Raids in Los Angeles

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 161 after an operation in Los Angeles. This operation was targeting criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and immigration fugitives according to a brief given by ICE after the arrests. According to ICE, they were sent because there were targets, but during their operation, they continuously encountered additional suspects who were subsequently arrested. 

Public Protests

After ICE’s raid on June 6, the public was infuriated and began protesting these arrests, with Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, almost encouraging the protests and calling the ICE raids “chaotic federal sweeps” according to NBC. 56 people were arrested and protestors were told to leave while law enforcement shot “less lethal” rounds while the protests moved to the 101 Freeway. These protests turned unsafe for law enforcement and for the public. Law enforcement used flash bangs and tar gas on protesters. According to a protester, the protest was peaceful, but a few people attempted to escalate the situation, which is when police started taking initiative to end the protests. 

New Curfew

Following the protests, a curfew was set for Los Angeles citizens. This curfew is from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. This curfew was instated to limit protests in downtown L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stated that this curfew was vital due to the level of rioting taking place and the harm and damage that these protests were doing to the city, which included the looting of small businesses in the city. This curfew was lifted a week later once the protest died down.