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A day after President Donald Trump called off a “surge” in immigration enforcement in San Francisco — and within hours of federal officials confirming the rest of the Bay Area would be similarly spared — the mood was festive and defiant in front of the city’s immigration court on Friday.
Outside the court at 630 Sansome St., around 50 peaceful protesters held signs reading “Huelga general, general strike” as they walked around the building. They chanted “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!” as a long line of asylum-seekers, waiting outside for their hearings, recorded videos and cheered.
Protesters chant as they walk around the perimeter of San Francisco immigration court. Asylum-seekers took photos and videos as they waited in line for their immigration hearings. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
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Irma Alvarado Martínez holds copal, a type of incense used to purify and give thanks to Aztec gods, in a cleansing ritual performed in front of San Francisco immigration court. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
The picket line, organized by the San Francisco General Strike Committee and Anti-ICE Action Coalition, was joined by members of four Aztec dance groups, who led the crowd in a cleansing ritual. They used copal, an incense used to purify a space and honor Aztec gods, to bless both immigrants standing in line and various entrances to the court building. Protesters beat drums and blared trumpets.
“We are here to offer energy and strength to the families,” said Irma Alvarado Martínez, a dancer with Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca.
Irma Alvarado Martínez blesses a woman waiting in line outside of San Francisco immigration court. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
Luis Gutiérrez performs a traditional Aztec dance in front of San Francisco immigration court as protesters watch. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
Lupe Heredia performs a traditional Aztec dance while offering blessings with copal, incense, at the main entrance of 630 Sansome immigration court. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
A 74 year-old woman, who preferred not to be named, walked slowly behind the protestors, with a cane in hand. Her parents, she said, fled Nazi Germany in the 1940s and, before that, her grandparents perished as victims of the concentration camps.
When asked why she was there, she responded with a quiet, controlled fierceness: “It’s in my blood.”
Protesters leave signs reading “Solidarity” and “General strike” in front of the court building. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
We’re more than halfway there!
We’ve raised 2/3 of our $300,000 goal to cover immigration for the next three years of Trump’s term! More than 500 of you have stepped up since September — an incredible feat of community support.
We are humbled. We still have a bit to go: Donate below if you want to keep Mission Local in the courts, reporting on ICE’s actions in San Francisco.