In a vibrant display of solidarity and community strength, nearly 300 demonstrators gathered at the Milpas Street roundabout on Friday evening to stand up for the rights of immigrants.
This demonstration saw participants waving the flags, chants, and holding signs with phrases such as, “Nosotros sembramos el arbol y ellos se comen la fruta,” (We plant the tree and they eat the fruit), “Stop separating families,” and “No human being is illegal.”
Local families, many of whom are part of Santa Barbara’s substantial Eastside Latino community, formed the backbone of the protest. They were responding to the heightened fear and panic stemming from reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the region.
“Know Your Rights” cards and informational fliers were distributed for undocumented residents and their family members to understand their rights under U.S. law.
La Casa de la Raza, a longstanding community resource center, and local nonprofit 805 UndocuFund have been at the forefront in offering assistance to those afraid of deportation.
The Santa Barbara Police Department issued an alert around 7:15 p.m. for motorists in the area of the traffic congestion due to a “First Amendment Event” at the roundabout. About three hours later the department issued a notice that the event had concluded and traffic was operating normally.
Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) estimate 44,000 undocumented residents live in Santa Barbara, according to a recent report by The Independent.
Under United States law, undocumented immigrants have the rights. The California Immigrant Policy Center provides the below tips if ICE shows up at your door:
- The right to remain silent – it’s OK to refuse to speak to ICE. Do not to answer questions including where you were born or how you entered the United States.
- The National Immigration Law Center advises that people carry a know-your-rights card, also known as a “red card, or “tarjetas rojas,” as well as any valid immigration document, and show them if an immigration officer stops you. Know-your-rights cards can be printed here.
- Do not open your door simply because ICE agents tell you to. ICE officials must have a warrant signed by a judge, not a deportation officer, to enter your home. To be valid, a warrant must have your correct name and address on it. Ask the person at your door to slip the warrant under the door to see who it was signed by. If it was not signed by a judge, tell the officers you do not consent to a search and call your rapid response hotline.
- Immigrants also have a right to speak to their lawyers, do not to sign any document before speaking to a lawyer. You can simply say, “I need to speak to my attorney.”
- Immigration advocates advise that parents tell ICE agents that they have children if they’re worried about being arrested.
- Create a safety plan such as memorizing the phone number of family and friends you can call if you’re arrested, figure out who will watch your children if you’re detained, and keep important documents, like birth certificates, in a safe place that family and friends can access if necessary. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center put together a step-by-step family preparedness plan.
- Make sure your loved ones know how to find you in an ICE detention center by looking online. Be sure they know your alien registration number.
- Do not carry documents about your country of origin.
- Do not carry fake immigration documents or IDs.
- Report and document raids and arrests to (805) 870-8855.
- If ICE calls or sends a letter to reschedule a check-in, that can often mean they want to detain you.
- If you feel your rights have been violated, write down everything you remember, including the officers’ badges and patrol cars numbers, which agency the officers work for. Get contact information for witnesses. If you get injured, the ACLU reminds you to take pictures of your injuries and file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs unit.
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Meanwhile, while we are being distracted by Trump’s goons terrorizing our neighbors, Musk has taken over the Treasury and Office of Management and Budget computer systems (he and his people have no security clearances but the officials who tried to enforce security have been suspended) and has frozen USAID, which poses immediate threats to the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and people who are ill around the world, and we are embroiled in a pointless trade war with Canada with Mexico to follow. Prices are shooting up, while MAGA are now saying it’s patriotic to pay more. It was never about the price of eggs, it was about the vile wretched deplorable character of these people. We had the first fatal crash involving a US airline since 2009 not long after the FAA director was fired because he tried to enforce the rules on Musk’s SpaceX, air traffic controller hiring was frozen, the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee was disbanded, and a buyout/retirement demand sent to existing federal employees. The leader of the “party of personal responsibility” and the goons who voted for and supported him immediately blamed “DEI”, which is a code word for all their bigotries. The stock market has plunged and it will only get worse as Trump/Musk and their minions continue doing Putin’s work of dismantling the U.S. economy and general welfare.
Russia Russia Russia
that’s the worst Trump impression I’ve ever seen
Does it seem rational for a President of the United States to write this?
