Los Angeles mayor imposes curfew in parts of downtown to curb protest violence

The police cordon is widening around Los Angeles. Karen Bass, the city’s Democratic mayor, declared a curfew on Tuesday to curb the violence that has erupted around some of the protests against Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations.

Bass supported the measure after 23 businesses were vandalized on Monday, the fourth day of protests. The ban will be in effect from 8 p.m. Tuesday night to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“My message to you is, if you do not live or work in downtown L.A., avoid the area,” Bass said. “Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted.”

A patchwork of security forces can be seen within the perimeter that authorities have closed off to the public. A brief stroll down a handful of streets is enough to see the robust and diverse official presence.

They wear blue, black, khaki, or camouflage uniforms. Each represents a different organization.