Lessons from the unrest in Los Angeles: How to Prioritize Civilian Safety

Beyond the Politics: Staying Safe During Protests

Since June 6th, hundreds of Los Angeles citizens have taken to the streets to protest the large-scale raids being made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Following violent actions by a subset of protestors, the Trump administration has responded by deploying National Guard Troops and several hundred Marines without the approval of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The move has spurred legal pushback and catalyzed a number of other protests across the country. 

Amidst chaotic clashes, high profile detentions, and curfews, individual safety has become increasingly tenuous and important. 

Why Was the National Guard Called In?

A day after the Los Angeles riots began, the Department of Homeland Security deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to California for the first time since 1965 without prior consultation of state leadership. In fact, the effort was orchestrated against the will of California’s elected officials: Newsom has called the situation a manufactured crisis that is being unintentionally escalated in order to distract from Trump’s recent losses in office. 

However, the Trump administration has responded by stating that unrest in Los Angeles will not be a “repeat of 2020.” This is in reference to the George Floyd protests that began in Minnesota and spread across the country and were marked by violence, vandalism, and looting. 

Despite these remarks, on the streets, conditions are materializing that are eerily similar to the aforementioned situation in 2020. Other anti-ICE protests are now erupting across major cities in the U.S., namely Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.  

In the courts, the federal government and California state officials remain embroiled in heated debate; as of Thursday, June 12, a federal court ruled against Trump’s deployment of the national guard and ordered that the return of control to Newsom begin on Friday at noon. 

How to Stay Safe During a Protest

The Reuters desk has called the current protests “largely peaceful but occasionally punctuated by violence.” So, what happens if you’re caught in the middle of a protest that’s supposed to be peaceful and suddenly turns violent? 

No matter if you’re a protestor or a pedestrian, commuter, or resident in an area where violence has escalated, safety comes first. Here are five tips to stay safe:

1. Avoid the area: If you are not a protester, monitor local news, police updates, and social media for real-time information about areas to avoid. If protests are concentrated in a specific area, find alternate routes so you do not need to pass through.
2. Constant vigilance: If you find yourself in the middle of a protest, either accidentally or as a protestor, pay attention to your surroundings, noise levels, and exits. Look out for things that seem out of place or for people committing crimes that may spur clashes with law enforcement. Even if you’re just passing through, seek out the fastest exit route that you can take should the situation escalate. 
3. Keep a low profile: If you’re protesting, make sure you keep your cool. Shouting or confronting others can be seen as a threat, attracting attention in a bad way. If your goal is to make your voice heard, showing up calmly and peacefully is the right way to go about it. 
4. Protect your face and eyes: In the event of tear gas or smoke, keep tissues or a bandana readily accessible so you’ll be able to cover your face or eyes. 
5. Keep emergency contacts and essentials ready: Keep your phone charged and location sharing enabled with someone you trust. Carry ID, water, and any necessary medication in case you’re delayed or detained.

The political divide between political schisms in the United States is playing out in protests across Los Angeles and the U.S. Indeed, the right to peaceful protest is one Americans hold sacred, however, problems can arise if and when violence ensues. 

At present, the best outcome would be for federal and state governments to put their disagreements aside and work together to prioritize the safety of citizens and avoid damage, injuries, and casualties.