By Michele Theil
The ICE protests began on Olvera Street in downtown LA and grew in size as the day went on, with thousands of demonstrators marching to City Hall.
The protestors also walked onto the southbound lanes of the 101 freeway, at the Alameda Street exit, later blocking both sides of the 101.
The LAPD tweeted a traffic advisory about the protest, warning commuters that the area was “under major gridlock.”
The traffic jams continued on-and-off throughout the day until 4pm, when the LAPD announced that “demonstrators have exited the 101 freeway” and were instead gathering at the steps of City Hall.
Although LAPD confirmed that the protesters had not received prior permission, they were deemed peaceful.
Police later told protestors that they needed to disburse from City Hall and it is unclear if any arrests were made.
The protests follow a flurry of executive orders signed by President Trump, mandating a greater military presence at the U.S-Mexico border and removing restrictions that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were previously subjected to.
Under the new order, ICE is now allowed to target migrants at previously designated ‘safe haven’ locations like schools and churches for arrest and deportation.