Protest Against ICE Blocks 101 Freeway in Los Angeles
Monday, Feb. 3, thousands of people contributed to the “Day Without Immigrants” movement. 250 businesses closed for the day in solidarity of the protest, or because of their lack of staff, and many children did not attend school. Teachers from many districts even reported that many classrooms were empty or nearly empty. A teacher at Parmelee Elementary School in LA County, mentioned that 390 students out of the 670 were absent Monday due to the protest.
Many marched around the Los Angeles 101 Freeway calling for an immigration reform and protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE. Since President Trump has signed off at least 10 immigration orders, there have been mass deportations, increased security at borders, and planned immigration raids at schools. Trump has also presented the idea that he would want to end birthright citizenship to children who were born from non-citizens. In protest of this, 700 hundred high school students from Marshall High School in LA marched around near Olvera street and made their way to City Hall where they held a rally and chanted.
Thousands of other LA community members managed to surround the 101 Freeway around 12:30 p.m, blocking traffic and other intersections. Protesters held homemade signs, Mexican flags, sat in lanes and chanted along the freeway. It took the LA Police Department (LAPD) five hours to clear the 101 before it finally reopened around 8 p.m. Even though protesters tried to get back on the freeway that evening, LAPD managed to keep them off.
This did not stop protesters. Many continued to protest all throughout the night. Protesters wanted to prove that immigrants are not a threat to the U.S., and the majority of protesters’ demonstrations were peaceful. Unfortunately, as LA officers tried to disperse crowds and protests throughout the night, some San Bernardino officers were hit with bottles and rocks by some of the protesters unwilling to leave the cites after repeatedly being asked. Some protesters were even detained due to being uncooperative.
More protests are expected to happen throughout the week and not only just in Southern California. Movements in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Houston, San Antonio and Montgomery have had protests as well. States all over the country plan to continue these protests against Trump's immigration policies and ICE.
Sources: ktla.com