[Source/Observer Network Chen Sijia] Recently, institutions such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have carried out operations targeting illegal immigrants, leading to large-scale protests in Los Angeles, California. As the tense situation continues to escalate, conflicts between protesters and American police have become increasingly intense, with protest activities breaking out in multiple locations including San Francisco, Austin, New York, and Washington D.C.

Due to the continued tension in Los Angeles, the center of the protests, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on June 9 that it would send an additional 2,000 National Guard members to the city, and the U.S. Northern Command also announced that approximately 700 Marine Corps soldiers would be deployed. Previously, U.S. President Trump had already sent 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles without the consent of the California government.

This measure by the Trump administration was opposed by California Governor Newsom, who criticized Trump for attempting to "incite violence." Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against Trump on June 9, requesting the court rule that Trump's relevant executive orders are illegal and asking the court to revoke this order.

US law enforcement dispersing the protest crowd in Los Angeles - Video screenshot

Protests spread across multiple US cities

According to CNN reports, as of local time on June 9, anti-ICE protests that started in Los Angeles have spread to various parts of the United States, with demonstrations held in multiple cities including San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, and New York. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested so far.

In San Francisco, California, protesters took to the streets on August 8th to protest against the actions of U.S. law enforcement agencies targeting illegal immigrants. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie stated that about 400 people participated in the protest rally on the evening of August 8th. However, as the demonstrators gradually dispersed, the protest turned into violent clashes, with cars and stores being smashed.

Lurie said that the protest on August 9th was larger in scale, with thousands of participants, but was "more peaceful" than the previous day's protests. The San Francisco Police Department announced that about 150 people were arrested during the unrest on the night of August 8th, with all except one suspect involved in a serious crime being released. On the 9th, the police also arrested several protesters who were "engaging in vandalism and other criminal acts."

Protesters and police clash near San Francisco ICE facilities - The New York Times

SFPD arresting protesters - Video screenshot

In Austin, the capital of Texas, hundreds of protesters held a demonstration outside the state capitol building on June 9th. According to The Texas Tribune, the protesters set off from the state capitol building and headed towards the Pick Federal Building in the downtown area. However, after the rally ended, over 100 protesters refused to leave the scene and only left after law enforcement used tear gas on them.

Witnesses stated that at least two protesters were arrested near the federal building. Local law enforcement authorities have not yet responded.

Austin PD arresting a protester - The Austin American-Statesman

Austin PD using chemical irritants to disperse the crowd - The Austin American-Statesman

Meanwhile, protests occurred in the three largest cities in Texas: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas, showing support for the protests in Los Angeles. Video footage shows that protesters in Dallas waved Mexican and American flags while confronting law enforcement officers. The Dallas Police Department stated that at least one protester was arrested, but it is unclear what charges this individual will face.

Protesters demonstrating in Dallas - KTVT TV station

According to CBS, protests took place at sites like Trump Tower in New York City, where protesters held sit-ins. In Lower Manhattan, including council members, protesters also held rallies, and Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council, gave a speech calling for ICE to stop its raids on illegal immigrants.

Fox News reported that New York police arrested 24 protesters who entered Trump Tower. New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that the riots in Los Angeles were unacceptable, and he would not tolerate violent protests. "New York City is a place that allows peaceful protests, but it will not tolerate violence and lawlessness," he said.

New York police arresting protesters who entered Trump Tower - Fox News

In Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, multiple unions also held protest activities. Like protesters across the country, they called for the release of detained union leader David Huerta and demanded that ICE stop its raids. Huerta was arrested while participating in the protests in Los Angeles and was released on $50,000 bail late on June 9th.

Protesters holding a rally in Washington D.C. - Video screenshot

Additionally, CNN reported that in multiple places including Atlanta, the capital of Georgia; Boston, the capital of Massachusetts; Seattle, the largest city in Washington State; and Pittsburgh, the second-largest city in Pennsylvania, protests against ICE enforcement and calls for the release of Huerta took place on June 9th. The Wall Street Journal reported that protest organizers plan to initiate more protests in the coming days.

