Karen Bass imposes curfew amid escalating immigration protests

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles stem from federal immigration raids that began on June 6, 2025, resulting in numerous arrests across various neighborhoods, including the Westlake District and South LA. As the unrest escalated, involving vandalism and looting, Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew for a one-square-mile area of downtown LA. This curfew, beginning on Tuesday night, was declared necessary after the LAPD reported multiple incidents of looting that affected several businesses, prompting concerns for public safety. The measures taken have seen significant police presence and collaboration with state National Guard to maintain order amid the widespread demonstrations. These protests have ignited tensions between state leaders, particularly California Governor Gavin Newsom, and the federal government, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s deployment of military forces in response to the riots, which has been labeled a violation of state sovereignty by state officials. Governor Newsom has challenged this deployment legally, seeking to limit federal military involvement in policing civilian unrest within the state. As protests continue, city officials remain vigilant and are prepared for ongoing civil disobedience and potential violence as the situation develops.