The “Tariff Lobby,” headed by the Globalist, and always wrong, Wall Street Journal, is working hard to justify Countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and too many others to name, continue the decades long RIPOFF OF AMERICA, both with regard to TRADE, CRIME, AND POISONOUS DRUGS that are allowed to so freely flow into AMERICA. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER! The USA has major deficits with Canada, Mexico, and China (and almost all countries!), owes 36 Trillion Dollars, and we’re not going to be the “Stupid Country” any longer. MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS! Why should the United States lose TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SUBSIDIZING OTHER COUNTRIES, and why should these other countries pay a small fraction of the cost of what USA citizens pay for Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, as an example? THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID. WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!
Historians will long ponder what happened to America – why we were willing to vote for a man who cannot string together a coherent sentence, whose understanding of the basics of economics is that of a five-year-old and whose entire demeanor is offensive to even those who think that they agree with his policies. He uses economic policy as a club on those he perceives to not be sufficiently flattering, and the result will be continuing inflation while wealth continues to concentrate among those billionaires rewarded with tax cuts!
I can only say, with full confidence, that most of those who voted for the man who promised to end wars and lower prices WILL regret it. People who make important decisions on a whim always do. What’s strange is that our memories have become so short that we don’t even remember why we voted him out (yes, we did!) in 2020. They’ll probably vote for Kamala in 2028 “remembering” how great things were during the Biden administration. Ridiculous? Look in the mirror.
dalgorf: You said it right. Things are only going to get worse by the day. As more and more people disconnect from reality, we are all getting deeper into the orange oblivion. Not sure how to turn things around, It appears that a majority of the voting citizens of the US simply do not care, and this is the direct result. What a nightmare. Sad.
You still clinging to that “majority” myth?
It has been debunked here numerous times.
Pay attention, and look up the definition of plurality.
The majority of US voters did not care. This is correct. Although Trump won less than half of the votes cast, a huge percentage of registered voters did not participate. Thus a majority of eligible voters did not support his cause. The problem is that they don’t support the cause of his opponent either. We need a major reform in the US voting system to get away from the “two party” nonsense and allow people to find representation that they agree with. Then we can negotiate more equitably to pass laws that make sense.
The issue is democracy itself. Trying to reform an unstable and degnerate system is scraping the mold off a loaf of bread that is already sullied by rot. We need a return to monarchism, not tryanny of the majority.
Talk about Un-American!
You say that like it’s a bad thing.
Name checks out
1/3 of the voting public did not cast their votes in the 2024 election. Some announced it was a protest vote, some probably weren’t able to get time of work and/or live in red states that make voting extremely difficult to do with these BS “voting security” laws that are intended to keep lower income and people of color from voting.
Stop these dishonest attacks on BeesKnees, troll. He didn’t say that a majority voted for Trump, he said that a majority don’t care. I know plenty of non-MAGA non-Trump voting people who are uninformed and apathetic.
So, where have these “raids” happened in town? Has ICE “raided” anything around here?
Yes, there have been many reports (some linked in the article!) of ICE seen arresting and/or questioning people on the Westside, Eastside, Old Town Goleta, Lompoc, Oxnard, and Santa Maria. Just read the news.
BASICRACIST – “So, where have these “raids” happened in town? Has ICE “raided” anything around here?”
What’s your point? They don’t have any cause to protest what’s happening in our country?
The fact that you use quotations over the word, “raid,” is just more evidence of your cruelness and ignorance. You think there are none?
So, no “raids” happening around here. And again all you got is calling people racists because they want to see immigration reform. You don’t like legal immigration, and prefer illegal immigration. We get it!
Good stuff Sack.
BALLSTICK – “So, no “raids” happening around here.”
Why can’t you answer the question? So what if there hasn’t been what YOU think is a “raid” in SB City. Why does that matter? Come on, say what’s on your mind.
Oh and once again, I call people, like you, racists when they say racist things.
Actions have consequences. This isn’t participation trophy time. Life is real. You say/do certain things, expect certain outcomes.
So in your world is it considered “racist” if someone opposes people entering our country illegally? Isn’t that what these demonstrations are all about – protesting the enforcement of our immigration laws?
ANON – not at all. I oppose people coming here illegally.
You’re missing the important point. It’s not racist to support our immigration laws, but it IS racist to cheer for ICE going into schools and churches in Latino communities, harassing and detaining LEGAL immigrants and even Native Americans, but at the same time say we don’t need to worry about the undocumented immigrants from Ireland and Russia.
And no, these demonstrations are not just about enforcing laws, but HOW they’re doing it. You and BASIC might not be seeing “raids” in SB City, but the terror and fear inflicted on certain members of our communities here and elsewhere in the US is very real.
Also, its racist to support the mass deportation of Latino immigrants while at the same time supporting the pardons and release of violent white criminals. That’s kind of a big one.
