As anti-ICE riots raged across Southern California, a US Marine battalion was dispatched to Los Angeles to help keep the peace.
Marines were instructed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to get ready for deployment to Los Angeles “if violence continues” on Sunday.
He fulfilled his pledge on Monday by directing 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms, California, to come to Los Angeles.
The 300 National Guard soldiers already on the ground will be joined by the arriving marines. 2,000 California National Guard members were instructed by President Trump to prepare for deployment in Los Angeles.
According to people familiar with the situation, some of the guard members are anticipated to be relieved by the arriving marines.
California Governor Gavin Newsom sued the Trump administration on Monday for sending the National Guard to the demonstrations, saying it has only fueled more street unrest.
Sunday’s protests turned into riots as demonstrators blocked all of downtown Los Angeles, including the 101 Freeway, and declared the entire area an illegal gathering place.
While some demonstrators threw glass bottles and even concrete slabs at the police officers in full riot gear, others set at least five autonomous Waymo cars on fire.
The driverless taxi service Waymo was forced to halt its app for a while in order to deter protesters from ordering taxis only to burn them down.
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Nevertheless, numerous people have been caught in the crossfire, such as an Australian reporter who was hit by a rubber bullet while broadcasting.
In order to hide their faces, the demonstrators have brought a range of clothing, such as Mexican flags or banners that combine American and Mexican designs. Authorities tackled a strange protester who appeared on stilts.
As the protests continue, Newsom stepped up his criticism of Trump and his administration and challenged border czar Tom Homan to arrest him. Trump claimed that he “would do it”—at least if he were Homan.
Since the protests began on Friday, at least 56 people have been taken into custody.
