Mass Arrests in Los Angeles: Night‑Time Curfew Amid Escalating Protests
Los Angeles is once again in the national spotlight as protests erupt over federal immigration raids, prompting the city to declare a local emergency and enforce a night-time curfew. The unrest—triggered by ICE actions targeting undocumented workers—quickly escalated into clashes with law enforcement, looting, and widespread disruption.
Mayor Karen Bass imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew across key areas of downtown LA beginning June 10. This was a direct response to the fifth straight night of protests, which saw demonstrators shutting down the I‑101 freeway and damage to over 20 businesses. Police, clad in riot gear, used rubber bullets and flash-bangs to disperse crowds, leading to more than 197 arrests by Tuesday night.
Perhaps more startling than the mass arrests is the scale of the federal response. Over 2,100 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines have been deployed in the city. It’s the largest military presence in LA since the 1992 riots. While officials claim the troops are there to protect federal facilities, civil rights advocates argue the move is an extreme overreach.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly criticized what he calls a “military dragnet,” and has initiated legal action to limit federal control in the state. The ACLU and other rights organizations have condemned the curfew and mass arrests, warning of escalating suppression of peaceful assembly.
Protests have spread beyond LA, reaching cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle, and Philadelphia. As the federal government considers invoking the Insurrection Act, tensions are rising nationwide over how immigration policy is enforced and how protest movements are being treated.
As LA grapples with its immediate crisis, residents are advised to stay informed and abide by curfew laws to avoid arrest. Journalists and essential workers are exempt with proper ID. Protest leaders urge non-violence and stress the importance of civil dialogue, even amid heavy-handed crackdowns.
The story is still unfolding, and all eyes remain on LA to see whether calm can be restored—or if this marks the beginning of broader national upheaval.
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