**Protests in Hispanic Areas**
– Resistance becomes intense with throwing stones and arson
– Government responds with rubber bullets and stun grenades
– Despite no request for support from Governor, Trump preemptively deploys National Guard
On June 7th (local time), in the city of Paramount, south of Los Angeles (LA), California, protesters condemning the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigrants set fire to vehicles on the road and held demonstrations. When protesters gathered at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in downtown LA on the 6th, police fired stun grenades to disperse them.
Demonstrations protesting the Trump administration’s harsh crackdown and arrest of illegal immigrants have continued for two days in LA, becoming increasingly intense, leading President Donald Trump to order the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops.
In LA, demonstrations against the strict enforcement by ICE have been persistent. In the Hispanic immigrant area of Paramount City, located about 30 km south of LA, hundreds of protesters clashed with immigration officials, as reported by the New York Times (NYT). Protesters threw stones and cement at patrol vehicles, while agents used rubber bullets and stun grenades to respond forcefully. The streets were filled with smoke from burning wood and trash.
Immigration authorities are conducting a large-scale operation to arrest illegal Hispanic immigrants in LA. Trump’s administration has arrested about 120 illegal immigrants in this area this week, according to the NYT. Resistance and backlash against ICE’s harsh enforcement have surged, with agents creating a tense atmosphere by firing warning shots and intimidating those resisting or trying to block arrests. Images showed detainees being transported with their hands bound behind their backs.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt stated that President Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guard members to respond to the “lawlessness left to fester.” On social media, Trump criticized Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to control the protests efficiently and declared that the federal government would address the riots and looters. He also announced a ban on facial masks for protesters, questioning their reasons for wearing them.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned on [platform X] that active Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton are ready for deployment if violence continues.
Criticism arises that Trump’s order to deploy the National Guard disregards protocol and procedure. Since state governors generally control National Guard forces, this move bypasses Governor Newsom’s authority. LA officials have not expressed a need for federal support. Governor Newsom, from the opposition Democratic Party, immediately condemned Trump’s decision. It is the first time in 60 years that a U.S. President has summoned the National Guard without a governor’s request, fueling further controversy.
[Reporter: Kim Jekwa]