LA Protests: Military Deployment Cost, Business Looting, and Vandalism

Military Deployment and Costs

• 🇺🇸 President Trump is mobilizing an additional 2,000 National Guard members to protect federal buildings in Los Angeles, doubling the initial deployment.
• 🚢 700 Marines from an infantry battalion based in 29 Palms have arrived in Los Angeles to support National Guard troops.
• 💰 The Pentagon revealed that the deployment of troops thus far costs approximately $134 million, primarily for travel, housing, and food.
• 🏛️ These funds will reportedly be drawn from the Department of Defense's operation and maintenance accounts, a detail provided after persistent questioning from Congress.

Business Damage and Looting

• 💥 Numerous businesses in downtown LA, ranging from large chains to small family-owned stores, were looted and vandalized during ongoing protests.
• 🛍️ Examples include Shoe Palace 93, with broken windows and a ransacked interior, and a jewelry mart where display cases were smashed.
• 💔 Store owners are facing significant financial losses, with some, like a jewelry business owner operating since 1987, lacking insurance to cover the damage.
• 🎨 Graffiti was spray-painted on many businesses, and even the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels exterior walls were defaced.

Protests vs. Looting

• 🗣️ Law enforcement sources suggest that the looters are a splinter group and not part of the legitimate protesters exercising their right to free speech.
• ⚖️ The protests are occurring amidst continuing demonstrations over immigration raids and policy, with police and crowds facing off in Los Angeles and Orange County.
• ✊ Labor union leader David Huerta was released from custody and conveyed a message to those demonstrating against ICE.