Local business owners in Los Angeles have voiced their frustration regarding rioters and looters in recent interviews with various media outlets. Paul Scriberno, expressing his exasperation, stated on “Fox & Friends First” that they feel unsupported, saying, “No one is in charge of us. I’ll go until I say I have a kid who’s in charge of Los Angeles now.”
Over the weekend, protests against immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) intensified, leading to violent riots. President Donald Trump responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops and at least 500 Marines to restore order.
Videos from the riots showed looters wreaking havoc in several Los Angeles stores, including major chains like Apple. Local businesses found themselves caught in the chaos, with many suffering significant losses.
As the protests continued into their fifth day, some news anchors reported troubling observations. They claimed that certain individuals were suggesting that the riots were “fun,” particularly when calm moments were visible.
A family operating a jewelry store since 1987 shared their story with Fox 11 Los Angeles, revealing that their business had already been disrupted by rioters. The store owner lamented the repeated disruptions, stating, “There’s been a week of riots for transgender people and others, they’ve shut down all the businesses and no one can get inside.” He expressed confusion about why these protests were drawing crowds downtown.
His daughter described the situation as “very crazy” and “very sad,” particularly since they lack insurance to cover the damages. “People are stupid. What can you do?” she remarked, echoing her father’s sentiments about their struggles. He added, “I don’t sell jewelry. I sell jewelry in costumes. I’m not a big man. I’m not a big fish.”
Monty, who owns Bargain2Perfumes, also expressed his anger over the situation, accusing the mob of using the protests as a cover for theft. “This is so ridiculous. This doesn’t seem like they’re protesting ICE or anything,” he noted, observing that looters were targeting stores without a clear motive related to the original protests.
Local authorities are calling for stricter measures to contain the violence. Sclivano, a key figure in Los Angeles leadership, stressed that increased arrests are crucial. “The only way to stop is if there are a lot of troops in and round them up,” he insisted.
In the wake of the violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s decision to send in the National Guard, asserting that the protests were “almost non-violent.” He has taken steps to prevent additional federal forces from entering the state.
