Statement: The Militarization of L.A. Marks an Unprecedented Assault on Constitutional Rights
We are witnessing an historic and dangerous escalation in the federal government’s attack on immigrant communities and on the right to protest in the United States, with the militarization of a major U.S. city in response to protests against violent raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE).
The Trump administration ordered 4,000 National Guard and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The last time this happened was in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson ordered federal troops to Alabama during the civil rights movement. At that time, the military was deployed to protect protestors; the Trump administration has deployed the military to suppress protestors.
As defenders of our fundamental right to dissent, the Protect the Protest coalition denounces the federal government’s violent military response to protests. We stand in complete solidarity with those on the front lines right now actively resisting this attack on our basic civil and human rights. Grassroots organizing and community resistance are the only way that we can stand up to authoritarian overreach. This is not just an attack on protesters; it is an assault on the constitutional rights of every American.
“We are in the streets because our communities are being targeted and torn apart. These neighbors and relatives make Los Angeles, and many cities across the U.S., feel like home. The militarized response is attempting to silence us, despite most of our resistance being peaceful. We are here because it’s our responsibility to stand up for each other, for our neighbors, and especially for those who can’t. ICE fuera de nuestras comunidades.”
- Nizhóní Begay, Communications Coordinator and L.A. resident, Water Protector Legal Collective
Terrorizing communities with violence from masked officers, rounding up peaceful individuals, and tearing families apart is a gross abuse of federal and presidential powers and echoes the darkest days of authoritarian governments in human history. Yet the current administration continues to ramp up its egregious harassment, detention, and forced disappearances of immigrant community members across the country.
The Protect the Protest coalition was formed to meet the urgent need to protect the fundamental rights to free speech and assembly. We are witnessing — in real time — the devastating consequences when these rights are infringed upon. Protest and civil disobedience have played a critical role in this nation’s history — fighting against racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and other violations of basic human rights. In this political moment, the need for protest and collective resistance is more critical than ever.
Protest is not just a right. It is one of the most critical tools available to regular people to exert power, influence decision-makers about issues that matter, and resist those who are abusing their positions of power. Without the constitutional protections that allow us to use our collective voice and actions, we are at the mercy of those willing to abuse their authority — and that has never been more evident than today.
“When repression like this occurs, history has taught us that the best resistance is to redouble our efforts to dissent. And so what began as a 10,000-strong protest in one Los Angeles community will require solidarity from broad groups of people across the United States — across political lines, ideologies, religions and identities.”
— Lauren Regan, Attorney and Director, Civil Liberties Defense Center.
We must come together to resist this historic and dangerous overreach of power that threatens each and every one of us. The time to speak up is now.
Below are links to various actions, statements, and community organizations that Protect the Protest coalition members suggest advocates support and share. If you are a Protect the Protest member and would like to have any links added to this list, please send them to the PtP Coalition Coordinator by email. We will continue to update this list as we are made aware of new actions and groups that need support.