‘Families Belong Together': LA Rallies Against Family Separation
"If you are pro-family, you cannot separate families"
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Thousands gathered in Los Angeles to protest separating families at the border. Jane Yamamoto reports for NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on June 30, 2018.
A coalition of advocacy groups flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles Saturday, with thousands of people turning out to decry the Trump administration's policy involving the detention of families caught trying to enter the United States illegally at the Mexico border.
"If you are pro-family, you cannot separate families," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said to the crowd at Los Angeles City Hall. "... We've got a message for the White House: We care, and so should you," Garcetti said.
The mayor's speech was followed by remarks from model Chrissy Teigen, and then a performance of "What's Goin' On" and a new song, titled "Preach," by her husband, singer and musician John Legend.
"This an inflection moment," California Sen. Kamala Harris said.
"This is a moment in time that is requiring us to look in a mirror and ask a question, and that question is 'Who are we?' I believe the answer is 'We are better than this."'
California gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom spoke out in favor of diversity at a rally in Los Angeles decrying President Donald Trump's "zero-tolerance" immigration policies.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-South Los Angeles, who has been embroiled in an escalating war of words with President Donald Trump in recent days, later took the stage and did not hold back.
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"How dare you take the babies from mothers' arms?" she asked of the Trump administration. "How dare you take the children and send them all across the country into so-called detention centers. You are putting them in cages; you are putting them in jails, and you think we're going to let you get away with that? I don't think so!"
"I know there are those who are talking about censuring me, kicking me out of Congress ... shooting me," Waters continued, alluding to recent death threats that prompted her to cancel two speaking events in the South she had planned for this weekend. "If you shoot me, you better shoot straight -- there's nothing like a wounded animal."
Other scheduled speakers included Secretary of State Alex Padilla, county Supervisor Hilda Solis, California Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom, and Sen. Kevin De Leon, D-Los Angeles. MoveOn, CHIRLA, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, the Women's March LA Foundation and the Council on American-Islamic Relations were among the many groups participating.
The "Families Belong Together - Freedom for Immigrants March," was set to follow the rally, and will end in front of the immigration holding facility on Aliso and Alameda streets. Attendees were urged to wear white in a show of unity.
The L.A. march is among more than 700 protests planned nationwide.
Other #FamiliesBelongTogether Southern California rally locations include Pasadena, Irvine, Malibu, Laguna Beach, Carlsbad, National City, Ramona, San Diego, Palm Springs, Moreno Valley, Riverside and Temecula.
For the past several weeks, the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on undocumented immigrants -- including the now-rescinded policy of separating children from their parents when they are apprehended at the Mexican border -- has sparked an international outcry.
Trump agreed to rescind the separation part of the policy, but opponents say the administration has no plan for the speedy reunification of those families. On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department filed papers in Los Angeles federal court seeking to have the families held together, indefinitely, in detention centers.
“We know in this city, where we stand as a group of people who stand together, it is time to bring our children home,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says. Watch the “Families Belong Together” rally live: https://t.co/2YP5lsvW0ypic.twitter.com/nhzTISkxZn
Trump addressed the issue with a tweet at around 12:45 p.m. Saturday that said: "When people come into our Country illegally, we must IMMEDIATELY escort them back out without going through years of legal maneuvering. Our laws are the dumbest anywhere in the world. Republicans want Strong Borders and no Crime. Dems want Open Borders and are weak on Crime!"
One young woman, who identified herself as Melody, recalled her journey from Guatemala as a 9-year-old after her mother was forced to leave her behind in search of a better life in the U.S.
"I know my mom left me as a baby to make sure that I had a better chance at life, something that she never had," she said.
"My heart shatters to think about the children and babies going inside these cages," she added, referencing the detention centers where many of the children separated from their parents at the border have been held.
"And at the end of my life I want to be able to talk to God and tell him, 'I have no more talent left. I used everything you gave me to represent those who didn't have a voice,'" she said. "What are you going to tell God, Donald Trump?"
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A Rose Parade float is moved out of an Irwindale warehouse for judging Monday Dec. 31, 2018.
