More than 10,000 rally in LA over the weekend, chanting ‘ICE out’

More than 10,000 demonstrators gathered last weekend in downtown Los Angeles and parts of Orange County to condemn what they described as abuses of power by federal immigration authorities. The protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) unfolded in front of federal buildings and public spaces, drawing one of the largest immigration-related crowds in the region this year.

The demonstrations began as part of a coordinated national action held simultaneously in more than 250 major U.S. cities on the same day. In Los Angeles, the rally started at 1 p.m. in Grand Park, adjacent to Los Angeles City Hall, and continued for a second consecutive day. The protests were organized by the National Shutdown Campaign.

Arrests reported after dispersal orders

However, tensions escalated on the evening of the second day. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers arrested 51 people after protesters failed to comply with dispersal orders. In addition, police cited 47 adults and three juveniles for refusing to disperse and released them at the scene. Officers arrested one additional individual on suspicion of fleeing after disobeying police orders.

Police said officers formed crowd-control lines near entrances to federal buildings shortly before 9 p.m. When some protesters threw water bottles, rocks, and fireworks, police deployed tear gas. Federal agents also used pepper spray during the dispersal. Authorities issued dispersal orders covering parts of Commercial Street and Alameda Street, and traffic was temporarily restricted in the area.

Meanwhile, demonstrations took place across Southern California throughout the weekend. Protest sites included Grand Park, the downtown ICE detention center, Echo Park, Santa Monica’s Amazon Water Garden, Culver City, El Monte, Monrovia Library Park, Torrance, Burbank City Hall, Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard, Huntington Beach, Corona’s Rimpau Park, Santa Clarita, and Fontana.

ICE protest Los Angeles spreads across Southern California

Organizers said thousands attended the second day of the Grand Park rally alone. On the first day, roughly 10,000 people filled Grand Park and the area in front of City Hall. During a march toward a nearby federal detention facility, about 500 demonstrators clashed with federal agents. Police later reported eight additional arrests that night. One suspect faces allegations of assault with a deadly weapon against an officer, and two officers sustained minor injuries.

Protesters waved American flags and carried signs reading “Stop ICE terror,” “Human rights for all,” “ICE out of LA,” “ICE out of our communities,” and “Solidarity with Minnesota.” The marches proceeded peacefully for much of the daytime hours.

In addition, organizers promoted a campaign urging businesses and schools to halt operations in solidarity. ABC7 reported that several Southern California businesses temporarily closed over the weekend as part of a nationwide anti-ICE strike. Some parents also kept children home from school on the first day of protests to show support.

Separately, officials confirmed that a father from Ecuador and his 5-year-old child were both released earlier this month following a court order. The case involved immigration authorities allegedly having the child knock on doors during an attempt to apprehend the father.

Another nationwide demonstration, titled “No Kings,” targeting President Donald Trump, is scheduled for February 28.

BY HANKIL KANG  [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]