The 101 Freeway in California is busy any day.
On Sunday it was not just the motor vehicles on the busy roadway, but protesters, too.
Hundreds flooded the freeway, which, in turn, caused major traffic delays.
The protest was in response to President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown, per Fox News.
Protesters started to descend on Olvera Street at about 9 a.m. About 30 minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced street closures because of “a non-permitted demonstration blocking traffic.”
The California Highway Patrol encouraged people to avoid downtown Los Angeles.
“Please avoid the 101 freeway in DTLA between I-110 and Mission Rd., as we work to remove a protest from the freeway. Accessing state highways or roads to protest is unlawful and extremely dangerous because it puts protesters, motorists and first responders at great risk of injury,” CHP wrote on X.
— Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) February 3, 2025
L.A. Gridlock Showdown:
Protesters vs. Trump's Immigration Policies
Downtown Los Angeles transformed into a sea of protest on Sunday as thousands rallied against President Trump's immigration policies. Demonstrators took over the 101 Freeway, waving flags and chanting… pic.twitter.com/W0m0TMHIpF
Some protesters carried signs and others waved the Mexican flag as their way of protesting against Trump’s immigration policies.
Officers were in riot gear and held a standoff with the protesters.
“No human is illegal on stolen land,” one sign read.
“Fight ignorance, not immigrants,” another sign read.
According to videos posted on social media, demonstrators sprayed graffiti on the freeway walls and vandalized at least one car as it was stopped in the middle of the crowd.
“They shut down freeways and stop traffic in one of the most congested cities in the U.S. to try to convince us not to deport them,” conservative account Libs of TikTok wrote on X. “This isn’t gonna end well. Get ICE on scene ASAP.”
