TAMPA, Fla. — The message behind the rapid response protest set today in front of city hall is clear. There will be no more ice attacks. It’s not Florida. It’s not anywhere.
The planned protests in Tampa responded to anti-ice protests taking place in Los Angeles, which quickly escalated to confusion and violence.
President Trump deployed 300 National Guard troops in LA, despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom not requesting federal aid.
“We’re going to have an army everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country. We’re not going to tear our country apart,” President Trump said.
Announcing today’s anti-ice protest in Tampa, the digital flyer said it hopes law enforcement will exist and cannot guarantee who is safe.
In LA, Mayor Karen Bass condemned violence and destruction as the attacks continued to be held around the city.
“Raying Home Depot and workplaces will tear parents and children apart, running armored caravans on the streets will cause fear and panic. And the deployment of federal forces is a dangerous escalation. But this is realistic about this. This is about another agenda: it’s not public safety.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonald repeated Mayor Bass’ message of peace as a potential brace on the last day 4th.
“I hate this violence I saw. From the beginning of this incident, the bad thing about seeing the first night is escalating now. Since then, what we saw has become worse and worse and more violent,” McDonald said.
In today’s Tampa protests, organizers emphasize that their moves are rooted in non-violence. The protest is expected to begin at 3pm
