Staff Reports
In the unfolding drama known as the Los Angeles protests, a curious show of nonchalance has taken center stage. One might envision a bustling metropolis with a mayor and local officials who opt to turn a blind eye to the chaos erupting around them. As Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has pointed out, what masquerades as peaceful protests has been anything but. Bricks being tossed off overpasses, firecrackers shot at law enforcement like it’s the Fourth of July—hardly the stuff of nonviolent resistance. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “letting things slide,” as state and local leaders apparently prefer leisurely observation to meaningful action.
One might find it a tad ironic that elected officials, who are supposed to uphold the safety of the communities they serve, find comfort in debating over what constitutes a “confrontation.” If bricks being hurled at federal officers isn’t one, then perhaps they’ve been reading too many fairy tales. In reality, there was nothing “peaceful” about these protests. There’s certainly nothing serene about construction material being used as projectiles against those who put on a badge each day to protect citizens.
Enter the cavalry: President Trump dispatched the National Guard and Marines, a move that seemed to finally clue in state and local law enforcement. Suddenly, as if the clouds parted and a celestial light shone down, arrests were made, curfews imposed, and order started to crawl back from the chaos. It’s almost as if the mere presence of federal intervention served as a magic wand that nudged local powers into action. Though it appears they needed quite the persuasive nudge to remember their duties, how comforting!
The backdrop of all this is California’s penchant for labeling cities as “sanctuaries.” The irony is rich here, akin to calling a wolf’s den a sanctuary for sheep. These misnamed havens flaunt federal law, holding back police from doing their jobs and sometimes even responding to emergency calls. The situation has become convoluted, where law enforcement has to wear masks, not to hide from a virus, but to protect themselves from a brand of activism that’s taken a rather personal turn in the modern age: attacking families at their homes. Sanctuary or satire? The lines are certainly blurred.
The efforts of federal law enforcement officers should be applauded as they brave brick and backlash to keep the peace—a laudable display of dedication and grit. Meanwhile, President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have drawn a line in the sand. The current administration stands unwavering, refusing to let anarchy win the day. A final hope remains that eventually, state and local authorities will fully appreciate the necessary balance of enforcing the law while respecting peaceful demonstrations. Until then, we can only cheer on those in blue who stand tall amidst the turmoil.
