Why there are huge riots in LA as reporter and British photographer shot by police

Here is the reason why major protests are currently taking place across Los Angeles, as US President Donald Trump makes the decision to send in the national guard.

It's known as the home of Hollywood and numerous A-list celebrities, but overt the past couple of days, Los Angeles has been gripped by widespread protests over President Trump's immigration policies.

The unrest erupted on Friday (6 June) after law enforcement began a series of raids across the city to round-up undocumented immigrants working in LA, with CNN reporting that 'at least' 44 people were arrested.

Residents in districts such across downtown Los Angeles have protested in response, with clashes between demonstrators and police turning violent.

Chaotic and violent scenes have emerged from the city over the past couple of days, with a news reporter and British photographer amongst those hit by rubber bullets.

Why is there unrest taking place in Los Angeles?

Protests and riots have been taking place across Los Angeles over the weekend (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Unrest in the city began on Friday (6 June) when US Immigration and Customs (ICE) officers conducted raids through districts of Los Angeles in search of undocumented migrants.

Demonstrations against Trump's hardline immigration policies were organised in response, with the situation swiftly deteriorating into violence on both sides.

A statement from LA County Sheriff's Department said that protesters 'became increasingly agitated, throwing objects and exhibiting violent behaviour' which led to law enforcement retaliating with tear gas and stun grenades (via the BBC).

One of the key flashpoints occurred in the Latino-majority district of Paramount, after rumours spread about an immigration raid at a Home Depot in the area (via LA Times) - however, this later turned out to be false.

Several Waymo driverless cars were also set alight, prompting concerns about toxic gases from burning lithium-ion batteries.

What has Donald Trump said about the LA protests?

Unrest was sparked by Donald Trump's immigration policies (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The US President responded to the unrest by deploying 2000 National Guard troops to the city against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom has since called Trump's use of the National guard a 'unlawful deployment' and a 'serious breach of state sovereignty' on X.

He has also made several posts about the unrest on his Truth Social account, calling California's Governor and and LA Mayor 'incompetent' and claiming protestors were 'paid troublemakers'.

"We're going to have troops everywhere," the 78-year-old told news reporters (via ABC 10). "We're not going to let our country be torn apart. We will be very strong in terms of law and order."

Trump has also threatened to invoke the rarely-used Insurrection Act, which allows a president to deploy reserve or active military personnel for law enforcement purposes (via Fox 11).

9News reporter and British photographer shot by police

Amongst the unrest, footage emerged of Australian news reporter Lauren Tomasi being hit by a rubber bullet while reporting on the unrest, however, she wasn't seriously injured.

9News has since addressed the incident in a statement, which read: "Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events.

"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."

Meanwhile British photographer Nick Stern has also been injured after being hit in the leg by a rubber bullet and underwent surgery.

Recalling the shocking incident in an interview with Metro, Stern said: "I reached down with my hand and could feel something solid in the back of my leg. I hobbled from the road, not knowing whether I was going to get hit again."