Los Angeles Imposes Downtown Curfew After Looting Amid Immigration Protests

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has imposed a curfew in a one-square-mile section of downtown following five days of protests against President Donald Trump's immigration raids, which escalated into violence and looting affecting dozens of businesses. The curfew, effective from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., aims to curb further unrest as police have arrested nearly 270 people since the protests began. The deployment of over 4,000 National Guard and US Marines, ordered by President Trump to support immigration enforcement, has intensified tensions, drawing criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the federal response a "brazen abuse of power" and warned that democracy is under assault. Newsom and the state have sued the Trump administration to block the federal troop deployment, while Trump defended his actions as necessary to uphold law and order. The protests, part of a broader national movement against the administration's immigration crackdown, have also spread to other major US cities. Despite the unrest being largely confined to a few downtown streets, city officials emphasize the curfew and increased law enforcement presence are essential to protect public safety and property.