Homeland Security shared drone footage depicting demonstrations in Los Angeles and expressed concerns about what they labeled as a “rioting mob.” In a post on X, the agency stated, “This is not calm. This is not peaceful,” while showcasing scenes of chaotic protests, including a person appearing to strike a van and flames rising from a burning vehicle amidst a crowd of demonstrators.
In contrast, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass refuted this portrayal, asserting that the depiction of chaos does not reflect reality. During an interview on “Morning Joe,” she emphasized that the demonstrations had not escalated to looting or vandalism, despite occurring in a densely populated city of 3.8 million residents. “This is happening over about five or six streets in downtown Los Angeles,” she noted.
Bass deemed the deployment of National Guard troops in the city as “completely unnecessary” and expressed confidence in the city’s ability to manage the situation. “The city handled things perfectly last night and will continue to do so,” she declared.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also weighed in, recognizing that the majority of protesters were demonstrating peacefully and criticizing former President Donald Trump’s decision to summon thousands of National Guard members, labeling it a “brazen abuse of power.”
Amidst the rising tensions, a curfew was imposed in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday night, although Mayor Bass warned against any form of vandalism, reiterating that such actions do not align with the values of true supporters of immigrant rights. She stated that those who engage in violence have an ulterior agenda and do not represent the advocacy of immigrants in the city.
This narrative highlights the contrasting views between federal agencies and local leaders regarding the demonstrations, underlining the importance of accurate representation of community events and the need for dialogue in turbulent times.