In the past fortnight, Southern California has been the epicenter of large-scale workplace raids conducted by federal agents.
The agents, emerging from unmarked vans, have been arresting people indiscriminately, even pursuing individuals in agricultural fields. Among those arrested was a woman in the advanced stages of pregnancy in Los Angeles, who had to be hospitalized following her release.
A family of five, including a toddler, was detained for two days in an office basement, with inadequate provisions of food and water.
Several of those arrested were deported on the same day, raising significant concerns about due process. As reported by Fox News, U.S. citizens have also been subjected to harassment and detention. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been increasingly detaining individuals without any criminal charges or convictions.
The number of such arrests has skyrocketed from approximately 860 in January to 7,800 this month, marking an over 800% increase. In contrast, the rate of arrests and detentions of individuals with criminal charges or convictions has risen by a much smaller margin of 91%. This contradicts President Trump's claim of focusing on "the worst of the worst."
California, a state familiar with immigration enforcement, is currently witnessing a dangerous strategy by an administration that seems to thrive on intimidation and cruelty. Instead of focusing on illegal immigrants with serious criminal records and border security a strategy that has long been supported by both parties the Trump administration is pushing for mass deportations. This approach targets hardworking immigrant families, irrespective of their roots or risk, in a bid to meet quotas.
In response to these government actions, Californians have been exercising their constitutional right to free speech and assembly, with tens of thousands protesting last Saturday. The state, a cradle of the free speech movement, is no stranger to such demonstrations. Law enforcement officers, well-trained to provide security, ensure order, and intervene when necessary, were deployed by state and local authorities. Despite incidents of violence and property damage, law enforcement officials were able to restore and maintain order.
However, President Donald Trump's stance on lawlessness and violence seems to be conditional, as long as it serves his interests. His supposed concern for men and women in uniform appears to be based not on their loyalty to the country and its people, but to him and his cause. This is evident from the events of January 6 and his subsequent pardons for those involved, including those who violently assaulted police officers that day.
Without any request or input from the state, President Trump commandeered 4,000 of California's National Guard members for deployment on the streets. This move is a stark contrast to his statement five years ago, "We have to go by the laws we cant call in the National Guard, unless we are requested by a governor." Further exacerbating the situation, he deployed over 700 active-duty U.S. Marines. These individuals, trained for foreign combat and not domestic law enforcement, are now patrolling the very same American communities they swore to protect in wars overseas.
The deployment of federal soldiers in Los Angeles has not enhanced community safety but has instead instilled fear. People are afraid to go about their daily lives, with children scared to attend their own graduations and adults apprehensive about going to work. The individuals being arrested are not criminals but hardworking dishwashers, gardeners, and seamstresses. This is not public safety; it is tyranny.
California will persist in its fight for all its people, including through legal means. The state has already filed 26 lawsuits against the Trump administration and has successfully secured a federal court order condemning Trump's illegal takeover of the California National Guard and the militarization of Los Angeles.
Authoritarian regimes often begin by targeting the most vulnerable, but they seldom stop there. Trump and his loyalists thrive on division as it allows them to consolidate power and exert even greater control. If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based solely on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe.
We are in a precarious moment. We have a sitting president who believes he is above the law, including our Constitution. In just over 140 days, he has fired government watchdogs that could hold him accountable for corruption and fraud. Hes declared war on culture, on history, on science, and on knowledge itself. Databases are disappearing, archives are being raided, and universities are being told what they can teach. The judicial branch and the rule of law are under siege. Journalists and news organizations are targets.
This situation extends beyond Los Angeles and California. It is about all of us it is about you.
When Donald Trump asserted blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation. California may be first, but it won't be the last. Other states are next. Democracy is next.
His administration has manhandled and handcuffed U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for asking the Secretary of Homeland Security a question. For doing his job. Newark Mayor Ras Barakawas was arrested as he accompanied members of Congress to inspect a federal immigration detention center. Rep. LaMonica McIver has now been indicted in connection with the same incident.
Our system of democracy was created in direct opposition to the monarchy and designed to bolster individual freedom and liberty so that we are never again subjugated to a king. It is that idea, that sacred value, that is being destroyed.
But our greatest strength has always been with the people. Its time for all of us to stand up.
Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said it best: "In a democracy, the most important political office is that of the private citizen."
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