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.

Hundreds gathered near downtown Los Angeles on Sunday morning to protest President Donald Trump’s policies regarding immigration and deportations. (KTLA)

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.

Hundreds gathered near downtown Los Angeles on Sunday morning to protest President Donald Trump’s policies regarding …
Since his first day back in office, Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, giving the military a greater presence at the U.S.-Mexico border and the reduction of restrictions previously leveed against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In the opening days of his second administration, Trump’s White House has been boasting its immigration arrest numbers on social media, which near 1,000 instances daily.

Trump puts tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, spurring trade war as North American allies respond

Under Trump’s new orders, ICE is now allowed to target migrants at sensitive locations, like schools and churches, for arrests and potential deportations.

“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country,” a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reads. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

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.

Month: February 2025

Protest in Los Angeles

Massive protest against Trump deportations forms in downtown L.A. causing ‘major gridlock’

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