In a bid to quell the escalating violence and vandalism in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has announced a nighttime curfew for certain areas of the city. The measure, effective from 8pm to 6am local time, will be in place for several days, the mayor said, in an effort to curb the unrest that has plagued the city for four nights.
The decision was made after Bass hinted earlier that she would consider imposing a curfew if the violence continued, with the aim of preventing further destruction and looting. The curfew will not apply to residents, the homeless, journalists and emergency and security personnel, the mayor emphasized.
The protests, sparked by the US government’s immigration policies, have seen a surge in arrests, with 27 on Saturday, 40 on Sunday and 114 on Monday. Despite repeated appeals from Bass and other officials to remain peaceful, the situation has continued to deteriorate, with frequent reports of property damage and traffic disruptions. The deployment of the National Guard by US President Donald Trump has only added to the tension.