ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A nighttime curfew has been enforced in parts of downtown Los Angeles following five straight nights of protests against President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown. The demonstrations, sparked by federal raids and a militarized response, have escalated into scattered incidents of vandalism and looting.
Curfew Announced Amid Civil Unrest
Mayor Karen Bass announced the curfew during a press briefing on Tuesday, restricting movement from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in a one-square-mile section of downtown. The decision follows reports of unrest, including property damage and looting at 23 businesses. Law enforcement has been authorized to arrest those found violating the curfew order.
“Many businesses have now been affected or vandalized,” Bass stated. “Graffiti is everywhere and has caused significant damage.” She urged non-residents to avoid the affected zone and clarified that the unrest was concentrated in a small portion of the city. “It is extremely important to know that what is happening in this 1 square mile is not affecting the entire city,” she added, pointing out that Los Angeles spans 502 square miles.
Protests Spread Nationwide
The protests began in Los Angeles but have since spread to major cities including New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Demonstrators are opposing the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly intensified raids targeting undocumented immigrants.
The deployment of the National Guard and federal troops has drawn sharp criticism from state officials. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal response in a televised address, stating, “Trump’s use of military force is a brazen abuse of power.” He accused the administration of deliberately inflaming tensions and filed a lawsuit against the deployment.
Newsom further criticized the immigration raids for disproportionately targeting low-income laborers. “They’re going after dishwashers, gardeners, day laborers, and seamstresses—not dangerous criminals,” he said. “Donald Trump’s government isn’t protecting our communities; they’re traumatising them – and that seems to be the entire point.”
He warned of constitutional dangers, adding, “If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin colour, then none of us are safe.”
Community Voices and Federal Defense
Activists at the protests stressed the need for calm. Local organizer Sarah Bo noted, “Many people here say they are working individuals who came to the US for a better life. They are angry, but they are urging calm. They say that violence only gives Trump an excuse to send in more troops.”
Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump defended his actions during a speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. “Generations of army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness here at home, like is happening in California,” he said. “As commander-in-chief, I will not let that happen.”
Security Measures Intensify
The Los Angeles Police Department has increased patrols and established checkpoints in the curfew zone. Mayor Bass stated that the curfew could remain in effect for several more days, depending on developments.
