Photo: New Roads Students march down Nebraska Avenue towards the Water Garden. Credit: Sammy Newton
Santa Monicans took to the streets Friday as part of a nationwide “blackout” strike opposing federal immigration enforcement actions, gathering along Olympic Boulevard to call for an end to aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. Protesters also specifically highlighted corporate ties to federal enforcement, pointing to Amazon’s contracts with immigration agencies as part of their critique.
Marches began at schools and other meeting points throughout the city and gathered at the Water Garden (1620 26th St) office building.
You can see video from Friday’s protest from ABC 7 and Palidades News.
The protest comes amid sustained resistance in Santa Monica and beyond to federal deportation policies and immigration enforcement actions that community groups say disproportionately impact immigrant families. Over the past year, Santa Monica College students and local grassroots organizations have staged walkouts and rallies for immigrant rights, reflecting deep local concern about ICE’s expanding role nationwide.
Participants in Friday’s blackout march—including families, students and long-time residents—chanted and held banners calling for justice and compassion, emphasizing that immigration enforcement affects not only undocumented residents but entire communities. As one marcher told SMDP, the goal was “to show solidarity and demand humane policies that respect human dignity.”
The demonstration remained peaceful, and there were no immediate reports of arrests or significant clashes with law enforcement. Still, the event highlighted continued local engagement with national immigration issues, with Santa Monica once again serving as a site of visible resistance and community mobilization against ICE enforcement.
Alex Pretti Ride
Santa Monica was also featured on Saturday’s Alex Pretti ride. Hundreds of riders in West Los Angeles and Santa Monica joined a nationwide action celebrating the life of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti who was murdered by federal agents during an ICE action in January.
The initial ride was scheduled by the Angry Catfish Bike Shop where Pretti was a regular customer and feature in the local bike culture. Once the posters for the ride went online, hundreds of other rides were scheduled across the country and in a dozen other countries across the world.
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