It felt like winter that Wednesday as Los Angeles awoke to one of its most chilly and humid mornings in memory. The city then prepared itself as host to National Guardsmen sent in by President Donald Trump. In reaction to what he deemed “two days of violence, clashes and hatred,” TRUMP responded. He ordered out the 300 guardsmen to protect and keep order in the city. The National Guardsmen were decked out in camouflage uniforms and stood with military vehicles behind them in a show of force. Their mission is to stomp out what they have termed a “rebellion” against his administration’s rule.
As the movement grew, in response, police shut down the streets around Grand Park, directly across from City Hall. An amalgamation of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—including the Los Angeles Police Department and LA parking enforcement—swarmed downtown LA. This increased security was implemented against a swirling national backdrop of public protests and civil unrest.
As tensions boiled over in the streets, one small patch of turf just outside Los Angeles City Hall somehow stayed in the clear. Here, unhoused people experienced a fleeting stay of peace, a sharp counterpoint to the militarized police presence just blocks away. The juxtaposition was a shocking reminder of the heartbreaking reality of homelessness in the city even through all the mayhem.
They also planned a two-mile faith-based walk to fundraise for increased maternal and infant health resources in Los Angeles. The energy behind the planning reflected our community’s resilience and need to come together for a purpose during these chaotic times.
On January 7th, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 300 National Guardsmen had been deployed to Los Angeles. He committed to having all 2,000 deployed in the region shortly. The deployment was intended to support local law enforcement’s response as protests persisted.
During this unrest, major union leaders like David Huerta were treated at a hospital after brutal police tactics. He was later moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center. His experience struck a chord across the country. He became a national leader in the debate over the right of labor to free assembly versus public safety during these chaotic times.
The protests escalated that day when news photographer Nick Stern, documenting the protests, was shot in the leg by a police less-lethal round. That standoff unfolded in front of a federal government complex that includes a courthouse, a veterans’ medical center, and a jail. His injury underscored the razor-thin margin separating police enforcement of public safety actions and the safety of those who were on the property during the protests.
Alejandro Ames, one of the demonstrators, said he was particularly unhappy with law enforcement’s role in attacks on immigrants and police militarization. He held a sign that said “Republic against ICE and the police,” expressing the feelings of most protesters. Ames emphasized his desire for peaceful resolutions.
“I don’t want ‘em to go crazy. I want ‘em to go home,” – Alejandro Ames
Despite the enormous hype and uncertainty about what the Morgan decision would really mean, Sunday was tense but peaceful. The National Guardsmen continued their mission to restore order while demonstrators voiced their grievances against immigration policies and police brutality.