Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

News

LAPD Ready To Deploy Everyone In Uniform If Pro-Trump Protests Get Violent

Pro-Trump supporters gather to face off anti-Trump demonstrators. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
()

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

The FBI has warned of possible armed protests around the country in support of President Trump in the coming days.

There are at least two pro-Trump protests planned for Saturday, one in Beverly Hills and one at L.A. City Hall.

The LAPD said it’s planned for increased activity during inauguration week and will have adequate resources to respond to "any situation."

Tthe department is prepared to go on tactical alert in the case of violence, said Capt. Stacy Spell, adding that everyone in uniform could be deployed if things get out of hand:

Support for LAist comes from
"That means not just our patrol officers, but also anybody in detectives, administrative functions, any kind of investigative assignments."

Spell said he wasn't aware of any plans to ask for assistance from the National Guard.

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department "remains prepared to peacefully manage any protests with the appropriate resources and personnel," a spokesman said in a statement.

In a video posted on YouTube, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the department will "honor and defend" the public's right to peaceful protest, "but it has to be in a manner that does not harm our communities."

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist