Glad you're safe, David. I wasn't able to get out their myself today, but I'm so glad you and so many others did. I think it's also important to note that contrary to what Trump and his goons would have you believe, most of LA is completely normal at the moment. Calling in the National Guard is pure theater designed to escalate the situation. 2000 National Guardsman may sound like a lot, but it's completely ineffectual for a city this size. LA is huge. Even 10x that amount wouldn't be enough.
On a selfish note, these past couple days have put me on edge again the way I was during the fires. I can't imagine what it's like for you and others who have so much more to lose.
The dead eyes description really resonates with me. It’s like they’re trained to not see people as people. I’ve had this same thought even during a traffic stop. This disassociation from humanity is a fucking dangerous place to start.
At the start of the day, I figured a lot of them would be going "WTF am I doing here."
But then after watching them deploying gas and shooting rubber bullets (one that an Australian journalism I met down there) I am kinda thinking - I have less sympathy. I dunno. We all have choices.
The restraint and compassion shown by protestors down there was amazing though - handing out masks, water bottles, all checking on each other. A real mix of different people, all there for one thing.
I'm betting they're more "I have to respect the chain of command, even though I have real problems with this". Since they did pledge an oath to uphold the constitution, including that pesky first amendment. Because this really sounds like "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances," even though I know some trying to defend these actions will argue this was not "peaceably" and thus excluded.
I’m a little south of this, in a majority Hispanic city. Nearly everyone who lives in my building is Hispanic. And it’s subsidized on top of that so you know it must be rife with drugs and gang violence.
Except it’s not. The people who live here are, like, families. There are so many children always running around and playing. At least two people who live here are wheelchair users, one of whom is a child. Some person or persons near me really seems to like weed, so obviously they’re dangerous (weed is legal here, the only rule they’re breaking is that it’s a non-smoking building). The most upsetting thing that ever happened here was the fire alarm accidentally going off in the middle of the night once or twice. Well, and the time my very small dog and I were viciously attacked by a feral cat, so there goes the neighborhood, I guess.
It’s an incredibly calm and quiet area. Even my mom, who would make Chicken Little look like Evel Knievel, is fine with me living alone here.
I’ve been worried for my neighbors this whole year. I’m even more worried now. How much worse is this going to get? It’s already a nightmare. And I know I’m not safe just because I’m white, either, not with RFK Jr. over here cracking wise about sending people like me to (checks notes) labor camps, a very normal thing that a small government with ideals of freedom would do.
David, thanks for being in the mix. I’m sorry about the tear gas (where’s the Hallmark card for that) but you and everyone else there were incredibly courageous. The need to document and report is so important right now, and it gets more dangerous by the day. Stay safe.
Thank you for being there. I wasn’t able to watch the live report but as a Mexican-American it means the world to me to have people like you on the right side and sticking up for us. Thank you.
It was really encouraging to see the turnout - and in all the anger, really salient points being made. Even while being screamed directly into the faces of the National Guard.
The audio on this post is a good summary of the lives, I think.
The history of presidents bypassing state governors to deploy the National Guard is an interesting one, and at least most recently used for civil rights-related events. The last time it was done was by LBJ to protect civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama. Eisenhower used them to protect the Little Rock 9 before that. In those cases the presidents had to exert their power because the governors were racist pieces of shit. And now this: a racist, piece of shit president using it to step on the governor of a sanctuary state.
Also I’m amazed there are tanks left after seeing all the ones parked not too far from me outside DC just waiting for Trump’s birthday/military parade
Harry Truman bypassed the Governor of Puerto Rico to drop bombs on Utuado, killing at least 28 people and then they tried to say.....the Puerto Ricans bombed themselves.
I remember being terrified the first time I saw armed police in the US when I went to university there in the mid-90s. Coming from NZ I had never experienced it and that was nothing like the guns and hardware they carry today and it’s only getting worse. Deploying an army against unarmed civilians is a total dictatorship move.
