Protestors waving Mexican flags stormed the 101 Freeway and to block the roads and clash with cops in riot gear as darkness fell in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Hundreds demonstrated against Trump’s sweeping deportation efforts and orders to expand migrant arrests just outside the Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena – sparking scenes of defiance and chaos in the culturally diverse metropolis.
Police in riot gear stood shoulder to shoulder in an attempt to stop the protestors spreading down the road.
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department assisted by California Highway Patrol were eventually able to clear the freeway after five hours as protesters moved to downtown surface streets, but they soon returned on the major downtown artery.
At one stage, the LAPD announced they would be carrying out mass arrests of the protestors blocking roads and came armed with zip ties. But just as they were about to make arrests, all of the police officers left having been told to stand down.
The CHP and the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that no arrests were made.
Just as earlier in the day, protestors set about disrupting traffic and managed to block the crucial freeway.
The protestors could be seen lining up across the width of the road as the headlights of frustrated motorists began to pile up behind them.
Demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway while protesting the Trump administration’s deportations on Sunday night in Los Angeles, California
Thousands marched and protested against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and mass deportations in downtown Los Angeles, creating gridlock in the area
A police helicopter shines a spotlight on demonstrators protesting the Trump administration’s deportations in Los Angeles, California
What began as a peaceful march near Placita Olvera, a historic hub of Latino culture, quickly grew into an unstoppable movement.
They called for immigration reform and carried banners with slogans like ‘Nobody is illegal.’
By the afternoon, marchers had blocked all lanes of U.S. 101, causing traffic to back up in both directions and on surface streets.
The demonstrators sat down in lanes, while a cordon of California Highway Patrol officers stood by.
It took more than five hours for the freeway to fully reopen, CHP Lt. Matt Gutierrez said Sunday evening.
‘The real criminal is in the White House!’ read one protester’s sign.
‘MAGA – Mexicans always get across,’ another stated while one boldly declared, ‘Jesus said ‘Love Thy Neighbor,’ not deport them.’
By late morning, thousands of demonstrators gathered near City Hall, their chants echoing through downtown just ahead of the 67th Grammy Awards taking place at the nearby Crypto Arena.
The protest intensified when a large group of marchers took over the 101 Freeway at the Alameda Street exit, grinding traffic to a halt and sending shockwaves through the city.
‘No human is illegal on stolen land,’ another sign read.
‘Fight ignorance, not immigrants.’
A driver caught in protest traffic uses their phone as anti-deportation supporters protest against the Trump administration
The protestors could be seen lining up across the width of the road as the headlights of frustrated motorists began to pile up behind them
LAPD officers block off street access during a protest against arrests the Trump administration
LAPD officers came face to face with the protestors, but no arrests were made
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department assisted by California Highway Patrol were eventually able to clear the freeway as protesters moved to downtown surface streets
LAPD officers were ultimately given a stand down order and left without any arrests being made
LAPD officers shoot non-lethal munitions during the protest against arrests and deportations of migrants
The demonstration continued long into the night as protestors continued to block the 101 freeway
The LAPD scrambled to control the growing unrest by swiftly declaring the demonstration ‘non-permitted’ – but despite the large disruption, the protests remained largely peaceful.
Authorities shut down major roads, including Spring, Main, and Los Angeles streets, in an effort to contain the demonstrators at what is one of the largest anti-Trump demonstrations since his return to office.
The 101 Freeway was also briefly reopened, only to be shut down once again as waves of protesters refused to back down.
‘We are gonna stand up for our immigrant community as long as it takes and we’re not going anywhere,’ Marissa Ruiz said to Fox 11.
‘So many of us Americans are from immigrant roots, so we’re here to stand up for them today and everyday, to show they’re not alone. Our community is with you, and we’ll keep showing up,’ she added.
Some passing motorists honked their horns in solidarity while protesters blasted a mix of traditional and contemporary Mexican music from a loudspeaker.
The demonstration was mostly peaceful, with some street vendors taking advantage to sell bacon-wrapped hot dogs, ice cream, churros, beer and even shots of tequila to the crowd.
