Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Federal Immigration Raids and Military Presence
Los Angeles, CA – Major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco, have been gripped by mass protests following a wave of federal immigration raids that began last week. The protests, fueled by public outcry over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, have escalated across the nation.
On Tuesday night, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass enforced an overnight curfew in downtown L.A., bringing temporary calm after five consecutive days of demonstrations, some of which turned violent. The curfew targeted a federal building complex where protesters had clashed with law enforcement.
In a controversial move, the U.S. military’s Northern Command announced the deployment of 700 Marines to assist National Guard troops in Los Angeles. According to a military spokeswoman, the Marines are tasked with protecting federal property and immigration officials.
President Donald Trump, addressing the situation from the Oval Office, took credit for what he called the de-escalation of violence in L.A., claiming: “By doing what I did, I stopped the violence in L.A.” However, his remarks were met with sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who labeled the military deployment as a “brazen abuse of power” and warned of a “perilous moment for American democracy.”
“California may be first, but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next,” said Newsom in a nationally broadcasted statement.
The unrest that began in Los Angeles’s garment district last Friday quickly spread nationwide. In Chicago, protestors clashed with police, leading to property damage. In New York, dozens were arrested near federal buildings in Lower Manhattan. In Atlanta, authorities used chemical agents to disperse crowds that blocked a major highway.
Protests have been announced in other major cities including Las Vegas, Minneapolis, San Antonio, and Seattle, with organizers calling for nationwide demonstrations on Saturday to coincide with a planned military parade in Washington, D.C.
President Trump issued a stern warning to potential demonstrators: “They will be met with very big force,” hinting at further military action. Sources within the administration revealed ongoing discussions about deploying National Guard or active-duty troops to additional cities.
Since the protests began, hundreds have been arrested nationwide — including over 330 in Los Angeles, 240 in San Francisco, and several in Austin, Texas.
As protests continue, the political divide over immigration enforcement and military intervention deepens, igniting debates on civil rights, state authority, and the future of American democracy.
