On Independence Day, hundreds of activists took to the streets in a powerful display of defiance, participating in protests against ICE in LA that culminated in a large-scale demonstration in downtown LA. The downtown LA protests were organized by immigrant rights groups to voice strong opposition to the recent immigration raids and detentions carried out across Southern California.
Hundreds Join Downtown LA Protests on Independence Day
The downtown LA protests began at City Hall with impassioned speeches, banner, and chants calling for the end of ICE presence in Los Angeles. Dubbed the “End of Occupation” rally, the event brought together diverse communities marching through the heart of the city, including areas like Olvera Street and Gloria Molina Grand Park.
“What is happening here because of the actions of our president and because of his personal gestapo is horrifying,” said rally organizer Hunter Dunn. “We’re here to demand that ICE leave L.A.”
This sentiment echoed loudly through the protests against ICE in LA, with signs calling for accountability from both local and federal authorities.
Tension and Arrests at Detention Center
Later in the evening, a more confrontational phase of the downtown LA protests unfolded outside a federal detention center near Alameda and Temple streets. Protestors confronted law enforcement and demanded answers. While most followed police orders to disperse, several were arrested after refusing to leave the intersection.
The protest against ICE in LA highlighted community frustration with the heavy-handed tactics used during recent immigration enforcement operations.
A Community Living in Fear
Participants in the downtown LA protests shared emotional testimonies about the fear gripping their neighborhoods. Marissa Alvarez De La O from East Los Angeles described how even U.S. citizens are hesitant to leave their homes.
“It feels scary to walk around. It’s sad not to see my vendors out here, it doesn’t feel like home anymore,” she said.
Others, like Jamir Rocha of the Gabrielino Shoshone Tribal Council, emphasized that the protests against ICE in LA were not just about opposition but also unity.
“We’re here to create networks of mutual aid, to protect out most vulnerable communities,” Rocha added.
A Call to Action for Los Angeles Leadership
The downtown LA protests also served as a direct call to Los Angeles city leaders. Protesters urged Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council to formally denounce ICE’s actions and refuse cooperation with federal raids. Organizers demanded more than statements, they called for policy and sanctuary protections.
The protests against ICE in LA continue to grow in frequency and size, with organizers planning to follow-up actions throughout the summer.
As the sun set on the Fourth of July, the message from downtown LA protests was clear: for many, there is nothing to celebrate until all communities feel safe and free. The protests against ICE in LA have become not just demonstrations, but a movement rooted in justice, unity, and resistance.
