Immigrants and allies unite in DC to protest ICE raids and violence

Yahoo

11-06-2025

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Dozens of people rallied at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza in Northwest D.C. Tuesday evening, protesting against deportation efforts.
It comes as National Guard troops are on the ground in Los Angeles, backing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents making arrests at protests across the city.
People were angry and upset at what's going on in LA, and they don't want to see similar ICE raids in D.C. or any violence.
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A big crowd of immigrants and supporters filled Columbia Heights Plaza with one central message.
'The main message is that we are together, that we are united,' said Lita Trejo. 'We are united and we're going to fight back. We're not going to hide in our houses. We're going to come out and fight back.'
'I have family and friends, friends my age, who are immigrants, and they fear for their lives,' said Laura Sotelo.
Among the protestors is Michelle Xai, who's in D.C. to protest Trump's military parade, but was part of protests that broke out after ICE raided a Home Depot in Los Angeles and detained day laborers.
'The protesters were peaceful. Who brought the violence were ICE, were Homeland Security, were the FBI. And since then, Trump has sent the National Guard,' Xai said.
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A sizeable number of D.C. police officers surrounded the rally as a precaution, knowing what has happened in LA.
'I think they have the right to protest. You know, they've been invaded, and we don't want that to happen to Washington, D.C.,' Trejo said.
The protestors want the military out of LA, and they're demanding ICE stop targeting immigrants.
'This is our city and we deserve respect,' Trejo said.
Some people who were at the rally plan on protesting against the Trump administration Saturday afternoon before the Army parade.
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