Video captures truckload of 'bionic face shields' being handed out to LA protesters
The riots in LA have been causing chaos in the United States since Friday now, but they show no sign of stopping anytime soon if a recent viral video is anything to go off.
Protests erupted late last week after it emerged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were carrying out raids in areas of America's second-largest city, as the crackdown on immigration continues following Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office.
Demonstrations were peaceful at first but things quickly turned violent, with 2,000 National Guard troops deployed to the city and another 2,000 troops as well as 700 marines sent there yesterday.
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Protesters have set cars on fire and shut down a freeway as disruption continues, while two reporters were shockingly caught in the line of fire as officers fired rubber bullets in their direction.
And now it seems as if those protesting in LA are seeking new ways to protect themselves against officials, as a video on Twitter captured a truckload of what appear to be bionic face shields being dropped off.
Reporter Matthew Seedoorff said 'it just feels like something is about to happen'.
“It looks like a bionic shield is what that's called. That's not the kind of thing that buy in bulk if you don't plan on doing something with it.
“The fact that that's being handed out kind of like candy to everybody gives you an indication that these folks probably plan to be here for a while.”
The protective bionic face shields are mainly used in dangerous labour jobs that include things such as welding, but it seems as if they can also serve as protection for protesters against rubber bullets that are fired towards their face.
As it stands, its unclear on the exact reason why protesters have seemingly donned this equipment.
Over 50 people were confirmed to have been arrested by LAPD over the weekend but ICE has accused 'over 1,000 rioters' of surrounding and attacking the Federal building in downtown LA.
The White House confirmed earlier this month that it planned to make up to 3,000 arrests per day as Trump looks to deport more and more people from the US who he deems to be there illegally.
Meanwhile, the Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi who was shot at during her coverage of the riots has spoken out following the incident.
She said: "I am okay. My cameraman Jimmy and I are both safe.
"This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News
James Moorhouse