LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles Monday, continuing protests for a second day against President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration policies, as part of a coordinated series of actions dubbed a “Day Without Immigrants.”
Protests were expected to be held in a series of cities. Hundreds of people also gathered for a rally and march Monday morning near the federal courthouse in Santa Ana.
In Los Angeles, demonstrators initially assembled on the steps of City Hall, close to the Hollywood (101) Freeway.
Around 11 a.m., protesters began marching along West First and North Spring streets. The group eventually made its way to the area near Crypto.com Arena, where they gathered at an intersection, waving flags and chanting.
The protest appeared to be peaceful, with police allowing the group to move through city streets.
In Santa Ana, about 150 residents gathered at Fifth and Ross streets to protest Trump’s immigration policies and vow to carry out mass deportations.
The protesters held up signs saying, “Mexicans Aren’t Going Anywhere,” and “Don’t Bite the Hands that Feed You,” with motorists honking in support.
They were led in a chant, “It is right to rebel, Donald Trump go to hell.”
Organizers Tonali Un and Carla Valencia said they were social justice activists who hope to make the demonstrations a regular thing. They chose the location for the protest because it was near the federal buildings for courts and immigration services.
“I think people are finally opening their eyes,” Un said.
“A lot of people I talk to now regret” voting for Trump, she said. “People are finally realizing they have to do their research.”
Un said many of the Latino Trump supporters she has spoken to did not believe he would crack down on immigration or follow through of many of his policies.
There were also reports late Monday morning of another protest in North Hollywood.
On Sunday, protesters gathered on Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles in what police called a non-permitted demonstration. The crowd swelled to a few thousand as the group marched to City Hall, with many eventually making their way onto the 101 Freeway near the Alameda Street exit.
Thousands of protesters blocked traffic on the freeway and clashed with law enforcement before dispersing in the evening. Footage from the scene showed boisterous protesters walking on both sides of the freeway shortly after noon, many waving U.S. and Mexico flags and holding signs criticizing ICE.
The LAPD, which had earlier called the demonstration peaceful, reported that Spring Street, Main Street, Los Angeles Street, Arcadia Street and the Santa Monica (101) Freeway were experiencing major gridlock by Sunday afternoon.
Downtown Los Angeles was already experiencing traffic delays in the area around Crypto.com Arena, where a number of streets were closed for Sunday’s Grammy Awards.
Police briefly opened the freeway in both directions around midday, when the demonstration had moved back onto surface streets. However, protesters managed to get back on the freeway, leading to another shut down.
The California Highway Patrol stated, “Accessing state highways or roads to protest is unlawful and extremely dangerous because it puts protesters, motorists and first-responders at great risk of injury.”
The freeway was fully opened on Sunday night.
Video posted later showed a few demonstrators spraying graffiti on the freeway walls and appearing to vandalize at least one car that was stopped in the middle of the crowd.
Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has acted on his campaign promise to increase deportations, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducting raids in major cities.
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