San Francisco Police Declares Unlawful Assembly Over Immigration Protests As Unrest Spills Out Of L.A.

San Francisco police declared an unlawful assembly on Monday night after thousands of people marched to protest against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The Wall Street Journal detailed that forces advanced against a contingent that appeared to refuse to disperse and resist arrest. It noted that the city's approach seems to be more assertive than that of Los Angeles, currently marked by unrest after violent protests and the Trump administration's decision to send National Guard troops and Marines against the wishes of local authorities including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

Mayor Daniel Lurie, who in November beat incumbent London Breed, had promised to be tougher on crime during his campaign. The WSJ recalled that since he took office there have been more arrests, fewer homeless encampments and crime overall fell by almost 30% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

Lurie has largely refrained from criticizing President Donald Trump or delving into national politics, telling the outlet before being sworn in that "we've got enough challenges here." He did address protests on Sunday, saying that even though "everyone in this country has a right to make their voice heard peacefully... we will never tolerate violent and destructive behavior."

The mayor did criticize the Trump administration's current policies, saying he understood "why people are out on the street" and that "the tactics being used across the country to target immigrant communities are meant to instill fear."

The situation is different in Los Angeles, where at least 56 people have been arrested in the protests that began last Friday. The Trump administration seems to be focusing on the city, with a new NBC News report quoting officials who claimed that the scenario is a political win. "We're happy to have this fight," a White House official said.

"This is the America First focus that got the president elected and is driven by nothing else than what he promised American voters," another official told the outlet. "Look at the violence, the attacks on law enforcement... if Democrats want to support that, let them. This is why we win elections and they do not."