Phoenix Sees Anti-ICE Protest amidst National Guard Deployment in LA
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Demonstrators gathered in downtown phoenix sunday night to protest immigration enforcement policies, mirroring larger demonstrations in los Angeles where the National Guard has been deployed. The Phoenix protest remained peaceful, but reflects growing national tensions.
Solidarity in the Streets
The protest, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, aimed to show solidarity with those protesting ICE raids in Los Angeles. Participants marched from Washington Street to the state capitol lawn, chanting slogans such as “No more ICE”
and “Donald Trump has got to go.”
Did you know? ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was established in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Voices of Anguish
Children and grandchildren of immigrants shared personal stories of anguish and outrage
regarding the Trump management’s actions in los Angeles.One organizer stated the exhibition was to show solidarity with the Los Angeles community being brutalized by the National Guard for simply standing against the ICE raids that are happening in their communities.
Phoenix police Response
The Phoenix Police Department acknowledged the protest, stating they were present to ensure safety. According to their statement, officers closed down streets as the group marched in the roadway, emphasizing their duty to ensure the safety of all involved while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
National Implications
Former FBI Special Agent, Kenneth Gray, described the Los Angeles protests as truly chaos going on there,
noting the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and hurled objects. He cautioned that such outbreaks could spread to other cities, drawing parallels to the aftermath of the George Floyd death.
Pro Tip: Stay informed about local events and protests thru trusted news sources and community organizations.
Intelligence and Anticipation
former ATF Special Agent Bernard Zapor highlighted the proactive intelligence work
being done to anticipate protests and potential riots in other cities. He noted the prevailing trend of anti-hierarchy and anti-law-enforcement sentiment on social media.
Senator Gallego’s Stance
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego released a statement criticizing President Trump‘s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles.He argued that civilian law enforcement should handle the situation and accused Trump of using the military as political pawns. Gallego asserted, trump isn’t trying to solve anything-he’s putting on a show to look tough on TV.
Past Protests in Phoenix
Phoenix has a history of immigration protests,particularly following President Trump‘s taking office. While most rallies remained peaceful, one incident in glendale involved the theft of a police cruiser and damage to another.
As immigration debates continue,protests are expected to remain a recurring feature in cities across the nation. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, about 63% of Americans say immigrants strengthen the country as of their hard work and talents (Pew Research Center 2024).
