Chicago – June 09, 2025
Officers have used flash-bangs and tear gas while dispersing crowds, with some hitting and pushing protesters while making arrests, CNN witnessed. Protesters set at least two Waymo self-driving cars on fire. All of Downtown Los Angeles has been declared an unlawful assembly area.
• Federal deployment:
About 300 National Guardsmen are on the ground across Los Angeles after President Donald Trump called them up to protect federal personnel and property. It’s the first time a president has called in the National Guard without a state’s request or consent in decades. Also prepared to deploy are 500 Marines.
• Trump vs Newsom:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration over deployment of the National Guard, which he called inflammatory. Newsom and LA mayor Karen Bass have urged the administration to end the federal deployment.
• Why are there protests?
Immigration authorities and demonstrators have clashed for three days after dozens of people were detained by federal immigration agents. Intelligence analysts believe that protesters are motivated by several factors, including immigration raids, deployment of the National Guard, and agitators who fit profiles of “professional rioters.”
