Police make arrests on first night of curfew in downtown LA as protests continue

The ICE raids are stoking a great deal of fear and anxiety in Santee Alley, the open-air shopping mart in downtown Los Angeles' Fashion District.

That's where much of the work is done by migrant laborers - documented or otherwise.

One man who works in the area told Eyewitness News many of his co-workers are not showing up for work out of fear of being arrested.

The ICE raids are stoking a great deal of fear and anxiety in Santee Alley, where much of the work is done by migrant laborers.

"I can't seem to figure out what's going on with a lot of my sewers, so my business is actually being affected by this situation... like real-time, right now," said Jared Lamar. "Everybody is enraged at this point and (that's) because people are being taken out of their homes. What are they supposed to do?"

Amidst all that turmoil, shoppers are also staying away.

Santee Alley is usually bustling, even on a week day. It was virtually empty on Tuesday.

About 20 people were arrested overnight for violating a mandatory curfew that was implemented for a portion of downtown Los Angeles following days of anti-ICE protests.

The curfew went into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday and was set to be lifted at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

A crowd still gathered Tuesday night, but most protesters dispersed about two hours after the curfew went into effect.

About 20 people were arrested overnight for violating a mandatory curfew that was implemented for a portion of downtown Los Angeles following days of anti-ICE protests.

City leaders said it was put into into place in an effort to curb the looting and vandalism.

"Clearly after the violence that took place last night, 3 businesses looted, and just the extensive, widespread nature of the vandalism, we reached a tipping point and declared a state of emergency and called for the curfew," Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday.

The curfew does not apply to those who live or work in the area.

It's unclear if another curfew will be implemented Wednesday night.

Protests continued Tuesday night in Santa Ana as dozens took to Bristol Street near McFadden Avenue. Demonstrators demanded an end to the immigration enforcement throughout the area.

Tensions reached a boiling point Monday evening as a crowd started throwing objects at officers. Federal agents used less-lethal rounds and tear gas to push back the crowd and make arrests.

Demonstrators in Santa Ana demanded an end to the immigration enforcement throughout the area.

Two hours into the curfew that was set in place for some parts of downtown Los Angeles, the crowd seemed to disperse, but some remaining protesters were seen getting arrested.

Hundred of Los Angeles Police Department officers were on hand along with other law enforcement agencies to enforce the curfew and make arrests.

Mass arrests were initiated as multiple groups continued to gather on 1st Street between Spring and Alameda, according to the LAPD.

Several people were taken into custody in an area of downtown Los Angeles where protests continued amid an overnight curfew.

There is an exemption for those who live or work in the area. Those who have no reason to be there are subject to arrest and prosecution.

A skirmish line of police officers slowly pushed the remaining stragglers south and out of the curfew zone.

There has been no signs of fires, fireworks or looting. If that holds, then the curfew would appear to be working.

Video from AIR7 shows officers on horseback moving people along.

There were a few people who didn't want to comply with the curfew and decided they would voluntarily get arrested instead. They seemed to do so peacefully.

The crowd seemed to disperse two hours into the curfew that was set in place for some parts of downtown Los Angeles, but some protesters were arrested