Los Angeles, June 11: On Tuesday night, Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew amid protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The curfew, imposed by Mayor Karen Bass, ran from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and covered a one-square-mile section of downtown Los Angeles, where demonstrations had been ongoing since Friday.
Police made arrests within minutes of the curfew’s start and used crowd control tactics, including officers on horseback and projectiles, to disperse hundreds of protesters. The National Guard was present behind plastic shields but did not take part in arrests. While many protesters dispersed, smaller confrontations continued sporadically.
Mayor Bass declared a local emergency after 23 businesses were looted during the protests. The curfew was intended to prevent further vandalism and protect public safety. It exempted residents of the designated area, homeless individuals, credentialed media, and emergency personnel.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the curfew was necessary due to escalating unlawful and dangerous behavior since Saturday.
The protests began after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers, sparking outrage. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend, prompting police to respond with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades. Despite the protests, immigration enforcement continued throughout Los Angeles County. ICE agents reportedly operated in public locations like libraries, car washes, and retail stores, increasing community tensions. Some schools enhanced security for graduations or offered remote viewing options amid fears of ICE action.
President Trump deployed more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and assist with law enforcement. However, their role expanded to include guarding federal immigration agents during arrests, drawing criticism from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployments as a “military dragnet” that could worsen unrest. Newsom asked a court to block military personnel from aiding federal immigration agents, arguing it would increase violence and inflame tensions. A court hearing was set for Thursday.
Trump also suggested invoking the Insurrection Act, which permits the president to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or enforce the law. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said, “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it.” Later, at Fort Bragg, he called protesters “animals” and a “foreign enemy,” statements condemned by California officials. Newsom described the federal actions as an “assault” on democracy and urged Californians not to comply with Trump’s demands for “fealty” and silence.
The protests have spread to cities across the country, including Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and New York, where large rallies and multiple arrests took place. In Texas, National Guard troops were placed on standby in cities anticipating demonstrations, with some deployed to San Antonio to support police. Law enforcement nationwide has increasingly used chemical irritants and crowd control methods to manage protests.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles police made 197 arrests, mostly for violating the curfew or failing to disperse. Other charges included assault with a deadly weapon, looting, vandalism, and attempted murder linked to Molotov cocktail attacks. Seven police officers were injured, two hospitalized and later released.
The deployment of military personnel comes at a high cost. The Pentagon estimates that the use of National Guard and Marines for these operations inside the U.S. has cost approximately $134 million. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that troop involvement in domestic law enforcement could continue to expand.
In summary, Los Angeles is confronting a tense conflict over immigration enforcement and the increasing use of military forces in civilian areas. The city struggles with ongoing protests, a strict curfew, and a strong federal military presence amid concerns over escalating violence and civil unrest.
Local leaders criticize federal tactics and rhetoric as excessive and inflammatory, while the Trump administration defends its actions as necessary to restore order and enforce immigration laws. (AP)