‘The death of democracy.’ That was the theme of 50501 SoCal’s candlelight vigil March 4.

The 50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement organization has groups popping up across the country in opposition of what they describe as the Trump administration’s executive overreach.

Tuesday night’s demonstration began at El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument and ended on the sidewalk across from Union Station. Dozens showed up to air their grievances against the administration. Some members discussed the absence of community members in the wake of mass deportations.

Attendees had the option to write messages on note cards to be displayed. Some cards read: “No kids in cages.” “Keep families together.” “No al racismo.” The youngest attendee, Rocío López’s 3-year-old daughter, stood among the crowd of signs and electric candles. 

“She has always been the reason for my husband and I to be advocates and to be in public service,” López said. “I always want her to feel part of her community and the movement to provide for our neighbors, to love one another, to embrace people in the most marginalized communities.” 

Rocío López is a daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her parents worked on farms for over 30 years to provide her a better chance to succeed. She wants the same for her daughter.

“She’s biracial,” López said. “I’m Mexican and my husband is African American. [Both] our families have deep histories of heartache, discrimination and oppression. We’re supposed to be moving forward. We’re supposed to work hard and get [her] even more opportunities, the ones that me and her dad didn’t have because we were first generation fighters.”

López brought her daughter to the protest to show her how to advocate for human rights.

“I want something so different for her generation,” López said. “She’s going to have to continue this fight along with her peers.”

López and her daughter posed for a photo with the U.S. Constitution displayed on an altar.

“I wanted to document us in this moment,” López said. “I’m taking photos, I’m taking footage, so that I could show the world we’re out here and you can be a part of this movement too.” 

By sharing these moments on social media, López hopes more people will gather in person to support their community.

“We see you and we’re going to be here for you, so come join us,” she said “We need to be loud. We need to be unapologetically proud of standing up for what’s right for us.”