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–Editorial
On Saturday morning, the heart of downtown El Centro witnessed a growing cry for justice, as local residents gathered for the nationwide “No Kings Day” protest, a peaceful mobilization against rising authoritarianism, abuse of power in immigration enforcement, and the treatment of hardworking immigrant communities in the U.S.
Held at the intersection of Imperial Avenue and Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon, the protest was part of a national movement organized by the coalition 50501 (“50 Protests. 50 States. 1 Movement”), supported by the ACLU, Indivisible, and other grassroots organizations. The protest, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C., denounced what demonstrators described as authoritarian behavior and a dangerous erosion of democratic principles.
Yet the message in El Centro extended beyond partisan politics. At its core was a heartfelt plea: for dignity, for mercy, and for common sense in the way the U.S. treats immigrants—especially those who have lived in the country for years, contributing as workers, parents, and community members.
“This was a peaceful protest,” emphasized local activist Eric Reyes. “Our community is demanding justice without violence. We are calling attention to a cruel reality where immigration enforcement has become increasingly aggressive, targeting the very people who helped keep the country running during the pandemic—people who are now labeled as disposable.”
Reyes, an outspoken Democrat and longtime advocate for social justice in the Imperial Valley, said he was proud of those who came out to peacefully express their concerns. “We cannot continue separating families. We cannot continue deporting parents while leaving their U.S.-born children behind in fear and uncertainty. We are better than this.”
The crowd moved from the protest site to Bucklin Park later in the day for a community dialogue, where speakers urged elected officials to uphold human rights and reimagine immigration enforcement grounded in compassion and fairness.
Jesús, a protester who bravely shared his story during a Beyond Borders Gazette Facebook livestream, voiced the deep frustration of many undocumented residents.
“This government wants everything—our jobs, our taxes, our sweat. In 2020 we were essential; now we are illegal,” he said. “If we had in Mexico what we have in the United States, we would never have left. We don’t want anything for free. We want to work and give our families a better life.”
This sentiment reflects a broader truth: the vast majority of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are peaceful, community-minded individuals. According to Pew Research Center, nearly 7 million undocumented immigrants have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, many of them paying taxes, raising American children, and working in essential sectors.
Yet, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has continued deporting tens of thousands of people annually. Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and the American Immigration Council document how increasingly militarized raids have left families shattered, traumatized, and fearful.
Protesters also pointed to growing concerns about racial profiling and ICE’s disproportionate targeting of Latino, Black, and other nonwhite immigrants. A 2022 report by the Vera Institute of Justice found that ICE detentions disproportionately affect individuals from Latin America, with Black immigrants experiencing higher rates of solitary confinement and abuse.
Additionally, recent allegations of discrimination and abuse within detention centers—including denial of medical care, neglect, and mistreatment—have drawn bipartisan condemnation.
The outrage reached a new level of urgency following a recent incident in California, where U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a prominent advocate for immigrant rights, was reportedly assaulted while attempting to make a question at a press briefing on deportation protocols. Though details remain under investigation, the incident sparked alarm across the political spectrum, highlighting how even the rights and safety of U.S. elected officials are being threatened amid today’s political climate.
“This assault on Senator Padilla was not just an attack on a person, it was an attack on democratic norms, accountability, and our right to ask hard questions,” Reyes added.
Protesters in El Centro echoed a central demand: stop criminalizing immigration and restore dignity to immigration policy. They urged lawmakers to pursue comprehensive reform that prioritizes legal pathways to citizenship, halts family separations, and protects mixed-status families.
“No Kings Day” was not merely a protest against Trump, ICE, or any single political party. It was a plea to national leaders to remember the human cost of punitive policies.
Organizers stressed that immigration enforcement should not come at the expense of human dignity. “We’re asking for mercy and common sense,” said one local volunteer helping with event logistics. “We’re asking for our neighbors to be treated like people—not numbers or criminals—just people.”
While the El Centro protest remained peaceful, violence elsewhere cast a shadow on the nationwide movement. In Minnesota, all “No Kings” protest events were abruptly canceled following the fatal shooting of State Representative Melissa Hortman and the wounding of Senator John Hoffman—incidents authorities believe were politically motivated.
The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large, prompting a shelter-in-place order and nationwide alerts. Investigators reportedly found “No Kings” protest fliers among his belongings, as well as writings targeting over 50 public officials. His actions have been widely condemned, and organizers across the country reaffirmed the peaceful intent of the day’s protests.
Despite the somber backdrop, community members in El Centro expressed hope. Hope that their voices were heard. Hope that America will choose compassion over cruelty. And hope that one day, no child will cry for a parent who has been taken from them in the middle of the night simply for working hard and dreaming of a better life.
“We are not asking for special treatment,” said Jesús. “We are asking for justice—for our families, for our dignity, and for the soul of this country.”