Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Jun 9: US President Donald Trump has ordered law enforcement to arrest protestors wearing masks amid escalating demonstrations in Los Angeles over the immigration crackdown. On Sunday, Trump banned the use of masks at protests, praising the National Guard for their efforts to restore order after two days of violence.

“Arrest the people in face masks, now,” Trump declared in a post on his Social Truth platform. He further stated, “from now on, masks will not be allowed to be worn at protests,” though questions remain about the federal government’s authority to enforce such a ban. Protestors have worn masks to avoid facial identification and protect themselves from police munitions and fireworks fumes.

California National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles streets to help control the protests, despite opposition from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the deployment unlawful. National Guard personnel were positioned near federal buildings as demonstrators set cars ablaze and clashed with security forces.

The unrest began following federal immigration raids on Friday in Los Angeles, a city with a large Latino population. Police declared several protests unlawful, citing instances of demonstrators throwing concrete, bottles, and other objects. Videos showed self-driving cars from Alphabet’s Waymo set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Police Department reported arrests underway and deployed officers on horseback to manage the crowds. Governor Newsom blamed Trump’s threat to send Marines for worsening tensions, urging residents to remain peaceful and avoid falling into traps set by extremists.