Reporter Injured as Immigration Protests Turn Violent in Los Angeles
Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg by a rubber bullet while covering the ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles on June 8. The incident happened live on air as LAPD officers moved in on demonstrators with force, including horseback patrols and crowd dispersal rounds.
Tomasi, a U.S. correspondent for 9 News Australia, was reporting from the streets when she suddenly screamed and confirmed moments later, “I’m good,” despite the visible impact.
The protests erupted after ICE agents carried out large-scale raids across Southern California beginning June 6. According to multiple reports, over 118 people were arrested across the city, sparking intense backlash from immigrant communities and civil rights groups.
The situation escalated on Sunday when President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the request or approval of California Governor Gavin Newsom. It marked the first such deployment without a governor’s consent since 1965.
Clashes between protesters and law enforcement grew increasingly volatile. In addition to the rubber bullets, tear gas was used to clear crowds, particularly in the Latino-majority district of Paramount, where demonstrators opposed the ICE raids and family separations.
Officials confirmed multiple arrests over the weekend, including individuals accused of assaulting police officers with a motorcycle and a Molotov cocktail. In downtown L.A., vehicles were set on fire, and riot police clashed with demonstrators around federal buildings.
Governor Newsom strongly condemned Trump’s decision, accusing him of “manufacturing chaos” and escalating an already tense situation. He added that LAPD was fully capable of handling the protests without military intervention and warned against inciting more violence.
Mayor Karen Bass echoed that sentiment, calling the deployment “disappointing and unnecessary.” She acknowledged isolated incidents of vandalism but said they did not warrant such a drastic federal response.
Meanwhile, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reiterated that the city’s police force does not enforce immigration laws and encouraged immigrant residents to seek help when needed without fear of deportation.
Protests also erupted in San Francisco, where over 60 people, including minors, were arrested after surrounding the Immigration Services building. Authorities recovered at least one firearm at the scene.
The situation remains fluid as tensions between federal and local authorities continue to rise, drawing nationwide attention to the growing conflict over immigration enforcement in California.https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c98p008kxn1o
