up to 60 days, FOX News reports. 11:55 a.m.: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement on social media in response to the National Guard's arrival to her city, calling Trump's move a "chaotic escalation." 11 a.m.: The Trump-led National Guard has arrived in Los Angeles. 8 a.m.: An anti-ICE demonstration will be held outside Los Angeles City Hall for 2 p.m. Big picture view The recent raids come in the wake of Trump's nationwide push for mass deportations. Internal government data shows ICE arrests during President Donald Trump's second term have already surpassed 100,000 this week, including over 2,000 arrests on both Tuesday and Wednesday. This marks a dramatic increase from the daily average of approximately 660 arrests during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These numbers reportedly move closer to the stated goal of top administration officials, such as White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who has pushed for ICE to conduct "a minimum" of 3,000 arrests each day. The Source This report used information provided by FOX 11's crew at the scene and previous FOX 11 coverage.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Disneyland ride shuts down after car derails off track: Witness
The Brief A car ended up going off-track on one of the rides at Disneyland's Tomorrowland. The car derailment shut down the Autopia ride, a witness said. No injuries were reported in the incident. ANAHEIM, Calif. - A group of Disneyland guests were pulled from a ride after one of the cars derailed off track. What we know A video shared by social media user @Laughing_Place showed one of the cars at Autopia in the park's bushes and shrubs on Wednesday, June 4. According to the witness, the parkgoers who were in the other cars were evacuated from the ride as crews looked into the derailed car. The Tomorrowland attraction ended up shutting down for the afternoon, user @Laughing_Place said. What we don't know As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, no injuries had been reported in the incident. FOX 11 is making calls to Disney for comment on the incident. The backstory Autopia is a family attraction that allows kids taller than 32 inches to hop on the ride. According to Disney's website, the cars are "equipped with front and rear bumpers and an undercarriage guide rail to safeguard your trip." Riders can also slow down by easing off the accelerator. Autopia was introduced with Disneyland Park's opening day in 1955. It stands as the only existing Tomorrowland attraction dating back to the first date it opened, Disney said on its website. "Over the years, the roadways and car styles have been updated, but the fun stays the same," the ride's description read on Disney's website. The Source This report used information provided by witnesses. The video was obtained by @Laughing_Place on social media.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Expecting dad shot, killed during a online sale meetup in Norwalk
The Brief An 18-year-old soon-to-be father, Geovanni Chavez, was shot dead in Norwalk while selling clothes from an online forum. Family members and neighbors mourn his loss, describing him as a good kid with a beautiful heart. Investigators have found a baseball bat near the scene, but no arrests have been made, and the teen's phone is missing. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A soon-to-be father was shot dead in Norwalk Wednesday afternoon while family members say he was meeting with someone from an online forum. What they're saying "He was actually selling some clothes," said Eduardo Castro. "I'm not sure if it was OfferUp or any other link. What transpired after that, we don't know." Family members identify the victim as 18-year-old Geovanni Chavez. "My son was taken too early," said Roxanne, the teen's mother. "My son was an amazing kid. He had a beautiful heart." A memorial is growing outside the gated apartment complex along Los Alisos Circle where Chavez was shot around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. "I want justice for him," said Amber, a neighbor. "He was too young. He was such a good kid. He was sweet." Investigators discovered a baseball bat near the shooting scene. However, family members tell FOX 11 the teen's phone is missing. They're not sure who would have killed the 18-year-old. He was about to become a father. "He was going to be a dad," said Roxanne. "He was excited. He had everything ready." "We're just devastated, and we'll get our closure for sure," said Castro. What we don't know So far, no arrests have been made in this case. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. Local perspective "I would ask the community out there to get behind the family," said Marcus, a friend. "Pray for the family. Pray for the other side of this too. Pray for the idiot that thought this was his only option. I just hope God lets us see the lesson in all this." A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help the family cover funeral expenses. Those looking to help can click here.
