Protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles on Monday, marking the third week of demonstrations against U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration. The large-scale protests, which began on February 2, have included marches, freeway blockades, and student walkouts, with tensions escalating over recent weeks.
Thousands Rally Against ICE Raids and Immigration Crackdowns
Monday’s Protest Highlights:
- A large group of demonstrators gathered on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall.
- Protesters carried signs condemning ICE raids and advocating for immigrant rights.
- The demonstration follows weeks of growing unrest over executive orders affecting border enforcement and birthright citizenship.
How the Protests Started: February 2 Demonstration Shuts Down Freeway
The protests began on February 2, when thousands of people marched through downtown LA and shut down the 101 Freeway for several hours.
Key Incidents Since the Protests Began:
- Feb. 2: Two arrests were made—one for felony vandalism of an MTA bus, and another for assault with a deadly weapon after objects were thrown at officers.
- Feb. 3: A man was charged with felony vandalism for throwing books onto freeway traffic and damaging a freeway sign.
- Feb. 7: A 17-year-old protester was stabbed at City Hall, and a 14-year-old suspect was arrested and booked for attempted murder.
Some protests have included high school students walking out of their campuses to join demonstrations.
What’s Driving the Protests?
The demonstrations were sparked by President Trump’s executive orders, which include:
- Increased border enforcement by allowing the military to assist ICE.
- Attempting to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizens in the U.S.
- Proposed mass deportations carried out by ICE agents.
Activists argue that these policies violate human rights and disproportionately target immigrant communities.