Law enforcement personnel stage in front of a group of demonstrators who shut down the 110 freeway
A sign is painted on the window of a vehicle as demonstrators shut down the 110 freeway
Law enforcement personnel stage in front of a group of demonstrators who shut down the 110 freeway during a protest calling for immigration reform on Sunday in LA
Demonstrators gather on an overpass over the 110 freeway during the protest
At one stage, the LAPD announced they would be carrying out mass arrests of the protestors blocking roads and came armed with zip ties, but just as they were about to make arrests, all of the police officers left having been told to stand down
Trump has declared a crisis at the southern border and released a flurry of executive orders aimed at revamping the country’s immigration system and promising to deport millions of undocumented people
A demonstrator holds a sign during the protest calling for immigration reform. The demonstration was largely peaceful
Law enforcement personnel stage on the 110 freeway in their cars
Demonstrators waved flags during the protest. LA City Hall can be seen in the background
Demonstrators shut down the 110 freeway during a protest calling for immigration reform
The flags of various Latino countries were present including Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador
Tensions have been boiling since Trump’s return to office, with his administration touting a sharp increase in immigration arrests – nearly 1,000 daily
Demonstrators are seen standing on the median as they shut down the 110 freeway
Many migrants and advocates fear children will be traumatized by seeing their parents arrested in the drop-off line at school or that migrants needing medical care won’t go to hospital for fear of arrest
A demonstrator holds a Mexican flag while standing on the 110 freeway during a protest
Demonstrators shut down the 110 freeway during a protest calling for immigration reform
‘I wanted to be here because it’s important for my community to support and I wanted my son to be here as well because we come from immigrant families, and we need to be here for each other,’ said Rocio Sarabia Cabrera.
‘I want to not welcome ICE, to protect our community, and continue being a sanctuary state,’ she added.
Tensions have been boiling since Trump’s return to office, with his administration touting a sharp increase in immigration arrests – nearly 1,000 daily.
New executive orders have expanded ICE’s authority, allowing agents to target migrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches, a move that has stoked fear and anger among immigrant communities.
‘This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens – including murderers and rapists – who have illegally come into our country,’ the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
The decision has worried many migrants and advocates who fear children will be traumatized by seeing their parents arrested in the drop-off line at school or that migrants needing medical care won’t go to the hospital for fear of arrest.
Los Angeles was brought to a dramatic standstill as thousands of furious protesters flooded downtown streets and stormed onto the 101 Freeway
The group could be seen waving Mexican flags demanding an end to President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies
Protestors walk along U.S. Route 101 during a demonstration against arrests and deportations of migrants by U.S. government agencies in Los Angeles
Thousands of demonstrators gathered near City Hall, their chants echoing through downtown just ahead of the 67th Grammy Awards taking place at the nearby Crypto Arena
Naomy Angulo sits in traffic with a sign as protestors march along U.S. Route 101 during a protest against arrests and deportations of migrants by government agencies in LA
Anthony Sandoval holds a Mexican flag as he and others walk along U.S. Route 101 during the protest
Many protestors held signs protesting the ICE deportations
Erik ‘Neat’ Martinez marches along U.S. Route 101 during the protest on Sunday
Traffic was brought to a standstill as protestors blocked the Santa Ana Freeway during a demonstration in support of immigrants
A protestor waves a Mexican flag as they block the Santa Ana Freeway during a demonstration in support of immigrants in Los Angeles
The protestors were cheered on by bystanders from bridges and along the roadside
‘Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.’
For many in Los Angeles, a city with deep immigrant roots, the policies have sparked outrage and resistance.
Schools have begun distributing ‘Know Your Rights’ cards, educating students and families on legal protections if confronted by ICE.
The Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) has since released a statement reaffirming its stance on providing a safe environment for all students, regardless of background.
There are an estimated 11 million to 15 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including more than 2 million in California.
They include people who crossed the border illegally, people who overstayed their visas and people who have requested asylum.