Protesters in LA demand fair treatment, say US is "forever built on immigrants"

Frustrated immigrants and their families continued to gather in Los Angeles on Monday to protest what they describe as unfair treatment and hypocrisy by the government, asserting that their labor and tax contributions have built the city and the nation.

As the protests over immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles continued for a fourth consecutive day, escalating clashes have been seen between protesters, police officers and the National Guard troops sent in by the Trump administration.

The clashes came after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids began on Friday across Los Angeles County, with a particular focus on the downtown fashion district and Latino communities, which sparked mass protests over the weekend.

The raids resulted in more than 100 arrests, drawing angry protesters who confronted agents with tear gas, flash-bang grenades and rocks.

One of the protesters, university student Guadalupe who is from a Mexican immigrant family, criticized the heavy-handed response to the protests which she said goes against their right to free speech. She also called on others to take to the street and make their voices heard.

"The first few days, we were able to protest and speak freely. This is a country we are [supposed to be] able to speak freely and as you guys can see right now, we are not able to speak freely. So we're all here today, we're getting all the immigrants, all the families, if you can come support, come out here because this place [would] not [be] here without Mexicans, without all immigrants. So we're all here, we want every single family to come over here and support their families because without them the U.S. is nothing," she said.

Guadalupe also condemned the government hypocrisy in wrongfully accusing immigrants of not contributing taxes while asserting their rightful place in America, a country she said is "built on immigrants".

"My parents have always paid taxes. They (the government) used to say we didn't pay taxes, what about now? Are they using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to track us down? I thought we didn't pay taxes, I thought we were freeloaders? But yet they're coming to our houses, they're coming to buildings, they're coming to construction places. What is it? They are lying to the people and the people are tired and we're not dealing with it no more. Los Angeles is not going to stand by and let this happen. This place was built on immigrants and it will forever be built on immigrants. This is our land and no one is going to take it away from us ever," she said.

Protesters in LA demand fair treatment, say US is "forever built on immigrants"

Protesters in LA demand fair treatment, say US is "forever built on immigrants"

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests