Los Angeles, CA – June 2025
On June 6, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated sweeping raids across Los Angeles neighborhoods, including the Fashion District, Westlake, and Downtown areas. Federal records reveal that at least 44 individuals were detained in these operations, part of a larger series of over 118 arrests in the week leading up to June 6. The swift enforcement triggered immediate backlash as local residents formed protest teams near the Metropolitan Detention Center, where an estimated 200 demonstrators remained by evening—a gathering that was later declared an “unlawful assembly” by the LAPD before they deployed tear gas and flash-bangs around 8 p.m..
By June 7, protests had spread to Paramount and Compton, evolving from peaceful assembly into confrontational scenes involving pepper-balls and stun grenades. The escalation followed President Trump’s May order invoking "Title 10 U.S. Code §12406," a rarely used provision authorizing the deployment of up to 2,000 National Guard troops, including 300 stationed in downtown LA, under direct federal command—skipping approval from Californias Governor Gavin Newsom.
Over the weekend spanning June 7 to 9, approximately 1,000 protestors remained active against a backdrop of strong police and National Guard presence, resulting in over 100 arrests, including 35 Mexican nationals. Protesters were disrupted by the deployment of tear gas and less-lethal munitions—chemical irritants typically reserved for violent riots, not peaceful civil protests.
State Officials Sound Alarm Over Federal Overreach
On June 8, Governor Gavin Newsom announced legal action against the federal government, stating the troops’ deployment was “unlawful, immoral, and unconstitutional.” He argued the federal activation violated the Posse Comitatus Act by deploying military forces without state consent, breaching California’s sovereignty. Attorney General Rob Bonta and Mayor Karen Bass echoed these concerns, underscoring that peaceful assembly is central to democracy. Bass emphasized that military presence by federal orders undermines public trust and escalates tensions.
Legal scholars have compared the move to domestic martial law, warning that using active-duty troops against U.S. citizens on U.S. soil sets dangerous legal precedents. The federal government’s justification—claimed to prevent “chaos and lawlessness”—has been rejected by California officials who state that control was never lost.
Civil Liberties at Stake
The protests highlighted critical constitutional concerns. First Amendment protections for free speech and assembly came under serious threat as national troops, not local police, confronted civilians—many of whom were simply standing peacefully. Civil rights groups documented excessive use of tear gas and flash-bangs on nonviolent demonstrators, a clear violation of public rights .
Further, reports emerged that ICE detainees, including labor leader David Huerta, were held without warrants, immediate booking, or access to legal counsel. In one case, Glendale officials revealed that 82 immigrants had been held since January without proper fingerprinting or booking, raising due-process alarms. Advocacy organizations described conditions as inhumane, with families separated and detainees confined to basement cells without access to basic legal rights.
Community Response and Rising Tensions
Groups like the Community Self-Defense Coalition mobilized local volunteers to monitor ICE activity and alert neighborhoods, hoping to deter aggressive enforcement. In Glendale, the city council responded by terminating ICE’s detainee-housing contract, citing concerns over divisive policing and links to political messaging—highlighting broader statewide tension.
P.R.O. Speaks Out: Activism and Accountability
At the People’s Rights Organization, we condemn the weaponization of federal forces against civilians and peaceful protesters. We're especially concerned about the lack of legal oversight, the potential weaponization of municipal institutions, and the chilling effect these actions could have on public dissent.
We urge Californians to support Governor Newsom’s lawsuit, demand transparent legal inquiries, and hold both federal and local agencies accountable. Join a protest and stand up for your constituional rights - your voice matters in defending free speech, justice, and democracy for everyone. It's essential that troops are withdrawn, detainees receive due process, and civic spaces remain open for democratic expression.
The Bigger Picture
This crisis is not partisan—it’s constitutional. Constitutionally guaranteed rights—freedom from unlawful arrest, due process, and the right to assemble—are under threat. As P.R.O. asserts, when peaceful dissent is treated like aggression, democracy itself is at risk. We call on all Americans to stand up for liberties that define our nation.
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