Actress Brett Paesel on National Guard's Role in Inflaming LA Protests

Protester Experience and Misconceptions

• 💡 Actress Brett Paesel describes her experience at protests, noting that attendees were largely tame and peaceful.
• 🎯 She observed police with large rifles engaging with a small group of protesters, creating a tense atmosphere.
• 📌 On Sunday, a march with mothers and children towards a detention center was met with tear gas deployed by police and the National Guard, seemingly unprovoked.

National Guard's Impact on Tensions

• ⚡ Paesel believes the presence of the National Guard inflamed everything, escalating tensions beyond what local law enforcement might have managed.
• ⚠️ She argues that the police were aware of community issues and could have handled the situation more calmly without the National Guard's intervention.
• 🧠 The deployment of troops and tear gas made people feel scared, un-manned, unprotected, and vulnerable.

Comparison to Previous Protests

• 🎭 Paesel contrasts this experience with previous marches like Black Lives Matter and the Women's March, stating this is the only time she has experienced anything remotely like that level of tension and response.
• 💬 Organizers advised mothers to take their children home due to the escalating fear and scary atmosphere.