SAN ANTONIO – Hundreds filled downtown San Antonio on Friday as part of a nationwide protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The protesters rebuked the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and advocated for abolishing or reforming ICE.
KSAT was live from the protest as it took place. Watch our 3:30 p.m. special report below.
Protesters chanted phrases including “We will not put up with ICE” and “No one is illegal.”
In response to Friday’s protest, ICE issued a statement that, in part, justified its operations by saying it keeps Americans safe.
Streets were shut down as protesters marched through downtown. The crowd stopped at Travis Park for speeches and music before returning to protest on the streets.
KSAT Reporter Garrett Brnger provided a live update as protesters returned for a second march. The 5 p.m. report can be viewed in the player below.
“We are going to keep going as long as there are people here who have something to say,” organizer Corrie Rosen said. “ICE is wildly unpopular, and the people are energized, they are mobilized, and they are ready to fight back.”
The San Antonio Police Department said it has maintained a presence to ensure the safety of those peacefully protesting.
An ICE spokesperson said it fully supports the right to peaceful protest, but condemns “dangerous and unlawful actions that are obstructing federal operations and endangering the safety of everyone involved.”
The San Antonio protest appeared to be peaceful, however, and police have not reported any issues associated with the protest.
The downtown protest comes hours after students at San Antonio schools walked out of class to protest.
Organizers said students at more than 30 San Antonio-area high schools walked out earlier in the day. Some students joined the protest at Travis Park afterward.
The full statement from ICE regarding Friday’s protest can be read below:
The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly — not rioting, assault and destruction. ICE fully supports the right to peaceful protest but condemns the dangerous and unlawful actions that are obstructing federal operations and endangering the safety of everyone involved, including protesters, bystanders, detainees, and law enforcement officers.
The malicious behavior of violent agitators fuels the spread of chaos in our streets and contributes to the more than 8,000% increase in death threats and 1300% increase in assaults against ICE officers. Doxxing our ICE personnel puts their lives and the lives of their families in serious danger.
Every day, ICE is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe. It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. to include San Antonio.
ICE spokesperson
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