Downtown Los Angeles descended into chaos as LAPD declared an unlawful assembly outside City Hall, sparking mass arrests and the imposition of an emergency curfew. The unrest was fueled by rising anger over intensified immigration raids and the controversial presence of federal troops in the city.
šØ Unlawful Assembly Declared Amid Clashes
On June 10, demonstrators flooded the area near City Hall to protest recent ICE raids and the federal government’s deployment of troops to assist immigration enforcement. What started as peaceful civil resistance quickly turned tense when some protesters blocked the 101 Freeway and defaced federal property.
In response, LAPD declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered immediate dispersal. When crowds refused to leave, officers began mass arrests, detaining more than 200 individuals. Protesters were charged with curfew violations, resisting dispersal, and in some cases, federal offenses involving incendiary devices.
š”ļø Military Deployment in the Spotlight
The protests come amid national backlash over the federal governmentās decision to send 2,100 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines into Los Angeles. The Marines, trained in crowd-control tactics, have been stationed near federal buildings to provide security for ICE and other federal operations.
While federal officials argue the move is necessary to maintain order, criticsāincluding California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bassāhave called it unconstitutional and politically motivated. Newsom is preparing to challenge the deployment in court.
š Emergency Curfew Shuts Down Downtown
Following the escalation, a mandatory curfew was imposed in a one-square-mile section of downtown Los Angeles, including City Hall, the U.S. Federal Building, and surrounding areas. The curfew runs from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with violators subject to arrest.
Police, aided by federal agents, used non-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets, tear gas, and bean bag rounds to control the crowd. Videos from the scene showed violent confrontations and chaos as officers in riot gear cleared the area.
š Protests Expand Nationwide
Los Angeles is now the epicenter of a growing national movement, with similar protests erupting in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin, and San Antonio. Demonstrators across the country are calling for an end to immigration raids and the demilitarization of domestic law enforcement.
āļø Legal and Political Ramifications
Governor Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that deploying military forces under Title 10 without state consent violates the Constitution. Mayor Bass echoed this stance, stating: āFederal forces have no legal standing here. Los Angeles will not tolerate political showmanship disguised as law enforcement.ā
Despite opposition, Homeland Security and Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the deployment, citing “credible threats” to federal property and personnel.
