Pro-Amnesty Activists Arrested Protesting Outside White House

Pro-Amnesty Activists Arrested Protesting Outside White House
Tony Lee

On Thursday, amnesty advocates protested in front of the White House and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington, D.C., demanding “justice” for illegal immigrants in the form of executive amnesty.

The activists and representatives from a consortium of left-wing groups yelled, “Obama, Yes, You Can” stop deportations and grant more amnesty. After saying that he did not have the authority to act like a “king” and grant more amnesty last year, Obama has reversed course, and the White House has signaled that he intends to stop more deportations this summer. 

Before hundreds were arrested in front of the White House, demonstrators also screamed, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” They also chanted “Si, Se Puede” and “The people united can never be divided.” Some held signs that read, “Immigration Reform Is Obstructed by Racism.”

Pro-amnesty advocates continued chanting, “Si, Se Puede” as protesters were arrested and hauled off in vans after the protests. 

Obama is reportedly expected to grant temporary amnesty to five million illegal immigrants “by the end of summer,” and in addition to demanding “broad” relief, activists have started preparing their communities for potential amnesty. For instance, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) met with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and 50 pro-amnesty leaders on Wednesday, vowing that Chicago would take the lead on implementing whatever executive action Obama takes on immigration. There were reportedly 20 other pro-amnesty events scheduled throughout the day around the country.

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