Iowa native participating in immigration protests in Los Angeles describes scene
An Iowa native, who was in Los Angeles this past weekend for the immigration protests, says, what's being shown in the media is not an accurate depiction of the scene there.
Bonnie Brown is originally from Des Moines, but now lives in Tijuana, Mexico, which is just south of California. She was in Los Angeles this weekend for demonstrations over immigration raids.
"It really got violent, even though we were being peaceful," Brown said. "We were met with tear gas, flash bangs and fireworks. They were just throwing fireworks at the crowd."
Brown sent in video from her point of view on the ground. She said protestors, including herself, have been peaceful. vlog asked if she believes what is being shown on TV and in the media is an accurate depiction of the ongoing situation there.
"I don't think that it's accurate because I feel like they're leaving out the peaceful protestors, those of us who are out there in the streets exercising our First Amendment constitutional rights," Brown said.
The Los Angeles Police Department says were arrested for crimes including attempted murder, looting, arson and assault. Several officers have been hurt, too.
"I don't agree that there should be violence towards officers," Brown said. "I also don't agree that officers should be violent towards protestors who are being peaceful."
Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn condemned the violence in an exclusive interview with vlog. He said he supports President Donald Trump's decision to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops there.
"I salute the president and to all of our fellow guardsmen, as a military member myself, knowing the responsibility of keeping our community safe," Nunn said.
President Donald Trump authorized on Monday the deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard members to help respond to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids, according to U.S. officials.
The Pentagon also deployed about 700 Marines to Los Angeles on Monday to help National Guard members respond to protests over immigration raids, officials said, as California sued Trump over his use of the Guard troops and demonstrators took to the city's streets for a fourth day.