Protests continued into the night in downtown LA during 'A Day Without Immigrants'
LOS ANGELES - Demonstrators opposed to President Donald Trump's immigration policies gathered at City Hall Monday and marched through downtown Los Angeles. The gathering comes one day after hundreds of protesters rallied and marched downtown, eventually blocking the 101 Freeway and causing major traffic delays.
A similar protest was also held outside the federal courthouse in Santa Ana.
Follow FOX 11's blog with the latest updates provided on the LA immigration protests:
Demonstrators detained
10 p.m.: Several people were detained in downtown Los Angeles. FOX 11's crew members were told that those detained for nonviolent reasons were cited and let go shortly after getting handcuffed.
9 p.m.: Law enforcement officials have not given an estimate on the number of arrests from the protests in downtown LA.
Crowd disperses
6:30 p.m.: Several large crowds have started to disperse and move away from areas where LAPD issued dispersal orders.
Vehicle makes donuts
6:06 p.m.: Images from SkyFOX show a car doing multiple donuts in the middle of the intersection at Cesar E Chavez Ave. and N. Alameda St. as protesters stand nearby, many filming the car. A dispersal order has been issued for that area.
Protest grows
5:50 p.m.: FOX 11's Cristy Fajardo spent the entire day at the protest in downtown LA and said it was peaceful all day, with several kids, families, and elderly people attending in the morning and afternoon. However, as night hit, the crowd shifted to a younger demographic.
Several protesters said they blamed police for starting the violence.
Cop yanks Mexican flag out of protester's hand
Tensions are rising in the evening leg of the anti-ICE demonstrations are some of the police officers in tactical gear have begun clashing with the protesters. The demonstrations come after President Donald Trump ordered ICE raids and mass deportations.
Unlawful assembly
5:30 p.m.: The LAPD issued a dispersal order around 5:20 p.m. declaring an unlawful assembly in downtown LA near E. Aliso St near the 101 Freeway.
Police say those who do not leave the area are subject to arrest.
Rush hour traffic
5:24 p.m.: Traffic delays are expected throughout the evening rush hour on Spring, Main, and Los Angeles streets between Arcadia and Aliso streets as demonstrators continue to stand over the 101 Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
More protests expected
3:45 p.m.: Protests are expected to be held in several cities as part of a coordinated series of actions dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants."
Peaceful so far
12:30 p.m.: Protesters turned onto Grand and marched near the 101 Freeway near Hill and Central, approaching City Hall. The protesters are being followed by several vehicles flying the Mexican flag behind them.
Demonstrators reach Cesar Chavez
12:25 p.m.: Protesters have made their way to Cesar Chavez, turning on Grand, according to police. A patrol vehicle was seen blocking a nearby exit to the freeway.
DTLA protest grows
12:06 p.m.: Authorities now estimate there are around 500 people marching northbound on Figueroa near 3rd Street. Another crowd is also assembling on the steps of City Hall.
Santa Ana protest
12:00 p.m.: In Santa Ana, about 150 people gathered at Fifth and Ross streets to protest Trump's immigration policies and vow to carry out mass deportations.
The protesters held up signs saying, "Mexicans Aren't Going Anywhere," and "Don't Bite the Hands that Feed You," with motorists honking in support.
Organizers Tonali Un and Carla Valencia said they were social justice activists who hope to make the demonstrations a regular thing. They chose the location for the protest because it was near the federal buildings for courts and immigration services.
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"I think people are finally opening their eyes," Un said.
"A lot of people I talk to now regret" voting for Trump, she said. "People are finally realizing they have to do their research."
Un said many of the Latino Trump supporters she has spoken to did not believe he would crack down on immigration or follow through of many of his policies.
Traffic advisory issued
11:50 a.m.: The demonstration is now northbound on Figueroa from Olympic Boulevard. "Expect long delays in the area," police said.
Street closures
11:38 a.m.: Protesters are blocking the intersection of Olympic and Figueroa, causing traffic delays in the area.
According to the LAPD, Figueroa at 11th Street is blocked. Drivers are advised to use Grand Ave or Flower.
Day 2 of immigration protests
11:22 a.m.: Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles Monday, continuing protests for a second day against Trump's illegal immigration policies.
Around 11 a.m., protesters were marching along West 1st and North Spring streets. They moved on to Figueroa and Olympic, where some protesters were seen jumping on top of cars.
This comes the same day as a nationwide movement called "A Day Without Immigrants," which encourages businesses to close and consumers not to shop in protest of Trump's immigration crackdown.
The movement has been spreading on social media over the past several days. And now, many businesses nationwide are participating in solidarity with immigrant communities.
Immigration crackdown
ICE agents began targeting major sanctuary cities immediately after Trump's inauguration, 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.
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.
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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.
The crackdown has impacted local businesses, with many saying the ICE raids are scaring away customers.
The Source: Information for this story is from previous FOX 11 reports. City News Service contributed.