Anti-ICE protesters rally in downtown LA against Trump immigration crackdown

A large group of people protesting President Donald Trump's illegal immigration crackdown stormed the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, causing major delays for traffic in the area, according to police.

The protest began around 9 a.m. on the Placita Olvera on Olvera Street. Around half an hour later, the Los Angeles Police Department declared it a "non-permitted demonstration," and advised people to expect traffic delays.

Protestors block the Santa Ana Freeway during a demonstration in support of immigrants in Los Angeles, California, on February 2, 2025. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The crowd grew to a few thousand people who marched to City Hall, before many walked onto the freeway near the Alameda Street exit shortly after noon. Police reported at 1:19 p.m. that the demonstration had moved back onto surface streets, opening both north and southbound lanes of the freeway.

Several minutes later officials said the protesters had moved back onto the freeway.

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Shortly before 4 p.m., demonstrators had exited the freeway, according to the LAPD.

No arrests were reported as of 6 p.m.

Video posted later showed a few demonstrators spraying graffiti on the freeway walls and appearing to vandalize at least one car that was stopped in the middle of the crowd.

The protests halted DASH services on Route B, detouring buses from stops on Temple, Spring, Main, Alameda, Los Angeles and Ord streets. The nearest alternative stops were at the intersections of Broadway and Alpine Street, and Temple and Hill streets.

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Community support

Video from the scene showed many carrying U.S. or Mexico flags, or signs opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"No human is illegal on stolen land," one sign read. "Fight ignorance, not immigrants," another said.

"We are gonna stand up for our immigrant community as long as it takes and we're not going anywhere," Marissa Ruiz said. 

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"So many of us Americans are from immigrant roots, so we're here to stand up for them today and everyday, to show they're not alone. Our community is with you, and we'll keep showing up," she added.

"I wanted to be here because it's important for my community to support and I wanted my son to be here as well because we come from immigrant families, and we need to be here for each other," said Rocio Sarabia Cabrera.

"I want to not welcome ICE, to protect our community, and continue being a sanctuary state," she added.

Multiple street closures remain in effect, including Arcadia, Aliso, Main and Spring streets.

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Downtown Los Angeles was already experiencing traffic delays in the area around Crypto.com Arena, where some streets were closed for Sunday's Grammy Awards.

Immigration crackdown

ICE agents began targeting major sanctuary cities immediately after President Donald Trump's inauguration Monday, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta. The following day, Trump lifted longtime guidelines that restricted ICE from operating at "sensitive locations" such as schools, churches or hospitals.

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Last weekend, the DEA in LA said it's cooperating with federal law enforcement partners on immigration enforcement. Also, ICE officers from ERO Los Angeles posted several photos on social media showing the arrests made. ICE raids were also reported in Riverside, Pomona, and San Diego.

The decision has worried many migrants and advocates who fear children will be traumatized by seeing their parents arrested in the drop-off line at school or that migrants needing medical care won’t go to the hospital for fear of arrest.

Following the announcement, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest, began handing out "red cards" - also known as "Know Your Rights" cards - to students with information about people's rights if they were ever approached by an immigration officer.

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The Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) has since released a statement reaffiriming its stance on providing a safe environment for all students, regardless of background.

The Source: Information for this story is from the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and previous FOX 11 reports. City News Service contributed.


 

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