‘no Sleep For Ice’: La Activists Target Hotels With Nightly Noise Protests

Activists crossed Los Angeles County person launched nightly sound demonstrations extracurricular hotels wherever they judge U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are staying. In galore cases, ICE’s beingness has not been officially confirmed, but protesters opportunity patterns of conveyance activity and eyewitness accounts propose national agents are utilizing nan hotels.

The campaign, known arsenic “No Sleep for ICE,” began soon aft ICE launched wide migration raids connected June 6 successful predominantly Latino neighborhoods. Agents reportedly wore skis masks, thoroughfare apparel and tactical gear.

Protests person occurred successful cities specified arsenic Montebello, Pasadena, Burbank, Whittier, Glendale, Arcadia, Downey, Long Beach and Hacienda Heights. They usually statesman astir 9 aliases 10 p.m. and past until early morning. Organizers opportunity nan actions are serene but intentionally disruptive.

What strategies are protesters using?

Protesters are relying connected changeless sound to make their beingness felt. They march astir edifice parking tons pinch signs and flags, play mariachi music, chant slogans and coordinate horn blasts from passing cars. 

Videos circulating connected societal media show nan scenes, often unfolding precocious into nan night.

Many protesters stock accusation done Instagram accounts for illustration “no.sleep.for.ice” and promote followers to time off one-star reviews connected platforms for illustration Yelp and TripAdvisor.

The Cambria Hotel successful Burbank received 12 one-star Yelp reviews overnight pursuing a protest. Staff members said nan objection successfully pressured ICE agents to leave. One impermanent told section reporters nan protests were “effective but obnoxious.”

Although not a sanctuary city, Burbank passed a resolution successful February expanding protections for immigrants lacking ineligible status, including restrictions connected accusation sharing pinch national migration authorities.

How person hotels and ICE responded?

ICE officials declare nan protests are fueled by misinformation and impeach section leaders of inciting hostility. An ICE spokesperson told USA Today, “This unit is fueled by a disinformation campaign, which includes vulnerable rhetoric by section elected officials.”

In immoderate cases, edifice workers expressed vexation complete guidance decisions to big ICE, stating that it caused hostility among unit and guests.

How person metropolis officials and rule enforcement reacted?

Local officials person issued constricted nationalist responses. However, California State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez confirmed ICE’s beingness astatine Pasadena hotels connected June 8 and said immoderate had since checked retired nether nationalist pressure.

Protesters study that Whittier constabulary utilized “less lethal” munitions to disperse demonstrators extracurricular a DoubleTree edifice connected June 11. They later regrouped and resumed protesting.