Research suggests the UN urged the US not to use military force in anti-Trump protests, citing human rights concerns. It seems likely that t...
- ADVERTISEMENT -
.jpg)
- Research suggests the UN urged the US not to use military force in anti-Trump protests, citing human rights concerns.
- It seems likely that this follows the deployment of U.S. marines to Los Angeles amid nationwide demonstrations.
- The evidence leans toward controversy over military involvement, with no direct US response yet.
UN Statement
On June 16, 2025, the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, called on the US to respect peaceful assembly and avoid military force in protests against President Donald Trump. This came after large-scale "No Kings" protests on June 14, 2025, with millions participating nationwide.
Protest Context
These protests, opposing Trump's policies like immigration raids, coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C. In Los Angeles, Trump deployed National Guard troops and marines, including detaining a civilian, raising concerns about militarized responses.
Current Status
As of now, there has been no direct US government response to the UN's urging, with the situation ongoing and further protests planned.
On June 16, 2025, the United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, issued a statement urging the United States to respect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using military force in response to anti-Trump protests, particularly highlighting the deployment of U.S. marines to Los Angeles. This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of the event, drawing on multiple sources to detail the timeline, key figures, protest context, military involvement, and implications, with a focus on the current date of June 16, 2025.
Background and Context
The "No Kings" protests, a significant movement against President Donald Trump's policies, saw millions of Americans demonstrating across the United States on June 14, 2025. These protests were organized in response to Trump's immigration raids and coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. X posts from June 13 to June 15, 2025, highlighted the scale, with
@DemocraticWins
reporting estimates of 4-6 million participants, and @PopCrave
sharing videos of massive crowds in Los Angeles (DemocraticWins X post, PopCrave X post). Organizers accused Trump of using the parade as a show of dominance, especially on his 79th birthday.In Los Angeles, protests have been ongoing for over a week, sparked by immigration enforcement actions. Reports indicate tensions, with police using tear gas in some instances, and the protests being mostly peaceful, though isolated incidents of violence and property damage occurred.
UN Statement and Details
On June 16, 2025, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered a statement at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, urging U.S. authorities to "uphold human rights in law enforcement, including by refraining from any resort to military force when civilian authorities are capable of maintaining public order" . This call was prompted by the deployment of U.S. marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles, where they have been involved in direct actions against protesters, such as the detention of civilian Marcos Leao on June 13, 2025, for nearly two hours before handing him over to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The UN's concern reflects international human rights law, emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly and the inappropriate use of military force in civilian contexts. This statement aligns with previous UN positions on militarized policing, though it is specific to the current protests under Trump's administration.
Military Involvement and Controversy
President Trump has deployed significant military resources to Los Angeles, including federalizing the California National Guard and deploying approximately 700 U.S. Marines to support up to 4,000 National Guard troops . This escalation, ordered despite objections from California's governor, marks a rare use of active-duty military for domestic law enforcement, potentially invoking exceptions under the Insurrection Act. Reports indicate that about 50 marines squared off against hundreds of protesters in front of a federal building on June 15, 2025, highlighting direct confrontation.
Veterans and civil rights groups, such as the ACLU, have condemned this as a "dangerous escalation" and an "abuse of power," arguing it undermines civil rights and the military's apolitical stance (Time, ACLU). The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, clarified on June 11, 2025, that Trump supports peaceful protests but will not tolerate violence, though this was before the UN statement and not a direct response.
Protest Details and Scale
The "No Kings" protests involved about 2,000 demonstrations nationwide on June 14, 2025, with significant gatherings in cities like New York (over 50,000) and Los Angeles (over 20,000), according to officials . X posts, such as one by
@mattmfm
, reported events in all 50 states, with Los Angeles officials calling the crowds "unprecedented" . Funding for the protests was discussed, with @AsraNomani
claiming 198 companies with $2.1 billion in revenues supported them, though details vary.Incidents included a driver in Culpepper, Virginia, intentionally accelerating into a crowd, injuring one person, but most protests remained peaceful, with law enforcement distinguishing between legitimate protesters and troublemakers . Curfews were enforced in downtown Los Angeles, with no end date, potentially linked to ongoing immigration raids.
Reactions and Implications
As of June 16, 2025, there has been no direct response from the U.S. government to Turk's statement, though earlier clarifications suggest a stance against violence. The international community, including the UN, is monitoring the situation, with potential legal challenges under international human rights law. The deployment of military forces has fueled debates on civil liberties, with critics arguing it politicizes the military, a concern echoed by veterans.
Further protests are planned, and the ongoing military presence, particularly in Los Angeles, could escalate tensions. The UN's statement underscores global scrutiny on U.S. domestic policy, especially under Trump's administration, known for controversial immigration and law enforcement approaches.
Key Citations
- ADVERTISEMENT -
.jpg)
No comments