What happens when raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spark nationwide protests? So far, we’ve seen outrage, solidarity, and unrest. And the nation is on edge.
During the past week, the country is facing a wave of demonstrations – some calm, others chaotic – from coast to coast. Those old enough to remember the Civil Rights protests of the 1960s, and/or the Rodney King riots of 1992, have seen thousands take to the streets to protest what they believe was wrong and unjust. This time seems different though.
What began as protests in Los Angeles, Calif., in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial anti-immigration policy, and subsequent federal immigration raids, have led to the rare deployment of military troops in American cities.
As it all unfolds, the U.S. has become a nation on edge, and the world is wondering “What will happen next?”
Protests, Raids, and a Nation on Edge
“The protests, once contained to small corners of Los Angeles, have spread across the country. And cities are waking up to more,” The New York Times writes. “Downtown Los Angeles is currently under a curfew. Police officers wrestled protesters to the ground in New York, used chemical agents in Atlanta and monitored large demonstrations in Chicago, where people vandalized vehicles and threw water bottles at them. In Los Angeles, the police flew in a helicopter and threatened over a loudspeaker to arrest anyone who broke the curfew downtown.”
In Los Angeles, where tensions first ignited, federal troops were deployed alongside immigration agents. A citywide curfew was announced after clashes between protesters and police escalated. Officers made arrests and issued warnings over loudspeakers, threatening to detain anyone violating the curfew.
“It is the first time in decades a president has moved to deploy troops in such a manner without a governor’s consent or explicit invitation, Reuters reported, and the move has prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to say he plans to sue the administration over the deployment,” USA Today explains.
Demonstrations, which some officials have described as riots due to damage and arrests, have centered on resistance to the Trump administration’s use of military force and expanded immigration enforcement operations. President Trump defended the federal response, calling Los Angeles “a trash heap” and warning protesters that they would be met with “equal or greater force.”
The East Coast and Others Join In
In Philadelphia, around 150 protesters gathered earlier this week, where police reported 15 arrests, stating the crowd disrupted traffic and “endangered public safety,” according to the BBC. In the South, in Atlanta, fireworks were thrown at police, and on Tuesday, hundreds gathered along Buford Highway, in Brookhaven, in one of the city’s most diverse areas.
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In Chicago, thousands protested near an immigration court and then marched through downtown. Local media described the protest as largely peaceful. And, in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., a coalition of unions march past the Department of Justice on Monday. The rally was sparked by the arrest of union leader David Huerta during the LA raids. Huerta was released from federal custody later that day.
Each city has risen up in its own way.
“Around 50 people gathered outside Seattle’s immigration court on Tuesday. Some tried to block vehicle access to the building using e-bikes and e-scooters,” the BBC writes.
Social Media Response: Voices of the Immigrant Community
While the streets have been filled with demonstrators, online platforms have become another powerful arena of protest. Pro-immigration nonprofits and grassroots organizations have taken to social media to amplify the voices of immigrants and their families.
The Los Angeles-based nonprofit Roots & Wings, for example, launched a social media campaign featuring reels with popular Latino influencers. One recurring message has stood out: “We are our ancestors’ resilience. We are our parents’ dreams. We are here and we’re not going anywhere.”
Nuestro Stories reshared one of the Roots & Wings reels, adding a caption of its own: “In the face of fear and uncertainty caused by the recent ICE raids, we remain rooted in love, resilience, and unity. You belong. We belong.”
As the demonstrations continue across the country, the message from many Latino communities is clear: they’re not backing down.
