Los Angeles police say they have made "mass arrests" after a fifth day of protests over US President Donald Trump's immigration raids. Mayor Karen Bass declared an overnight curfew within a relatively small area of the city's downtown district, saying businesses were being vandalised and looted. Elsewhere, the immigration raids that triggered the protests last Friday have continued, with deployed National Guard troops now protecting border control agents on enforcement operations. Trump's row with state officials ramped up after he deployed troops to LA. The president has now vowed to "liberate" the city, but has been accused by California Governor Gavin Newsom of an "assault" on democracy. On Tuesday, Trump defended his decision to send 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, saying it was to prevent the city being "conquered by a foreign enemy". These troops lack the authority to make arrests, and have instead been tasked only with protecting federal property and personnel. Newsom hit back at the president: "He again chose escalation; he chose more force." The California governor, who is seen as a potential presidential contender for the Democratic Party, warned that "other states are next". After the LA curfew entered force at 20:00 local time on Tuesday (03:00 GMT on Wednesday), police moved through downtown areas, firing rubber bullets to try to disperse crowds. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) later said "multiple groups" were still congregating in the district. Officers did not confirm in their evening update how many people had been detained. The mayor earlier said nearly 200 people had so far been arrested on Tuesday, in addition to the dozens of others in previous days. Explaining the curfew, Bass said she wanted "to stop the vandalism, to stop the looting". She added: "We reached a tipping point." The order affects an area of about one square mile in America's second-largest city. Chaotic protests also sprung up on Tuesday in several other US cities: LA's mayor said 23 businesses had been looted on Monday night, though she did not provide an estimate of financial losses to the city from the at-times violent disorder. Elsewhere in the sprawling city, it was a normal Tuesday, as tens of thousands of children went to school, commuter traffic choked the streets and tourists strolled Hollywood Boulevard. LA police chief Jim McDonnell said the curfew was "not about silencing voices", but was a necessary measure to save lives and safeguard property. Bass also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had provoked the unrest by conducting raids on Latino areas in the city in recent days. "If [the raids are] going to go on for 30 days, and that's what the rumour is, and, if we want to see our city peaceful again, I will call upon the administration one more time to end the raids," she said. On Tuesday, National Guard troops, who were previously guarding federal buildings, began assisting ICE agents with their "daily enforcement operations", a spokesperson for the border agency told the BBC. Marines were guarding federal officials and property on Tuesday, Marines Corps General Eric Smith said. They do not have arrest authority. The military deployment to the LA area will cost $134m (£99m), the Pentagon said. Addressing troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump described the protests as a "full-blown assault on peace and public order". The Republican president said he plans to use "every asset at our disposal to quell the violence". Meanwhile, Trump's political row with state officials has intensified. The president has described the protesters as "animals" and vowed that "this anarchy will not stand". During a speech at the Fort Bragg military base, he urged troops to boo the names of Newsom and Joe Biden, his presidential predecessor. In televised remarks of his own on Tuesday night, California's Governor Gavin Newsom again criticised the president's rare deployment of the American military without a request from state officials. He accused Trump of a "brazen abuse of power". "California may be first – but it clearly won't end here," he said. "Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault right before our eyes." Earlier in the day a federal court denied an emergency request from California to block the use of troops sent to Los Angeles. District Judge Charles Breyer scheduled a hearing on the motion for Thursday. Trump has set a goal for border agents of at least 3,000 daily arrests as he seeks to ramp up mass deportations, a signature pledge of his re-election campaign. Since assuming office, the president has drastically reduced illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border to historically low levels. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in early June, before the protests kicked off, found 54% of Americans saying they approved of Trump's deportation policy, and 50% approved of how he was handling immigration. That compares with smaller numbers of 42% who gave approval to his economic policy and 39% for his policy on tackling inflation.
