HIGHLAND PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Thousands of people converged on downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon as part of a national day of action protesting ongoing federal immigration operations.

The protest is part of the national “ICE Out” rally. Organizers of the movement are demanding that federal immigration agents leave their neighborhoods. The day of action also called for a “national strike,” asking people to keep their children home from school, stay home from work and not buy anything.

Thousands of people converged on downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon as part of a national day of action protesting ongoing federal immigration operations.

Businesses close for “ICE Out” actions

Several Southern California businesses closed their doors Friday for “ICE Out” actions.

Among them was Café de Leche in Highland Park, which shut down regular service and instead opened its space to community members preparing for the rally in downtown. The closure was intended to show solidarity with families affected by recent immigration raids and to provide a gathering point for those participating in the demonstration.

“With what our country is going through right now, what our city is going through right now, with what the world is going through right now, I think it’s more important to spread love,” said community member Kenso M.

Other participants said the day offered an opportunity to honor their families’ histories and stand up for immigrant communities.

“It’s important for me to speak out for my family. They came here with a dream,” community member Cynthia Sierra said. “I’m part of that dream, part of speaking up and showing my roots and being proud of those roots.”

Sierra said she planned to take the day off.

“Calling out was my plan but if they were able to work it out for me and I took that,” she said.

Several Southern California businesses closed their doors Friday as part of a national day of action protesting ongoing federal immigration operations.

Residents describe fear in communities

Some residents described increasingly tense conditions.

“People are getting just abducted out of our streets, just people are dying and it’s just getting really, really bad. Students at my school are vanishing,” said community member Revelle Ellis.

For others, the moment felt especially significant.

“I feel like in my lifetime, this is a very pivotal moment,” said community member Kirsten Ellis. “Most of my life, I had the privilege of having due process as a right, and now I see due process being stripped away from many people and my students.”

Protesters find community with “ICE Out” actions

Inside Café de Leche, volunteers made signs and assembled materials for the rally, emphasizing that participation of any size helps push the movement forward.

“I think it really does impact – one person can make a huge difference in people’s lives,” Ellis said.

Kenso M. said the message behind the day is rooted in unity.

“It says less hate, ‘Mas amor.’ ‘Mas amor’ means more love,” he said. “I think it’s really hard to live in a world without love, and I think maybe if we just took time to talk to each other, we’d understand each other a little bit more.”

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