Massive protest against Trump deportations forms in downtown L.A. causing ‘major gridlock’
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/massive-protest-against-trump-deportations-forms-near-downtown-l-a-lapd-calls-it-non-permitted/
A massive protest formed in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday in response to President Trump’s crackdown on immigration and emphasis on deportations.
The protest, which was organized and promoted on social media, originated on the Placita Olvera on Olvera Street near DTLA.
By 11:30 a.m., the protest had thousands of demonstrators and was growing in size, marching to City Hall in downtown.
At about noon, a large group of protesters walked onto the southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway, at the Alameda Street exit in DTLA. By 12:30 p.m., they were blocking both sides of the 101 in the same area.
The moving protest caused “major gridlock” on both sides of the 101, as well as Spring, Main and Los Angeles streets downtown, according to the LAPD.
Both sides of the 101 were reopened by 1:20 p.m. as the demonstrations moved back onto surface streets, the LAPD said, but the reopening didn’t last long. Minutes later, the LAPD said the 101 was closed once again, this time at Los Angeles Street.
By 4 p.m., LAPD said protestors had again moved off the freeway onto surface streets and were gathering on the steps of L.A. City Hall.
Many of the protesters were carrying signs, many of which were speaking out against Trump’s policies regarding immigration.
“The real criminal is in the White House,” one sign read. Another read “Jesus said ‘Love Thy Neighbor,’ not deport them.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has ordered multiple street closures in the area, including Spring Street between Temple and 1st Streets. In a post to X, the LAPD called the demonstration “non-permitted,” but also said the protests were peaceful so far.
Schools in the L.A. area have been handing out “Know Your Rights” cards, which let students know their legal protections if approached by an agent with ICE.
Will Conybeare, Sofia Pop Perez and KTLA photojournalist Phil Ige contributed to this report.
