Los Angeles Under Curfew as Protests Over ICE Raids Escalate; National Guard Deployed

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff   

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, Trevor Hughes, Christopher Cann, Michael Loria

Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew on parts of downtown Los Angeles Tuesday night following days of volatile protests against federal immigration raids, which have led to vandalism, looting, and the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops.  

The curfew, effective from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, covers a one-square-mile area where demonstrations have repeatedly turned destructive. Bass said the measure aimed to curb "bad actors" exploiting the unrest, warning that violators would be arrested and prosecuted.  

Federal Troops and Rising Tensions

The protests, sparked by aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, have escalated into a standoff between California leaders and the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, claiming local authorities failed to maintain order.  

California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the move as an unconstitutional overreach, filing a lawsuit to block the deployment. "This is a brazen abuse of power," Newsom said, accusing Trump of inflaming tensions for political gain. A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for Thursday.  

Violence and Arrests  

Los Angeles police reported over 150 arrests since Friday, including 113 on Monday night alone. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement have resulted in injuries to officers, vandalized businesses, and extensive graffiti. While most demonstrations have been peaceful, isolated incidents of looting and arson including the burning of self-driving cars have drawn national attention.  

Journalists covering the protests have also faced aggression, with multiple reporters injured by rubber bullets and tear gas. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the targeting of media, calling it an attack on press freedom.  

Political Backlash

Trump defended the troop deployment, claiming it prevented Los Angeles from "burning." At a White House event, he suggested he might invoke the Insurrection Act to expand military authority, calling the protests an "insurrection."  

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sparked controversy by saying Newsom should be "tarred and feathered" for resisting federal enforcement a remark the governor dismissed as "18th-century rhetoric."  

Community Impact 

Immigrant communities remain on edge, with day laborers reporting fear of raids. Jose Luis Valencia, an undocumented worker, told USA TODAY he continues seeking jobs despite the risk: "We need to survive."  

Cleanup crews are working to remove protest-related graffiti, while businesses board up windows. Mayor Bass called the city a "test case" for federal overreach, warning that Trump’s actions could set a dangerous precedent.  

What’s Next?  

With another night of protests expected, officials are weighing whether to extend the curfew. Legal battles over the military deployment continue, as civil rights groups decry the administration’s heavy-handed response.  

As Los Angeles braces for more unrest, the clashes highlight deepening divisions over immigration, federal power, and the right to protest.