Shafaq News/ SouthernCalifornia witnessed a wave of large-scale demonstrations over the weekend asthousands protested against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The rallies, heldacross multiple cities, called for immigration reform and an end to intensifieddeportation efforts, leading to significant traffic disruptions and increasedtensions with law enforcement.
In Downtown LosAngeles, a major protest began Monday morning at Olvera Street, withdemonstrators marching toward City Hall. The crowd, numbering in the thousands,later moved onto the 101 Freeway near the Alameda Street exit, temporarilyblocking traffic in both directions. Protesters carried American and Mexicanflags alongside signs bearing messages such as “Immigrants built this country”and “Americans are immigrants.”
The Los Angeles PoliceDepartment initially described the gathering as “peaceful” but later reported“major gridlock” in the downtown area, particularly along Spring, Main, and LosAngeles streets.
By 1:50 p.m.,authorities issued a public alert advising residents to avoid the 101 Freeway,citing safety risks. Protesters briefly returned to surface streets before someattempted to re-enter the freeway. Despite the disruption, no arrests werereported.
Similar protests tookplace erupted across the region. In Riverside, hundreds assembled near theGalleria at Tyler, where passing vehicles honked in support. Protesterschanted, “El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” (The people united will never bedefeated) while holding signs and waving Mexican flags.
In the San FernandoValley and Garden Grove, reports indicated that roughly 250 protesters gatheredin Pacoima, while approximately 200 more assembled in Garden Grove, someparticipating from vehicles and waving Mexican flags.
As the day unfolded,law enforcement focused on preventing further freeway blockages in Los Angeles,where traffic congestion worsened due to street closures around Crypto.comArena, the site of the Grammy Awards.
Protests Erupt in Times Square Against Immigration PoliciesDemonstrations are taking place in Times Square in response to President Trump's mass deportation policies. Protestors are voicing concerns over the impact of the administration's actions on immigrant communities. The… pic.twitter.com/rdmElSdkIY
— The Kind Joe (@TheKindJoe) February 2, 2025The protests come amidPresident Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to overhaul US immigrationpolicies. His administration has expanded detention facilities, increaseddeportations—including the use of military aircraft—and imposed tariffs onMexico and China to enforce immigration measures.
The recently signedLaken Riley Act grants federal authorities greater power to detain undocumentedimmigrants accused of crimes and enables states to sue the federal governmentover immigration policies.
Additionally, Trump’scrackdown has included high-profile ICE raids, some of which have drawncriticism for being publicized as "entertainment propaganda." On theinternational front, his administration brokered a deal with Venezuela torepatriate illegal migrants, including gang members, despite its refusal toofficially recognize Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Domestically, legalchallenges have arisen over the suspension of federally funded programsassisting immigrants in deportation proceedings, with activists warning thatthese cuts undermine due process.
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