Thousands gathered across Southern California on Sunday, February 2, to demand immigration reform and protest mass deportations under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In Los Angeles, a large group of demonstrators blocked both sides of the 101 Freeway near the Alameda Street exit. Protesters had initially assembled on Olvera Street for what the Los Angeles Police Department described as an unauthorized demonstration. The crowd, numbering in the thousands, marched to City Hall before many moved onto the freeway.
Video footage captured over 1,000 passionate protesters occupying both sides of the freeway just after noon. Many carried U.S. and Mexican flags, while others held signs with messages such as “Immigrants Built This Country,” “Fight Against Fascism,” and “Americans Are Immigrants,” while also condemning ICE.
Although LAPD initially described the demonstration as peaceful, by 1 p.m., traffic gridlock was reported on Spring, Main, and Los Angeles Streets, as well as Arcadia and the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
Since taking office on January 20, President Trump has escalated efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducting raids in major cities.
In Riverside, hundreds took to the streets to voice their opposition. Supporters honked their car horns and shouted messages of encouragement as demonstrators waved Mexican flags and displayed signs at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street near the Galleria at Tyler.
Chanting “El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” (The people united will never be defeated), protesters called for unity and reform. Among them was 22-year-old Ariana Gonzalez, one of the event’s organizers, who felt compelled to use her voice for those too afraid to speak up.
Gonzalez, a Lake Elsinore resident, noted that many people in her community now fear going outside due to the increased presence of ICE and Border Patrol agents. She described a heightened sense of fear compared to Trump’s previous term, with residents afraid to carry out basic daily activities such as grocery shopping or dropping their children off at school.
Her activism was sparked by discussions on social media, where she expressed interest in advocating for immigrant rights. She hopes to challenge stereotypes and ensure ICE operates within legal boundaries.
“I believe in peaceful activism,” Gonzalez said. “When I see hatred, I combat it with love. There is so much division, but we’re not against Trump supporters—why are they against us? We love this country, too.”
She also emphasized that ICE agents should be required to read individuals their rights, similar to law enforcement officers.
Another organizer, 28-year-old Yvonne Salcedo of Fontana, created the online platform Semillas.InlandEmpire to share immigration resources and promote the protest. She estimated around 300 people had participated, with more joining as the event progressed.
“We need immigration reform now,” Salcedo stated. “Many immigrants have been here for years and love this country. If ICE were only targeting criminals, why are they conducting raids in schools and places of worship?”
Salcedo noted that fear grips her community, with some residents relying on volunteers to do their grocery shopping out of fear of deportation.
As the demonstration in Los Angeles continued, police reported at 1:19 p.m. that protesters had returned to surface streets, allowing northbound and southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway to reopen. However, within minutes, demonstrators re-entered the freeway.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) urged the public to avoid the area, warning that protests on highways are illegal and pose significant safety risks to both participants and motorists.
By 3:52 p.m., LAPD confirmed that demonstrators had exited the freeway. However, streets near Aliso and Main remained blocked by vehicles and pedestrians, while protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall.
Despite the massive turnout, authorities reported no arrests as of 4 p.m.
Traffic congestion in downtown Los Angeles was further exacerbated by closures surrounding Crypto.com Arena, where the Grammy Awards were taking place that evening.
