On Wednesday, over 150 individuals staged a demonstration on Highland Avenue in National City for a number of hours in order to voice their displeasure with the methods that federal authorities use to deport individuals.
I have the impression that this is quite good. A demonstrator by the name of Israel Rico stated that it is a positive experience to be present and to at least have something to say about it.
The killing of George Floyd prompted Rico to stage a demonstration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Because he is a member of the National City community, he believes that it is his responsibility to advocate for the values that he holds.
“The more we are out here, the more we are showing up, the more we are resistant to all of that, and that is what matters,” Rico added. “The more we are out here, the more we are showing up.”
In response to the use of firebombs, burning automobiles, and looting that occurred in Los Angeles as a result of the same endeavor, National City responded primarily with music and dancing. Beginning on the sidewalk in front of the Panda Express located on Highland Avenue, the gathering began to take shape. The cops stopped traffic in both directions for a distance of two blocks after it spilled out into the street.
“The key is that we have the right to arrange ourselves in a peaceful manner. This is something that we want to foster,” said Jose Rodriguez, a member of the National City Council.
ICE practices that have been employed to detain individuals in recent times, according to Rodriguez, have left many members of the community furious and unhappy.
Fear is a way of life for many people. According to Rodriguez, “They are being terrorized, and they have the right to express themselves.”
That was demonstrated by a young lady who was moved to tears over the situation. According to her, her mother is still in the process of formally establishing her residency status.
I, along with every other child, should not have to worry about the possibility of losing our family, she stated. “I shouldn’t have to worry that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is going to stop her, and that my siblings and I won’t have a family.”
There were occasions when the demonstrations became disorderly, and some of the participants threw profanities at the law enforcement officers. On two separate occasions, the police were required to address minor infractions of the city law; nevertheless, no citations were issued or arrests were made.
Despite the fact that they were marching, the group remained within the police perimeters.
