Thousands block major LA freeway, spray graffiti to protest Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Thousands of people flooded a major Los Angeles freeway on Sunday morning, causing significant traffic disruptions as they demonstrated against US President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The protest, which was part of a broader movement against the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, also sparked rallies in Riverside, San Diego, and Dallas.
The demonstration began around 9 am on Olvera Street, with protesters waving Mexican flags and carrying signs criticising Trump's policies. Within half an hour, the Los Angeles police department (LAPD) announced street closures due to what they described as a "non-permitted demonstration blocking traffic." The California Highway Patrol (CHP) also urged motorists to avoid downtown Los Angeles as they worked to regain control of the situation.

Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators marching onto the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles, temporarily shutting it down between I-110 and Mission Road. Some protesters were seen spraying graffiti on freeway walls and vandalising a car caught in the crowd. Officers in riot gear engaged in a tense standoff with the demonstrators, urging them to clear the freeway.
CHP issued a warning on X, saying, "Please avoid the 101 freeway in DTLA between I-110 and Mission Rd., as we work to remove a protest from the freeway. Accessing state highways or roads to protest is unlawful and extremely dangerous because it puts protesters, motorists, and first responders at great risk of injury."

The demonstration was part of a wave of protests that erupted in various cities over the weekend. In Riverside, hundreds gathered at an intersection as passing motorists honked in support. In San Diego, demonstrators rallied near the city’s convention centre. Meanwhile, in Texas, approximately 1,600 people participated in two protests in downtown Dallas against recent arrests made by US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE).
Protesters carried banners with messages such as "No human is illegal on stolen land" and "Fight ignorance, not immigrants." The demonstrations underscored growing opposition to Trump's aggressive immigration policies, which have led to widespread ICE raids and detentions.
Since the start of the new administration, ICE has arrested over 7,400 undocumented immigrants nationwide within a span of nine days. Nearly 6,000 ICE detainers have also been issued. The Trump administration has signalled plans for mass deportations and has suggested sending the most violent undocumented immigrants to Guantánamo Bay. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said that authorities are focusing on targeting the "worst of the worst."
The protests drew sharp criticism from conservative figures on social media. The popular account "Libs of TikTok" posted, "They shut down freeways and stop traffic in one of the most congested cities in the US to try to convince us not to deport them. This isn't gonna end well." Conservative influencer Benny Johnson echoed similar sentiments, saying, "Not only are they illegally in our country, they are now illegally blocking roads. This will not end well for them."
The Trump administration's latest immigration crackdown has drawn condemnation from several Democratic leaders, who have vowed to push back against deportation efforts. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that deportation flights have already begun, sharing images of undocumented immigrants boarding military aircraft.
California governor Gavin Newsom's office declined to comment on the protests, referring inquiries to the California highway patrol. Meanwhile, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass was not available for comment.
As tensions continue to mount over immigration policies, Sunday's protests highlight the growing division over Trump's approach. With demonstrators taking to the streets in multiple states, the immigration debate shows no signs of cooling down.