145 Arrested At Protest Against U.S. Deportations
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Park Police say 145 people were arrested during a protest against U.S. deportations of migrants in the country illegally in a rally outside the White House.
Activists from CASA de Maryland and CASA de Virginia organized a crowd of hundreds of protesters Thursday. They called on President Barack Obama to stop deportations and make a decision on how to provide relief for immigrant families.
The groups say stopping deportations of migrant children from Central America should be a top priority.
Police spokesman Lt. Richard Butler says it was a peaceful protest. But protesters planned to engage in civil disobedience. In total, 145 protesters were arrested and charged with blocking a sidewalk. They were released after paying a $50 fine.
An estimated 2 million people have been deported since 2009.
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