Protests Against Migrant Detention Camps: Santa Cruz, Watsonville

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — "Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps," is expected to bring thousands of protesters to streets across the nation Friday, including in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. The two local vigils are being held to protest the "inhumane conditions for refugees in detention camps." The events take place 7-9 p.m. on the steps of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court (701 Ocean St.) and Watsonville City Plaza (358 Main St.), according to local event organizers Santa Cruz Invisible, Santa Cruz Women's March and Watsonville Center For Change Democratic Campaign Headquarters.

The local vigils are being held in solidarity with groups across the nation that are joining Friday's Lights for Liberty movement. The protests come as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly plans to begin nationwide raids this weekend to arrest migrant families. President Trump had promised to begin the raids last month, but then postponed the operation.

"They'll be starting fairly soon, but I don't call them raids, we're removing people, all of these people who have come in over the years illegally," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.

Lights for Liberty calls itself "a coalition of people, many of whom are mothers, dedicated to human rights, and the fundamental principle behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. We are partnering with international, national, regional and local communities and organizations who believe that these fundamental rights are not negotiable and are willing to protect them."