LA Mayor Bass Condemns Federal Actions, Defends City's Character

Defense Against Federal Overreach

• 🏙️ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass strongly condemned federal actions, stating that the city is not a "war zone" and is capable of managing its own affairs.
• 🏛️ She criticized the use of federal agencies like ICE and the National Guard, calling their presence and actions a "lie" and a "pretext" to federalize the National Guard and deploy US Marines.
• 🇺🇸 Bass emphasized that the actions taken, including the detainment of a US Senator, are unconstitutional and do not reflect the true values of Los Angeles or the United States.

Character of Los Angeles

• 🤝 The Mayor and speakers highlighted Los Angeles as a city of labor, business, faith, and dreams, united by diverse communities including Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and more.
• 🚫 They asserted that the raids, vandalism, and looting seen over the past week do not represent the true spirit of Los Angeles, which is characterized by its community organizations, faith leaders, and business leaders.
• 🗣️ Bass directly addressed Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, stating she no longer recognizes her and that the actions taken are a departure from the values they once served together in Congress.

Impact on Immigrant and Local Communities

• 💔 Anhellica Salas, Executive Director of CHIRLA, described the federal actions as cruelty, chaos, and violations of human, civil, and constitutional rights, including unprecedented racial profiling.
• 📉 The economic impact of fear is significant, with reports of people not showing up to work, empty store shelves, and parents afraid to attend their children's graduations, leading to decreased attendance.
• ⛪ Religious leaders expressed concern over the fear instilled in communities, with some Catholic groups canceling events and parishioners questioning safety at mass, emphasizing that every place and person is sacred.

Call for De-escalation and Peace

• 🕊️ Speakers called for peace to begin in Washington and for ICE to leave Los Angeles, arguing that the military presence is unnecessary and only provokes fear.
• ⚖️ The community demands due process and accountability for human and civil rights violations, vowing to fight for constitutional principles and the values that attract immigrants to the US.
• ❓ Mayor Bass is seeking a formal request to speak with President Trump regarding the situation, highlighting a lack of direct communication from the White House.

Law Enforcement and Federal Authority

• 🚨 The curfew in Los Angeles will continue, with arrests made for unlawful assembly and curfew violations, not for looting or violence.
• ⚠️ Bass stated that the city is being used as a "test case" for federal overreach, warning other cities about the potential usurpation of local and state authority.
• 🔍 Investigations will be conducted into all incidents, including accusations against the LAPD for firing on peaceful protesters and reporters, distinguishing between peaceful protest and vandalism.