27 people arrested in LA protests

A total of 27 arrests were made in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a nighttime news conference, CNN reports. 

The alleged crimes include throwing a Molotov cocktail at an officer and ramming a motorbike into a police line, McDonnell said.

Seventeen of the arrests on Sunday were made by the California Highway Patrol while clearing protesters from the 101 Highway, while the LAPD made 10 arrests during scuffles downtown, the police chief said.

On Saturday, McDonnell said, 29 arrests were made for alleged failure to disperse.

“Our job is not to divide communities or to politicize law enforcement. Our job is simply to keep everyone safe,” McDonnell said.

The chief addressed the community’s “deep fear and anxiety” emerging from recent immigration enforcement, and assured the department is “committed to transparency, accountability, and treating every Angeleno with respect, regardless of their immigration status.”

Authorities and demonstrators have clashed for days after immigration agents detained dozens of people.

About 300 National Guardsmen are on the ground after President Donald Trump called them up to protect federal personnel and property. It's the first time a president has called in the National Guard without a state's request or consent in decades. Also prepared to deploy are 500 Marines. 

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the deployment of the National Guard. 

Police have used flash bangs and tear gas while dispersing crowds, with some hitting and pushing protesters while making arrests, CNN reports. 

Protesters set at least two self-driving cars on fire. All of Downtown Los Angeles has been declared an unlawful assembly area.