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Upset Los Angeles Rams fans look on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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In this Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 photo, standing by the drive-through of an In-N-Out Burger, Father Jim Sichko interacts with drivers after paying for their meals, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Sichko has a 50-state congregation and a simple mandate from the pope: Go forth and do good deeds. That’s why the Roman Catholic priest was at a crowded In ‘N Out burger joint in Los Angeles recently to buy lunch for everybody. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Firefighters help raise an American flag honor of Sgt. Ron Helus at The Calvary Community Church for memorial service in his honor on November 15, 2018 in Westlake, California. Sgt. Helus was killed in a mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California on November 7. (Photo by Barbara Davidson/Getty Images)
Lauren Muller
One of the many spectacular sunset photos captured Nov. 1, 2018 in Southern California.
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Some Dodgers fans have blue hats, shirts and jackets, but street artist Hector "Tetris" Arias turned a two-story house at 1626 S. La Brea Ave. into a Dodger blue dream home.
David Biggar
A view of the SpaceX rocket launch Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 as seen from Universal City.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs on a set during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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A view of the Charlie fire Saturday Sept. 22, 2018 in the Castaic area.
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Glenn Weiss (L), winner of the Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special award for 'The Oscars,' proposes marriage to Jan Svendsen during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
National Park Service
Welcome some new kittens to the "P" family! National Park Service researchers found an adorable blue-eyed litter of four mountain lion kittens, two males and two females, in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains. The four-week-old little growlers were dubbed P-70, P-71, P-72, and P-73, the National Park Service said Sept. 4, 2018.
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San Diego Padres players wait for the lights to come on after a power failure in the 12th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Toni Guinyard
Images show the smokey skies over the Cranston Fire Thursday, July 26, 2018.
Baby Blues BBQ
A mural of LeBron James is defaced with yellow paint before its original artist decides to cover it up to avoid any more vandalism on July 11, 2018.
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Eric Durtschi surveys the remains of home, leveled by the Holiday fire, in Goleta, Calif., on Saturday, July 7, 2018. Durtschi, who has six children, said he moved with his family from Utah two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters salute Capt. David Rosa during a procession for the 45-year-old firefighting hero who was killed on duty Monday June 25, 2018.
NBC10 Boston
A surprise stowaway bearded dragon discovered in a Walmart delivery box by an unsuspecting Hemet family was officially adopted Tuesday, June 18, 2018. The dragon, who was found a little thin but otherwise doing all right, was nursed to health with peaches. No one claimed the lizard, so he was welcomed to the family.
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A firefighting aircraft drops fire retardant on the Aliso fire Saturday June 2, 2018.
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After having his beloved Dodgers hat stolen, LA fan Michael Cadena was invited by the team to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on May 29, 2018.
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A firefighter high atop a ladder sprays water on a fire than cast thick smoke over the San Gabriel area Wednesday May 15, 2018.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, or InSight, Mars lander. Liftoff was at 4:05 a.m. PDT (7:05 a.m. EDT). The spacecraft will be the first mission to look deep beneath the Martian surface. It will study the planet's interior by measuring its heat output and listen for marsquakes. InSight will use the seismic waves generated by marsquakes to develop a map of the planet’s deep interior. The resulting insight into Mars’ formation will provide a better understanding of how other rocky planets, including Earth, were created.
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A dog leaps into the water during the Splash Dogs dock-jumping competition Saturday April 28, 2018 in Costa Mesa at the Pet Expo.
Old Pasadena
A cool 150 Ferraris would be on display in Old Pasadena for a free event. The event runs Sunday, April 22, and will feature the classic cars, old and new, between Pasadena and Raymond Avenues.
US Attorney's Office
A wild chase came to an end when a K-9 jumped through the window and took the driver down April 12, 2018. During the chase, the driver hit another car, evaded PIT maneuvers, but ultimately was caught.
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Earvin "Magic' Johnson helps clear streamers from a statue honoring Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers great Elgin Baylor after its unveiling outside Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, April 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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Fire-rescue personnel lower a ladder into a sewer Sunday April 1, 2018 during the search for a 13-year-old boy who fell into the pipe during an Easter celebration at Griffith Park.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: A young activist carries a sign during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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A vehicle flips over Thursday, March 22, 2018 after a strong spring storm passes through Southern California.
