‘The majority of my family came from Mexico, a lot of them did end up coming illegally, building a life … I feel like our country right now is punishing them for fulfilling the American dream.’

Diego Castro, 19.

“For us Chicanos – people who were born here from immigrant parents – it’s vital as we’re bridging the gap between two great countries,both rich in [their] own ways,” he said. “We’re here to better ourselves, not to forget our heritage, but to improve ourselves for further generations.”

his partner, Siomara Mata, a florist, said it was their first day demonstrating. “It’s very sad, but I think LA is a strong city, and we’re very passionate about our immigrants,” she said.

A gathering in central Los Angeles, intended as a vigil for immigrants, drew participants from across California, including Diego Castro, 19, and his sister Mia, 22, from Fresno. Diego’s sign proclaimed, “My family fought for my future, now I will fight 4 theirs,” while Mia’s sign stated, “Familias no tienen fronteras” (“families have no borders”).

Immigrant Experiences and Perspectives

“It’s very sad, but I think LA is a strong city, and we’re very passionate about our immigrants.”

Siomara Mata, florist

“The majority of my family came from Mexico, a lot of them did end up coming illegally, building a life here in the United States, building businesses, contributing to the economy, paying taxes,” said Diego. “I feel like our country right now is really just punishing them for fulfilling the American dream.”

The vigil transitioned into a march toward the federal building, where a smaller group of protestors confronted members of the Los Angeles Police Department and the California National Guard.Religious leaders addressed the crowd from behind law enforcement barricades.

As an 8pm curfew took effect, many people dispersed, though some remained, chanting slogans. Police helicopters monitored the area.

By 8.45pm, the crowd had largely dispersed peacefully. A glass bottle was thrown at a police line, prompting officers to fire a couple of rubber bullets, and later, dozens were reportedly arrested for breaching the curfew.

The atmosphere in downtown Los Angeles was tense, with few businesses open and many buildings boarded up. Sirens and helicopters were a constant presence.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that the curfew was limited to a small area of the city. “Some of the imagery of the protest and the violence gives the appearance that this is a citywide crisis, and it is not,” she said.

Police chief Jim McDonnell noted a distinction between protestors and those engaged in looting and vandalism.

Despite the localized nature of the curfew, the events unfolded against a backdrop of national debate on immigration.