Fact Check: Protesters attacked federal officers with concrete and bottles before National Guard deployment
What We Know
Recent protests in Los Angeles erupted in response to federal immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Trump's orders. Demonstrators gathered to express their opposition to these raids, which targeted immigrant communities. During these protests, law enforcement reported that some protesters engaged in violent actions, including throwing concrete, bottles, and other objects at officers. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), they declared an "unlawful assembly" and noted that protesters were throwing "concrete, bottles and other objects" at police officers during the clashes (NPR, ABC7).
The protests escalated over several days, leading to significant confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. By the time the National Guard was deployed, reports indicated that at least 338 people had been arrested, and several officers had been injured during these clashes (BBC, AP News). The National Guard was called in as a response to the increasing violence, with President Trump stating that the federal government would ensure "law and order" in the city (NPR).
Analysis
The claim that "protesters attacked federal officers with concrete and bottles before National Guard deployment" is supported by multiple credible sources. The LAPD's assertion that protesters were throwing concrete and bottles is corroborated by reports from NPR and ABC7, which detail the nature of the confrontations (NPR, ABC7).
The context of these protests is crucial. They were sparked by ICE raids that many in the community viewed as aggressive and unjust. While some protesters maintained that their demonstrations were peaceful, the actions of certain individuals led to violent confrontations with law enforcement. The deployment of the National Guard was a direct response to the unrest, which Trump characterized as a "riot" (BBC, AP News).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include established news organizations such as NPR, the BBC, and ABC News, all of which adhere to journalistic standards of fact-checking and reporting.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The evidence clearly indicates that protesters did indeed attack federal officers with concrete and bottles prior to the deployment of the National Guard. Reports from multiple reputable sources confirm the violent actions taken by some individuals during the protests, which were a reaction to federal immigration enforcement actions.
