Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LOS ANGELES, June 9 (Xinhua) — About 700 US Marines have been mobilized in connection with protests in Los Angeles, the country’s second-largest city, CNN reported on Monday, citing three sources familiar with the situation.
Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, will join thousands of National Guard troops who were activated by U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend without the consent of the California governor or the mayor of Los Angeles, the statement said.
CNN noted that the deployment of a full battalion of Marines marks a significant expansion in the scale of Trump’s use of the military to demonstrate force against protesters.
Like National Guard troops, the Marines are prohibited from engaging in law enforcement activities, such as making arrests, unless Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to use the armed forces to stop an insurrection or rebellion against federal government, the statement said.
The city of Twentynine Palms is located approximately 220 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles.
The Marines deployed to Los Angeles will be tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, NBC News quoted two U.S. Defense Department officials as saying, while ABC News reported they are expected to arrive within the next 24 hours.
On Saturday, Trump took emergency action by calling in 2,000 National Guard troops to quell immigration protests in the Los Angeles area, invoking rarely used federal powers and bypassing the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
About 300 National Guard troops arrived early Sunday in downtown Los Angeles. More than 1,000 protesters clashed with National Guard troops in the city Sunday during demonstrations against immigration enforcement raids that took place across California over the weekend. –0–