San Diego residents protest recent ICE raids
SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Hundreds rallied in San Diego to protest the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
"It's a very dark day in America," said Diane Fortune, a protester.
"I'm just a concerned citizen and a Veteran," said Patrick Saunders, who organized the protest in North County.
From outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton to Chicano Park, people are protesting, with Saunders explaining why he is speaking out.
"We are here because we condemn this administration threatening to use the Marines on U.S. citizens. We condemn this administration for activating the National Guard and sending them to Los Angeles," Saunders shared.
Saunders said he chose the main gate at Camp Pendleton to speak to active-duty service members.
"I'm hoping that having this contact with the Marines will just let them see the folks that they will have to encounter and that we are just like them," Saunders explained.
At Chicano Park, Fortune says she is still in disbelief about how the Trump Administration is dealing with protests.
"It's unbelievably horrible that this is happening. If you said a year ago this would be happening, I don't think anyone would've believed it," Fortune expressed.
On Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom urged the protesters to remain calm.
Border Czar Tom Homan defended President Donald Trump's decision to deploy troops and warned Governor Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested if they impede operation efforts.
The crowds at both protests peaked at around 25 people, with organizers saying they are actively trying to get more people engaged.
"It's going to get worse if we don't as a nation push back against this," Fortune remarked.
People spoke with an NBC affiliate in San Diego saying they are closely monitoring what's happening in Los Angeles.
"I'm a 50-year-old single mom, you know what am I gonna do? It's not what I'm going to do. It's what were all going to do together because individually, none of us can do much," Fortune said.
They say they plan on hitting the streets in protest as long as it's needed.
