Police fire crowd dispersal projectiles at LA protesters

Law enforcement members began throwing flash bangs and firing rubber bullets at a crowd of protesters in downtown Los Angeles this afternoon, telling people to “clear the area” after projectiles were thrown at them.

Earlier today, the US Northern Command announced it activated about 700 Marines to help protect federal personnel and property in the Los Angeles area. Separately, the Pentagon said President Donald Trump is deploying another 2,000 National Guard troops to the area, after his initial order over the weekend.

The president’s border czar Tom Homan told CNN that it was necessary to deploy Marines to quell protests. He declined to say what standard the administration was using to decide if mobilizing the Marines would be necessary.