Last week, Lawrence Herrera began keeping a folded copy of his birth certificate in his wallet. Additionally, he stored a photo of his passport in the camera roll of his phone.
The precaution seemed absurd to the 67-year-old resident of Atwater Village, who was born and bred here. He isn’t taking any chances, though.
Herrara mentioned President Trump’s immigration crackdown when she remarked, “He’s taking anyone and everyone.” You know what, I thought. I might be that person.
Hundreds of demonstrators, including Herrera, gathered in downtown Los Angeles on July 4th to express opposition to the immigration raids that have rocked the area and the increase in federal cash authorized this week to continue them. Many people on the street declared that they would not be attending this year’s fireworks and barbecues. Rather, they appeared at City Hall, some with flags or costumes. In Grand Park was a fifteen-foot balloon depicting President Trump dressed in a Russian military outfit.
In shackles, 49-year-old Erica Ortiz was disguised as Lady Liberty. Herrera claimed that his Revolutionary War attire, which was adorned with anti-Trump emblems, was suitable for the event.
You know what? “At the moment, we are not independent,” he stated. We are out here for that reason.
1. On the steps of City Hall, Elizabeth Natividad dons a dress that symbolizes Lady Justice.2. Nancy Gonzalez stands on the steps of City Hall, dressed in a Mexican-inspired ensemble.3. On Friday, July 4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, a demonstrator in a garb that symbolizes Lady Liberty raises her fist in the air on the steps of City Hall during a demonstration against the continued ICE raids occurring in the city.
With signs in hand, they marched down Olvera Street and outside the Federal Building, home of the immigration court. Throughout the several hours of the gathering, a few of police officers kept a safe distance while keeping an eye on the demonstration.
No more work! No more being deported! The demonstrators yelled.
Military personnel were positioned shoulder to shoulder at the federal building, using firearms and shields to protect the property.
An English teacher from Rialto named Jacob Moreno held a banner that read, “Funeral for the freedom we pretend still exists.” He credited the passing of Trump’s budget package for the more serious atmosphere compared to the No Kings protest last month. About $150 billion is added by the so-called Big Beautiful Bill to support border enforcement and mass deportations.
According to Moreno, things will only get worse in this occupation. According to the 50-year-old, a number of his high school pupils and their relatives lack proper documentation. Together with his 16-year-old daughter, he is assisting in the establishment of a program that will give school materials and personal hygiene products to pupils whose parents might be too scared to leave for work.
He stated that his ultimate goal is to stand on the correct side of history, and he is here to assist his pupils and community.
The same was true for North Hollywood resident Cristina Mu ez Brown.
She remarked, “I’m desperate to show up, I’m desperate for my people.” She claimed that the Fashion District, where she works in the costume sector, has been a ghost town since the raids started.
On Friday, July 4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, an American flag is flown by marines on guard at a demonstration against the city’s ongoing ICE raids at the Federal Building.
On Friday, July 4, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials stand watch at a demonstration against the city’s regular ICE raids at the Federal Building.
Speaking to the throng outside City Hall, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) referred to the budget plan as the “Big Beautiful Scam.”
Today, this nation spends more on immigration than 165 other nations do on their militaries. As the audience jeered, he declared, “ICE has ten times the amount of money that the city of Los Angeles has.” We don’t want our taxes to be used for that.
Weeks of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids throughout the Southland, followed by the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to quell the ensuing protests, have left the city still in shock.
Day laborers have been the subject of sweeps at nearby car washes and Home Depot parking lots.
According to Hunter Dunn of the 50501 Movement, which planned the July 4 march, there are just too many issues to oppose. According to him, a lot of immigrants are scared to go to school or job.
Since early June, federal investigators have been conducting forceful raids while wearing face masks and occasionally operating unmarked vehicles, which has led to numerous protests.
State and local officials reacted negatively to Trump’s deployment of 700 Marines and more than 4,000 National Guard members to the Los Angeles region to guard government employees and buildings during the disturbances, claiming that the military presence made matters worse. About 150 Guard personnel were relieved of their protest assignment earlier this week.
Tensions between the Trump administration and local and state authorities have increased as a result of the immigration enforcement efforts in Los Angeles. Both in court and on social media, the public sparring has taken place.
In a post on X, Mayor Karen Bass reiterated her calls for Trump to stop the ICE raids, claiming that his administration is to blame for the horror and dread that so many people in Los Angeles are experiencing.
They arrived in unmarked vans to target our neighbors. raided places of employment. tore families apart. even Americans. In a another piece, she stated that this is political theater with human costs, not law enforcement.
Governor Gavin Newsom is suing the Trump administration for using Guard troops against his will. The Trump administration also filed a lawsuit against Bass and members of the City Council this week, claiming that the city’s sanctuary law is unlawful. According to the legislation, no one may be investigated or detained for immigration enforcement purposes on city property or by city workers.
Immigration rights organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and Public Counsel, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court on Wednesday, aiming to stop what the lawsuit claims is the administration’s persistent pattern and practice of breaking federal law and the Constitution when conducting immigration raids in the Los Angeles area.
