President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 members of the National Guard to Los Angeles over the weekend after violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
He has since doubled that deployment while also mobilizing 700 US Marines to help protect federal personnel and property.
The protests began Friday in response to immigration raids. They started out peacefully before picking up in scale and intensity over the weekend. CNN reporters on the ground witnessed officers striking and pushing protesters and deploying tear gas into the crowd.
Meanwhile, the protests caused major disruptions on the 101 Freeway, a main artery connecting major Californian cities. Photos and videos on the ground showed cars being set on fire and protesters throwing objects onto police vehicles.
Trump’s decision to federalize and deploy the National Guard against American citizens — the first time a US president has used such power since 1992 — has been called unnecessary and inflammatory by Democratic leaders.
Much of the city has not been affected by the protests. Damage and graffiti is limited to a portion of downtown.
