So the orange madman has deployed active Marines in LA. This would imply a major insurrection is taking place rather than a frightened population venting their anger. LA is a city of immigrants, many illegal but most working. ICE are not renowned for using kid gloves and their deployment in large numbers may have been a deliberate provocation. The deployment of Marines certainly seems so. It will be interesting to see how the police react to demonstrations planned in other US cities. The LAPD apparently have been less aggresive than the Nat.Guard and the Sherrifs dept. Trump also said that protestors should not wear masks like ICE members regularly do. Is it a plot by Trump to further divide the country; spreading lies and hatred is the tool of dictators and racism. So I did some fact checking:
there are over 11 million estimated illegal migrants in the USA. Whilst this sounds bad they are essential to the economy (hence Trump targetting those in blue states). About half are Mexicanbut also 557000 Indians and 440000 European by birth (and I would be interested to see how many Europeans have been arrested by ICE). I guess ICE have been targeting the Latin American element. 79% have been resident in the US for more than 5 years, and 66% for more than 10. I can understand the need to control immigration but citizenship should be quickly offered to those who have proven their worth to American society. The same should apply in the UK if the government follows advice and introduces ID cards.
If it is a law and orderon the streets of LA that is an issue, as Trump claims, then why is he not providing the state with funds to combat the gangs that undoubtably infest parts of LA. The internet had a clip of a woman being arrested by ICE on her way to collect her child from school – this may have been a one off, but she was an easy target and a lot simpler than targeting armed gang members?
35% of the pop of LA was born abroad. LA recently suffered from widespread fires and destruction. As 1/3rd of labourers on the building sites are undocumented I would assume that LA NEEDS these guys to rebuild? Governor Newsom seems prepared to stand up and be counted. And to use the legal system. I am aware of how the Supreme Court is manipulated to ensure a right wing libertarian bias, but these people are ultimately custodians of the American Constitution – let us hope they take their job seriously.