Los Angeles mayor lifts curfew put in place over protests against Ice raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has officially lifted the curfew that was implemented in downtown Los Angeles in response to protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. The curfew, which was established on June 10, was a measure aimed at preventing crime and protecting local businesses and residents from vandalism during a period of heightened tensions. Mayor Bass noted that the curfew had been effective in achieving its goals, allowing for successful crime prevention and suppression efforts. Over the past week, the city had seen a reduction in violence and arrests during evening protests, prompting Bass to modify the curfew hours before its complete repeal. She remarked that the situation had improved significantly since the curfew's enactment, which was a direct response to a series of break-ins and thefts at 23 businesses attributed to agitators seeking to incite chaos amid the protests.

The lifting of the curfew comes on the heels of increased federal enforcement actions directed by President Trump, who ordered the deployment of approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to assist with immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. This escalation in federal presence follows widespread demonstrations against the administration's immigration policies, particularly in cities led by Democratic officials. In a recent directive, Trump instructed federal immigration authorities to prioritize deportations in Democratic-run cities, intensifying the already charged atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement. The curfew had only covered a small area of downtown Los Angeles, specifically a one-square-mile section where the protests were concentrated, highlighting the localized nature of the unrest. As the city moves forward without the curfew, officials and residents are hopeful for a return to normalcy as tensions surrounding immigration enforcement continue to evolve.