Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, blocking the 101 Freeway to rally against President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Demonstrators, many waving Mexican flags, rallied against Trump’s renewed push to deport undocumented migrants. The protesters shut down the freeway for hours, leaving cars at a standstill.
Protestors take over the freeway
Videos from the scene showed large groups marching directly on the highway. Some protesters lined the overpass while others stood off to the side. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) quickly warned drivers to avoid the area due to the protest. They also reminded the public that blocking state highways is illegal and dangerous for everyone involved.
No arrests during the protest
Despite the chaos, police made no arrests during the day. It wasn’t until about five hours later that authorities fully cleared the freeway, allowing traffic to flow once again. But just as cars returned, more protesters gathered on the freeway, according to social media reports. Signs displayed by the demonstrators included messages like “MAGA – Mexican always get across,” “We Are Not Criminals,” and “The real criminal is in the White House.”
Frustration and anger from protesters
One protester, Rey, a Mexican American, voiced frustration: “We thought we were done with his administration. And now we have to do this again.” The protests were sparked by Trump’s efforts to intensify deportation raids and take a stronger stance on illegal immigration.
Trump supporters blast the protestors
Trump’s supporters criticized the demonstrations, calling the protestors a disruption in a city already struggling with traffic issues. Nicole Shanahan, a former running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sarcastically commented, “Mexico is beautiful this time of year. Keep walking down 101 South a few more hours – wishing those that are undocumented a warm adios!”
Lawmakers react to the blocked freeway
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Georgia) weighed in, condemning the protests and threatening to introduce a bill making it a federal crime to intentionally block a highway. He tweeted, “First Hamas supporters, now illegals and their enablers, are stopping traffic. To make America safe again, we must have law and order.”
Trump’s immigration policies under fire
Trump has faced intense backlash for his immigration policies since the beginning of his presidency. His administration has launched several large-scale deportation raids across major U.S. cities, further dividing the nation on the issue of illegal immigration. The protests in Los Angeles were a stark reminder that the debate is far from over.