Los Angeles Tensions Escalate, Trump Deploys Additional Forces

In the heart of the protests in Los Angeles, the tense situation has yet to ease. The Wall Street Journal reported that protesters continued to hold gatherings in downtown Los Angeles on June 9th, facing off against police at multiple federal agency locations. The Los Angeles Police Department stated that some protesters threw objects at the police, who blocked the protesters with shields.

CNN reported that protesters threw fireworks and stones at the police, while law enforcement used rubber bullets and flash grenades to disperse the crowds. Flight data platform Flightradar24's data showed that local police helicopters circled over the protest area throughout the day on June 9th. Late on the evening of June 9th, the Los Angeles Police began arresting protesters who refused to leave the scene.

The New York Times reported that the level of violence during the protests on June 9th decreased somewhat, but incidents of violent conflict and arson still occurred. Since the protests began on June 6th, at least 150 people have been arrested in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles protests have lasted four days - Video screenshots

In response to the tense situation in Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on June 9th that it would send an additional 2,000 National Guard members to the city. The U.S. Northern Command also issued a statement saying that approximately 700 Marine Corps soldiers had completed mobilization and were being deployed to the Los Angeles area to protect local federal agencies and personnel.

Previously, U.S. President Trump signed a presidential memorandum, announcing the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to the Los Angeles area without the request of the California government. California Governor Newsom stated that among these 2,000 National Guard members, only 300 were actually carrying out tasks, with the rest merely resting in federal buildings.

CBS cited a U.S. defense official as saying that the Marines could arrive in Los Angeles as early as June 10th. It is rare for the U.S. government to invoke the Insurrection Act to mobilize Marines to quell unrest; the last time this act was used was during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

Los Angeles Mayor: Our city should not be used as an experiment

Due to Trump's deployment of the National Guard into Los Angeles without the request of the state government, his relationship with California Governor Newsom has rapidly deteriorated over the past few days. In an email sent on the morning of June 8th, Newsom said that Trump's "wrongful action" in ordering the deployment of California National Guard troops was aimed at "provoking violence" to gain political benefits.

In the email, Newsom wrote: "We have been closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies. There are no unmet needs. The president is attempting to incite emotions and provoke further responses."

White House border affairs director Tom Homan threatened on June 7th to arrest anyone obstructing immigration enforcement work, including California Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Bass. Newsom responded strongly on June 8th, saying, "Come and arrest me."

U.S. National Guard soldiers protecting the federal building in Los Angeles - Visual China

On June 9th, local time, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseith, requesting the court rule that Trump's executive order signed on July 7th and the subsequent deployment of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles by the Department of Defense are "illegal" and asking the court to revoke this order.

Regarding the news that the military would deploy Marines, Newsom said he would file another lawsuit. He criticized the Trump administration's order in an interview with The New York Times, calling it "very absurd." "This is not just escalation; it's provocation. This is about spreading more fear, more anger, and deepening divisions even further," he said.

Los Angeles Mayor Bass also criticized the Trump administration for using the city as a "testing ground for federal takeover of local and state governments." She said at a press conference on June 9th: "I think our city should not be used as an experiment. Do you know what the National Guard is doing? They are guarding two buildings... That's what they're doing. So do they need Marines to do this?"

Bass stated that before ICE launched its operation, Los Angeles remained calm, "This chaos started in Washington." She accused ICE's enforcement actions of "sparking panic" in Los Angeles, emphasizing that Los Angeles is a "city of immigrants," and said, "This atmosphere has caused chaos in our city, and we don't need this."

Earlier, the White House had characterized the riots in Los Angeles as "rebellion." White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller blasted these rallies as "insurrectionary behavior" against the United States. Trump also compared the protesters to "rebels" and "professional agitators."

However, Trump seemed to soften his tone on June 9th, saying he "would not call" the Los Angeles protests "a real rebellion." Trump said at a meeting on the afternoon of the same day: "I wouldn't call it a real rebellion, but it could lead to rebellion. I mean, the events that happened last night caused very serious damage. I am closely monitoring the situation, and the performance of the National Guard has been remarkable."

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