Demonstrators gathered Friday across the Southland, including in several San Diego communities, to take part in a “nationwide day of action” seeking to cut off funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. San Diego County As of mid-afternoon, protests were underway in front of Mis sion Bay High School in Pacific Beach, outside Montgomery High School in Otay Mesa and at Teralta Park in City Heights, comprising crowds of roughly 300, 100 and 500, respectively, according to the San Diego Police Department. As of 3:30 p.m., no unruly behavior or other problems related to the events had been reported, SDPD Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh said. The demonstrations were part of an effort organized by University of Minnesota student groups following the fatal shootings of anti-ICE protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis. Organizers have dubbed the effort “National Shutdown,” with the stated goal of stopping funding for ICE, according to the group’s website. “The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN. On Friday, January 30, join a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping,” organizers wrote online. NBC 7’s Joey Safchik was at a protest at Teralta Park in City Heights on Friday afternoon. Hundreds of people were protesting, calling for ICE to leave San Diego and standing in solidarity with Minnesota. This rally is only one of myriad ways people took part in protesting. Students walked out of class in Chula Vista, people rallied in the park in Mid-City, and businesses, like Native Poppy Flower closed their locations in South Park and Mission Valley. While Minnesota has, so far this year, been the flashpoint of immigration action, people in San Diego want to see ICE leave the city before violence erupts. Federal arrest data shows immigration arrests in San Diego soared in 2025, rising 1500% between May and October, compared to the year before. At the rally in Mid-City, organized by a contingency of local activists, one father said he does not want his son growing up in fear. “Just with everything that’s going on, it’s very scary to see. And not just that, I also worry that’s the type of world that he might have to grow up into. And honestly, it’s not something I want him to ever have to worry about. Especially what’s going on: people of color being stopped, questioned, detained, just because of how they look. Like I said, I don’t want him to ever have to worry about being able to speak a different language and then worry about that getting him in trouble,” the man said. There were also some businesses that said they couldn’t afford the day of lost sales, but would be donating portions of their proceeds to groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Los Angeles County In the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, sign-carrying protesters gathered outside a Target store on Friday, criticizing what they described as the retailer’s abandonment of diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Some demonstrators alleged that federal immigration enforcement agents have been allowed on store premises. Target officials have denied the claims, saying the company has no cooperative agreement with the federal government regarding immigration enforcement. Crowds also formed ahead of what was expected to be the region’s largest rally, outside Los Angeles City Hall and the adjacent Grand Park. By the scheduled 1 p.m. start, a throng of over 1,000 people had gathered in the park. As demonstrators moved from the park into nearby streets, the size of the crowd had increased to tens of thousands. Video from the scene showed deputies standing guard behind razor wire surrounding the Hall of Justice, home to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offices. Additional protests were planned Friday afternoon outside Burbank City Hall, at Abbott Kinney and Venice boulevards in Venice and at the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita. Orange County In Orange County, an afternoon rally was scheduled at the intersection of Camino Capistrano and Del Obispo Street in San Juan Capistrano. Broadcast reports showed students on the march in Mission Viejo and La Habra. ...read more read less