Yeah - Trump doing that, I mean - this is what Americans voted for, right? I can't wrap my head around it. And a governor being like, "Fuck no, we don't need that shit." Essentially they are here in LA illegally. American's tax dollars paying for them to fuck with their own people. It's crazy.
It’s totally illegal. Going outside the democratic process. It’s the blurring of the lines of what is acceptable that helps fascism to thrive. The national guard who accept it’s their job to terrorise their own people and the people who either support it or even if they don’t they accept it and don’t protest.
Thank you so much for this... I knew not all of my Turtle Island friends and whanau would make it out alive... now I'm worrying if I'll see any of them again.
In a simplistic veiw; the economy is shit. War is business. Business is good.... extrapolate out from here.... sigh.
I was in LA the first time Trump was elected, so on inauguration day I went downtown... I know Americans are used to armed cops and snipers at protests, but I sure asf ain't, and that was scary enough. Watching you today brought back some badddd times, but most people I know are pretty fucking proud of you e hoa. Aroha and Kia Kaha
Proud of you and everyone who was there today. Its so very brave and inspired while also infuriating at the same time. Keep fighting, David. But stay safe!!! I was 100% stressed watching those lives. I hope this inspires resistance across the country.
I’m so proud of you for being there in the thick of it - but scared for you, too. What a fucking mess. Why is it so ok for these people to hate human beings???
Trump is nothing but hate and fear. And so, so many people openly voted knowing that. He wasn't subtle. It's so, so frustrating. I know you know this, I am just going on a lil' rant.
David, thank you for sharing what the tremendously brave people standing up to ICE, to Trump, and to fascism are doing. America needs lots of brave people right now.
Incredibly brave people. The guy I talked to ("I'm a white guy") was doing so well down there - openly just standing at the line of National Guard members earlier in the day, asking them to change sides. To ask why they were in this city messing with it. Just openly going through compelling arguments with them on why what they were doing was so messed up. It was peaceful, powerful, and I like to think some of this lizard brains holding guns shifted a little.
Thank you for reporting on this David, and for being that very important New Zealand connection so RNZ can quote you on their live thread. If I could afford to contribute more to Webworm I would, but instead I'll just keep telling everyone to subscribe.
Maybe it's my Canadian compassion but this made me cry a couple of times. Hearing the angst in the pleas of messengers really freaks me out. Stay Strong America - David - YOU please be careful - out comes the tear gas....FUCK.
And all these Christians who voted for Trump and lauding his immigration policies, I hope they remember Matthew 25:40 “…Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
magas are trying to get a woman’s nursing license revoked because she made a tiktok reading matthew 24:35-45 as a response to of them saying she was a maga and loved jesus.
they have abandoned christ and are in full blown idolatry.
Their ‘Christianity’ is one of repression and coercion. There is nothing Christlike about the behaviour they support or exhibit. If you think of world history, they’re the kind of ‘Christians’ who would have supported the Spanish Inquisition, burned people at the stake or drowned them for ‘witchcraft’, executed people for daring to print an English bible, and so on. And they will never see this in themselves.
As a Christian I am ashamed over this. The prophets excoriated those who abused of the stranger. Jesus accepted those who were despised by the religous of his time. The ones who claim Jesus and support this are like those whose heart is from him.
Here are some places people can donate if they're able:
Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://give.immdef.org/donate
LA Jail Support / Bail Fund:
https://account.venmo.com/u/jailsupportla
Unión del Barrio:
https://uniondelbarrio.org/main/support-our-work-my-making-a-donation/
Glad you're safe, David. I wasn't able to get out their myself today, but I'm so glad you and so many others did. I think it's also important to note that contrary to what Trump and his goons would have you believe, most of LA is completely normal at the moment. Calling in the National Guard is pure theater designed to escalate the situation. 2000 National Guardsman may sound like a lot, but it's completely ineffectual for a city this size. LA is huge. Even 10x that amount wouldn't be enough.
On a selfish note, these past couple days have put me on edge again the way I was during the fires. I can't imagine what it's like for you and others who have so much more to lose.
Pinning this. Thanks, Joe.
