Mayor Bass Lifts Downtown LA Curfew After Protests \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted the downtown curfew first imposed June 10 amid Trump-driven immigration protests. Curfew helped prevent crime, protect property, and limited impact to a small city area. Peaceful protesters were praised, while authorities cracked down on looters and vandals.
Quick Looks
- Curfew removed: Lifted Tuesday after crime prevention success.
- Local focus: Restricted to key downtown district with unrest.
- Peace vs. unrest: Mayor credits small “bad actors,” supports peaceful protesters.
- Protest spike: Large crowds rallied against immigration crackdown June 8.
- Law enforcement has responded: Tear gas, rubber bullets used in clashes.
- Trump mobilizes troops: 4,000 National Guard, 700 Marines deployed.
- Federal crackdown: Trump orders deportations from Democratic-run cities.
Deep Look
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted a curfew imposed in downtown Los Angeles following several days of unrest linked to immigration policy protests under President Donald Trump’s administration. The curfew, enacted on June 10, was a direct response to clashes between demonstrators and police, as well as incidents of looting, vandalism, and property damage in the city’s central district. These disturbances stemmed from widespread opposition to President Trump’s newly intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants, particularly in Democrat-governed urban centers.
According to Mayor Bass, the curfew was instrumental in “successful crime prevention and suppression efforts,” which shielded local businesses, restaurants, and residents from further harm. While it initially covered only a small section of downtown, the area was strategically chosen due to its proximity to the unrest and the level of damage inflicted. Bass confirmed the city had begun seeing a decrease in arrests and disturbances, prompting her to shorten curfew hours on Monday before lifting it altogether the next day.
Throughout the escalating protests, Bass emphasized that the majority of demonstrators were peaceful and law-abiding. She pointed to a much smaller group of “bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community” as the source of destruction. Her message aimed to differentiate between the large population of peaceful protesters and those intent on inciting chaos or violence.
The civil unrest began on June 8, shortly after President Trump ordered the deployment of around 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. The move was part of a broader executive initiative targeting undocumented immigrants, focused heavily on sanctuary cities and regions led by Democratic leadership. In Los Angeles, this sparked immediate backlash, with thousands taking to the streets in protest of what many saw as an authoritarian overreach.
That day, protesters blocked major thoroughfares, including a freeway, as law enforcement resorted to aggressive crowd-control tactics. Officers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bang devices in an attempt to break up demonstrations. The use of force was widely criticized and added fuel to an already volatile environment.
On June 9, the tension reached a peak in a popular downtown commercial district. Police clashed with protesters again, prompting bystanders and restaurant staff to flee as chaos erupted. Protesters hurled water bottles and launched fireworks, shouting phrases like “Shame!” at advancing officers. Multiple Waymo robotaxis were seen burning in dramatic images that quickly circulated on social media, symbolizing the protest’s intensity.
In a controversial escalation, President Trump on Sunday directed federal immigration authorities to prioritize deportation activities in Democratic-run cities, including Los Angeles. The move followed a week of growing public demonstrations against his administration’s immigration policies. Critics have described the action as political retaliation and accused the administration of inflaming tensions for partisan gain.
Legal experts and immigrant rights advocates raised alarms about both the deployment of military personnel and the federal orders targeting specific cities. Many warned that these actions could violate constitutional protections and strain already tense relationships between communities and law enforcement.
Mayor Bass’s decision to rescind the curfew was seen as a strategic shift toward calming tensions while reaffirming her administration’s commitment to civil liberties. By isolating the blame to a small subset of individuals and publicly supporting peaceful protest, Bass positioned herself as both a guardian of public order and an advocate for community voices.
In the wake of the protests, Los Angeles finds itself at the center of a national debate over immigration, public protest, and federal authority. The city’s experience serves as a case study in how local governments navigate unrest triggered by sweeping federal policy changes. For now, the curfew’s end represents a return to normalcy, but also underscores the deep divides and passionate activism shaping the national conversation under President Trump’s second term in office.
Mayor Bass Lifts Mayor Bass Lifts
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