Well, hope that cleared things up for you!
You know nothing about our immigration laws. The protests are against the inhumanity of fascists.
Facsism has an actual meaning, using it describe mere populists is asinine. I don’t see national syndicalism being promoted.
You’re not looking, then.
And, you don’t even know how to spell fascism, so you’re most likely just as ignorant of the definition.
Mussolini’s national syndicalism, aka fascist syndicalism, is not the definition of fascism, it’s just one manifestation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_syndicalism
And Trumpism is not “mere” populism … his populism is a cover for the real agenda. That’s clear from the way he ran on lowering prices and denied knowledge of Project 2025 until he was elected, when he immediately said that lowering prices was “hard” and so he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise of doing it on day one, and then instead implemented Project 2025, canceled medication price caps, and is imposing tariffs (among other policies) that raise prices.
But this is in the weeds. A clearer point is that anyone advocating monarchy is a clown who can be ignored.
You mock me and yer you can’t even say why a monarchist should be ignored. That’s intellectual laziness and a hall mark of modern thinking.
>minor spelling mistake. I win.
Saying we should return to monarchism, along with everything else you’ve said, is asinine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
“Fascism (/ˈfæʃɪzəm/ FASH-iz-əm) is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement,[1][2][3] characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.”
You’re the one who loves democracy and yet complain about Trump who assumed the Presidency through… democracy. Do you or do you not accept democracy then, or only when it suits you? I reject Trump and democracy, at least I’m consistent.
Consistent idiocy is not something to brag about.
P.S. I will ignore all further comments from that one … there’s just no point in making the effort to engage or refute.
Good on you, DALGORF. I wish I could just ignore all the nonsense and lies a certain few here love to spew, but I love calling it out too much!
You’d have to show that you understand the complex vagaries of immigration law to know the difference between coming here illegally and coming here on special visa or permit such as the Haitians did a couple years ago, and completely understand the provisions carved out for asylum seekers, as well as stand in opposition to all the students who have overstayed their visas, or in Elon Musk’s case who never even fulfilled the basic requirements of an educational visa. If you can’t do alla that, then yeah it is racist.
Was there this much outrage when Obama deported over $3 million illegal immigrants in his first term? Or in 2008 when Joe Biden spoke about jailing employers who hire “illegals,” said sanctuary cities shouldn’t be allowed to violate federal law, and argued a fence was needed stop “tons” of drugs coming into the country from “corrupt Mexico.”
What about when Hilary Clinton said “If they commiteed a crime…we have to deport them immediately, no questions asked, no legal process,” she said. “You put them on a plane to wherever they came from.”
She said illegals had to learn English because generations of immigrants learned English and it is the unifying language of the country?
Obama was elected to a second term and later Biden was elected President.
So why is everyone protesting Trump doing what the Democrats repeatedly stated and did?
https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/10/politics/kfile-biden-drugs-fence-2006/index.html
https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2007/12/immigrants-and-foreigners-004809
https://proenglish.org/hillary-clinton/
SBLETS – LOL nothing they did is even close to what Trump is doing. Not at all. And yeah, they DID support border security and wanted to stop the flow of drugs, I’m glad you people finally see that.
It’s nice to see you admit you’ve been wrong all along about how Dems want an “open border.”
Good job, that’s very progressive of you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B6gS_WyXKo
One thing that seems amazing to me (well, not THAT amazing….) is aside from the few hundred protestors who showed up at the Milpas roundabout and two/three Edhat commenters, there is little to no support from the people of Santa Barbara. Think about it: something horrible is going on in our community and only 300 people show up….that’s it? What has happened to the SB “protest machine?” Crickets! So sad that our friends, family, and workers are being harassed by ICE they don’t get any local backing or nearly no backing. If people are going to “talk the talk,” they’d better be willing to “walk with the walk.”
So, where were you?
Too busy perusing Parler?
BeesKnees doesn’t deserve such attacks, troll.
The protest was organized within a few days and was not advertised very well. If they took more time to organize and had local groups and media posting about it, the turnout would have been much bigger. But then they probably would have needed permits.
Yeah, I read that news of it went through social media. I’m not on any.
Did ice make any arrests at the protest there ?
LAYT – pretty sure that would be big news if they did. I think we’re lucky in SB that we don’t have ICE hiding near schools and terrorizing people like they are in other parts of So/Central CA.
No.