Thanks for posting,Joe! Just donated to the bail fund
The dead eyes description really resonates with me. It’s like they’re trained to not see people as people. I’ve had this same thought even during a traffic stop. This disassociation from humanity is a fucking dangerous place to start.
At the start of the day, I figured a lot of them would be going "WTF am I doing here."
But then after watching them deploying gas and shooting rubber bullets (one that an Australian journalism I met down there) I am kinda thinking - I have less sympathy. I dunno. We all have choices.
The restraint and compassion shown by protestors down there was amazing though - handing out masks, water bottles, all checking on each other. A real mix of different people, all there for one thing.
I know some natties and they're not dead eyed during their day job. This has got to be fucking with their heads.
I'm betting they're more "I have to respect the chain of command, even though I have real problems with this". Since they did pledge an oath to uphold the constitution, including that pesky first amendment. Because this really sounds like "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances," even though I know some trying to defend these actions will argue this was not "peaceably" and thus excluded.
I’m a little south of this, in a majority Hispanic city. Nearly everyone who lives in my building is Hispanic. And it’s subsidized on top of that so you know it must be rife with drugs and gang violence.
Except it’s not. The people who live here are, like, families. There are so many children always running around and playing. At least two people who live here are wheelchair users, one of whom is a child. Some person or persons near me really seems to like weed, so obviously they’re dangerous (weed is legal here, the only rule they’re breaking is that it’s a non-smoking building). The most upsetting thing that ever happened here was the fire alarm accidentally going off in the middle of the night once or twice. Well, and the time my very small dog and I were viciously attacked by a feral cat, so there goes the neighborhood, I guess.
It’s an incredibly calm and quiet area. Even my mom, who would make Chicken Little look like Evel Knievel, is fine with me living alone here.
I’ve been worried for my neighbors this whole year. I’m even more worried now. How much worse is this going to get? It’s already a nightmare. And I know I’m not safe just because I’m white, either, not with RFK Jr. over here cracking wise about sending people like me to (checks notes) labor camps, a very normal thing that a small government with ideals of freedom would do.
David, thanks for being in the mix. I’m sorry about the tear gas (where’s the Hallmark card for that) but you and everyone else there were incredibly courageous. The need to document and report is so important right now, and it gets more dangerous by the day. Stay safe.
Thank you for being there. I wasn’t able to watch the live report but as a Mexican-American it means the world to me to have people like you on the right side and sticking up for us. Thank you.
It was really encouraging to see the turnout - and in all the anger, really salient points being made. Even while being screamed directly into the faces of the National Guard.
The audio on this post is a good summary of the lives, I think.
Thanks for being here.
Thank you, David, for having the balls to do the job so many American journalists have forgotten they wanted to do at one time in their lives.
The history of presidents bypassing state governors to deploy the National Guard is an interesting one, and at least most recently used for civil rights-related events. The last time it was done was by LBJ to protect civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama. Eisenhower used them to protect the Little Rock 9 before that. In those cases the presidents had to exert their power because the governors were racist pieces of shit. And now this: a racist, piece of shit president using it to step on the governor of a sanctuary state.
Also I’m amazed there are tanks left after seeing all the ones parked not too far from me outside DC just waiting for Trump’s birthday/military parade
Four dead in Ohio🤯
Harry Truman bypassed the Governor of Puerto Rico to drop bombs on Utuado, killing at least 28 people and then they tried to say.....the Puerto Ricans bombed themselves.
I remember being terrified the first time I saw armed police in the US when I went to university there in the mid-90s. Coming from NZ I had never experienced it and that was nothing like the guns and hardware they carry today and it’s only getting worse. Deploying an army against unarmed civilians is a total dictatorship move.
Yeah - Trump doing that, I mean - this is what Americans voted for, right? I can't wrap my head around it. And a governor being like, "Fuck no, we don't need that shit." Essentially they are here in LA illegally. American's tax dollars paying for them to fuck with their own people. It's crazy.
