Riots opposing federal immigration enforcement have now reached Santa Ana, California, as nearby Los Angeles experiences its fourth day of turmoil.
On Monday, large crowds gathered in Santa Ana following reports of immigration enforcement activities, as reported by ABC 7 Los Angeles. Approximately 200 individuals — many brandishing Mexican flags — were seen marching along Santa Ana Boulevard and Flower Street before they surrounded a federal building around 5 p.m. local time.
Video shared by CBS Los Angeles captured groups hurling fireworks and various objects at a small contingent of federal officers and local police guarding the premises. The station also noted intermittent blasts heard throughout the afternoon, drawing parallels to similar unrest in Los Angeles.
Some demonstrators vandalized police vehicles and clashed with authorities.
The Santa Ana Police Department arrived shortly before 6 p.m. and worked in coordination with federal agents to clear the area. To disperse the crowd, law enforcement utilized tear gas, smoke devices, and other non-lethal tools.
Helicopter footage released by CBS Los Angeles shows federal officers rushing toward a protester believed to have thrown objects at the police. The individual was tackled and restrained by agents wearing tactical uniforms.
Elsewhere, similar violence unfolded in Austin, Texas, where a crowd opposing ICE approached a federal facility and vandalized it. Footage shared by journalist Joseph Trimmer with Texas Scorecard displays Austin officers using tear gas and mace while demonstrators created roadblocks using electric scooters.
Authorities declared the assembly illegal and instructed the crowd to leave before 9 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, a larger group of protesters gathered at the Texas State Capitol building in downtown Austin.
In Dallas, Texas, confrontations also broke out. According to Fox 4 Dallas, police formed lines near the Margaret Hunt Bridge after fires were ignited and a significant freeway was obstructed by rioters.
In Los Angeles, law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly and took similar measures in the vicinity of City Hall, where serious clashes erupted the previous night. Footage from field reporter Brendan Gutenschwager revealed National Guard troops, previously confined to protecting federal property, now assisting in active crowd control.
Additional video from independent journalist Cam Higby depicts protestors launching fireworks and projectiles from rooftops while shouting “peaceful protest” during their assault on police forces.
President Donald Trump announced Monday evening the deployment of another 2,000 National Guard members to California, augmenting the 2,000 already stationed. The current number of troops on-site remains unspecified.
California filed a legal challenge against the Trump Administration on Monday, claiming that the state’s National Guard deployment was unauthorized.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that authorities had made over 50 arrests in response to the weekend’s upheaval, a figure that is anticipated to rise as the disturbances persist.
In addition to the National Guard deployment, the White House revealed plans to send 700 U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton. A senior defense official informed Fox News that the Marines would safeguard federal assets and personnel. Their deployment duration remains indefinite.
Though the Marines will be assuming a policing function, their engagement protocols in the event of an attack by rioters are not yet clear. National Guard and Marine units are restricted from making arrests unless the president activates the Insurrection Act, which allows military intervention during significant domestic unrest.
The Marines are expected to arrive in Los Angeles within the next 24 hours.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the individual accused of nearly killing federal agents by throwing rocks at a moving vehicle in Paramount, California on Saturday has been identified and added to the FBI’s most wanted list. “That guy has just been identified and they are doing a search warrant on his house as we speak,” Bondi said.
“You can run, you can’t hide. We are coming after you,” she added.
