Demonstrators waving the Mexican flag have been labeled as insurrectionists by officials in the Trump administration; however, many protesters, particularly those who are Mexican American, view the flag as a symbol of pride in their heritage.
On Sunday morning, Elizabeth Torres, 36, displayed a Mexican flag outside a detention center in downtown Los Angeles, expressing her dual identity. “I am a very proud American,” said Torres, whose grandparents immigrated to the United States. “But I have to show support also for our Mexican brothers and sisters.”
This weekend's protests featured the Mexican and other Latin American flags, which have elicited anger from Trump administration officials and their supporters. One top White House adviser, Stephen Miller, criticized the demonstrators in a social media post, suggesting that they were foreign nationals disrupting law enforcement efforts.
Despite these accusations, many protesters assert their American citizenship and highlight the importance of their roots in expressing solidarity with immigrants who face deportation. Chris Zepeda-Millán, a professor of Chicano studies at UCLA, noted that the protesters often feel a strong sense of belonging and pride in their heritage, countering narratives that suggest they should feel ashamed of their backgrounds.
Eric Torres, 30, a demonstrator in Paramount, also waved a Mexican flag in front of sheriff’s deputies, embodying the typical attire of Chicanos in Los Angeles. He stated, “I came out here to support my people and show them where we came from,” emphasizing the immigrant background of many present at the protest.
The display of foreign flags at immigration protests has a history, sparking controversy among those who perceive it as un-American. Nonetheless, American flags have also been present at these protests, with some demonstrators combining the American flag with that of another country. This week in Los Angeles, such fusions were visible among the crowds.
While some immigrant coalitions have previously discouraged the use of foreign flags to avoid fuelling anti-immigrant sentiments, Alfonso Gonzales Toribio, an ethnic studies professor at UC Riverside, remarked that amid ongoing attacks on immigrants, the display of homeland flags serves as a significant source of pride for individuals.