Los Angeles experienced a quieter night on Tuesday as a citywide curfew and calls for peaceful protests helped calm tensions following a week of intense demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in downtown Los Angeles, an area that includes City Hall and various federal buildings that had been focal points for protests resulting in numerous arrests and property damage.
As of 10 p.m., police reported at least 25 arrests for violating the curfew, a number that was likely to rise. The curfew aimed to restore order after days of unrest, with protesters expressing their anger over immigration raids targeting undocumented individuals.
Before the curfew took effect, Mayor Bass joined faith leaders in Grand Park to advocate for nonviolent resistance. Rabbi Sharon Brous delivered a passionate speech, comparing President Trump to the oppressive Pharaoh from biblical times, urging the crowd to resist without resorting to violence. The group then marched towards a federal building, passing through an area marked by broken glass and graffiti.
As the curfew approached, an LAPD helicopter declared the gathering an unlawful assembly just minutes after prayers and a moment of silence led by clergy. Law enforcement quickly set up a skirmish line at the intersection of Temple and Los Angeles streets, confronting about 150 protesters. Tensions escalated as officers summoned mounted units, which charged through the crowd, and fired less-lethal rounds at individuals who threw objects at them.
Despite the police presence, some protesters remained committed to their cause. Rev. Eddie Anderson reminded officers of a higher moral authority, asserting that "no human is illegal." However, as the clock struck 8 p.m., police intensified their efforts to disperse the crowd, declaring the assembly unlawful again around 8:40 p.m.
The situation remained fluid, with officers using helicopters to monitor the area and forcefully pushing protesters several blocks away. By the end of the night, the crowd had dwindled to just a few dozen.
This evening marked a significant shift from previous nights of unrest, as the combination of the curfew and calls for peaceful protest appeared to have a calming effect, at least temporarily. As the city braces for potential further demonstrations, community leaders continue to advocate for peaceful expressions of dissent in response to the ongoing immigration issues.