Los Angeles has become the epicenter of a fierce national confrontation over immigration enforcement, civil protest, and presidential power. Following a series of federal immigration raids in the city, large-scale protests erupted, drawing thousands into the streets and leading to violent clashes with law enforcement. President Donald Trump responded by deploying thousands of California National Guard troops and hundreds of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles—actions taken without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who publicly condemned the move as illegal and authoritarian. The city’s mayor declared a curfew as unrest continued, while the governor and other critics accused the president of inflaming tensions for political gain. This unprecedented federal intervention has drawn direct comparisons to the historic events of 1965, when the federal government last overrode a state’s wishes to deploy the National Guard during major civil rights protests. The crisis has sparked a nationwide debate about democracy, civil liberties, and the limits of presidential authority. Sources. See below.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the historical context and significance of military deployments during civil unrest in the U.S., with emphasis on 1965.
- Analyze the parallels between past and present government responses to protests.
- Critically examine the legal and ethical implications of federal intervention in state affairs.
- Connect contemporary events to the legacy of the civil rights era.
Lesson Outline
1. Introduction
- Discuss the role of the National Guard in the United States and the circumstances under which it may be deployed.
- Introduce the concept of federal versus state authority during civil unrest.
Sources used:
- AP News: “Los Angeles National Guard protests: Watts Riots and their legacy”
- BBC News: “Los Angeles protests: What’s happening and why?”
- The Guardian: “LA protests live: Los Angeles curfew as ICE raids spark mass demonstrations and Trump deploys National Guard”
- MSN: “Hegseth tells Congress his war fighters are primed for lethality as he sends them to face American protesters”
2. Historical Background: 1965 as a Turning Point
The Watts Riots (Los Angeles, 1965)
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Causes: The uprising was triggered by the arrest of Marquette Frye, a young African American man, by a white California Highway Patrol officer. The incident quickly escalated, fueled by longstanding frustration over police brutality, unemployment, inadequate housing, and systemic racial and economic inequality in urban Los Angeles.
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Outcome: The riots lasted six days, resulting in 34 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, nearly 4,000 arrests, and the destruction of property valued at over $40 million. The California National Guard was deployed to restore order. The Watts Riots marked a shift from nonviolent protest to urban rebellion as a form of resistance, signaling a growing disillusionment with the pace and limits of civil rights reforms.
B. Selma to Montgomery Marches (Alabama, 1965)
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Context: Organized by civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the marches aimed to protest the systemic disenfranchisement of Black voters in the South.
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Key Events: The first march on March 7, known as “Bloody Sunday,” saw peaceful demonstrators brutally attacked by state troopers and local police at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The violent images broadcast nationally provoked public outrage.
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Federal Intervention: In a rare and historic move, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the federalization of the Alabama National Guard to protect the marchers during their third and successful attempt, overriding Governor George Wallace’s objections. This moment underscored the federal government’s willingness to assert its authority to protect civil rights—an extraordinary break from precedent in favor of state sovereignty.
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Impact: The marches directly led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark achievement in the civil rights movement that prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
3. Contemporary Parallels: Los Angeles Protests and Federal Response
- Summarize the recent events in Los Angeles: Following federal immigration raids, protests erupted, leading to violent clashes and the imposition of a curfew in downtown L.A.
- President Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed Marines to the city without the governor’s consent, a move condemned by Governor Newsom as illegal and authoritarian.
- Critics argue that the military response was premature and escalated tensions, drawing direct comparisons to the events of 1965
- Governor Newsom and others accuse the president of using military force to suppress dissent and target immigrant communities, while the administration claims the deployments are necessary to protect federal agents and restore order.
4. Class Discussion
Prompt Questions:
- What similarities and differences exist between the government’s response in 1965 and the current situation in Los Angeles?
- Why is the reference to 1965 significant in understanding the present crisis?
- What are the legal and ethical considerations when the federal government overrides state authority to deploy military forces?
5. Group Activity: Timeline and Analysis
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In groups, create a timeline comparing:
- 1965 Watts Riots and Selma Marches
- 2025 Los Angeles protests
For each event, note:
- The cause of unrest
- The government’s response (local, state, federal)
- Public reaction and aftermath
- Reference to or lessons from 1965
6. Conclusion & Reflection
- Groups present their timelines.
- Reflect on the enduring impact of 1965 on American civil rights and protest movements.
- Assign a short essay: How should lessons from 1965 inform responses to protest and civil unrest today?
Key References to 1965
- 1965 is a pivotal year: The Watts riots and Selma marches prompted federal intervention, setting precedents for presidential authority and the use of the National Guard in civil rights conflicts.
- The 2025 deployment in Los Angeles is widely compared to these 1965 events, both in media coverage and political debate, highlighting the ongoing struggle over the balance between order, protest, and civil rights.
Essay Questions
- Compare and contrast the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard during the 1965 civil rights protests and the 2025 Los Angeles immigration protests. What legal, political, and social factors shaped each intervention, and why is the reference to 1965 so significant in current debates?
(Encourages critical analysis of historical precedent and its relevance to contemporary events.) - Evaluate the role of state and local leaders versus federal authorities during the 2025 Los Angeles protests. How did their responses differ, and what does this reveal about the balance of power and the protection of civil liberties in times of crisis?
(Promotes understanding of federalism and the tensions between different levels of government.) - Discuss the impact of media, both traditional and social, on public perceptions of the 2025 Los Angeles protests. How did images, videos, and online narratives shape the story, and what challenges do misinformation and AI-generated content present for understanding such events?