Thousands Protest ICE Raids Across California Amid Dozens Arrested

Massive protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have erupted across major U.S. cities including New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, drawing thousands who demand an end to ICE raids and President Trump's immigration policies. In New York, at least 15 people were arrested during a large demonstration in lower Manhattan where protesters chanted slogans like “Abolish ICE” and “ICE out of New York.” San Francisco saw multiple days of protests with thousands gathering peacefully, though some nights ended in arrests and minor vandalism, leading Mayor Daniel Lurie to emphasize support for peaceful protests while condemning violence. ICE agents conducted multiple arrests in downtown San Francisco, sparking further outcry and ongoing demonstrations, with reports of approximately 20 immigrants detained in the Bay Area. The heightened tensions follow President Trump's deployment of thousands of Marines and National Guard troops to Southern California to bolster ICE operations, a move that triggered a lawsuit by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Protesters and local leaders alike have framed the demonstrations as a direct confrontation with federal immigration policies and enforcement tactics they view as unjust and harmful to immigrant communities.