USA: END THE USE OF MILITARY TO POLICE PROTESTS

Dear Susie Wiles,

I am writing with deep concern regarding the federalization and deployment of at least 4,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles County following protests against militarized immigration raids.

The President’s memo allowing these actions is legally troubling. It includes false claims about what is happening now and misuses the law to send the National Guard into action. It is also written so broadly that it could be used anywhere protests happen—especially where ICE or other federal agents carry out violent and aggressive raids on workplaces, courthouses, and immigrant neighborhoods. President Trump even said that more of these raids are coming nationwide and warned that any protests will be met with “equal or greater force,” like what we are seeing right now in Los Angeles.

While the National Guard deployment has largely been providing protection to the federal building in downtown Los Angeles, they do not have the experience or training to engage in law enforcement activities or the policing of protests. As we saw during the nationwide protests in 2020, these situations can quickly escalate and lead to the violation of the human rights of protesters.

I am calling on you in your role as Chief of Staff to encourage the President to rescind the Presidential memo authorizing the deployment of National Guard and other military assets. The military should have no role in law enforcement activities.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]