UN calls for demilitarization at the Los Angeles protests
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The United Nations calls for de-escalation in Los Angeles following violent protests triggered by ICE raids allegedly targeting undocumented immigrants.
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A police officer fires a soft round near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (AP)
The United Nations expressed its hope for the protests in Los Angeles to calm down while also discouraging any further militarization, as stated by UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq on Monday.
During a UN briefing, when questioned about the organization’s position on the events in Los Angeles, Haq responded, “We certainly hope that all parties on the ground will de-escalate the situation... We do not want to see any further militarization of this situation.”
Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops amid sweeping protests in Los Angeles in response to ICE raids allegedly targeting illegal immigrants.
ICE raids plunge LA into chaos
On June 7, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting undocumented immigrants in downtown Los Angeles spiraled into violent confrontations with demonstrators.
Authorities asserted that the operations focused on apprehending undocumented immigrants and alleged gang affiliates, while community members argue that the actions carry political undertones and appear intentionally provocative in a city widely regarded as one of the nation's most progressive strongholds.
On the same day, Newsom warned that California might withhold federal tax payments in retaliation against potential large-scale funding cuts by the Trump administration. Washington deployed 2,000 National Guard troops amid the protests.
Tensions flared as President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard sparked violent clashes with police and fueled public anger, especially in communities with significant Latino residents. For a third straight day, protesters battled law enforcement officers in response to immigration crackdowns that have led to numerous detentions.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California criticized Trump for overstepping state jurisdiction, denouncing the National Guard mobilization as "a serious breach of state sovereignty".
Newsom took to X to state, "We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved, this is inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed, so rescind the order and return control to California."