LA police enforce curfew as Trump vows to 'liberate' city
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Los Angeles Police Implement Curfew Amid Ongoing Protests Over Immigration Raids"
Bbc News
6.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Los Angeles has seen heightened tensions as police enforce a curfew following days of protests against President Donald Trump's immigration raids. Mayor Karen Bass imposed an overnight curfew in a specific area of downtown LA, citing widespread vandalism and looting as justifications for this action. The protests, which erupted in response to immigration enforcement operations that began last Friday, have led to mass arrests, with nearly 200 individuals detained on Tuesday alone. The National Guard has been deployed to assist in protecting federal property, although they do not have the authority to make arrests. The situation has exacerbated tensions between state officials and the federal government, with Trump declaring his intention to 'liberate' the city while California Governor Gavin Newsom accused him of an 'assault' on democracy. Newsom has also warned that the situation could escalate to other states, indicating a broader concern regarding federal overreach in local matters.
In the wake of the curfew, police have employed rubber bullets to disperse crowds, and the LAPD confirmed that multiple groups continued to gather despite the restrictions. Mayor Bass has expressed that the curfew was necessary to restore order, stating that they had reached a 'tipping point.' The ongoing immigration raids have been criticized for targeting Latino neighborhoods, with Bass calling for an end to these operations to help restore peace in the city. President Trump, meanwhile, has defended his actions, framing the protests as a threat to public order and pledging to use all available resources to quell the unrest. This situation is further complicated by a recent federal court ruling that denied California's request to block the military deployment, raising questions about the balance of power between state and federal authorities. As the protests continue, public sentiment appears divided, with polls indicating a notable level of support for Trump's immigration policies, even amidst the unrest.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a tense situation in Los Angeles amid ongoing protests against President Trump's immigration policies. It describes the enforcement of a curfew by the police, the involvement of National Guard troops, and the escalating conflict between state officials and the federal government. Through the lens of these events, various underlying motivations and implications become apparent.
Motivation Behind the Article
The reporting aims to inform readers about the civil unrest and governmental responses in Los Angeles, emphasizing the conflict between state and federal authorities. By framing the narrative with terms like "mass arrests" and "vandalism," the article seeks to instill a sense of urgency and concern regarding public safety and order. This framing aligns with the intention of portraying the protests as a significant societal issue, thereby attracting reader attention to the complexities of immigration policy and state governance.
Public Perception and Sentiment
The article likely aims to shape public perception by presenting the protests as chaotic and necessitating governmental intervention. By showcasing the curfew and police action, it may lead the audience to view the situation as one that requires strong measures for the sake of public safety, potentially swaying sympathies toward law enforcement and away from protestors.
Information Omission
While the article provides a detailed account of the protests and governmental responses, it may downplay the reasons behind the protests or the voices of the demonstrators. This selective focus could obscure a broader understanding of the issues at play, such as the personal experiences of immigrants affected by the raids.
Truthfulness of the Article
The article appears to present factual information based on current events. However, the emphasis on certain aspects, such as the number of arrests and police actions, could lead to an incomplete picture. The truthfulness may be overshadowed by the potential bias in the portrayal of the events.
Societal Implications
The developments in Los Angeles could have far-reaching consequences for public sentiment toward immigration policy, law enforcement, and governmental authority. The unfolding situation may catalyze further protests, increase polarization among communities, and influence political discourse as the country approaches future elections.
Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with audiences concerned about law and order, particularly those who may support a strong governmental response to civil unrest. Conversely, it may alienate communities advocating for immigrant rights and social justice, potentially deepening divides.
Market Impact
The news about unrest and government intervention could influence market sentiment, particularly in sectors related to law enforcement, security, and businesses affected by protests. Stocks of companies involved in security services or those with a significant presence in urban areas might experience fluctuations based on public perception and safety concerns.
Global Context
The situation in Los Angeles reflects broader themes of governance, civil rights, and public dissent that resonate in various global contexts. As discussions around immigration continue worldwide, this incident could inform international perspectives on how governments respond to civil unrest.
Potential Use of AI in Writing
It is conceivable that AI tools could have been utilized in drafting or editing this article, particularly in generating concise summaries or highlighting key points. AI might have influenced the tone or emphasis in the narrative, potentially directing reader focus toward particular elements of the story.
Manipulative Elements
There are elements of manipulation in the article, particularly in the language used to describe the events. Terms like "liberate" when referring to Trump's intentions may serve to frame the narrative in a way that aligns with certain political ideologies, while also potentially demonizing the protestors.
The overall reliability of the article is moderate. While it conveys factual events, the framing and selective focus may lead to biased interpretations. This could result in misinformed public perceptions and reactions, depending on how readers interpret the presented information.