TAMPA — About two to three dozen protesters were in front of City Hall on Monday, calling for an end to ICE raids nationwide.
Their protest comes one day after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles that have turned violent.
Those against the raids said they don't agree with the tactics being used to arrest people.
"They're disappearing our fellow citizens, and I don't like it," said protester Merry Galvin. "My family doesn't like it. I just can't imagine the state we're in today."
A counterprotester, Adam Francisco, said: "I'm a legal immigrant from Mexico, and I just want people to come to this country the right way. We love immigrants. MAGA loves immigrants. We just want legal immigrants only."
People from both groups said they are disturbed by scenes from Los Angeles this weekend.
A brief scuffle between anti-ICE protesters and pro-Trump protesters happened, according to Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Sarah Blazonis, but the situation was resolved.
A few Tampa police officers have responded to the location.
On Sunday, following the National Guard deployment, thousands of protesters took to the streets, shutting down highways and setting vehicles on fire.
In a post early Monday afternoon, Trump stood by the deployment and accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass of lying to Californians by saying the protests did not warrant National Guard intervention.
Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
