Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026

Los Angeles Police Enforce Gathering Ban Amid Immigration Protests

Tensions escalate as National Guard is deployed following clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced a ban on gatherings in downtown Los Angeles amid confrontations between the National Guard and demonstrators protesting against the deportation of immigrants.

President Donald Trump asserted his support for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom 'for potentially obstructing immigration enforcement measures.'

The LAPD stated that they would arrest any demonstrators lacking a permit and urged protesters to disperse from the downtown area immediately.

Reports indicate that some protesters threw concrete pieces and bottles at police officers, leading to at least 56 arrests over two days, with three officers sustaining minor injuries.

The police declared several gatherings illegal on Sunday evening, subsequently broadening the ban to encompass the entire downtown area.

Mounted police units attempted to manage the crowds amid the unrest.

In response to the protests, about 300 National Guard personnel were deployed in Los Angeles following orders from President Trump, who instructed the mobilization of 2,000 National Guard troops to the state to address the unrest triggered by the arrest of several immigrants for deportation.

On Monday, California Attorney General announced a lawsuit against President Trump concerning the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.

Governor Newsom criticized Trump for what he deemed an illegal federalization of the National Guard, stating that the directive allowing the President to send troops was not confined to California and could permit federal forces to operate in any state.

Newsom indicated he might pursue legal action to challenge Trump's decision regarding the National Guard deployment and accused the President of igniting chaos and manufacturing a crisis.

In turn, Trump stated that he would support the arrest of Governor Newsom 'for potentially obstructing his administration's immigration enforcement efforts,' expressing that he felt he had no alternative regarding the National Guard deployment in California and suggested that additional forces may be sent if deemed necessary, stating he did not want a civil war.

Previously, Trump labeled the governor as incompetent and stated that he directed various departments, including Homeland Security, Defense, and Justice, to take necessary measures to reclaim Los Angeles from what he described as an invasion by immigrants.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Los Angeles, once a great American city, has been 'invaded and occupied' by illegal immigrants and 'criminals.' He alleged that violent and rebellious crowds were attacking federal agents in an attempt to halt deportations.

Tom Homan, a border advisor to Trump, mentioned the arrest of anyone 'obstructing immigration enforcement efforts' in the state, which included Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

The spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security characterized the events in Los Angeles as a riot, rather than peaceful protests, stating that it is the responsibility of politicians to 'calm things down and stop the rioting.'

Cash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, emphasized that the bureau's duty is to protect the American public, not to engage in 'political nonsense.' He stated that the enforcement of the Constitution does not require anyone's permission, adding that Los Angeles is under siege by criminal gangs and pledged to restore order and security to the city.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexican citizens were among those detained during the recent operations, urging the United States to treat them with dignity.

Meanwhile, China has advised its citizens in Los Angeles to exercise caution.

The Republican president is committed to expelling record numbers of individuals 'illegally' in the country and closing the border with Mexico, setting a daily target for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to apprehend at least 3,000 immigrants.

California officials, predominantly Democrats, accuse Trump of inciting protests that initially began as limited in scope through federal actions, while Trump refers to the protesters as rebels.

Since taking office in January, Trump has begun implementing his pledge to take stringent actions against undocumented immigrants, whom he has likened to 'monsters' and 'animals.'
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