Immigration protests in Phoenix take over streets near downtown

Immigration protesters marched throughout central Phoenix on Monday following a chaotic protest in Glendale the night before.

What we know:

The first protest on Monday, Feb. 3, was near the Phoenix Art Museum near 3rd Street and Palm Lane.

The second protest happened hours later near 7th Street and I-10, forcing the eastbound lanes to close for a short time. They've reopened.

At one point Monday night, the protest made its way to the capitol.

The Sunday night protest in Glendale had more than 1,000 people taking over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road.

Police say a suspect, who hasn't been caught, stole an officer's cruiser before ditching it a short distance later. Officers also say someone kicked in the windshield of another police cruiser.

Anyone with information on the Glendale incidents is asked to call Glendale Police at 623-930-3000 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

On Jan. 26, a Phoenix immigration protest broke out near 75th Avenue between McDowell and Thomas Roads. The one had people doing doughnuts in their cars, setting off fireworks, and blocking traffic.

What they're saying:

Here are a few statements from protesters on Monday while at the state capitol.

"No more ICE. No more ICE."

"Protest for my family that can't protest."

"Fighting for my family. Fighting for their rights. They're not criminals. They're honest, hard-working people that came to America to give me an opportunity."

"My parents came here 23 years ago, and I think that we have the right to be here because they pay their taxes. They are the most incredible human beings on earth and I really think that we all deserve an opportunity because we do everything right, and we love it. People love our culture."

"Viva Mexico."

"My dad came here illegally and he ended up getting his citizenship, but he also served in the Marines and worked for our government for over 20 years. So, I think it's important to know that there's this stigma that everyone who comes to this country illegally are criminals, but a lot of these people are hardworking."

"My parents were clearly immigrants, and I'm proud to be from where I am. I'm proud of my roots and that's what brought me out here today with my friends."

"Stop ICE and stop separating families. Start looking for pedophiles instead and not these children in school."

"I don't like how they're getting rid of the Mexicans. That's like 50% of me and my family and losing family sucks."

The other side:

The protests began not long after President Donald Trump took office for his second term on Jan. 20.

Less than a week into his presidency, the Trump administration touted deportation efforts and published new rules Friday making it easier to remove people — part of a flurry of actions to make good on campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration. Amid officials’ latest show of force, waves of worry reverberated in parts of the country.

Here are a few social media posts from members of the GOP in Arizona remarking on the protests.

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