Where are the college campus protests? Where are the Dem leaders shouting their outrage and mobilizing resistance? We need to take the gloves off and do everything we can to STOP these oppressive, non-democratic attacks on our rights, freedoms and reputation on the world stage!
Time to stand up and fight back! Anyone?
Under the new administration, this nation has become a fascist dictatorship. This is a break-glass moment; Hitler dismantled democracy in 53 days. We must make our voices heard now while our legislators who care get checks and balances in gear. An unelected billionaire now has access to our private information, and anyone working for the government is getting the heave-ho if they don’t lick the boots of Herr Führer. Public outrage is necessary, because this is no time to sit idly by. Bravo to the Milpas protestors, and to the many protestors to come.
HELENA – excellent point. He doesn’t care what people think of him, obviously, so we need to embarrass him by publicly and loudly protesting all the awful, cruel and mostly illegal things he’s doing. Get out and make your voices heard! I’m looking forward to the anti-ICE raid protest in SB tomorrow. The whole family will be there standing up for our hard working, tax paying neighbors and friends.
Let’s get loud and visible! Cast the hate back into the shadows!
Sac – A friend of mine has upped the ante between us on how you would be thinking about Trump three months from today. A bottle of fine French brandy, not a drink, is on the line. One of us says you will change your thinking and view relative to Trump. What do you say?
You of all people should know you can’t embarrass Trump. Protest against him all you want for what you believe. I don’t believe this will change Trumps plans in any way. Obama’s infamous words continue to haunt many people. “Elections have consequences.”
Also, anyone else unable to reply to comments anymore? I’ve tried using both the website on a PC and using the phone. Clicking “Reply” doesn’t work anymore.
Is that a glitch, Ed?
Who wants to help make America great again?
Ok, what can we do to impeach and convict Trump?
dalgorf – After all the actions taken against Trump for the past several years I believe one would learn there is nothing that can be done to (legally) “impeach and convict Trump.” Trump is now doing exactly and repeatedly said he would do during his campaign if he were elected. There is no surprise. Do you support all the millions of dollars being sent by USAID to foreign countries; and the manner in which this money was to be used? This is just one of many questions I have related to how our tax dollars were being used.
Doodie: Because I’m not an imbecile or a traitor I don’t support the grossly illegal actions that private citizen and richest man in the world Elon Musk is taking, usurping the power of Congress–actions that he is taking in order to further enrich himself. I don’t support his many lies that certain profoundly stupid and ignorant people gullibly accept.
“there is nothing that can be done to (legally) “impeach and convict Trump.”
You’ve never even glanced at the U.S. Constitution. Impeachment and conviction are inherently legal. Congressional Republicans *could* do it … of course I don’t expect them to, because they have same sort of despicable qualities as you.
“Trump is now doing exactly and repeatedly said he would do during his campaign if he were elected. There is no surprise.”
I’m certainly not surprised; if you had any cognitive function you would know that. Trump is doing what I warned people he would do–destroy the U.S. government. It’s not what he said he would do–in particular he denied knowing anything about Project 2025 that his executive orders started implementing on day one. But Musk is going beyond that. Trump did not repeatedly say that he was going to turn the federal government’s computers to a handful of unvetted Musk interns with no security clearances.
Do I support USAID and its activities? Mostly, because I’m not an ignorant boob and I know how important is to U.S. foreign policy and security.
Did I say rutabagas? My apologies to rutabagas.
I meant to include this Forbes article in my other comment … it calls out Musk’s many lies about USAID:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/02/03/why-is-elon-musk-attacking-usaid-how-partisan-politics-made-foreign-aid-agency-suddenly-so-controversial/
DRIBBLY – “Do you support all the millions of dollars being sent by USAID to foreign countries; and the manner in which this money was to be used?”
Yes. Most good people do. Even the “DEI” stuff you all hate so much could’ve just been ended or reduced. But no, your people cut EVERYTHING. People will die because of this and you love it. China will take on our role as a global caretaker and guess how that will end for you?
The stupidity and inability to think critically is dooming our country at a rapid pace such that has never been seen before. From the voters to the leaders, there are no intelligent thoughts on display. Our enemies will capitalize on that and you’ll be begging for a time when the State Dept gave a few bucks to a struggling nation.
You don’t even know what USAID spent money on.
You don’t understand diplomacy. You don’t understand soft power. You don’t even understand what Trump is doing.
Here, I’ll ask you a question. You won’t answer.
Are you fine with Elon Musk’s team on civilians with no security clearance walking into Federal offices and downloading data onto their private drives and leaving with it?
Yes or no.
