Protesters and community members gathered together calling for the end of captivity of immigrants during the End ICE rally and march at the Federal Building in Los Angeles on September 25.
The rally was hosted by the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America along with the organizations Idle No More Southern California, Freedom for Immigrants, and SoCal 350 Climate Action.
The rally was focused on the goal of ending the captivity of women and LGBT immigrants as well as abolishing ICE.
Prayers and a performance were held during the rally, including a chant along with Karla Estrada and Paula Kahn performing “El violador eres tu” in front of the building, demonstrating the blame placed on ICE and the federal government.
Protester Carla Duque said that no one should remain quiet, and she hopes there will be more younger voters who can change the fate of this nation and speak up to the situations they face.
“It’s just been too long and we have more time due to COVID-19 and loss of jobs to think about the things that are happening around you and we can’t just sit back and watch,” Duque said.
The rally started to march around the block between Los Angeles St. and Main St., with chants and banners showing displeasure towards the captivity and violence experienced by many immigrants.
Calif. State L.A. professor Leda Ramos was present at the rally, and spoke about sharing the forced sterilizations of women and her hope for change in this nation.
“It was so painful to hear the sterilization and the United States has been doing it since the 1920s. We know what eugenics is like, it’s genocide by sterilizing women without their consent and it’s inhumane,” Ramos said.
The march concluded peacefully at Fletcher Bowron Square with a musical performance by the band Year of the Crow at the bridge on Temple Ave.
Duque shared her thoughts on the upcoming presidential election and how she hoped to see change for the better.
“I’m really hoping that there will be more younger voters now, since more people show up than older people, and now with the momentum that’s going on, I hope this motivates more younger people to come out to vote and share their voice,” Duque said.
