𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘: Santa Monica Protesters Rally for Justice, Immigration Reform, & End to ICE Raids

SANTA MONICA, CA — Dozens of protesters gathered Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Downtown Santa Monica for a march and rally denouncing immigration raids, corporate greed, and U.S. military intervention abroad. The event began at Santa Monica City Hall and concluded with a rally near the Metro Station at Third Street Promenade, drawing activists, organizers, and speakers from a wide range of grassroots coalitions.

Organized by Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP), the “Democracy Not Fascism” demonstration featured chants of “Down with ICE!” and “Immigrants are welcome here!” as marchers made their way through the city’s civic corridor.

Speakers representing CODEPINK, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), the Peace and Freedom Party, and the National Lawyers Guild addressed the crowd, many condemning recent ICE operations and calling for systemic change.

“We are here today because we believe in a better world,” said Isaac, a community organizer with PSL. “Where ICE Gestapo isn’t terrorizing our neighbors. This system isn’t broken—it’s doing exactly what it was built to do: exploit the many for the profits of the few.”

Mariah Shahiardi, a Santa Monica resident and longtime organizer with CODEPINK, criticized U.S. foreign policy and bipartisan support for military actions abroad. “If you’re against murder, against endless wars, against fascism—Code Pink is the place for you,” she told the crowd. “Activism is not a weekend activity. It’s a 24-hour commitment.”

Jim Lafferty of the National Lawyers Guild warned of what he called a creeping “dual-state fascism,” urging Americans to recognize the broader implications of immigration raids and authoritarian policies. “First they come for the immigrants. If you don’t see what comes next, you’re asleep at the wheel,” he said.

The rally also included collective chants linking immigrant justice to broader global issues, including:

“Free, free Palestine,”

“ICE out of LA,” and

“From Palestine to the Philippines — Stop the U.S. war machine.”

Activists emphasized unity and direct action, encouraging attendees to organize locally and reject what they described as the normalization of war, detention, and economic inequality.

The protest proceeded without incident.