1 arrested as police, protesters faced off at anti-ICE rally Monday in Dallas
Police and protesters clashed near downtown Dallas on Monday night after an anti-ICE rally escalated and some demonstrators ignored officers’ warnings to disperse.
Hundreds gathered in the Trinity Groves area on the west side of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge around 7 p.m. after local advocacy groups called for a rally in solidarity with those protesting recent immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Video footage published by KDFW-TV shows dozens of people standing beside the street, holding up hand-lettered signs. About 15 people, many waving large Mexican flags, are seen on a median beside the crosswalk. Some Dallas police officers gather around them while protesters from across the street start walking over to join the group.
More and more people flood into the street, the video shows. The police presence eventually increased to include dozens of officers wearing tactical gear.
Police used patrol cars to block access to the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and tried to get protesters to stay on the sidewalk, according to KDFW. Video footage taken near the entrance to the bridge shows protesters, some of them masked, milling around in the street with signs and flags. Police can be heard in the background shouting orders to the group.
A woman held up a sign reading, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Another sign stated in Spanish, “We are the voice of our parents.” One person appeared to wave a Free Palestine flag in front of the police line.
Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly about 9:40 p.m., according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV. The protesters did not disperse, and officers moved in with smoke and pepper spray to clear them out shortly after 10:15 p.m.
WFAA footage shows a long L-shaped line of Dallas police officers with shields moving toward the demonstrators. Some of the protesters appeared to throw water bottles and other objects toward the officers. A lighted firework sails over the police line and explodes on the ground.
A 27-year-old man was arrested at the demonstration and faces a charge of assault on a public servant. Gerardo Velasquez “was seen hitting the window of a fully marked police squad car with tactical equipment inside,” police told the Star-Telegram in an email. Velasquez then “became combative” when officers tried to take him into custody. Police said he was the only person arrested.
ICE protests in Los Angeles, other cities
Recent immigration raids in Los Angeles have sparked five days of protests in that city. Dozens of demonstrators have been arrested, and President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops and Marines to the area.
Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration’s immigration policies have spread to other U.S. cities, including New York, Washington, Atlanta and Chicago.
More than a dozen people were arrested at a protest in Austin on Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on X.
“Peaceful protesting is legal,” he said in the post. “But once you cross the line, you will be arrested.”
North Texas immigration advocates told KTVT-TV ahead of the Dallas rally that it’s time to speak out against the injustices many immigrants are facing.
“Our DFW community, although it is living under fear, the story that isn’t being told is that our community is very brave,” said Brown Berets organizer Antonio Rodriguez in an interview with KTVT. “So I feel that our community right now understands that, that our resistance and our fight, it’s just starting.”
The Dallas Police Department said in a statement obtained by WFAA that they were aware of the planned demonstration, and patrols would be present as they are at all large events.
“The Department will not interfere with a lawful and peaceful assembly of any individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights,” officials said, adding that their top priority is “the safety of the people who live, work, and visit the city of Dallas.”
More protests Saturday for No Kings Day
Dozens more protests are planned across the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week for No Kings Day. Organizers say No Kings Day is a “nationwide day of defiance,” scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 14 — the same day that a massive military parade will be held in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the establishment of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
The following No Kings Day protests are planned in North Texas.
- Arlington: 10 a.m. to noon at Arlington Sub Courthouse, 700 E. Abram St.
- Burleson: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at 100 NW John Jones Dr.
- Dallas: Noon to 2 p.m. at Akard Plaza, 1500 Marilla St.
- Denton: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Denton Square, 110 W. Hickory St.
- Flower Mound: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Parker Square Gazebo, 1500 Cross Timbers Rd.
- Fort Worth: Noon to 2 p.m. at Burk Burnett Park, 501 W. 7th St.
- Frisco: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. at FM 423 (both sides) between Main/King and Stonebrook, 155 Old Newman Rd.
- McKinney: 10 a.m.-noon, on the north side of Hwy. 380, west of Hwy. 75, 2025 N. Central Expressway
