ICE protests: Hundreds rally for immigrants in San Francisco and San Jose
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Hundreds took to the streets of San Francisco's Mission District and in front of San Jose City Hall Monday night to voice their anger over Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the country and show support for immigrants.
SAN FRANCISCO PROTEST
In San Francisco, the crowd gathered near 24th Street and moved down Mission Street to the sound of chants and drumbeats. Protesters shouted "Whose streets? Our streets!" and carried signs and banners reading things like "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here."
"I can't help but be angry," said one man. "This stuff just enrages me inside and out, knowing that we're just ripping people away and picking people up without any due process, it's just crazy. We're living through unjust times."
ABC7 News walked with those chanting and holding signs to get their thoughts.
"What are you doing to those little children when you rip away their parents and you ask them to be raised in this country?" asked Justice Jones of People of Peace. "What kind of precedence are you expecting, Mr. President?"
MORE: Over 100 arrested in SF after anti-ICE protest turned violent with 2 officers injured, vandalism
"I'm deeply concerned about what's going on in Los Angeles and all around the country," said Holly Minch. "California, we are better because of our diversity, and for people to be torn away from school graduations, torn away from their children, that's not right. We have to come out here and tell people that's not right."
Minch walked with a sign that said "MELT ICE."
There were some buildings tagged with graffiti and a couple of tense moments with officers. Later in the evening, several people were detained at Market and 11th streets.
Down the street at San Francisco City Hall, officials honored local immigrant leaders like Reem Assil, a Palestinian-Syrian Chef who founded Reem's California.
"Right now, it's feeling very precarious, and people are in fear, but we huddle together, and I think the big thing is about our connectedness," said Assil. "Remembering that the more we care for one another, the more we look out for one another, that is what the community is all about."
SAN JOSE PROTEST
In San Jose, hundreds of people gathered in front of City Hall to support immigrants' rights in an emergency call to action after the ICE raids in Los Angeles.
Huy Tran is the executive director of the nonprofit organization SIREN, which stands for Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network.
"When they get here, cause I don't think it's a matter of if, we're all going to be standing together to fight this together," Tran said.
City council member Pamela Campos said ICE raids are an attack on the community. She said, in the past week, ICE has detained four people in her district.
"We will meet their violent acts of suppression with peaceful resistance," Campos said.
Vanessa Garcia-Morales stood by with her family, including her 2-year-old son, Anthony.
"My children also are both half Mexican, half Guatemalan, and we definitely want to set a great example and let them know we're fighting for their future," Garcia-Morales said.
MORE: 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles amid ongoing ICE protests
City council member Peter Ortiz is calling for $1 million in emergency funding to expand legal defense for undocumented families. The city council is set to approve the final budget on Tuesday.
"This is about survival, it's about justice, it's about showing up when our people are under attack," Ortiz said.
Mayor Matt Mahan said it's OK to protest but do so peacefully so the message isn't lost.
"I just sincerely hope that those who are at a point of anger that they want to go beyond that they will not take the bait. Because it will not help our most vulnerable neighbors to cross that line," Mahan said.
During the city's public budget hearing, a mother made a heartfelt plea.
"I'm finding it hard to dream right now. I have nightmares that my family is separated. Of living without my family, I fear that my children will come home and I won't be there. My family deserves the right to dream together."
