Protests have spread all across America in solidarity with migrant workers and against US President Donald Trump’s immigration raids.

Last Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made the most arrests in a single day in its history, detaining more than 2,200 people. Even tourists were reportedly questioned and some were temporarily detained. Then on Friday, the federal agency arrested more than a hundred undocumented immigrants in workplace raids. This triggered spontaneous protests near those sites and in front of downtown federal buildings, especially in Los Angeles, California. Protesters accuse the Trump administration of targeting ordinary workers simply trying to make ends meet.

Trump deployed 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops without California’s consent, citing national security and calling these protests an “insurrection.” In videos circulating on social media, we see authorities using brute force, rubber bullets, and tear gas against protesters and journalists. As of now, close to 400 people have been arrested due to the protests, and that number is rising rapidly. 

But this has only brought more people onto the streets, now all over the country. Thousands of people are taking to the streets in New York, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and more.

So, what is the significance of this moment?

We speak to Prof Peter Beattie, Political Economist & Political Psychologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

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