As federal courts wrestle over the legality of U.S. President Donald Trump's seizure of California's National Guard, protesters in Los Angeles condemned the administration's heavy-handed response to largely peaceful demonstrations, calling the troop deployment unnecessary and politically motivated.
Demonstrators called for stopping the president's abuse of power as frustration grew over federal forces intervening in a city where most neighborhoods have seen no unrest since protests began.
A U.S. federal judge in San Francisco ruled on Thursday night that the Trump administration had illegally taken control of California's National Guard troops and ordered their authority to be returned back to the state governor.
"Today is a big day for the Constitution of the United States, for our democracy. And I hope it's the beginning of a new day in this country where we push back against overreach. We push back against these authoritarian tendencies of a president that has pushed the boundaries, pushed the limit, but no longer can push this state around any longer," said Gavin Newsom, LA Governor at a press conference.
But it was a short-lived celebration, when a few hours later an appeals court temporarily blocked the ruling while it reviews the case.
Thanking the court on social media, President Trump reiterated his claim that he saved Los Angeles from burning down by sending the military.
The great majority of the LA residents have not witnessed a single incident since protests sparked a week ago, as demonstration and violent incidents were limited to few specific locations in the heart of downtown, or a couple of neighborhoods where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have been carried out.
As a result, many demonstrators feel the display of force seems unwarranted, and a waste of resources.
"I'm here to protest the unlawful deployment of the California National Guard and the ICE raids breaking up LA families. I'm here to send a message to Washington D.C. -- Congress needs to stop Donald Trump. Federal courts need to continue their checks on his power," said an anonymous protester.
While the troops' deployment remains in a legal limbo, demonstrators continue to show up outside the buildings where guardsmen are stationed. As more arrests are carried out, a number of streets in downtown are still subject to an evening curfew.
Protesters condemn Trump's military overreach as courts weigh in
