The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has declared a citywide ban on gatherings following a series of riots that erupted in the city, which is the second most populous in the United States.

The disturbances began on Friday, June 6, and have persisted with looting and violence despite multiple police orders and the intervention of the National Guard.

Authorities have indicated that provocateurs have spread throughout the city, intensifying the chaos.

In a statement released via social media, the LAPD urged residents, businesses, and visitors in downtown Los Angeles to remain vigilant and report any criminal activity.

The announcement came as officers took action across various locations to disperse crowds gathering in defiance of the ban on assemblies.

Reports indicate that a group of anti-ICE protesters was involved in the riots, with some demonstrators reportedly pouring fuel on a police vehicle's engine and attempting to ignite it, risking harm to those present.

The riots, which have affected areas including the L.A. Live entertainment complex, have resulted in damaged law enforcement vehicles as protesters clashed with police during demonstrations against federal immigration operations initiated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

The unrest appears to have been sparked by ICE conducting wide-scale operations targeting illegal immigrants for arrest, many of whom were already on law enforcement's radar for previous offenses.

The demonstrations have seen participants waving flags symbolizing support for immigration reform, including the Mexican flag, which has emerged prominently in the protests, alongside other South American flags.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently seeking a suspect linked to an attack on a federal officer and the vandalism of government property during the riots.

An official reported that a federal officer was injured when struck by stones thrown by protesters.

The FBI has stated that it will not require anyone's permission to enforce the law and has characterized the situation in Los Angeles as a siege.

The FBI Director remarked that attacks on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated, regardless of the protest context.

In response to the escalating violence, President Joe Biden has deployed additional National Guard troops to assist with maintaining order.

This move has been met with criticism from Democratic leaders, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who have described the federal response as an escalation rather than a solution to the unrest.

Videos from the scene have circulated widely, showing incendiary scenes including destroyed police vehicles amid widespread looting.

The Department of Homeland Security reports significant increases in migrant arrivals since President Biden took office, with the number rising to 8.1 million, not accounting for the estimated 1.7 to 2 million illegal entries during this period.

The situation remains fluid as tensions between law enforcement and demonstrators continue to escalate in Los Angeles.