Local governments in the Los Angeles area are canceling Fourth of July celebrations, citing concerns over potential actions by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) agents. Despite this, hundreds participated in a protest against the Trump administration on Tuesday.
The cancellations seem to be a form of protest by local authorities against federal policies. The city of Bell Gardens, for example, informed residents on social media that, due to safety worries linked to immigration enforcement, they will cancel events scheduled from June 24 to July 10, 2025.
Notably, fears surrounding ICE enforcement did not deter protests organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and other activist groups, which occurred across various cities, including Los Angeles. Demonstrators voiced their opposition to the Trump administration’s enforcement activities.
At one point, anti-ICE and anti-Trump demonstrators took over the Sixth Avenue Bridge in downtown Los Angeles, blocking traffic for several hours. One social media post showed that protesters were engaging in line dances during rush hour, though no arrests were reported.
While public anxiety led to the cancellation of events in El Sereno, Boyle Heights, Gadahi, and Lincoln Heights, it did not stop protests from occurring on Los Angeles Avenue.
Local ABC news reported that Los Angeles City Councilmember Isabel Jurado stated, “We feel that events in public are dangerous to our members,” emphasizing that the Fourth of July celebrations posed risks.
However, it’s worth noting that the fear of ICE enforcement seemed to impact only the July 4th festivities; other recent events, like the annual Pride Parade, saw participation from over 100,000 people in the Los Angeles area.
