Protestors gathered near Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles at 9 a.m. on Sunday to protest President Donald Trump’s first-month flurry of contentious immigration policies.
Around noon, thousands of Angelenos flying Mexican, Salvadoran and Guatemalan flags made their way onto the 101 freeway at North Alameda Street. Chants of “Sí se puede” and “Viva la raza” were met with approval from honking cars, vuvuzelas and other noisemakers.
The protest comes after increased arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants living in Los Angeles and other major American cities. ICE has made at least 8,276 arrests since Jan. 23, according to figures posted to the agency’s official X account. In the past week, Trump has directed immigrants to be detained at Guantanamo Bay and revoked Temporary Protection Status for 300,000 Venezuelans, according to a New York Times report.
Anela Miranda, 16, swathed in a half American, half Mexican flag, said a family member was deported to Guanajuato, Mexico the week after Trump became president.
“It’s been really hard but we’re pushing through,” Miranda said. “That’s why I’m out here fighting for them.”
Madeline Luna, a 32-year-old customer service representative for a local medical group, said her parents immigrated from El Salvador 40 years ago and worked as tailors, her father for Warner Bros. Luna rejected the stereotype that undocumented immigrants are violent criminals and described her parents’ dedication to succeed and raise a family in America.
“As young as I could remember, he would wake up at three, four o’clock in the morning and get ready for work,” Luna said. “Mom wouldn’t come home until later, because she’s trying to provide as well.”
Hazael Perez Calleros, 25, shared a similar message about his parents — operations and mechanics workers — who immigrated from Mexico in 2007.
“My parents pay taxes, they do everything, they’re responsible citizens, and they contribute to this nation every day.”
Calleros said he never felt unwelcomed in the United States until Trump’s first presidential term, claiming his rise to power “emboldened hateful groups to target people that look like me.”
He said he feels obligated to protest for those who might be living in fear, echoing a common message on signs at the event: “We speak for those who can’t.”
“We have to show our people that they’re not alone,” Luna said. “You’ve got to put your foot down and show up for each other.”
Other popular signs included “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you” and “No one is illegal on stolen land.”
At 1:20 p.m., another wave of protestors heralded by Mexican flags marched up North Spring Street to join the main crowd. A man with a megaphone uttered chants of “F— Trump” and “F— ICE.” The mood alternated between solemn and festive, with many protestors dancing to Mariachi music in the streets and enjoying bacon-wrapped hot dogs and freshly-squeezed orange juice from street vendors.
The threat of deportation looms large in Los Angeles County, home to over 800,000 undocumented immigrants according to a 2023 USC Dornsife report. Trump signed an executive order his first day in office to deprive “sanctuary” cities of federal funding “to the maximum extent possible under law.”
Though it remains unclear which funds Trump plans to withhold, the ultimatum comes at a time when Los Angeles is in desperate need of federal aid to mitigate the damage of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed a combined 16,000 structures and killed 29 people.
Last December, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to pass a sanctuary city ordinance that prohibits city resources — such as the Los Angeles Police Department — from aiding federal immigration agencies.
After a standoff with LAPD officers, protestors exited the 101 freeway around 4:00 p.m., though tensions continued into the evening as officers in riot gear ordered remaining protestors to disperse.