Los Angeles has imposed a partial curfew as unrest erupts in the city following nationwide protests against immigration raids. Mayor Karen Bass announced the emergency curfew, which affects parts of downtown L.A., starting at 8:00 PM and lasting until 6:00 AM local time. The measure is expected to remain in effect for several days.
Despite public warnings, large numbers of protesters remained in the city center — some in defiance of the order, others caught unaware. Police swiftly began mass arrests shortly after the curfew took effect, with nearly 200 individuals detained in just one night.
Over the past four days, more than 370 people have been arrested across California, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. He also reported that at least 23 businesses have been looted or vandalized during the ongoing demonstrations.
The protests, initially centered in Los Angeles, have now spread to at least 10 other cities, including New York, where numerous arrests have also been reported. In Texas, the governor has deployed the National Guard in anticipation of upcoming protests, raising concerns of further escalations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom directly blamed former President Donald Trump in a televised address, accusing him of fueling the unrest. Trump fired back, calling the demonstrations a “threat to peace and public order” and insisted on the deployment of additional federal forces. “Without my intervention, Los Angeles would be burning,” he claimed.
As the City of Angels grapples with rising tensions and deepening political divides, the curfew has ignited debate over civil liberties, police authority, and the treatment of immigrant communities. The days ahead may prove critical in shaping both the local response and the national conversation around justice and immigration policy.