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Border czar Tom Homan said authorities are mobilizing to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids this weekend.
“We’re going to bring the National Guard in tonight,” he told Fox News. “We’re going to continue doing our job. We’re going to push back on these people.”
“You can protest all you want,” he added. “You got your First Amendment rights, but if you cross that line of impediment, or you put hands on officers or destroy property, you will be prosecuted. There’s zero tolerance on crossing that line, and that’s what we’re standing by.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies deployed tear gas on protesters in Paramount this afternoon as they sought to end the chaotic gathering.
The deployment was preceded by explosive less-lethal rounds and the placement of cinder blocks in the street near a Home Depot where protesters believed federal immigration enforcement agents were conducting a raid. Fireworks also peppered the soundscape.
Sheriff Robert Luna said no immigration raid took place, though there was staging at federal offices adjacent to the Home Depot.
Sheriff’s officials ordered the raucous crowd to disperse around 2:30 p.m., though several people remained in the area hours later.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said several dozen deputies were sent to the city of Paramount after federal agents sought assistance because they came under “attack.”
Luna said deputies were initially dispatched to the area this morning in connection with a “street takeover,” or sideshow.
He said there was a conflict between a crowd that had gathered and the federal agents. Eventually, that crowd grew to between 350 and 400 people, and some began throwing objects at the agents, Luna said.
Luna said he’s had limited conversations with federal authorities, and his deputies had “nothing to do” with helping immigration operations unfolding across Los Angeles this weekend.
His office will not participate in civil immigration enforcement, he said, but “if federal agents who are here doing immigration enforcement come under attack, they’re going to ask for help. And for us at the sheriff’s department, or any law enforcement agency around us, we are going to support any other law enforcement agency that’s asking for help.”
Eventually, Luna added, federal authorities asked for help “because they were violently being attacked.”
The mayor of Paramount, California, blamed the chaos that erupted amid fear of ongoing federal immigration enforcement on a lack of communication from U.S. officials.
Mayor Peggy Lemons said no immigration raid had taken place in her city despite what appeared to be possible staging by federal agents. Still, the community was fearful following yesterday’s actions in Los Angeles’ Fashion District and beyond, and protesters came out in force.
“One of the big issues is just lack of communication from the authorities when something like this happened, so that we could have a better handle and be better prepared to educate our residents,” she said during an afternoon news conference.
Following yesterday’s immigration enforcement, which included three raids in L.A., people in immigrant-populated communities are afraid, the mayor said.
“They’re just frightened,” Lemons said. “And when you handle things the way that this appears to be handled, it’s not a surprise that chaos would follow.”
The administration of President Donald Trump said immigration enforcement operations were ongoing across the nation as authorities sought to fulfill a goal of 3,000 arrests per day.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials issued dispersal orders for remaining protesters drawn to the area today amid apparent immigration enforcement at a Home Depot.
Officials using loudspeakers warned protesters to leave and said that if they don’t, projectiles will be used against them.
Deputies in riot gear, including helmets and shields, amassed in the area this afternoon as protesters decrying the federal enforcement actions grew unruly.
White House border czar Tom Homan is in Los Angeles for the immigration raids that began yesterday and continue to unfold this weekend, a White House official told NBC News.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that authorities were “pouring through” videos of protests at immigration operations Friday where dozens of people were taken into custody.
“You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs,” he said. “Law and order will prevail.”
Forty-four people were arrested administratively, indicating they did not commit a crime. A union leader was arrested on obstruction charges.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned “rioters” of prosecution if they “lay a hand” on authorities, while FBI Director Kash Patel responded to comments from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass saying the city “will not stand” for the raids.
“We will,” Patel said.
Social media video verified by NBC News captured protesters and authorities clashing near the Home Depot.
At one point, officers wearing green uniforms that said “police” could be seen shoving protesters who were in the street.
At another point, as officers began saying “move,” a group of them could be seen in a physical struggle with an individual on the ground as another officer pointed a weapon at protesters.
Today’s protest comes one day after dozens of people were taken into custody as federal immigration authorities raided three locations across Los Angeles.
David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was among those arrested for allegedly obstructing law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Forty-four people were administratively arrested, indicating they did not commit a crime.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the raids, calling them “chaotic federal sweeps” that aimed to fill an “arbitrary arrest quota.”
“Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy,” he said.
Protestors were seen clashing with law enforcement during a chaotic scene near a Home Depot south of downtown Los Angeles.
Paramount, a city of roughly 51,000 people, is 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
It is a largely Latino community with a per capita annual income of less than $25,000, according to the U.S. census.
A protest erupted in Los Angeles today as the region’s top federal prosecutor said federal law enforcement operations were “proceeding as planned” across the county.
“I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution,” said Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for California’s Central District.
At least 30 officers wearing tactical gear and gas masks could be seen positioned across the street from a Home Depot in Paramount, south of downtown Los Angeles.
It wasn’t immediately clear what agency the officers work for or why they were there.
Shopping carts were strewn across smoke-filled streets occupied by dozens of people. Some appeared to throw things toward the officers. At one point, a fire was lit in the street.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it was on scene “to assist with keeping the peace but not get involved with any detentions or arrests.”
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