Protesters ignored the Los Angeles Police Department’s order to disperse on Monday as they continued to rally against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown for a second day.
A large crowd gathered on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall and marched on streets in the area a day after protests spilled onto a downtown LA freeway.
The LAPD issued a traffic advisory Monday morning for the area near City Hall, including Spring Street and the Civic Center area due to the permitted protest over President Trump's harsh stance on immigration. A demonstration also formed in the Plaza of El Pueblo, causing delays on Spring, Main, Arcadia and Aliso streets.
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As the evening progressed, police issued a dispersal order and warned protesters who defied the order that they could face arrest.
The demonstrators, many carrying flags of Mexico and signs, began marching in downtown LA at about 11 a.m. At one point, a person in a chicken suit hopped on a motorbike and popped a wheelie. A driver got out of his car at an intersection and climbed on top of the roof, waving a flag in front of cheering protesters.
Later in the evening, things became heated as some instigators were seen tossing rocks and bottles at police officers and vandalizing city buses and buildings. At some point, a driver was seen taking over a street and performing "doughnuts" with their vehicle.
Participants marched along West First and North Spring streets, eventually moving into the Crypto.com Arena area, where they gathered at an intersection, waving flags and chanting. The protest appeared to be peaceful, with police allowing the group to walk on city streets.
Just before 1 p.m., the crowd stopped on the Spring and Main street overpasses of the 101 Freeway. There was no indication that protesters tried to walk on the freeway, but police were nearby.
Protests also were reported at midday on the streets of Santa Ana and in North Hollywood. Protests were expected Monday in other cities as part of coordinated actions dubbed a "Day Without Immigrants."
⚠️Traffic Advisory⚠️ Demonstrators have gathered on the steps of City Hall, Spring St side. Please expect delays on Spring St and throughout the Civic Center Area.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) February 3, 2025
Sunday's demonstrations over President Trump's immigration crackdown at times blocked the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. A dispersal order was issued at 6 p.m. as law enforcement began to close in on the protesters to clear the freeway.
The protests started Sunday morning on Olvera Street in what the Los Angeles Police Department described as a non-permitted demonstration. Some of the protesters told NBC4 that they found out about the demonstration after seeing a social media post urging people to protest deportations.
Several streets in downtown Los Angeles were already closed near Crypto.com Arena for Sunday's Grammy Awards.
