February 4, 2025
I don’t just speak on this issue as an observer—I speak as someone who has lived, breathed, and fought for civil rights my entire life. Civil rights activism is in my blood. I grew up in a household where the struggle for justice was not just a topic of conversation, but a way of life. My mother personally knew Billie Holiday, marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Adam Clayton Powell, and participated in the legal, permitted protests that helped shape the future of our nation. I have carried on that legacy by actively engaging in the fight for justice, not only as a protester but as a speaker, having given a speech on the steps of the Supreme Court.
Beyond my activism, I have spent nearly 28 years as a scholar of Section 1983 civil rights law and constitutional law, studying thousands of cases. I know firsthand how the legal system operates, what strategies are most effective, and how change is truly won. Dr. King and Thurgood Marshall understood these same principles: that lawful protest is a far more powerful weapon than reckless disruption. That is why what happened in Los Angeles was not just misguided but deeply counterproductive.
The Power of Legally Sanctioned Protests
Dr. King, Thurgood Marshall, and other Civil Rights leaders were not ignorant of the system; they mastered it. Early in the movement, there were instances where marches and sit-ins were held without permits, leading to violent crackdowns and mass arrests. The Birmingham Campaign of 1963 is a prime example—King was arrested for marching without a permit, which led to his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. In that letter, he argued for civil disobedience but also acknowledged that working within the legal system where possible made the movement more effective.
Once King and his allies understood the power of legal protests, they became meticulous about securing permits for marches, most notably the March on Washington in 1963, where King delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech. Similarly, the final Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 only proceeded after federal court approval. These legally sanctioned protests gave King the moral and political high ground, forcing the government to address their demands rather than dismissing them as unlawful disruptions.
The Mistake of the Los Angeles Protesters
The illegal immigrants in Los Angeles blocking freeways and waving Mexican flags are making critical strategic errors:
1. They Are Not Legally Protesting – Unlike MLK’s permitted marches, these demonstrators are engaging in illegal activity by blocking public highways without authorization. When protests disrupt commerce and public safety, authorities have every legal right to disperse them and make arrests.
2. They Are Sending the Wrong Message – The overwhelming presence of Mexican flags at a protest about U.S. immigration policy makes the movement appear more like a foreign incursion than an appeal for justice. If their goal is to be accepted as part of American society, waving the flag of a foreign nation—especially one they claim to have fled—is counterproductive.
3. They Risk Justifying a Government Crackdown – The U.S. government has the authority to respond to unlawful uprisings with force if necessary. Blocking highways en masse, refusing to comply with law enforcement, and engaging in disorderly conduct could give authorities grounds to escalate enforcement measures. This could lead to mass arrests or even military intervention in extreme cases, which would only worsen their situation.
4. They Are Playing Into the Hands of Their Opponents – Many Americans are already skeptical about illegal immigration. A protest that disrupts daily life, disregards U.S. law by many who openly admit at the protests that they are here illegally is a double whammy, and projects a foreign allegiance only fueling the narrative that these individuals do not respect the country they wish to remain in. This makes it easier for policymakers and law enforcement agencies to justify harsher immigration laws and crackdowns.
A Smarter Approach
If the protesters truly want to advance their cause, they must change their tactics. Democrat lawyers who claim to support these individuals need to do more than issue statements—they need to educate these protesters on how to engage in effective and legal demonstrations. Here’s what needs to happen:
Obtain Permits – Just as MLK and his movement did, organizers should secure the proper permits for marches and rallies. This will prevent law enforcement from shutting down protests on legal grounds and will ensure that their message is not overshadowed by legal violations.
Use American Symbols – If their goal is to be accepted into American society, protesters should be waving American flags, not Mexican ones. This simple visual shift would make a profound difference in how the movement is perceived by the public and policymakers.
Avoid Illegal Disruptions – Blocking highways and disrupting traffic only angers the very people they need to convince. Instead, legal marches through designated protest areas or peaceful sit-ins at government buildings would garner more respect and sympathy.
Refine Their Message – Instead of appearing defiant and antagonistic, protest leaders should articulate clear, reasonable demands that align with legal and moral principles. Shouting slogans and displaying foreign flags only alienates potential allies.
Conclusion: A Warning to Illegal Protesters
The democratic party, the majority of illegal immigrant supporters, seems to be in quite a bit of disarray. People supporting the rights of illegal immigrants must also remember that a large portion of the public doesn't agree with you and VOTED for these deportations asking only that they come into the U.S legally. Defying the will of the majority, and illegally at that only sews chaos and further strife in this country. The sad thing is, that many labeled as illegal immigrants were physically brought here on buses by government paid NGO's so these immigrants felt they were within their rights and may very well argue that in courts. If they can prove that in court, they should obtain lawyers and raise those defenses, not put themselves in a public illegal protest where ICE and the federal government has all the more right to come in mass force and pluck them all up like a great whale scooping up a large catch of herring! The situation unfolding in Los Angeles is a perfect example of how not to conduct a protest. While the demonstrators may feel justified in their actions, they are failing to recognize that they are strengthening their opponents' arguments against them. They are not following in the footsteps of MLK, Thurgood Marshall, or Adam Clayton Powell—leaders who understood that working within the legal system is the best path to change.
Unless these protesters and their organizers adapt their approach, they risk not only their movement’s credibility but also their own personal safety. If they continue down this path of unlawful demonstrations, they may soon face a government response far harsher than they ever anticipated. If Democrat lawyers or advocacy groups truly care about these individuals, they should be on the front lines educating them—not just cheering from the sidelines.
History has shown that strategic, lawful activism is far more effective than reckless, unlawful rebellion. I have dedicated my life to civil rights, and I have seen firsthand how legal, structured activism can lead to real change. It’s time these protesters learn that lesson before it’s too late.