U.S. Marines temporarily detained a civilian protester in Los Angeles as authorities prepare for No Kings nationwide protests against the Trump administration Saturday. Marines officials confirmed that the detainment was part of their operational readiness for potential encounters with demonstrators. The incident marks the first instance of a civilian being temporarily held by the Marines, a procedure authorized under Title 10 forces guidelines for temporary detainment.
According to law enforcement sources, the detainment involved an arm hold technique to escort the individual to the custody of civilian law enforcement, with the use of restraints like handcuffs or zip ties explicitly prohibited. The official clarified that the temporary detainment is not the same as an arrest, as the individual is not charged with any crime. Instead, it is a temporary holding measure for the purpose of transferring the person to the appropriate legal authorities for further action.
The protests, organized under the ‘No Kings’ banner, are expected to be a coordinated nationwide effort aimed at challenging the Trump administration’s policies. The organization, which described itself as a grassroots movement, has emphasized its goal of rejecting authoritarianism and asserting democratic control over national symbols such as the American flag. Despite the anticipated scale of the protests, local authorities have increased patrols and are preparing for potential escalations.
Los Angeles authorities have confirmed that they have heightened security measures to manage the expected influx of demonstrators. The use of military forces, including the deployment of Marines, has raised questions about the escalation of civil unrest and the potential impact on public order. Critics have raised concerns about the appropriateness of using military personnel for civilian law enforcement tasks, while others argue that the deployment is necessary to ensure public safety during large-scale demonstrations.
The incident has sparked debate over the role of military forces in managing protests and the potential implications for civil liberties. As the nation prepares for the ‘nationwide day of defiance,’ the situation in Los Angeles is seen as a bellwether for the broader tensions expected to unfold across the country.