Demonstrators march in downtown Los Angeles for the second day

Published On:
Demonstrators march in downtown Los Angeles for the second day

Protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continued for a second day on Monday, with demonstrators gathering in downtown Los Angeles. Despite orders from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to disperse, protesters remained defiant, rallying in large numbers and causing disruptions across the city.

Protest Details: Marches and Demonstrations Across LA

The protests began around 11 a.m. as demonstrators gathered on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall and marched through surrounding streets. This came just a day after similar protests spilled onto the 101 Freeway in downtown LA.

  • Key Locations Affected:
    • City Hall and the Civic Center area
    • Plaza of El Pueblo
    • Streets including Spring, Main, Arcadia, and Aliso
    • Near Crypto.com Arena, where streets were already closed for the Grammy Awards

The LAPD issued a traffic advisory early Monday, warning of delays around City Hall and nearby streets due to the protest. Additional demonstrations also took place in Santa Ana and North Hollywood as part of the nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” movement.

Escalation and Police Response

As the day progressed, the protests became more intense. By the evening:

  • The LAPD issued a dispersal order, warning protesters that failure to leave could result in arrests.
  • Some protesters defied the order, leading to tense moments with law enforcement.
  • Instances of vandalism were reported, including damage to city buses and buildings.
  • Some individuals were seen throwing rocks and bottles at police officers.
  • A driver performed “doughnuts” with a vehicle in the middle of a street, adding to the chaos.

Despite these incidents, large parts of the protest remained peaceful, with demonstrators waving Mexican flags, holding signs, and chanting slogans.

Unusual Moments During the Protest

Amid the serious demonstrations, there were also unusual scenes:

  • A person dressed in a chicken suit was spotted riding a motorbike and performing a wheelie.
  • Another individual climbed on top of a car at an intersection, waving a flag to the cheers of the crowd.

Sunday’s Demonstrations Set the Stage

The protests began on Sunday morning on Olvera Street as an unpermitted demonstration. Inspired by posts circulating on social media, many protesters showed up to voice opposition to deportations and Trump’s immigration policies.

At one point, protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, forcing law enforcement to issue a dispersal order around 6 p.m. to clear the area.

Traffic and Public Safety Impact

  • Major delays were reported in downtown LA due to the protests, compounded by street closures for the Grammy Awards near Crypto.com Arena.
  • Streets like West First Street and North Spring Street saw heavy pedestrian activity.
  • Law enforcement remained on high alert to manage crowds and prevent further disruptions.

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles reflect growing frustration over immigration policies and deportations. While most demonstrations were peaceful, clashes with police, instances of vandalism, and traffic disruptions highlighted the tension. As the “Day Without Immigrants” movement continues, more protests are expected in other cities, amplifying the national debate around immigration reform.

SOURCE

Tom Vander Woude

Tom Vander Woude ('20) is from Grand Rapids, MI, and was a sports contributor to the Wake Forest Review. He covered various athletic events and provided analysis on sports-related topics at Wake Forest University.

Leave a Comment