San Diego Joins Statewide Protests Against Immigration Raids and Military Deployment

Protests continued across California over the weekend, including in San Diego, where demonstrators gathered to denounce federal immigration raids and the deployment of military forces in response to civil unrest.

NBC’s Kelvin Henry was on the ground in San Diego, reporting from two protest sites—just outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton and Chicano Park.

Patrick Saunders, a veteran and organizer of the North County protest, said he chose the location to send a message to active-duty service members.

“We are here because we condemn this administration threatening to use the Marines on U.S. citizens,” Saunders said. “I want the Marines to see that we’re just like them.”

At Chicano Park, Diane Fortune expressed shock at the federal response to immigration protests and criticized what she sees as a growing disregard for civil liberties.

“If you had said a year ago that this was happening, I don’t think anybody would have believed it,” she said.

Though crowds at both protest locations peaked around 25 people, organizers say they are working to increase engagement and are committed to continued demonstrations.

“It’s not about what I can do,” one woman said. “It’s what we can all do together. Because individually, none of us can really do much.”

On Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom urged protestors to remain peaceful, while former ICE Director Tom Homan defended President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and warned that state officials who interfere with federal operations could face arrest.

Protesters say they will continue to rally until action is taken to protect communities and uphold due process.

Credit: Kelvin Henry, NBC San Diego

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