The streets of Los Angeles were a cacophony of protest as Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas O’Connell, joined the throngs demanding change. But the fight for immigration reform took a violent turn, leaving the Grammy-winning musician and songwriter scarred, not just emotionally, but physically. Finneas, a vocal advocate for social justice, found himself caught in the crossfire, alleging he was tear-gassed during the demonstration. This incident, reported by BorderReport, throws a harsh spotlight on the escalating tensions surrounding ICE raids and the brutal tactics employed to quell dissenting voices.
Tensions Rise in Los Angeles
Anti-ICE protests turned violent in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend, with Finneas, the brother of singer Billie Eilish, describing tear-gassing at a peaceful protest.
Finneas took to Instagram to share his account of the clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, saying “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They’re inciting this.”
He then reposted several Instagram posts slamming the Trump administration and ICE for the federal immigration raids that began on Friday within the region.
Federal Response Sparks Controversy
Critics say President Trump heightened the tensions by deploying the California National Guard into Los Angeles without permission from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Approximately 300 National Guard members arrived in the city over the weekend, with Trump authorizing 2,000 members to deploy if needed.
Both Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass have blamed the president for inciting the chaos, with Newsom saying “Donald Trump is putting fuel on this fire. Commandeering a state’s National Guard without consulting the Governor of that state is illegal and immoral. California will be taking him to court.”
Trump, however, has defended his decision, saying “The people that are causing these problems are professional agitators, they’re insurrectionists, they’re bad people. They should be in jail.”
Marines Mobilized to Los Angeles
Hundreds of U.S. Marines stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, are being mobilized to Los Angeles.
Roughly 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division from their base in Twentynine Palms are being activated to respond to the Los Angeles area after anti-ICE protests grew violent Sunday night, the Department of Defense has confirmed.
The Marines will “seamlessly integrate” with personnel already on the scene “who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area.”
CNN Pentagon correspondent Natasha Bertrand described the move as a “significant escalation of the president’s use of the military as a show of force against these protesters.”
It remains unclear what role the Marines will serve when they arrive in L.A., with the rules of engagement still being finalized.
Both California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have called the deployment of the National Guard into the city an unnecessary escalation and an act of political theater.
Bass held a press conference Sunday night in which she blamed President Donald Trump for needlessly increasing tensions in the city, as demonstrators took to the streets to protest immigration enforcement operations taking place at various locations in Los Angeles.
“What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration,” Bass said during the press conference. “This is about another agenda, this isn’t about public safety.”
On Monday, Newsom’s office filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking the return of command for the California National Guard to the governor.
Trump voiced his support for the California governor to be arrested, although on what charges was not immediately clear.
“I think his primary crime is running for governor, because he’s done such a bad job,” Trump told reporters Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C.
Newsom wrote on social media: “U.S. Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy. They are heroes. They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American.”
Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas says he was tear-gassed during LA ICE protest – BorderReport
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Finneas, the brother of singer Billie Eilish, said he was impacted by the anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend. On Sunday, he took to Instagram to describe what was happening around L.A. “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They’re inciting this,” he wrote on his Instagram Story about the clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
The record producer then reposted several Instagram posts slamming the Trump administration and ICE for the federal immigration raids that began on Friday within the region. In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Finneas O’Connell, Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande are seen backstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images) The raids sparked various protests across the city.
State and Local Leaders Push Back
- California Governor Newsom files lawsuit against Trump administration
- Los Angeles Mayor Bass blames Trump for needlessly increasing tensions
Both Newsom and Bass have criticized Trump’s decision to deploy the Marines to Los Angeles, calling it an unnecessary escalation.
Trump Defends Decision
President accuses demonstrators of being “professional agitators” and “insurrectionists”
Trump argues Marines are necessary to maintain order
“The people that are causing these problems are professional agitators, they’re insurrectionists, they’re bad people. They should be in jail,” Trump said.
In a post to Truth Social, he said both Newsom and Bass should thank him and that the troops were necessary.
Critics Condemn Deployment of Marines
Newsom and Bass criticize Trump’s decision as “un-American”
Critics argue deployment of Marines is an unnecessary escalation
“U.S. Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy. They are heroes. They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American,” Newsom wrote on social media.
Roughly 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division from their base in Twentynine Palms are being activated to respond to the Los Angeles area after anti-ICE protests grew violent Sunday night, the Department of Defense has confirmed. CNN was the first to report on the activation, which was later confirmed by Nexstar’s NewsNation.
The Defense Department said the Marines will “seamlessly integrate” with personnel already on the scene “who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area.” CNN Pentagon correspondent Natasha Bertrand described the move as a “significant escalation of the president’s use of the military as a show of force against these protesters.”
It’s unclear what role the Marines will serve when they arrive in L.A. “The rules of engagement, we are told, are still being finalized. The Department of Defense lawyers are looking at the kind of rules of engagement these Marines will have as they encounter protesters possibly on the streets of Los Angeles,” Bertrand said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent incident where Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, was tear-gassed during an LA ICE protest, sheds light on the ongoing struggles of those fighting for human rights and immigration reform. The article highlights the significance of celebrities using their platforms to raise awareness about social and political issues, and the impact it can have on their fans and the wider discourse. It also underscores the importance of peaceful protests and the need for authorities to handle such situations with care and respect for human rights. The implications of this event are far-reaching, and it is likely to spark a wider conversation about the role of law enforcement in protests and the treatment of marginalized communities. As the US continues to grapple with issues of immigration, it is essential that the voices of those affected are heard and amplified. The incident also serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the power of collective action and peaceful resistance can bring about change. As Finneas’s experience becomes a rallying cry for many, it is imperative that we continue to push for a society that values and protects the human rights of every individual. In the face of tear gas and oppression, we must continue to raise our voices, and never let the flames of resistance flicker out.