Rally in DC calls for National Guard to stay away from schools
DC rally to demand National Guard stay away from schools
Back to school season in one D.C. neighborhood has renewed concerns about immigration enforcement. Community members have posted videos on social media showing National Guard and federal agents near elementary schools in Trinidad.
WASHINGTON - Back‑to‑school in one D.C. neighborhood has renewed concerns about immigration enforcement.
Community members have posted videos showing National Guard troops and federal agents near elementary schools in Trinidad, prompting a rally demanding they stay away from campuses.
Earlier this month, the interim commander of the D.C. National Guard said there would be a focused presence in the Anacostia and Trinidad neighborhoods to help deter crime. But D.C. leaders and teachers say schools should be off‑limits.
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The National Guard has been deployed in the District for a year, with a current force of about 4,600 troops. The interim commander says neighborhood presence is coordinated with D.C. police and noted that Guard members have intervened in 262 altercations, administered Narcan to 325 people and assisted law enforcement nearly 500 times in the past year.
Community members recorded videos showing Guard troops and federal agents on the first day of school walking down Neal Street NE. The interim commander reiterated that neighborhood deployments are determined in coordination with D.C. police.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Free DC and previous FOX 5 reporting.