Trump Deploys Marines to LA; Move Criticised by Local Leaders

Use of active military to respond to civil disturbances extremely rare in US

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LOS ANGELES - Hundreds of US Marines arrived in Los Angeles on June 9 and more were expected under orders from President Donald Trump, who has also activated 4,000 National Guard troops to quell protests despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and other local leaders.

Los Angeles has seen days of public outrage since the Trump administration launched a series of immigration raids on June 6.

About half of the roughly 700 Marines that Mr Trump ordered to Los Angeles arrived on the evening of June 9, and the remaining troops were expected to enter the city a day later.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told KABC that more than 100 people were arrested on June 9, but that the majority of protesters were non-violent.

Over the weekend, protesters threw rocks and other objects at officers and vehicles and set several cars ablaze. Police responded by firing projectiles like pepper balls, as well as flash-bang grenades and tear gas.

Mr Trump has justified his decision to deploy active military troops to Los Angeles by describing the protests as a violent occupation of the city, a characterisation that Mr Newsom and Ms Bass have said is grossly exaggerated.