Another local protest against the mass deportations is expected to happen at the San Diego Convention Center on Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.
A large protest against Trump immigration policies was held in National City Friday afternoon. Hundreds of people jammed National Avenue — and an eventual street take-over resulted in teargas being used by police after it was called an “illegal protest.”
Starting out as a peaceful protest, the demonstration quickly grew in size, as Highland Avenue was swarmed with people.
“I see a lot of youth which I’m happy to see here that are out here supporting. I see a lot of families with kids. I see a lot of older people as well,” said Violet, an immigration activist.
“We’re here to speak for the people who cannot speak, and we’re here to stand up for their rights,” said Violet.
And some breaking out into a fight on Highland Avenue and East 14th street.
Protests like these have been ramping up, since President Trump’s federal immigration policy threatened to deport undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at South Bay Plaza in National City on Friday to protest the recent ICE enforcements that have taken place across San Diego County. With Mexican flags, large signs and noisemakers, they were there to protest the recent raids that have taken place across the county and the nation.
Sandra Solis was among the hundreds of protestors in attendance. “I’m here because I am the first-born,” Solis said. “My parents are immigrants — they’re undocumented.”
National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez told NBC 7 that the sights of ICE and Border Patrol agents in National City have been very triggering for many people in the community and, on Friday, the protestors wanted to voice their frustrations. He added that the protest is community-led and that there was no specific organization behind it.
“We’re not criminals,” another protester,” Alejandro Diaz, told NBC 7. “We’re humans, we are hard workers, we’re fathers, sons, husbands, wives, and we are all the way into the deep roots of this country.”
Protest in Vista
Several hundred protesters, many holding up signs and cheering, crowded along all four corners of one of Vista’s busiest intersections during the evening rush hour. “It’s not even politics — it’s human decency,” read one handmade sign. Many drivers at Vista Village Drive and South Santa Fe Avenue laid on their horns in support of the crowd.
Carlsbad resident Ana Ramon said she came to the protest to “be a voice for those who can’t — who feel alone and scared.” “People are afraid to leave their house, or are afraid to come home and find their parents aren’t there anymore,” Ramon, 43, said. SD U-T
7SanDiego
Another local protest against the mass deportations is expected to happen at the San Diego Convention Center on Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.
I’m thinking that waving Mexican flags at pro-immigration demonstration might be like waving a red cape at a bull. It’s not a good look. Just sayin.
You need to think more broadly. What if this was Chicago and they were deporting Italians and the protesters waved the Italian flag, or Boston and they waved the Irish flag. How would you feel then? This is much, much closer – Mexico is just a few yards away — plus unlike Italy or Ireland, this used to be part of Mexico.
But I do appreciate your interest and notice — thank you for that. You’ve been a very loyal reader and one of our regular commenters.
Waving Mexican flags just plays into the hands of the opposition.
If I were protesting immigration policy I’d wave an American flag and make an appeal along the lines of “give me your tied and hungry hard working families who want to become citizens and be part of America”…..rather than the “F you, the border crossed me, I didn’t cross the border” line of protests.
And BTW, before this was part of Mexico it was Spanish and before that indigenous, so where do we call it a day?
Here’s one for ya: for a while I observed today’s downtown protest and saw several half American and half Mexican flags. BTW, the opposition is wrong and misguided and probably racist, so why give in to them? Do they “give in” to us, and hold back on their symbols of protest / deliverance just so’s not to upset us even more?
Several thousand people marched in protest this morning in downtown San Diego. I observed the free-wheeling demonstration as it looped through downtown from my car.
“The opposition is wrong and misguided and probably racist.”
Frank, you really think that 50% of your neighbors are this???
No, because most of my neighbors didn’t vote for Trump.
“Frank, you really think that 50% of your neighbors are this???”
Most of MY neighbors did vote for this. Yes, I do think most of them are misguided. I would venture a guess that most of them aren’t racist, but far too many of them are.