Benches at McKeldin Square were filled Monday as community organizers protested anti-immigrant speech from politicians and ICE deportations — rhetoric that’s flooded social media as tensions increased between progressive activist groups and federal agents after recent Los Angeles protests became violent over the weekend.

Protests that started Thursday in Southern California amid reports of ICE immigration sweeps endured through the weekend. Some were peaceful and focused. Others erupted into clashes with law

Speak out peacefully." Photos of the protests show protestors carrying Mexican flags, being arrested by police or having milk poured into their eyes after getting caught in chemical agents fired by law enforcement.

A large crowd of people gathered at the Texas Capitol and marched in downtown Austin on Monday in solidarity with those protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Los Angeles, according to organizers.