Drumbeats and dancing filled De la Guerra Plaza in Santa Barbara on Monday as droves of people gathered to show solidarity with the immigrant community.

Activist groups and supporters gathered for an evening vigil in support of immigrants and against the rise of deportations by the Trump administration. The event was organized by Casa de la Raza.

Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Wendy Santamaria championed immigrant rights and how they benefit California’s economy. She continued by telling the crowd not to freeze in the face of fear and chaos.

“Even if you’re afraid, even if you’re being told you’re too loud, when you are speaking for justice, there is no such thing as too loud, too obnoxious, too passionate, too whatever,” Santamaria said. “You tell them, you’re not being loud enough.”

More than 100 people filled the plaza, some with signs criticizing President Donald Trump and others with candles. The event opened with a dance by the group Danza Izkalotl.

Since beginning his second term, President Trump has signed a series of executive orders intended to target immigration. Two of his orders called for banning asylum at the southern border and for the military to assist in border security efforts.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also has increased enforcement and has begun arresting non-criminals.

Also in attendance for Monday’s vigil was Assemblyman Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara, who represents the 37th District. In his speech, Hart said President Trump seems determined to terrorize immigrants.

“Our economy is built by the people that are working hard every single day in this community,” Hart said. “The diverse equality and inclusion of California is our economic strength, and despite what the president’s trying to do to separate and divide us, California is fighting back.”

Hart added that he and his colleagues have set aside $25 million in the state’s budget to help the attorney general fight back against the Trump administration. Additionally, he added that another $25 million has been put aside to provide legal services to immigrants.  

The vigil included workers who work with the immigrant community. Alex Lopez, a case worker for Casa de la Raza, explained how the fear of deportation is affecting the people around her.

As a case worker, she deals with families who have been separated from partners and don’t know how they will pay the rent, or children who do not know when they will see their parents again. As a mother of three, she said that is her greatest fear.

Lopez also called for the City of Santa Barbara to do more to provide protection to prevent family separations.

“Santa Barbara must take a stand. We need protections in place for families like mine, for families like yours, for families who have built their lives here, just like I have,” Lopez said. “We need resources for basic separation, legal assistance, for those fighting to stay, and a commitment from our leaders that no child should have to live in fear of losing their parents.”

Ayary Avila-Carreras said she attended the event out of a need for community and a sense of rage at what has been happening during the past few months.

She said people’s rights are being taken away and neglected, and that the event was important because all of Santa Barbara needs to come together and build a sense of solidarity and community. She called the vigil a good step.

“We needed to listen to people’s experiences, we needed ritual, connection, and this was very good,” she said. “It was necessary.”