Protestors returned to block the 101 Freeway as darkness fell in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Protesters waving Mexican flags gathered in a culturally diverse metropolis to demonstrate against Trump’s deportation efforts and plans to increase migrant arrests, creating scenes of chaos and defiance.
Just as earlier in the day, protestors set about disrupting traffic and managed to block the crucial freeway.
The protestors could be seen lining up across the width of the road as the headlights of frustrated motorists began to pile up behind them.
What began as a peaceful march near Placita Olvera, a historic hub of Latino culture, quickly grew into an unstoppable movement.
Earlier that day, downtown Los Angeles experienced gridlock as thousands of demonstrators filled the streets and even entered the freeway, demanding an end to President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.
‘The real criminal is in the White House!’ read one protester’s sign.
‘MAGA – Mexicans always get across,’ another stated while one boldly declared, ‘Jesus said ‘Love Thy Neighbor,’ not deport them.’
As the morning progressed, a large crowd congregated near City Hall, with their chants resonating through downtown, coinciding with the nearby Crypto Arena hosting the 67th Grammy Awards.
The protest intensified when a large group of marchers took over the 101 Freeway at the Alameda Street exit, grinding traffic to a halt and sending shockwaves through the city.
‘No human is illegal on stolen land,’ another sign read.
‘Fight ignorance, not immigrants.’
The LAPD scrambled to control the growing unrest by swiftly declaring the demonstration ‘non-permitted’ – but despite the large disruption, the protests remained largely peaceful.
Authorities shut down major roads, including Spring, Main, and Los Angeles streets, in an effort to contain the demonstrators at what is one of the largest anti-Trump demonstrations since his return to office.
The 101 Freeway was also briefly reopened, only to be shut down once again as waves of protesters refused to back down.
‘We are gonna stand up for our immigrant community as long as it takes and we’re not going anywhere,’ Marissa Ruiz said to Fox 11.
‘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.
Some passing motorists honked their horns in solidarity while protesters blasted a mix of traditional and contemporary Mexican music from a loudspeaker.
The demonstration was mostly peaceful, with some street vendors taking advantage to sell bacon-wrapped hot dogs, ice cream, churros, beer and even shots of tequila to the crowd.
‘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.
Tensions have been boiling since Trump’s return to office, with his administration touting a sharp increase in immigration arrests – nearly 1,000 daily.
New executive orders have expanded ICE’s authority, allowing agents to target migrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches, a move that has stoked fear and anger among immigrant communities.
‘This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens – including murderers and rapists – who have illegally come into our country,’ the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
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.
‘Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.’
For many in Los Angeles, a city with deep immigrant roots, the policies have sparked outrage and resistance.
Schools have begun distributing ‘Know Your Rights’ cards, educating students and families on legal protections if confronted by ICE.
The Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) has since released a statement reaffirming its stance on providing a safe environment for all students, regardless of background.
There are an estimated 11 million to 15 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including more than 2 million in California.
They include people who crossed the border illegally, people who overstayed their visas and people who have requested asylum.
