More demonstrations are scheduled for this weekend in addition to the ones that started in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids, which caused President Trump to call up the National Guard and Marines.
In cities around the country, including Seattle, Austin, and Washington, D.C., protesters have blocked traffic on downtown arteries and outside federal offices while shouting anti-ICE slogans and carrying anti-ICE posters. Law enforcement agents have made arrests and employed chemical irritants to disperse crowds during some protests, while others have been violent.
In the days ahead, activists want to hold additional and bigger protests; on Saturday, in conjunction with Trump’s planned military procession through Washington, so-called “No Kings” activities will take place around the nation.
In spite of the demonstrations, the Trump administration has stated that raids and deportations will go as planned. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Tuesday that “ICE will continue to enforce the law” in a social media post.
A survey of the new demonstrations taking place throughout the nation:
Austin
On Monday night, hundreds of protesters gathered between the state Capitol and a federal facility housing an ICE office. Authorities utilized chemical irritants to disperse the throng, which resulted in injuries to four Austin police officers. The Capitol had been closed to the public an hour before to the protest by state authorities.
When protesters started attempting to spray paint the federal building, police in Austin and the state turned to tear gas and pepper spray balls, respectively. According to Lisa Davis, the chief of police in Austin, the protestors threw bottles, rocks, and other things toward a police roadblock. She stated that three policemen were hurt by rocks that were “very large,” and another officer was hurt while making an arrest.
Authorities in Austin and the state of Texas took many individuals into custody. According to Davis, her agency is ready for the downtown demonstration that is scheduled for this Saturday.
“Peaceful protest is totally supported,” Davis stated. It will not be accepted if the demonstration becomes aggressive and people start hurling bottles and rocks. We will make an arrest.
The city of Dallas
Hundreds of protesters gathered on a city bridge for hours on Monday night, but Dallas police eventually deemed the gathering a “unlawful assembly” and issued an arrest warrant if anybody persisted in remaining.
“Lawful and peaceful assembly of individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights” will not be obstructed, according to an early social media statement by the Dallas police. Local media said that while police utilized pepper spray and smoke to clear the area, some in the crowd threw items, but authorities eventually moved in. A single individual was placed under arrest.
“Peaceful protesting is legal,” Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X. But you’ll be in trouble with the law if you cross that boundary.
Washington, DC
With drums in hand and placards reading “Free Them All; Abolish ICE” and “No to Deportations,” a group of around fifty protesters gathered outside the Seattle immigration court on Tuesday. Protesters started by peacefully gathering outside the building, but when police didn’t show up, they started blocking the entrances with scooters.
Mathieu Chabaud, a member of the University of Washington’s Students for a Democratic Society, stated that they were present to demonstrate their opposition to ICE in their town “and to stand in solidarity with the protesters in Los Angeles.”
Legal advocates, who often accompany immigrants to immigration court proceedings as observers and sources of support, were denied entry to the facility. The security personnel likewise ignored the reporters. The public is usually welcome to attend the proceedings.
Santa Ana, California
On Tuesday morning, armored trucks blocked the road leading into the Civic Center in Santa Ana, near Los Angeles. The center is home to federal immigration officials and a plethora of local and county departments.
Troops removed shattered glass and plastic bottles from the site of Monday’s demonstrations. Broken glass in shades of crimson, black, and purple strewn across the street. Angry anti-ICE chants and Trump’s name crossed out were sprayed onto nearby buildings and the pavement.
A worker covered graffiti on a wall with paint to make it disappear. No one was allowed to access the area unless they were employees, according to National Guard officials donning fatigues and armed with weapons.
New York City
Union leader David Huerta was detained Friday during immigration searches in Los Angeles, and on Monday, hundreds of protesters converged in Boston’s City Hall Plaza to voice their disapproval.
“Massachusetts stands with our neighbors in Los Angeles” and “Protect our immigrant neighbors” were among the placards raised by protesters, who also chanted “Free David, free them all” and “Come for one, come for all.”
Released from federal jail later Monday on $50,000 bail, Huerta is the president of the Service Employees International Union California.
According to Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, “A billionaire does stand between an American worker and a good job; an immigrant doesn’t.”
Metro Area: D.C.
Protesting the raids and calling for Huerta’s release, a number of unions converged on Washington on Monday and marched by the Department of Justice headquarters.
The Washington state Democrat Pramila Jayapal was one of the protesters.
For Jayapal, “enough is enough” with the ICE raids that are capturing innocent individuals. “Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used against people who are peacefully using their voices to speak out against this injustice, as we observe them exercising their constitutional rights.”
