occupy

Occupy ICELA

Occupy ICE LA is a decentralized protest movement that has emerged in Los Angeles, targeting corporate and governmental complicity with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The movement operates without formal leadership or organizational structure, relying instead on collective decision-making and widespread community support. Protesters have established temporary encampments outside hotels, office buildings, and other sites believed to be aiding ICE operations.

The gatherings often include tents, banners, mutual aid stations, and educational events aimed at raising awareness about detention, deportation, and surveillance practices. Organizers describe the action as both a disruption and a vision—a way to model what a more just and humane world could look like.

Occupy ICE LA draws inspiration from earlier occupations like Standing Rock, the George Floyd uprisings, and Occupy Wall Street, blending tactics of nonviolent resistance, direct action, and public visibility. The group refers to itself as a "school of fish," emphasizing fluid, leaderless coordination and mass responsiveness.

While there is no central spokesperson, participants say they are united by a shared demand to end corporate profiteering from immigration enforcement. The movement has quickly gained traction online and in local neighborhoods, positioning itself as part of a broader call to abolish ICE and defend the dignity of migrant communities.