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A marathon runner dressed as a T. Rex Dinosaur competes in the Los Angeles Marathon downtown Los Angeles Sunday, March 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Orlando Hernández
Tickets are going quickly, as expected, for the four-month pop-up experience, Candytopia. The SoCal experience even has a marshmallow pit (not actual marshmallows). It all closes on July 4, 2018, so carve out some candy-inspired playtime before summer arrives in Southern California.
LoudLabs
Los Angeles Police Officer Alex Frazier holds a 3-week-old baby who had stopped breathing after being dropped Saturday March 3, 2018 in a domestic dispute. Frazier and partner Officer Ivan Ibarra resuscitated the child.
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Vanessa Bryant, left, and Kobe Bryant, winner of the award for best animated short for "Dear Basketball", arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
CHP
A drunk man celebrating his 29th birthday was arrested early Saturday Feb. 24, 2018 after he rode a horse onto the 91 Freeway in Long Beach.
KNBC-TV
Drivers hoping to bypass a monster traffic jam on the 10 Freeway in Rialto after a fatal crash got stuck in the sand Feb. 16, 2017.
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw warms up at the team's spring training baseball facility Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
NBC10 Boston
Firefighters battled a mansion fire Thursday Feb. 7, 2018 in Bel Air.
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The full moon shines over Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 31, 2018.nMany parts of the globe may catch a glimpse on January 31 of a giant crimson moon, thanks to a rare lunar trifecta that combines a blue moon, a super moon and a total eclipse.
Toni Guinyard, NBC4
Boxes of cheese spilled onto the 5 Freeway early Friday Jan. 26, 2018 after a fiery big rig crash in Sun Valley.
A tsunami warning for California was canceled Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 just several hours after it was prompted by a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Kodiak Islands in Alaska.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
A flag is draped on a railing over Highway 101 in Montecito Monday Jan. 22, 2018 after it reopened. The road was closed for nearly two weeks following the deadly Jan. 9, 2018 mudflows.
Courtesy of Family
Blaze Bernstein's body was found Jan. 9, 2018 after an extensive search through Borrego Park. He was reported missing a week prior after he was visiting family in Orange County while on winter break from the University of Pennsylvania. He was 19.
KNBC-TV
A day after a devastating storm swept through SoCal, NewsChopper4 captures a shot of the Hollywood Sign Jan. 10, 2018.
In-N-Out Burger
West coast cult burger chain In-N-Out Burger added the first item to its menu for the first time in 15 years - hot cocoa.
KNBC-TV
A pursuit came to a strange end in Montebello Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, after a couple lead a chase in a stolen U-Haul. The two embraced and kissed before the woman began to pull away from the man. An officer used a Taser on the man and officers took down the woman.
NBC Boston
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department sheriff's deputy Lawrence Falce, 70, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 after he was attacked following a car crash. A procession was held in his honor after he succumbed to his injuries.
CHP Santa Fe Springs
CHP officers worked to move live chickens from the 605 Freeway Jan. 2, 2018, after they somehow ended up on lanes.
AP
Georgia tailback Sony Michel (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime period to give Georgia a 54-48 win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in Pasadena, California.
Khallid Shabazz
Anyone over the age of 21 Jan. 1, 2018 was able to buy recreational marijuana in Southern California, but the historic day brought about confusion as not all municipalities had licenses yet - meaning customers couldn't buy on New Year's Day. See more photos inside a licensed dispensary.
Toni Guinyard
New Year's Day 2018 along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif. See more photos of the parade floats and fun here.
Du-Par's, known for its legendary buttermilk hot cakes, closed its Studio City location on Jan. 1. This was their first location after they expanded from the Original Farmer's Market where they debuted in 1938. See more photos of the legendary eatery.
A smaller counter-protest by the group L.A. County for Trump was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the federal detention center at 535 N. Alameda St.
"We have a number of our members in L.A. County for Trump will be broadcasting our counter-protest live on Facebook and YouTube," organizer Arthur Schaper said. "We will also have posters, signs and shirts that commemorate Americans who have been killed by illegal aliens."
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said that as of 2 p.m. he was not aware of any arrests at the rally.
NBC4's Rudy Chinchilla contributed to this article.
