LOS ANGELES (CN) — At least 16 Southern Californians have been charged in relation to the recent spate of protests in Los Angeles, including four who face federal charges. Two of those federal charges were for possessing Molotov cocktails, one of which was thrown at police officers.
“When protesting crosses the line into violence, the penalties will be severe,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a recent Trump appointee, in a written statement. “The vile attacks such as the ones alleged in these complaints could have resulted in life-altering or life-ending injuries to police officers, sheriff’s deputies and innocent bystanders.”
Protests erupted over the weekend all over Southern California after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out a number of sweeps for migrant workers. Officers appeared at several Home Depots and arrested day laborers looking for work, as well as an apparel manufacturing business downtown…