‘Power and not division,’ city leaders tell protestors amidst the recent marches

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, demonstrating against President Donald Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and threats of mass deportation and the heavy and constant presence of ICE and Border Patrol in immigrant communities. 

In L.A., there have been protests throughout the city since last Sunday, including one  that began at Placita Olvera that brought out thousands of people to the steps of City Hall. 

More locally, students from East Los Angeles high schools, including James A. Garfield Senior High School, Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School, Bravo Medical Magnet School and Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, have also walked out of their classes early morning to make their voices heard.

On Tuesday morning, when talking about the new legislative package introduced in L.A. City Council aiming to protect and empower the immigrant and undocumented community of L.A., Councilmember Imelda Padilla (CD-6) sent a message to the young activists, protestors and community organizers who participated in these marches. 

On the same steps of L.A.’s City Hall, where many of the marches concluded, Padilla told the protesting crowd to continue to execute their First Amendment rights to protest but to do it peacefully and strategically. 

“You are the next generation of change-makers, the next ones to stand on this stage. Keep organizing,” she said at Tuesday’s press conference. “Keep using your voices and keep pushing for a city and a world that truly represents all of us, but we do ask and we remind you to do it strategically, with peaceful and productive action that builds power and not division that brings criticism from your haters.” 

Tensions between protesters and the Los Angeles Police Department surged both Sunday and Monday after some protesters marched down the 101 Freeway. LAPD officers deployed eight less-lethal rounds at crowds on Sunday and 16 on Monday, LAPD Deputy Chief Daniel Randolph said.

On Monday evening, the LAPD also issued a dispersal order for demonstrators on Los Angeles Street between Aliso and Arcadia streets. “All those who remain may be subject to arrest,” the agency said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Angelenos have the right to express their First Amendment rights, but it must be in a safe and lawful way,” L.A. Karen Bass said on X. “L.A. is a city of immigrants and we will protect all Angelenos.”

 Padilla also said the U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and any attack on the immigrant community is an attack on the L.A. community. 

“The United States is the nation of immigrants and any attack on the community is an attack on the very foundation of who we are and the history that produced this country to be as strong as it is,” she said. “That is why this moment is so important. The protests and actions we see are not just about policy; they are about humanity as well.“

Along with Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez and other colleagues, Padilla unveiled the most recent legislative package, as reported by CALÒ News. The package aims to address the threats of targeted enforcement actions, worksite raids and mass deportations that have loomed over the immigrant community in Los Angeles.

A city-wide “Know Your Rights” campaign, worksite enforcement notification of ICE, immigration support in Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and an appeal for more state funding for deportation defense funds and immigration legal services are just some items that are part of the legislative package. 

Although the package will need to be approved by the entire city council before being written into law, Padilla said the city’s council members stand in solidarity with the immigrant community. 

 “[We] are here to help and not be your enemy. Our role, including that of our public safety officers, is to ensure safety so that you can continue to exercise your constitutional right to protest,” she said. “It is powerful to see families, women, children, and young people standing up for what is right.”

CALÒ news will continue to report and cover protests and demonstrations taking place throughout L.A. County and Southern California.