Pro-DACA Demonstrations Erupt Across The Country
After the Trump administration pulled the plug on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Tuesday, putting the future of some 800,000 “Dreamers” in peril, thousands of people across the nation took to the streets to #DefendDACA.
The policy was originally enacted under former President Barack Obama to shield young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. by their parents from deportation.
In Washington D.C., hundreds gathered outside the White House in the hours before and after Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ announcement. People shouted: “We want education; down with deportation,” and held placards with slogans like “Here To Stay.”
Protest outside the White House rallying against today's decision to end the #DACA program. pic.twitter.com/uQGNiKIEGj
— Lisa Chiu (@lisachiuster) September 5, 2017
The Defend #DACA protest in Washington DC: "Move Trump, Get Out of the Way!". Beautiful. ❤️👊 #RESISTpic.twitter.com/Yntr6hM4V7
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) September 5, 2017
#DACA decision brings out protest rally at WhiteHouse today. @LoriDCWard1 @FitnWellSeniors @qrcky @actor_tr @washinformer @valzora85 @dcist pic.twitter.com/xwyEadgIeB
— Nancy Shia (@nancy_shia) September 6, 2017
In Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Detroit and New York, throngs of protesters clogged the streets in support of DACA recipients.
In reponse to Trump’s decision to rescind the program, Obama said in a statement that the move was cruel and “contrary to our spirit, and to common sense.”
We're here, there, & everywhere. The people united will never be divided! ✊🏾From LA🔁SF🔁Oakland we #RiseUpAsOne for #DACA pic.twitter.com/EUaJbY62tJ
— California Endowment (@CalEndow) September 6, 2017
SF #DACA protest spills into the street. Several thousand people here pic.twitter.com/dEZNtlgLjg
— Casey Tolan (@caseytolan) September 6, 2017
#DACA protest heading through Civic Center #SF #DACAprotest pic.twitter.com/j0BfUJTX6d
— Ride Tha Tiger (@ride_tha_tiger) September 6, 2017
SF #DACA protest breaking up under a full moon at City Hall. Went strong for 3.5 hours pic.twitter.com/atMDHK4D5V
— Casey Tolan (@caseytolan) September 6, 2017
Minneapolis #DACA marchers: just so you know, there was one driver downtown who was thrilled to have you there today. pic.twitter.com/GIVW5BxKwi
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) September 5, 2017
Save DACA March, Southwest Detroit, 9-5-17 pic.twitter.com/2sIZQp4zYh
— Michael Mulholland (@detroitmichael) September 6, 2017
Panorama: Over a thousand in Foley Square, NYC, to fight for #DACA. pic.twitter.com/RrOvSKLVxa
— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) September 5, 2017
Stop Pretending Your Racism Is Patriotism. Fight for #DACA protest, NYC. pic.twitter.com/tZNS61YSy7
— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) September 5, 2017
Thousands March Brooklyn Bridge to Protest #DACA Announcement https://t.co/plarm6MubS @nbcnewyork
— Natalie Pasquarella (@Natalie4NY) September 6, 2017
#daca protest at the Brooklyn Bridge. pic.twitter.com/aXTzJWxgog
— Cary Kaplan (@chunterkap) September 6, 2017
BREAKING VIDEO: Hundreds of protesters are marching towards Trump Tower to protest rescinding of #DACA. pic.twitter.com/HrmsSkTJgD
— The Anon Journal (@TheAnonJournal) September 5, 2017
In Denver, hundreds of students from several local high schools walked out of classes in protest of the DACA announcement. According to CBS Denver, some of the young demontrators were Dreamers themselves, but many others were friends and supporters of the DACA program.
“This is the only country that they know, so I think that as long as they’re good and as long as they study, they work, they pay their taxes, they should have a chance to stay in this country,” Raul Duran told the outlet.
Amazing. Denver students are walking out of class in protest of the Trump administration's #DACA announcement. #DefendDREAMers
Video: @KDVR pic.twitter.com/YGkdAE7RTP— Women's March (@womensmarch) September 5, 2017
#Breaking: Students at Denver schools are walking out of classes in protest of #DACA announcement
WATCH: https://t.co/fYKBG4jvCA pic.twitter.com/ErH0Hz86oq— Channel 2 KWGN (@channel2kwgn) September 5, 2017
Students gathering outside West High in Denver to protest against the ending of #DACA pic.twitter.com/p1PB3szZaw
— Melanie Asmar (@MelanieAsmar) September 5, 2017
INSPIRING SUPPORT FOR DREAMERS! ✊
RT to show SUPPORT for Denver STUDENTS who have WALKED OUT of school to protest Trump #DACA announcement. pic.twitter.com/FOqoFk2fPy— The Hummingbird (@SaysHummingbird) September 5, 2017
In midtown Manhattan, dozens of people, including several DACA recipients, gathered outside Trump Tower for a sit-in on Tuesday.
Almost three dozen people were arrested for disorderly conduct, reported WABC.
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Demonstrators preparing for civil disobedience and mass arrests outside #Trump Tower in New York City during #DACA announcement. pic.twitter.com/0LKWd6mYne
— N. J. Burkett (@njburkett7) September 5, 2017
Cuffs are on and DACA protesters are lead away pic.twitter.com/7GfA2gXfna
— Andrew Joyce (@AndrewPaulJoyce) September 5, 2017
Young immigrants are voluntarily arrested at Trump Towers in a protest to defend DACA #SinDACASinMiedo (photos via @CosechaMovement) pic.twitter.com/vmcLvBUyuc
— Molly Crabapple (@mollycrabapple) September 5, 2017
In the days to come, more DACA protests will be held across the nation. The Here to Stay website has an interactive map showing where protests and rallies were being planned. As of Tuesday night, the map was replete with upcoming events.
Organizers also urged DACA advocates to take other actions to push for positive change. In a blog post that went viral on Tuesday, HuffPost contributor and DACA recipient Pierre R. Berastaín encouraged people to spend a few minutes contacting the White House and local lawmakers to urge them to support legislative reform that will protect Dreamers.
“The one hour you spend a few times a week will keep the pressure on Congress to act,” wrote Berastaín. “Your advocacy can make a difference.”
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.