The riots ensuing ICE’s injustice across the US, such as in LA, were very predictable, but what wasn’t predictable was a pro-protestor statement from the LAPD praising demonstrators. “We commend all those who exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly,” the statement reads. And while that all sounds good and friendly, the police department goes on to say that it is “fully prepared to respond swiftly and appropriately to any potential acts of civil unrest.” This might sound like a confusing double-speak, but many internet users are quite confident as to the reason behind this statement.
“They talk about ensuring the safety and rights of Angelenos, but not if we get too rowdy trying to do the same thing with ICE. And they certainly are not doing anything about ICE endangering all of us,” remarks a Reddit user reacting to LAPD public notice. Another person chimes in, saying how police have been treating citizens “definitely was NOT about safeguarding the rights, safety, and well being of all Angelenos. It was about PROTECTING ICE.” An innocent woman recently trying to walk to her apartment was shot by an officer for crying out loud.
After all, the authorities and ICE are two sides of the same coin, or at least, they are both controlled by the same corrupt government currently in place. However, many Reddit users strongly assume that the LAPD’s statement is directly related to contradicting the official White House’s narrative regarding the riots and has little to do with actually being ‘pro-protest.’ “The federal government is threatening National Guard and Marine deployments over riots,” a user says. “This statement shows that the police force here on the ground disagrees with that narrative and is deeming them peaceful.”
“There needs to be insurrectionists to invoke the Insurrection Act,” another Redditor adds. Trump needs some sort of justification to send in troops to LA instead of letting the LAPD handle things, after all. As for if the statement was meant to soothe the public, it wasn’t. “Don’t fall for it. It’s BS,” warns a user.
That said, many still consider the LAPD’s statement to be “more pro-protestor” than the actual mayor’s. “The LAPD somehow issued a more useful and helpful statement than the supposed progressive mayor of the city they work for,” a person remarks. “Rip Karen Bass political career,” quips another. Whatever the case, one thing is for certain: “These aren’t normal times,” as one commenter puts it.
