In Los Angeles (LA), protests against the Donald Trump administration's crackdowns on illegal immigrants are showing signs of subsiding amid the summer heat. As the protests have somewhat diminished, the LA city authorities decided to shorten the nighttime curfew by two hours.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced in a statement on the 16th (local time) that there were '0 arrests' at the downtown protest the previous day, which marked the first time since the protests against immigration crackdowns began on the 6th. However, the LAPD explained that the state of emergency declared across the city remains in effect.
The protests began on the 6th when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a large-scale crackdown on illegal immigrant workers in clothing wholesale markets in downtown LA. Subsequent events included protests in front of federal detention centers, physical clashes with police, vehicle arson, and looting.
The Trump administration designated the protest as a 'riot' and ordered the deployment of 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to LA. In response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a nighttime curfew on the 10th, and with heightened police control, tensions have somewhat eased.
Subsequently, the protests entered a phase of relative calm. On the 14th, about 30,000 people gathered in front of LA City Hall as part of the nationwide 'No Kings' protest, but it proceeded mostly as a peaceful march. However, 35 people were arrested for violating the curfew, and 3 others were apprehended on charges of defying police orders.
President Trump directed a halt to the crackdown on immigrants in certain sectors such as farms and restaurants on the 13th, but on the 14th, he emphasized through Truth Social to expand crackdowns and deportations of illegal immigrants in LA, Chicago, and New York, causing confusion among the protesters.
The decrease in protest size appears to have been influenced by the weather. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the high temperature in downtown LA reached 31 degrees Celsius, with a perceived temperature of 32 degrees on the 15th. As temperatures rose, authorities issued a heat advisory, and reports from AFP indicated that the protest crowds in the city were small on that day.
Mayor Bass announced that the start time of the curfew would be moved from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., delaying it by two hours. The curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.
Mayor Bass stated, 'Thanks to this curfew and crime prevention efforts, shops, restaurants, and residences are being protected from external threats,' adding, 'the mayor's office will continue to support residents and merchants.'
City Council member Isabel Huerta also assessed that 'supporting the immigrant community and peaceful protesters, the adjustment of curfew hours is a signal of positive change.'