Family Discussion: Unrest in LA
The following article is designed to help parents dialogue about a current event with their children. It was written at a 7th grade reading level.
READ
Protests began in Los Angeles on Friday night after ICE (immigration officers) arrested 44 people across the city. ICE says they were in the country illegally, but many people in Los Angeles felt they shouldn’t be arrested.
ICE’s Acting Director said more than 1,000 protesters surrounded and attacked a federal building. In response, President Trump took control of part of California’s National Guard (2,000 troops who normally report to California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom) and sent them to help stop the protests. Newsom called Trump’s decision “inflammatory” and said it would only make things worse. He asked protestors to stay peaceful.
Protests are still happening this week. Some people have thrown rocks and fireworks at police and set fire to self-driving taxis. The Pentagon added 2,000 more members of the National Guard and 700 Marines to protect federal buildings and workers. President Trump said the city would be “burning to the ground” without his help.
Governor Newsom said the violence isn’t okay, but that Trump was making things worse.
On Monday, California filed a legal complaint against the federal government, saying Trump had no right to take control of the state’s troops. Trump later said Newsom should be arrested for getting in the way of ICE.
REFLECT
How can I model loving an enemy when discussing this story?
With your words. While you likely don’t live in Los Angeles and have no control over the unrest, you can control how you speak about it. Leave others with no doubt of your love for everyone involved, even for people whose actions you do not support.
In a divisive political climate, followers of Christ have an opportunity to show that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. Imitating our just and merciful Father, root for justice while retaining love for all parties—legal and illegal immigrants, ICE agents, federal judges and prosecutors, and your neighbors—desiring restoration, not revenge.
What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Humility and openness to correction. This is a story that continues to develop and change. Christians should always be open to correction; changing our minds or actions in light of new information is usually not a sign of hypocrisy but growth.
James 1:19 encourages followers of Christ to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” This is especially true when there is a developing story on a controversial topic.
RESPOND
Talk about a time when you had to deal with a situation where you didn’t have control. How did you respond?
Memorize James 1:19-20 as a family: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
Pray for everyone involved in the situation– the politicians, the border agents, the police, the immigrants, and their families. Pray for the peace of God to reign.
Credit: Decaf (The Pour Over for Families). "Unrest in Los Angeles." June 12, 2025.