Two people have been charged with throwing firebombs during five days of protests that have rocked a downtown section of the city and prompted President Trump’ controversial decision to send 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines here, authorities said Wednesday.
A federal complaint charges Emiliano Gardno Galvez, 23, of Paramount and Wrackkie Quiogue, 27, of Long Beach, with possession of an unregistered destructive device, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at least nine people face federal charges related to the demonstrations.
The protests have been prompted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps spurred by President Trump’s directive to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it has arrested over 385 people since the protests began, including over 200 people after a curfew was imposed Tuesday night.
Protests against immigration raids and in support of demonstrators in Los Angeles have spread from coast-to-coast. Dozens of people were arrested in protests Tuesday night in cities including New York, Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
The 700 active-duty Marines sent to Los Angeles are expected to deploy within 48 hours, according to U.S. Northern Command.
Officials at Northern Command say that the Marines had completed their training for their mission in California and “will be employed seamlessly alongside the National Guard forces.”
“Their activation and inclusion in the task force was intended to provide adequate numbers of forces to provide continuous coverage of the area in support of the Lead Federal Agency,” said officials, referring to the Department of Homeland Security which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman said earlier on Wednesday that his troops would be following federal agents: “They’re in the lead. We’re supporting them. It’s really about protecting federal facilities and federal personnel as they do their job.”
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