Cities prepare for ‘No Kings’ rallies nationwide as Marines arrive in Los Angeles
There are expected to be over 2,000 “No Kings” protests in all 50 states during President Donald Trump’s military parade
Cities have been preparing for ‘No Kings’ rallies nationwide as opponents of the Trump administration get ready to protest against the president and his agenda.
There are expected to be over 2,000 protests in all 50 states Saturday, and local police say they will protect those who assemble peacefully.
In Los Angeles on Friday, the first 200 U.S. Marines out of a battalion of 700 arrived, joining National Guard troops already deployed to the city by the Trump administration. At 12 p.m. local time, they went on duty patrolling outside the Wilshire Federal Building in the city’s Civic Center.
Thursday night, an appeals court ruled that Donald Trump can retain temporary control of the Guard, dealing a blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the ruling after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump’s action was “illegal” and violated the Tenth Amendment, saying the president must return control of 4,000 troops to Newsom.
A more comprehensive appeals hearing on the matter is set for Tuesday.
A curfew for downtown Los Angeles remains in effect indefinitely as officials work to curb vandalism and looting of businesses after dark.
Protests against the ongoing workplace raids across the nation are expected to continue through the weekend as part of the “No Kings” movement, coinciding with the president’s birthday parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
-(1).png?quality=75&width=230&auto=webp)
Mapped: the 40 cities where anti-ICE protests have erupted across the US
As legal fight over Guard deployment plays out, Noem vows to continue Trump's immigration crackdown
Has Gavin Newsom got what it takes to challenge Trump?
How Donald Trump is getting his own back on LA – the city that bet against him
Why anti-ICE protests are spreading across the US
Trump 'can't push this state any longer', Newsom says
California governor Gavin Newsom said Donald Trump “can’t push this state any longer” after a federal judge declared the president's deployment of the National Guard unlawful.
“Today’s order makes clear that he is not above or beyond constitutional constraints,” Mr Newsom said at a press conference after the court issued its order.
“Today was really about a test of democracy and today, we passed that test."
LA protests flare as US cities brace for weekend 'No Kings' rally
Following several days of protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, opponents of president Donald Trump’s administration are set to rally in hundreds across several US cities on Saturday, coinciding with the president's 79th birthday.
Organisers say the “No Kings” protests are planned across nearly 2,000 locations in the US coinciding with the president's military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary.
The protest is organised by a US national movement "50501" which claims to stand for democracy. The name 50501 stands for one movement of 50 protests across 50 states.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration.
Cities where anti-ICE protests have erupted mapped
The Los Angeles anti-ICE protests have led to demonstrations erupting across at least 21 US states, including nearly 40 cities, The Independent has learned.
So far, there have been at least 565 arrests at these protests. mainly in LA.
Marches have also taken place in Eugene, Raleigh, St. Louis, San Antonio, Indianapolis, and Seattle this week.
You can read more on the protests across US cities here
.png?trim=13,0,14,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Mapped: the 37 cities where anti-ICE protests have erupted across the US
Homeland Security vows to carry on immigration crackdown
Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said the agency would continue its immigration crackdown across the US despite continued waves of protests against its officers spreading across the country.
Ms Noem said the immigration raids would continue with agents pursuing thousands of targets.
“This is only going to continue until we have peace on the streets of Los Angeles,” she said on Thursday. (edited)
NAACP condemns removal of senator from press conference
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People condemned the eviction of senator Alex Padilla from a press conference hosted by the homeland security secretary after he raised questions about the ongoing anti-immigration raids in Los Angeles.
"The forceful removal of Senator Padilla is a violation of the duties and oversight function of a sitting US senator within his own state and is a complete breach of the separation of powers," the human rights organisation's president, Derrick Johnson, said.
"It's becoming increasingly clear that the people of this nation, including our elected officials, are not safe from Trump's authoritarian regime," Johnson said, thanking Mr Padilla for "taking a stand in the face of authoritarianism".
Angelenos experience third night of curfew
LA Mayor Karen Bass enforced a third consecutive curfew in the downtown area, which is expected to continue for “a few more days.”
It was imposed at 8 p.m. local time last night and will remain in place until 6 a.m.
Sen. Padilla breaks silence after being forcibly removed from Noem’s presser
California Senator Alex Padilla has spoken out after being handcuffed and forcibly removed from a press conference held by the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday.
Democrats expressed outrage after a video surfaced of Padilla being manhandled towards the exit after attempting to ask Noem a question concerning the Trump administration’s aggressive tactics to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
Late Thursday evening, Padilla took to X to reflect on the incident.
Padilla said he was in the Los Angeles Federal Building for a meeting with representatives of Northern Command over Trump’s “unacceptable escalation of tension” concerning the demonstrations in the city. He then realized that Noem was speaking to reporters “just down the hall.”
He added that the DHS has continued to “increase the cruelty and the extremism” of its immigration operations.
Padilla said he was chaperoned to Noem’s presser by FBI agents and National Guard troops, before he had the “audacity” to ask a question.
“It took all of maybe a second for multiple agents to forcibly remove me from the room to pin me on the ground and handcuff me,” he said. “If they’re willing to do that to me, a United States Senator, with a question… what are they doing to a lot of the folks that are out there when the cameras are not on?”
Justice department orders prosecutors to prioritise cases of protestors
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to prioritise the cases of detained protestors who destroyed property.
An email from the DoJ sent to 93 U.S. attorneys urged prosecutors to ensure every case they bring gets publicized, Reuters reported.
"Push out press releases whenever you file charges in these matters. We will not stop enforcing the law, and we will not be deterred from keeping our districts safe," associate deputy attorney general Aakash Singh said in the email.
'It was a disgrace': Newsom condemns treatment of Sen. Alex Padilla
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said it was a “disgrace” that California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference on Thursday.
“I hope we look at what happened to Senator Padilla, not through the blue or red lens, but through your own set of eyes. And just tell me that is right.” Newsom told reporters on Thursday evening.
“Anyone who knows Alex Padilla knows one thing about Alex Padilla: he is one of the most mild-mannered, decent people you’ll meet.”
“I thought it was a disgrace,” Newsom sternly added, punctuated with a finger point.
Marines will arrive in LA tonight, military says
Five days after Trump vowed to deploy an elusive battalion of U.S. Marines, the military said about 700 troops will be on the ground in Los Angeles by Friday evening.
The Marines are believed to be currently stationed in a naval base south of LA.
The announcement came before an appeals court ruled that the president can maintain temporary control of the National Guard, instead of passing back the reins to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Marines are expected to join thousands of National Guard troops to protect ICE agents conducting immigration raids.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments