Let Them In!
Thousands gather at LAX to protest Trump’s travel ban.
All photographs by Pablo Unzueta.
In a nationwide movement, approximately 5,000 demonstrators gathered at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon to condemn Trump’s travel restrictions, including the president’s efforts to build the Mexico border wall.
People’s chants of “Let them in!, “Refugees welcome!” and Love, not hate makes America great!” echoed through the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Protestors poured onto the sidewalks causing the rerouting of all traffic to the departure levels.
At one point, dozens of protesters sat down and blocked the main thruway World Way, refusing to leave until all detainees were released. Nancy Suey Castles, an airport spokesperson, said in a statement at around 10 p.m: “Demonstrators may block one level at a time for 15 minutes allowing the opposite level to be fully open for 30 minutes and allow traffic to flow.”
Protests simultaneously took place in airports across the country Sunday including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Dallas, New York’s JFK, Raleigh, Houston, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta and more.
Matthew Davidson, a philosophy professor at the University of California at San Bernardino, attended rally. “What Trump is doing is profoundly un-American, but I’m glad to see the multi-cultural side of Los Angeles stand up against his efforts,” Davidson said.
Detlef Issel, 54, is originally from Cologne, Germany, but moved to the United States 12 years ago. “Like the flag says, ‘Learn from our history.’ Trump has similar characteristics to Adolf Hitler. I’m shocked that this is who Americans picked to lead this country.”
Protesters look down at the ground level of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.
A woman chants along with thousands, “Let them in! Let them in! ”
Several vendors showed up at the LAX rally to sell anti-Trump merchandise.
Shahzia Rahman holds her 4-year-old daughter, Safiyah Rahman, during the rally at Los Angeles International Airport, condemning Trump’s travel restrictions.
A Donald Trump supporter, who refused to give his name, was one of the few persons in attendance who was outspoken about his support for Trump’s current executive orders.
Ummuaymana Juma, age unknown, stands for a portrait. According to Juma and her sister, their parents came from Kenya to the United States for a better life. Juma is a United States born citizen.
Airport Police officers with helmets and batons stood nearby. Later in the evening, two people were arrested for blocking the roadway.
Thousands of protestors carried anti-Trump signs and chanted support for detainees at LAX.
A woman chants “Let them in!” along with thousands of demonstrators.
A young boy stays close to family in a crowd of demonstrators.
Protestors with their hands and signs in the air at LAX.
Demonstrators brought materials to make protest signs on the ground at LAX.
A young girl holds the American flag while a sign points over her head that reads “My dad.”
Young Kurosh Chabok stands in between his family members as he witnesses the protests.