Update: LA mayor reduces curfew hours for downtown
Topline:
An overnight curfew for downtown L.A. was extended to Wednesday night, with officials citing heightened tensions between protesters and authorities that have resulted in violence and property damage.L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said it's likely curfews will continue nightly as protests against ICE enforcement go on.
Where? The curfew extends east to west from the 5 Freeway to the 110 Freeway; and from north to south from the 10 Freeway to where the 110 and 5 freeways merge.
Why now? Bass said she made the decision to impose a curfew after 23 businesses were looted Monday night and other properties were vandalized. "I think that if you drive through downtown L.A., the graffiti is everywhere and has caused significant damages to businesses and a number of properties," she said.
Who it applies to: Officials warned that if you don't live or work in the curfew zone, you face arrest and prosecution. Only narrow exceptions will apply to certain members of the media.
How big a deal is it? Bass stressed that the area under curfew is a small fraction of a city that's more than 500 square miles. She described it as 1 square mile — it appears to be slightly larger, but still a small fraction of the overall city.
What's next? Bass said today this that she believes its likely the overnight curfews will continue nightly.
Go deeper: Overnight curfew declared for downtown LA after ICE protests bring looting and vandalism