(The Center Square) – Tuesday afternoon was hot, but tempers were cool as crowds protested peacefully and waved Mexican and American flags on the fifth day of demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles against immigration arrests.
The largest demonstration was near the federal buildings south of Highway 101, a major freeway in the area. After the crowd grew, police issued a dispersal order, then made some arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department issued a traffic advisory on social media to avoid the area of Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple streets, and police cars were parked in front of closed, on- and off-ramps for the 101 freeway. By mid-afternoon, the large crowd had dispersed.
Buildings on many streets were covered with profane graffiti expressing anger at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Donald Trump. But there were also occasional signs, such as one in a restaurant window, that didn’t use profanity and simply expressed support for immigrants.
The city of Los Angeles Tuesday announced a curfew for the downtown area, running from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Violence and looting has happened largely at night.
During the afternoon, a large number of police stood along the streets and drove their patrol cars around the area. Every so often, motorists honked in support of protesters, who stuck to sidewalks and steps leading to government buildings.
A small group of protesters stood in front of a federal building on Los Angeles Street. One woman walked up and down the sidewalk with an upside-down American flag. One man angrily yelled at a dozen or so California National Guard members standing in along the front entrance of the building, which was closed. The National Guard stood silently and didn’t react.
Christina Ramos, who lives in Upland in San Bernardino County, wore a Mexican flag like a superhero cape and raised her voice so the National Guard, who stood several rows of steps above the sidewalk, could hear her.
“I was telling them they should be embarrassed,” Ramos, 34, told The Center Square afterward. “Most of them are minorities. I looked at them and asked, ‘Would your ancestors be proud of what you’re doing?’”
The gym owner said the parents of first-generation Americans born in the U.S., such as she, made sacrifices so their children could grow up in the U.S. and have a better life.
Ramos, who grew up in Los Angeles, said her parents immigrated to the U.S., followed the rules and became American citizens. She said immigrants today are being denied due process and aren’t being given the chance to follow the rules.
A half or so mile away, a fairly large group of protesters sat on the lower dozen rows of steps in front of the Los Angeles City Hall with signs with slogans such as “The only dangerous convicted felon around here is the president.” Barricades were placed half way up the long flight of steps, and a row of law enforcement stood at the top.
Sitting near the sidewalk with a sign saying “First their rights; then yours” were first-generation Americans Carlos Bonachea and Jessica Pereda, who live in Los Angeles.
“The lack of due process, the way ICE has been going about their business is totally appalling and against American values,” Bonachea, 31, told The Center Square. “It’s important to show we’re not aboard [with it].”
Bonachea, who works in visual media content, said he and Pereda, whom he described as his partner, were there to show support for their immigrant friends who can’t speak because of fear they’ll be deported.
“We love our country. Our families love this country,” said Pereda, 31, who works in communications. “My mother is from Guatemala, and my dad is from Cuba. We’re very well aware of what dictatorships can do. I still have family in Cuba who are under repressed rule.”
Pereda and Bonachea stressed the importance of peaceful protests.
“There will be a subset of people who choose violence. That’s totally reprehensible and shouldn’t be condoned,” Pereda said.
But a total suppression of First Amendment rights isn’t the answer, she said. She added that Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard “adds fuel to the fire.”
Bonachea noted he and Pereda chose to protest at Los Angeles City Hall because they felt it would be one of the safer places downtown.
Sitting near them was Katherine Cheng, 37, a Los Angeles resident who works in sales. She was there with a friend.
Cheng said one of her friends has a family member who was detained when ICE raided his workplace. “Thankfully, they got access to a lawyer, who’s helping them out.”
Cheng said she came to the protest to show her support for immigrants, but conceded protests might not change minds.
“Sometimes it feels like we’re talking to a wall because people believe what they want to believe,” Cheng said.
