National Guard To Leave LA Sunday After Week Of Protests

LOS ANGELES, CA — National Guard troops are leaving the Los Angeles area Sunday evening, eight days after being deployed to assist in managing protests and scattered looting, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced.

Garcetti said a small number of units "will be stationed nearby until June 10 to provide emergency support" if needed.

"I'm proud that our city has been peaceful this week -- and that our residents are leading a powerful movement to make Los Angeles more just, equitable, and fair for Black Angelenos, communities of color, and all of our workers, youth, and families," the mayor said. "We thank the members of the Guard for their willingness to serve -- to ensure the safety of demonstrators, businesses, residents, and everyone in our city."

Garcetti called for the Guard on May 30 after heated protests in the Fairfax District that ended with some burglaries and thefts by people police believe were not associated with widespread demonstrations against racism and police brutality.

Daily protests tied to the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have continued since then, but without the looting and other violence occasionally seen last weekend.

—City News Service