In the wake of Donald Trump’s sanctions on immigration laws, and the recent wave of ICE raids across the country, around 1,000 St. Louis residents gathered in Kiener Plaza park to let their voices be heard.
Amongst the marchers, was 21 year old Nayla (third photo) who said that “It meant fighting for the people who are scared of being deported.” when asked what today’s protest meant to her. She also had tears in her eyes at one point throughout the day, and told me “when we were chanting no human is illegal, it got to me because I know people who are undocumented.”
13 year old Ava (second photo) when asked what he thought about everything going on, said “No one is illegal on stolen land.” He showed up because his father is from Mexico, and when I asked his father, Daniel how he felt about the recent transpiring of events, he told me “I think it’s unfair, hard working people don’t feel safe going to work right now.”
19 year old Regina/Reggie (first photo) when asked why she decided to come out for the protest, said “I mostly came here to stand up for myself, and to stand up for those who can’t due to being undocumented”.
One of the event organizers, 24 year old Tyrell (Fourth photo), told me “We believe that immigrant rights are workers rights.” He also gave a speech before the march, and talked about how the recent sanctions are connected to the same ones on Cuba and Venezuela.
35 year old Angel Flores Fontanez (Fifth Photo) when asked how he feels about the recent ICE raids across the country said “I think they are unjustified discrimination”. Fonta’nez was the spanish interpreter for the speakers before the march started.
Saturday’s protest was a peaceful demonstration that started in Kiener Plaza park. And, went throughout downtown. The demonstration lasted about three hours in total.
All photos taken by; Seth Donovan
