Hundreds of people spent their first day of May gathering in Downtown L.A to protest the recent string of anti-immigration policies. Calling it the MayDay March and Rally, taken from their website go.peoplepower.org, all groups participating declared their opposition to President Trump and his policies, stressing the message; No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcomed here!

In the mornings crowd of supporters slowly gathered around MacArthur Park, the focal point being on the crossing of  Wilshire blvd and S. Alvarado Street. Yesenia Rodriguez and her mother Paulina, arrived at the march in full Danza Azteca regalia. The daughter and mother talked about their reasons for being there and why they decided to dress in the Danza Azteca style.

“I came to support whats going on right now. Every person counts. I was born here but I am trying to show my roots. Even people born in Mexico it was taken away from them too. So us still keeping it alive, I think it’s something important,” said Yesenia.

Traveling down E 1st street, the crowd traversed the area eventually making their way over to the City Hall. The supporters filled the downtown area with declarations of “Sí se Puede!” “Family Fights Back” and “Build bridges not walls.” Around one p.m. they made their way to the Los Angeles City Hall which is where they were met by opposition from pro Trump supporters.

In anticipation of the clash, barricades were constructed between 1st and Spring street with dozens of police placed in the area. In the meeting of the two forces, shouts of “Build the wall” and “Whose Streets, our streets” were thrown at each side. The police had secured a solid divide; armed with batons, stun guns, non lethal rifles and face masks. Although the size of the pro Trump side dwindled over time, it remained strong throughout latter half of the protest.

Latino American citizen Lenore Farris talked about her time as an immigrant and immigration as a whole.

“I came here in 1972 with two kids with a visa. I had five kids and I worked any job. We respect this country by paying taxes and being good citizens. [Should immigrants be deported] No. Not all immigrants,  just the criminals.” As a latino Trump supporter, Farris discussed the positive attributions of restricting certain types of people into the country.

“On both sides no one is racist… we are not about that. What we want is a peaceful law abiding country… We want to let people in, but a lot of it became about Mexicans coming across the border,” said pro Trump protester Jeff R. He went on to describe that the focus is placed on the Mexican immigrants, when the attention should be placed on the undocumented immigrants that may have actual harm to the nation itself.

Slight altercations did take place, including the arrest of a pro Immigration marcher for assault with a bottle and a masked protester burning the american flag. With over 100 organizations involved, the protest gathered together people who all wanted to have full rights for immigrants.