Demonstrations erupt at US embassy in Mexico City to support Mexican community in Los Angeles

Demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City on Monday to express support for the Mexican community in the United States following recent mass roundups of migrants and resulting protests in Los Angeles, California.

More than 1,000 protesters clashed and faced off with National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday during the latest demonstrations against immigration raids that swept across California over the weekend.

Some 42 Mexicans have been arrested so far, including 37 men and five women, in the protests in Los Angeles, according to Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Juan Ramon de la Fuente.

Citizens in Mexico's capital are denouncing what they call the "repression and human rights violations" of their "brothers and sisters" in the U.S. Many see the National Guard deployment as racism against the Hispanic community.

"We are migrants supporting our brothers and sisters in the United States who have been subjected to brutal and criminal persecution without any sympathy or mercy," said Maria Garcia, a protester.

Protesters said that Mexico's relationship with its northern neighbor has deteriorated significantly since Donald Trump's return to the White House and that the decision to send the military to control the demonstrations is a step too far.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged the U.S. authorities on Monday to follow the law on deportation proceedings and respect human dignity.

The president of Mexico said that the government will not tolerate practices that violate human rights, making a "respectful but firm" request that the U.S. authorities act in accordance with due process and respect for human dignity.

Demonstrations erupt at US embassy in Mexico City to support Mexican community in Los Angeles

Demonstrations erupt at US embassy in Mexico City to support Mexican community in Los Angeles

Demonstrations erupt at US embassy in Mexico City to support Mexican community in Los Angeles

A cultural exchange event in Guangzhou saw teenagers from China and the United States gather to promote mutual understanding and friendship through music and other art forms.

Kicking off the new year, young performers from the American One Voice Children's Choir returned to Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, for another visit, engaging in face-to-face cultural exchanges with local youth.

During their time together, the teenagers visited the top of the city's landmark Canton Tower, and joined their voices in heartfelt rendition of the emotionally rich Cantonese classic "Friends."

"I think music is so powerful and creates such a bond between people. I mean, I'm not really understanding the words of this song, but I just know that it's so powerful to everybody and just music can span gaps that words can't always fill," said Cody, a member of One Voice Children's Choir.

Beyond singing, the young visitors also participated in hands-on cultural experiences including calligraphy and handcrafted fans making with their Guangzhou peers, immersing themselves in the charm of Chinese aesthetics and Eastern civilization.

Teenagers from both countries said that this event gave them a deeper understanding for the power of cultural exchange in strengthening China-U.S. friendship. Many primary school students in Guangzhou shared their hope that such activities would be held more frequently.

"We'd like to have more of these China-U.S. exchange activities," said Li Ziyu, a primary school student.

"In areas like music and sports, which have no borders, we can enhance cooperation," said another student, Zhang Bolun.

Music gathering in Guangzhou deepens friendship between Chinese, US teens