Marines in LA as ‘No Kings’ protest looms

Marines in LA prepare for weekend protests

U.S. Marines are on the ground in downtown Los Angeles, as the city prepares for massive protests over the weekend including some of hundreds of scheduled "No Kings Day" demonstrations.

LOS ANGELES - Roughly 200 U.S. Marines moved into Los Angeles Friday to protect federal buildings amid continuing protests over ongoing immigration raids.

The duties of Marines in LA

What we know:

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, said the deployment of Marines in the LA area will free up National Guard troops, who have been primarily protecting federal property over the past week. 

With the help of the Marines, National Guard troops will now serve a more protective role for federal agents conducting enforcement operations in the field.

700 Marines prepare for SoCal mission

Trump directed 700 U.S. Marines to move into Los Angeles and support the Guard's mission of protecting federal facilities and personnel.

"I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman told reporters during a morning briefing. "Rather, they'll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel."

Sherman said some National Guard troops have already been doing protective work for federal agents conducting immigration enforcement activities, but they have not engaged in any police-type work or made any arrests or detentions.

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Marines, National Guard in LA: What will they do?

Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman discusses the deployment of Marines and the National Guard to Los Angeles amid anti-ICE protests.

Marines began arriving around midday Friday at the federal building in West Los Angeles.

By mid-afternoon, more than a dozen were stationed outside the 17-story Wilshire Federal Building, replacing some members of the National Guard at various entrances. They mostly appeared to be checking tickets from members of the public who were there to renew their passports.

Sherman said the U.S. Marine Corps is responsible for guarding U.S. embassies overseas so they are well-trained on how to defend a federal building.

‘No Kings’ Day protest 

Their arrival comes a day ahead of the planned ‘No Kings’ protests which are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and across the nation. 

The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said.

The protest coincides with a planned military parade in Washington, D.C. that celebrates the Army's 250th birthday and President Trump's 79th birthday.

"From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like," organizers said on the official No Kings website.

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The protests are in affiliation with the 50501 movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. 

Law enforcement on high alert ahead of 'No Kings' Saturday protests

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and sheriff Robert Luna said their departments are fully prepared ahead of Saturday's 'No Kings' protests. Officials said everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but they will not tolerate violence of any kind.

Ahead of Saturday's events, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp held a joint news conference at LAPD headquarters on Friday to discuss law-enforcement preparations aimed at keeping the numerous demonstrations peaceful.

Their message was clear: Law enforcement is fully prepared and will arrest anyone who commits a crime or incites violence.