WOODSON TERRACE — About 60 people gathered along Woodson Road Thursday evening to protest federal immigration policies that they said created a culture of fear among immigrants.
The protest, organized by the Hispanic Rights Movement group made up of Ritenour High School students, was peaceful and lasted for about an hour. No law enforcement officers were visible.
Ritenour High School sophomore and activist David Cabañas speaks with demonstrators about recent ICE deportations on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, outside of Gateway City Church in Woodson Terrace. “Seeing everyone right here gives me the motivation to keep doing this,” Cabañas said.
Protesters said they wanted to raise their voices against actions taken by President Donald Trump aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.
Trump has rescinded guidelines that previously prevented federal immigration authorities from making arrests at churches and schools. He also signed an executive order that called for the immediate removal of those in the U.S. without legal status, among several other actions.
Activists hold signs and flags as they gather to listen to speeches from student activists on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, outside of Gateway City Church in Woodson Terrace. Roughly 60 people gathered near the intersection of Woodson Road and Guthrie Avenue to protest ICE deportations in the St. Louis area and nationwide.
“I’m really hoping that anyone who was picked up in the past week, that they are safe and their families are safe,” said David Cabañas, a Ritenour High sophomore.
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Many of the protesters spoke of local sightings of, or arrests made by, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, which could not immediately be confirmed.
“We really need to be careful and keep everyone in touch about everything that’s going on,” said Gabriela Aguilar, a Ritenour High senior. “Our loved ones are at risk.”
Protesters started to gather around 5 p.m. at an athletic field outside Gateway City Church. Surrounding communities, including St. Ann and Overland, have large populations of Hispanic residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Evelyn Guizar of Florissant attended along with her sister, Jaylynn Guizar, and held a sign that said, “stop separating families.”
“Not all of us are bad people,” Evelyn Guizar said. “We have families (and) loved ones that need to be together and united.”
Activists hold signs and banners in protest against recent ICE deportations on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, outside of Gateway City Church in Woodson Terrace.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois denounced President Donald Trump's recent executive orders related to immigration during a speech Jan. 28, 2025, on the Senate floor.
