Curfew Imposed in Downtown Los Angeles Amid Growing Protests

Authorities in downtown Los Angeles have enforced a nighttime curfew following escalating tensions and unrest over recent immigration-related arrests. What began as peaceful demonstrations has shifted into nightly disturbances marked by property damage and public disorder.

Emergency Declared by Mayor

Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of local emergency, announcing a curfew that restricts movement within a one-square-mile zone. The curfew remains in place until 6 a.m., with exceptions made for residents, emergency responders, and accredited media personnel.

The unrest was triggered by a surge in immigration enforcement, sparking outrage in a city known for its large immigrant and Latino communities. One demonstrator noted that “the arrests are the root cause of people taking to the streets.”

Nightfall Brings Violence

Demonstrations, which began Friday, remained calm during daylight hours. However, each night brought increased violence, including arson, vandalism, and looting.

• On Monday night, 23 businesses were reportedly looted.
• Over 500 individuals have been arrested since the unrest began.
• Protests of a similar nature have also erupted in major urban centers like Chicago, Atlanta,New York, and San Francisco.

Trump Deploys Military Forces

Former U.S. President Donald Trump responded by deploying:

• 4,000 National Guard personnel
• 700 active-duty Marines

Calling the situation an “invasion by a foreign threat,” Trump stated federal troops were necessary to restore law and order. However, local law enforcement insisted they had not requested military intervention and were handling the situation.

According to the Pentagon, the federal deployment, focused on guarding immigration officers and federal facilities, is projected to cost 134 million dollar. The U.S. Marine Corps released photos of soldiers preparing for civil control operations in Seal Beach.

Governor Newsom Pushes Back

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment, labeling it “an abuse of federal power.” In a televised address, he accused Trump of “acting like a tyrant” and ignoring constitutional boundaries.

Newsom has also filed a lawsuit in a federal court, seeking to block the use of military troops for domestic policing within the state.

“California may be the first, but it won’t be the last,” Newsom warned, expressing concern over what he described as a dangerous precedent of federal overreach.