It’s totally illegal. Going outside the democratic process. It’s the blurring of the lines of what is acceptable that helps fascism to thrive. The national guard who accept it’s their job to terrorise their own people and the people who either support it or even if they don’t they accept it and don’t protest.
Thank you for sharing, for braving it, for showing us our country up close. My daughter and I watched you all afternoon, hearts in our throats.
Thanks, Lis. Sorry the connection was so patchy, and glad I could gather some better quality audio to share here.
I popped this link on one of the livestreams, but in case you’re interested, the guy you spoke to from USC posted a video of when the teargas started: https://www.instagram.com/stories/adamyoungjournalism/3650666059155130479/
Thank you so much for this... I knew not all of my Turtle Island friends and whanau would make it out alive... now I'm worrying if I'll see any of them again.
In a simplistic veiw; the economy is shit. War is business. Business is good.... extrapolate out from here.... sigh.
I was in LA the first time Trump was elected, so on inauguration day I went downtown... I know Americans are used to armed cops and snipers at protests, but I sure asf ain't, and that was scary enough. Watching you today brought back some badddd times, but most people I know are pretty fucking proud of you e hoa. Aroha and Kia Kaha
Proud of you and everyone who was there today. Its so very brave and inspired while also infuriating at the same time. Keep fighting, David. But stay safe!!! I was 100% stressed watching those lives. I hope this inspires resistance across the country.
I’m so proud of you for being there in the thick of it - but scared for you, too. What a fucking mess. Why is it so ok for these people to hate human beings???
Trump is nothing but hate and fear. And so, so many people openly voted knowing that. He wasn't subtle. It's so, so frustrating. I know you know this, I am just going on a lil' rant.
David, thank you for sharing what the tremendously brave people standing up to ICE, to Trump, and to fascism are doing. America needs lots of brave people right now.
Incredibly brave people. The guy I talked to ("I'm a white guy") was doing so well down there - openly just standing at the line of National Guard members earlier in the day, asking them to change sides. To ask why they were in this city messing with it. Just openly going through compelling arguments with them on why what they were doing was so messed up. It was peaceful, powerful, and I like to think some of this lizard brains holding guns shifted a little.
Thank you for reporting on this David, and for being that very important New Zealand connection so RNZ can quote you on their live thread. If I could afford to contribute more to Webworm I would, but instead I'll just keep telling everyone to subscribe.
Kia ora
Spreading the word by sharing links - like you do - is HUGE. Thank you.
It was a day of a lot of NZ media getting in touch. I helped where I could!
Maybe it's my Canadian compassion but this made me cry a couple of times. Hearing the angst in the pleas of messengers really freaks me out. Stay Strong America - David - YOU please be careful - out comes the tear gas....FUCK.
Yeah, I had the same thing as I had my NZ passport in by backpack...
This stuff gets so emotional. It hit me again when I woke up.
And all these Christians who voted for Trump and lauding his immigration policies, I hope they remember Matthew 25:40 “…Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
I know you know this, but it just struck me so clearly just now: Those people are not even *close* to Christian.
Like - if the whole Christian thing is reality - then they are all going direct to the Hell I read about in Bible growing up.
magas are trying to get a woman’s nursing license revoked because she made a tiktok reading matthew 24:35-45 as a response to of them saying she was a maga and loved jesus.
they have abandoned christ and are in full blown idolatry.
Their ‘Christianity’ is one of repression and coercion. There is nothing Christlike about the behaviour they support or exhibit. If you think of world history, they’re the kind of ‘Christians’ who would have supported the Spanish Inquisition, burned people at the stake or drowned them for ‘witchcraft’, executed people for daring to print an English bible, and so on. And they will never see this in themselves.
As a Christian I am ashamed over this. The prophets excoriated those who abused of the stranger. Jesus accepted those who were despised by the religous of his time. The ones who claim Jesus and support this are like those whose heart is from him.
Solidarity with every single person out there. Protect yourself and others out there.
Fuck Trump. Fuck ICE. ACAB and Free Palestine.
Agree on all those points Amy.