Curfew Imposed in Downtown Los Angeles Amid Immigration Raids Unrest
Curfew Announcement in Los Angeles
Los Angeles: Starting Tuesday, a curfew will be enforced in various parts of downtown Los Angeles, California, due to several nights of unrest linked to immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration.
Mayor Karen Bass announced the curfew, citing a rise in violence, arson, and looting following federal immigration raids.
The curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and could last for several days, although residents and workers in the area will be exempt.
This decision comes amid rising tensions and the need to curb further disturbances.
Masked individuals targeted numerous businesses, including an Apple Store, where they broke windows and stole electronics, while also vandalizing the property with graffiti.
Other affected businesses included Adidas stores, pharmacies, marijuana dispensaries, and jewelry shops. Online videos depict extensive vandalism, with shelves emptied and storefronts damaged.
Law enforcement made several arrests as the situation escalated, with the Los Angeles Police Department feeling the strain of the unrest.
Mayor Bass addressed the media, acknowledging the pressure on local police and criticizing federal interference, particularly the Trump administration's deployment of military forces without state approval.
"People have asked me what the Marines are going to do when they get here. That’s a good question, I have no idea," Bass remarked during her press briefing.
"The solution is not federal troops. The solution is to halt the raids," she emphasized.
This statement follows President Donald Trump's announcement of sending over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to California, a move that has drawn significant criticism from state officials.
The President referred to an "assault on peace and public order" and hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act to address the protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized Trump's actions, claiming they infringe on state sovereignty.
"We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed," Newsom posted on X.
He reiterated that California's local law enforcement is fully capable of managing the situation without federal intervention.
Despite this, Trump cited three federal law provisions to justify deploying National Guard units without the governor's consent.
California is now preparing to legally challenge Trump's decision, arguing that he has overstepped state authority.
The dual oversight of the National Guard by both state and federal entities has resulted in a standoff, with California asserting that Trump's actions are both illegal and provocative.
The unrest stems from last week's immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which involved high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Los Angeles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when ICE detained over 40 immigrants at a Home Depot parking lot and a clothing manufacturing site.
Mayor Bass condemned these actions, attributing them as the catalyst for the recent violence.
"This is not just about looting or protests. It’s about the fear and frustration in our immigrant communities," she stated.
"What we need is a halt to these unjust raids, not an escalation from Washington," she concluded.