Students, elected officials, activists hold widespread demonstrations to protest ICE

They want ICE out.

In a display of power, elected officials, activists, clergy members and several hundred students spoke out against the federal government’s deportation efforts as part of National Shutdown Day on Friday.

Gregg Hart, 37th District Assemblyman, organized the press conference in front of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

“Our neighbors are not safe from state-sanctioned violence and our civil liberties are being trampled by our own federal government,” Hart said. “It’s long past this nightmare to end.”

As Hart was speaking, a large crowd of students walked onto the courthouse grass, bringing with them a chant of “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!”

At the front of the march were two students carrying signs that said, “You love our culture, but not our people,” and “If this was really about criminals, then why did u elected 1 as president.”

(Watch the video below of the students arriving at the Courthouse while Hart was speaking).

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Others carried “Ice Out of 805” signs.

Hart paused his speech and gave the group its moment to shine. One of those students was Alexis, the organizer of the student walkout, and who addressed the crowd.

“We are teenagers and people often say we are too young to understand what is happening in this world, but we do understand fear, we understand injustice, and we understand what it means to watch our friends, neighbors and classmates live everyday worried that their families could be torn apart,” Alexis said.

Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Wendy Santamaria also spoke and fired up the crowd. Santamaria, who was elected in 2024, said she felt empowered by the youth and community in attendance.

“But I am also angry and I am heartbroken about what our community has been going through,” Santamaria said.

She noted that people were pepper sprayed on the Eastside earlier in the week.

“It is not a matter of when or if fascism gets here, it’s here, it’s now,” Santamaria said. “There’s no more waiting.”

She called out her elected official colleagues.

“Especially if you are not here, step up or get out of the way,” Santamaria said. “You need to step up and make sure our local law enforcement is not colluding with ICE agents.”

Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said the federal government is trampling on the constitution.

“ICE’s ranks have more than doubled in less than a year . . . raising serious questions about their training, discipline,” Capps said. “Who are these people wearing masks?”

Among the speakers was Gloria Soto, Santa Maria City Councilwoman. She said more than 200 people have been taken by recent ICE immigration raids. She said parents have been taken from their homes and entire communities are living in fear.

“People are saying loud and clear that enough is enough,” Soto said. “What we are seeing in our nation is not distant or abstract. It is deeply personal and deeply painful for our families here on the Central Coast and beyond.”

In addition to the Courthouse march and rally, students gathered on Cabrillo Boulevard on the waterfront, lining the street and waving signs.

Check out slideshows of News-Press images below that captured the emotional moments.