LA protests seem to die down as mayor tells demonstrators ‘don’t engage in chaos’ | BBC News

Protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles have appeared to die down overnight, with LA Mayor Karen Bass taking to social media to tell Angelenos "don’t engage in violence and chaos. Don’t give the administration what they want".

Vehicles have been set on fire and there have been some reports of looting, whilst a British photographer needed surgery after being shot with a sponge bullet and an Australian reporter was shot with a non-lethal round while reporting.

US president Donald Trump posted on social media: "Looking really bad in LA. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!", having called in the National Guard – against the wishes of California’s governor, Gavin Newsom.

The National Guard acts as a hybrid entity that serves both state and federal interests. Typically, a state’s force is activated at the request of the governor.

This is reportedly the first time the National Guard has been activated without request of the state’s governor since 1965.

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