Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has blamed the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids for the weekend’s violent protests and chaos. But on Monday, she said the situation was “calm now,” despite the official announcement that tensions remain high in Paramount City.
National Guard Deployed To Prevent Falaka Protests
When ICE raided Paramount to enforce the law against illegal immigrants, local residents gathered in the streets to protest. The protests intensified, and the National Guard was deployed in Los Angeles County. As a result, hundreds of soldiers were seen on the streets.
The Mayor’s Direct Comment: “If The ICE Raid Hadn’t Happened…”
Karen Bass said on CNN’s ‘Situation Room’,
“If these raids hadn’t happened on Friday, there wouldn’t have been any chaos that night. Los Angeles was quiet until Thursday.”
He added that such protests will continue as long as law enforcement continues, because citizens will immediately protest when they see ICE. That’s why, he said, “it’s a recipe for unnecessary chaos.”
Local Governance Vs. Federal Intervention
Tensions have also risen between Governor Gavin Newsom and the federal administration over the deployment of the California National Guard. Dan Scavino raised the question on his ‘X’ (Twitter),
“Why so many soldiers? Los Angeles is peaceful, there was no need to control it.”
Mayor Bass responded,
“State and local powers are different. Normally, the Guard is deployed at the request of the governor, but here, there was federal intervention.”
Crime And Law And Order
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell strongly condemned the violent incidents, including shootings, car vandalism, and Molotov cocktail attacks. Bass said,
“There will be no strict legal action against those who committed violence—graffiti, car burnings—.”
Coordination Between The Mayor And The Police Chief
Bass emphasized again,
“I completely agree with the police chief. Those who committed crimes will be held accountable, but the ICE raids need to stop.”
Impact On The Economy
Mayor Bass expressed concern,
“The initiatives—the threatened raids—are a huge threat to shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and ordinary workers.”
“Working people, shopkeepers will suffer financial losses if they are suddenly attacked,” he said.
The Future Of Migrant Workers
Bass said,
“They were working at Home Depot, not criminals. Illegality is different, but violent attacks only invite chaos.”
Solution
He recommended that transactions remain normal,
- Local appeal: The Governor and the mayor deploy guards together.
- Clear communication: Discussion with the local administration before the raid.
- Citizen safety: Informing residents of workplace raids.
Los Angeles has been rocked by political and social unrest over the ICE raids and National Guard deployments, but Mayor Bass believes the situation is now calm. The incident shows that dialogue between local government and the public is essential before law enforcement can be enforced.