LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — A protest was held in downtown Lafayette where people spoke out on their disagreements with the Trump administration’s upcoming plans.

Nearly 60 people gathered in front of the Lafayette International Center to express their opinions on a multitude of issues. Afterwards, they marched on the sidewalk and screaming chants like “no justice, no peace.”

Isabella Melton, a protester, said she has grown concerned about the current Immigration and Custom Enforcement raids in cities across the country.

“I think that we are basically entering a new era in America that is more akin to a dictatorship, I think that there are a lot of lies being spread by Trump saying that we’re going after criminals, then why is ICE in schools, why is ICE around children,” said Melton.

Another protestor, Phoebe Lim, said she is against the possibility of the Department of Education being taken away.

“I receive federal funding in my undergrad,” said Lim. “It’s something that’s very important, being educated, and I feel like they’re also working on taking that away too, if we want to return to a day and age where people couldn’t get an education, by all means, but I would really like to not see that happen.”

Malek Richard, the organizer of the protest, said he hopes the demonstration will show the government they will not stand for executive orders that can possibly take away their rights.

“We’re here to show the United States and the power that be, the billionaires, the one percent, the government, that none of us are going to stand for the abhorrent executive orders and promises and rulings that have been placed in front of our faces,” said Richard.

Richard stresses that demonstrators at the protest will not stop fighting these issues until there is justice and peace for all.

“I trust that Lafayette will continue to rise above in every aspect that they can, and should, for not only the betterment of themselves, but the betterment of the state and the betterment of the United States,” he said.

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