Protesters flood downtown LA, while 700 Marines and 2,000 more National Guard troops arrive amid rising political and social tensions
The streets of Los Angeles are again pulsing with protest, anger, and sunflowers.
On Monday night, thousands gathered downtown to rally against aggressive federal immigration sweeps. Their chants echoed off skyscrapers as military vehicles rolled in. President Donald Trump, in a controversial move, ordered 2,000 additional National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines into the city. California isn’t having it. The state has filed a lawsuit, calling the deployment an abuse of federal power.
What Triggered This? ICE Raids and Latino Communities
At the heart of the unrest lies a deep fear of immigration raids.
For days now, ICE operations have been sweeping across LA’s neighborhoods — largely in communities with high Latino populations. Protesters say it feels less like law enforcement and more like occupation.
The deployment of 700 Marines from Southern California bases is unprecedented in such a context. And the optics of military-grade suppression, especially in a city as diverse as LA, haven’t gone down well.
A protester on Spring Street, holding up a sunflower — the day’s unlikely symbol of resistance — said, “This isn’t security. This is intimidation.”
California Pushes Back, Files Lawsuit Against Trump
Within hours of the troop announcement, California officials filed a lawsuit to challenge the legality of Trump’s order. Their main argument? That immigration enforcement isn’t a justifiable reason for military deployment without state approval.
Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking late Monday, was blunt: “The president has chosen to inflame, not heal. He’s trying to clean up his political mess by using our streets as a stage. California won’t stand for it.”
One-sentence paragraph? Here you go:
This might be the first time since the Vietnam protests that a military deployment to LA has sparked this kind of legal and civil fury.
Why Marines? And Why Now?
You might be wondering — why send in the Marines?
Defense officials claim it’s about “coordination and logistics,” helping with crowd control, infrastructure protection, and possible high-threat scenarios. But critics say it’s overkill, plain and simple.
Let’s be honest: Los Angeles isn’t a warzone.
Pentagon insiders say the deployment was fast-tracked after Trump privately fumed over televised images of ICE agents being blocked by chanting crowds. “We need to show strength,” he reportedly told advisors on Sunday, according to two officials familiar with the conversation.
One official, speaking anonymously, said:
“There’s no emergency here — just a president trying to prove he’s still in charge.”
What the Numbers Tell Us: Troops, Protests, Arrests
To better understand the scale of what’s unfolding, here’s a snapshot of the latest figures as of June 10, 2025:
| Event | Number/Details |
|---|---|
| Active-Duty Marines Deployed | 700 (from Southern California) |
| Additional National Guard Troops | 2,000 (ordered by Trump) |
| Ongoing National Guard Presence | Approx. 1,100 |
| Number of Protests Since June 7 | 28 (citywide) |
| Arrests Related to ICE Sweeps | Estimated 640 |
| Arrests During Protests | 114 (since June 8) |
| California Lawsuit Filed | June 9, 2025 |
It’s a lot to absorb. And it’s changing by the hour.
Chants, Clashes, and a City on Edge
Downtown LA on Monday night felt like a scene from a documentary.
From City Hall to the federal courthouse, protesters filled the streets, waving signs like “This is not a battlefield” and “Clean Trump’s mess yourself.” Police used sound cannons to disperse crowds. The California Highway Patrol shut down portions of the 110 freeway as protesters attempted to stage sit-ins.
Tensions flared briefly outside the ICE field office in Wilshire, where at least seven people were detained after trying to block van exits.
Meanwhile, LA Mayor Karen Bass called for calm while criticizing federal tactics. “Military presence escalates, not de-escalates,” she said.
How Are People Reacting?
Not everyone’s against the deployment. Some business owners say the protests have disrupted daily operations and worry about property damage.
But the larger sentiment, especially online, has skewed critical. The hashtag #OccupyICE trended nationally, along with #CleanTrumpsMess, both drawing attention from civil rights groups and celebrities alike.
A few quick responses from the crowd:
-
“It feels like martial law without the declaration.”
-
“My grandma won’t leave the house. She thinks the raids are targeting everyone.”
-
“I’ve never seen LA like this. Not even during 2020.”
One protester said she drove from San Diego “just to be seen.”
Where This Could Be Headed
The lawsuit may take weeks, if not months, to move through court. But the deployment is happening now. That disconnect — between state leadership and federal action — could make things worse before they get better.
Civil rights lawyers warn of potential constitutional breaches. Immigration advocates are organizing legal aid tents near protest zones. And whispers of a general citywide strike are growing louder.
What happens next will depend on two things: how long the troops stay, and how far California is willing to go to push them out.
