Rallies got under way Friday in Los Angeles and Orange counties by demonstrators participating a nationwide day of action seeking to stop funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — including a group of about 1,000 who gathered at Gloria Molina Grand Park in the Civic Center area of downtown L.A. ahead of a protest march.
Protesters carrying signs gathered outside a Target store in Woodland Hills earlier Friday, criticizing what they described as the retailer’s abandonment of diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Some demonstrators alleged that federal immigration enforcement agents have been allowed on store premises. Target officials denied the claims, saying the company has no cooperative agreement with the federal government regarding immigration enforcement.
Crowds also began gathering ahead of what was expected to be the region’s largest rally, outside Los Angeles City Hall and the adjacent Grand Park. By the scheduled 1 p.m. start, a throng of over 1,000 people had gathered in the park.
Video from the scene showed deputies standing guard behind razor wire surrounding the Hall of Justice, home to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offices.
Additional protests were planned Friday afternoon outside Burbank City Hall, at Abbott Kinney and Venice boulevards in Venice and at the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita.
In Orange County, an afternoon rally was scheduled at the intersection of Camino Capistrano and Del Obispo Street in San Juan Capistrano.
Broadcast reports showed students on the march in Mission Viejo and La Habra.
Los Angeles Unified School District campuses remained open Friday.
“Schools are providing students with opportunities on campus for student expression, offering additional district resources and guidance for students to engage in meaningful discussions on campus,” according to a statement from the District.
The demonstrations were part of a nationwide day of action organized by University of Minnesota student groups following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis. Organizers have dubbed the effort “National Shutdown,” with the stated goal of stopping funding for ICE, according to the group’s website.
“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN. On Friday, January 30, join a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping,” organizers wrote online.
Several local businesses also participated in the protest through closures or boycotts.
Proof Bakery, a worker-owned cooperative in Atwater Village, posted signs in English and Spanish explaining its decision to close Friday in support of the action.
“We’ve seen historically that strikes work,” employee Daniela Diaz told ABC7. “I hope the violence stops. I want ICE out of our communities.”
A confectionery shop in Echo Park was also reported to be participating, and some businesses were expected to offer discounts to demonstrators.