Los Angeles, June 11 — The City of Angels is now under a night-time lockdown. A curfew has been enforced in a section of Downtown Los Angeles following five consecutive days of protests sparked by controversial immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mayor Karen Bass made the announcement at a tense press conference on Tuesday, citing the need to “stop the vandalism, to stop the looting” after 23 local businesses were ransacked amid rising tensions.
The curfew — in effect from 8 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday — applies to a one-square-mile area in the heart of downtown. According to the mayor, the restrictions may extend over the coming days depending on ongoing assessments with law enforcement and elected officials.
“We reached a tipping point,” Mayor Bass said somberly. “This is about restoring peace, not silencing protest.”
Exemptions and Enforcement Measures
Exceptions to the curfew include residents, individuals commuting to and from work, and credentialed media personnel. But Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell made it clear that the department would be enforcing the rules strictly.
“If you’re out during the curfew hours in the affected area and you’re not exempt, you will be subject to arrest,” McDonnell stated. “This is a necessary step to protect both lives and property.”
Peaceful Protests Declared Unlawful
On Tuesday, the protests continued into a fifth day. Dozens gathered peacefully outside the federal detention center downtown in the early afternoon, holding signs and chanting for immigration justice. However, the demonstration was quickly declared an unlawful assembly by LAPD, and the area was cleared.
Witnesses described a noticeable increase in police presence, with armored vehicles and tactical gear now becoming a common sight around key federal buildings in the city.
Newsom Pushes Back Against Federal Troop Deployment
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom took a bold legal step, filing an emergency request in federal court to block the deployment of military forces to Los Angeles. The move came hours after former President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to assist in immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Newsom argued that the show of military force would only inflame tensions, calling the federal presence “an overreach that threatens to turn civil unrest into chaos.”
“This isn’t about law and order,” Newsom said in a statement. “This is about political theater at the expense of community trust and stability.”
According to court filings, Newsom contends that the federal response violates both constitutional safeguards and the state’s authority over local law enforcement affairs. A federal judge has scheduled a hearing on the matter for Thursday.
Federal Government Responds
In response to Newsom’s legal action, the federal government labeled his emergency request “unprecedented and dangerous,” arguing that it would hinder their ability to enforce immigration laws. Federal officials maintain that the presence of the military is necessary to secure detention facilities, assist law enforcement, and ensure the raids proceed without interference.
“We have a duty to enforce federal law,” said one DHS official anonymously. “What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is organized resistance, and we’re treating it accordingly.”
Community on Edge
Across LA, the atmosphere is one of simmering anxiety. Local business owners are boarding up storefronts, and many residents are choosing to stay indoors even outside the curfew hours. Civil rights groups, meanwhile, are calling for de-escalation, urging both federal and local authorities to prioritize dialogue over force.
“This city has always stood for diversity and resilience,” said Maria Reyes, a community organizer from East LA. “But what we’re witnessing now feels like a turning point in how dissent is being handled.”
With another nightfall approaching and legal battles mounting, the future of Los Angeles over the coming days remains uncertain. Will the curfew calm the unrest? Will the courts step in to limit federal intervention? Or is LA just the first of many cities to see this level of conflict between state and federal forces?
