US President Donald Trump says he deployed troops to “liberate” LA from violent demonstrations. But in Little Tokyo, one of the hardest hit communities, people are saying, “no thanks.” Local residents contend the military deployment has only increased tensions, fueled fear, and added to unrest.
Many blame the President of deploying soldiers as a pretext to incite protesters and divert attention from immigration raids that caused the indignation in the first place.
Troops Flood Streets, Locals Push Back
Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. His stated goal: to restore order. Yet, in Little Tokyo, a peaceful, culturally rich neighborhood, residents say the move backfired.
Sulieti Havili, an organizer of a local Pokémon club, stated that the military has “made the protesters go crazy” and “done nothing to protect the community.” Havili, accompanied by her club partner Nolberto Aguilar, spent hours cleaning up protest litter.
Aguilar went on to state that the troops were “thwarting the will” of LA citizens and exacerbating rage over ICE raids that have swept through immigrant neighborhoods.
Aid Turns to Instigation
The Trump administration maintains that a military crackdown is imperative. It asserts immigration raids focus on criminals. But Little Tokyo has a different story to tell. Protesters who are escaping crackdowns outside federal buildings fill the neighborhood each evening. The outcome: broken windows, anti-ICE graffiti, and confrontations between demonstrators and police.
Shops close early now. Tear gas and flash-bangs plague the night air. Immigrants and workers spread fear as many of them refuse to share their names, fearing ICE retaliation.
Anthony, a worker at a tea shop, explained that the deployment “instigates the protesters and makes things worse.” Samantha Lopez, whose family immigrated from the Philippines and works in a Korean ice cream store, supports peaceful protests but holds the troops responsible for inciting violence. “It’s bad for business, and bad for this neighborhood,” she explained.
Flames of Chaos, Not Peace
Governor Gavin Newsom cautioned that Trump’s military approach has “inflamed a combustible situation.” LA Mayor Karen Bass labeled it as an intentional move to unleash “chaos.” Trump denies such allegations.
But Little Tokyo’s message is loud and clear: the president’s display of muscle feels less like liberation — and more like occupation.