Just one simple question. Or maybe you and your “friend” can come up with an answer to that one.
“Here, I’ll ask you a question. You won’t answer.”
Yes, there’s that. I don’t recall doody ever answering a single question put to him, and I know I’ve put quite a few.
Here is well known (well, not to know-nothing doody) conservative writer Mona Charen on USAID: https://substack.com/home/post/p-156640762
Here’s a start: https://indivisiblesb.org/
Tomorrow (Saturday) at 1:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Society, 1535 State St.
It’s an “emergency townhall to hear from our civic leaders about the continuing coup in Washington DC.”
This stream link might work: https://ussb.livecontrol.tv/593e6922
If this stream link does not work, try the link within this webpage:
https://indivisiblesb.org/
In the meantime, Do Something: March, Call, Write. Let your politicians know how you feel. This is a 5-alarm fire.
Thank you for the notice!
Thank you, Indivisible Santa Barbara, for that important townhall. The main hall was full, the overflow hall was full, the courtyard was full, and many more livestreamed it. It was also a relief to hear Salud Carbajal use the same language some of us have been using about this coup! It was really good to see our Congressperson attend an Indivisible event.
DAL – there will also be a large protest this evening at 5pm at De La Guerra plaza against the widespread ICE raids. Come support our hard working immigrants and their families!
dalgorf: It is in the works: (Newseek) Democratic Representative Al Green announced Wednesday he would file articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, saying the president’s recent comments about Gaza “will live in infamy.” The Texas Democrat said on the House floor he would bring the articles against Trump, who was impeached twice in his first term, for “dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done.”
He’s been impeached twice and has multiple convictions. Didn’t seem to change anyone’s vote in 2024 and may push folks even further to the right as the overall perception of the country is that Trump is a “victim.” Extremely odd, but that’s what the current electorate wrongly thinks.
The Gaza deal was likely a bluff play, and looks like suckered in a lot of folks who got a ramp up in their blood pressure over it. I think he’s negotiating stuff in his own unique way.
“impeachment and conviction” isn’t about the sort of *criminal* convictions that Trump received.
And it’s not “in the works” … Al Green filing articles of impeachment in a GOP-controlled House does nothing. He filed numerous articles of impeachment during Trump’s first term and they went nowhere even with a Democratically controlled House.
P.S. My question was rhetorical, and I don’t believe there’s anything that can currently be done to impeach and convict Trump with the GOP in control of Congress, so dufus’s comment (in penalty box) was off-base as always. My point was simply that America was great before the fascist-in-chief took control of the federal government.
MAGANONYMOUS – Can you define what “great again” means? Looks like what you and your ilk consider to be “great” is no immigrants, no freedom of choice for women, no recognition of the contributions of minorities in the development of our ALREADY GREAT nation, no Palestinians in the middle east, no empathy/understanding of people born differently than you, and now, most of all….. an unelected billionaire racist taking control of our financial information without being vetted or even approved by Congress.
How much longer till we’re “great again?” Can you answer that?
BASIC – “The Gaza deal was likely a bluff play, and looks like suckered in a lot of folks who got a ramp up in their blood pressure over it. I think he’s negotiating stuff in his own unique way.”
Let’s say it is. What is his endgame? What do you think he’s trying to get here? What could he possibly be trying to negotiate. The release of hostages? You really think that will happen with threats like this? The cease-fire deal is now at stake. The entire Arab world is now pissed.
Now what if it’s not a “bluff play?” What if, just like everything else he says, is founded in some true desire to own and develop Gaza?
You think ethnic cleansing is not something to be upset about?
You raise a lot of questions. Can you answer any of them?
I’m honestly interested in your take on this, BASIC. Nothing though?
BASIC HYPOCRITE – “So go ahead and talk your anti American and anti veteran garbage to a member of our law enforcement or our military you rat…..you and yours are those who shouted defund the police. Don’t tell me you backed off on that.”
LOL…. who you talking to? The mirror? Hey smart guy, YOU SUPPORT cop beating and defunding the FBI and firing those who defend cops in the DOJ. Spare us the “back the blue” bullshit you liar. You literally support someone who thinks cops should be beaten and killed.
Don’t you dare come preaching around here with that moronic hypocritical bullshit. Are you really as stupid as you insist on sounding?
MAGANONYMOUS – it sure was! Watching all those Americans standing up against the cruel, racist, fascist policies being shoved down our throats was great! They were out there at De La Guerra plaza on Friday and at the Unitarian Church the next day!
Patriots need to unite and take our country back!