Protesters in Monterey support Los Angeles

MONTEREY — Monterey County residents took part in a protest Wednesday to demonstrate against the Trump administration and support the ongoing protests in Los Angeles.

More than 100 people gathered at Window on the Bay park off Del Monte Avenue Wednesday evening, many holding signs calling out President Donald Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement involvement in California and the president’s recent call for military involvement in Los Angeles.

Hosted by Indivisible Monterey, the evening demonstration took place days before what’s expected to be a larger event on Saturday. The “No Kings” rallies, protests critical of Trump and his administration’s immigration policies, are planned nationwide Saturday to coincide with the president’s scheduled military parade in Washington D.C. One is planned from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Window on the Bay on Del Monte Avenue near downtown Monterey.

“We want to show that we stand with our state and we stand with the L.A. community,” said Murtaza Mogri, lead organizer for Indivisible Monterey. “(Californians) are being targeted.”

Wednesday’s demonstration for many was in direct support of Los Angeles, as ongoing protests in the city against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids prompted President Trump to order hundreds of U.S. Marines to join the National Guards troops previously deployed to the city. The move spurred legal pushback from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Over 100 protestors gathered at Window By the Bay Wednesday evening in solidarity of protests in Los Angeles against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. (Kyarra Harris - Monterey Herald)

“We’ve been protesting since this started, but today we’re standing in solidarity with Los Angeles, against the regime and the military involvement,” said Kim Charles from Pacific Grove. “It feels safe to protest in Monterey County, but there are many people who don’t feel safe at all and we’re standing for them too.”

For many who attended Wednesday, reasons were more personal as well. Kevin Chabarin, from Seaside, is first-generation American and came to support his family.

“My family members are immigrants, and while Monterey County is generally more welcoming, there are still people who are afraid that their rights could be taken away,” Chabarin said.

In addition to making their voices heard, volunteers with Indivisible Monterey want to see the county continue to provide protection and a welcoming community for immigrants.

“We’re doing what we can by supporting our immigrant community both documented and undocumented, and this isn’t stopping at immigrants, (the administration) are going after U.S. citizens too,” Mogri said. “There’s a lot of energy and we want to convert that not only into protests, but into a proper response that works locally to support our immigrants and help protect when ICE tries to intervene.”