Protesters Form Human Banner Calling to 'Abolish ICE' on Ocean Beach

Hundreds gather in San Francisco for national protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Jan. 31, 2026 at 3:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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Hundreds of protesters gathered on Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Saturday, forming a human banner that spelled out 'ABOLISH!' as part of a nationwide protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The crowd also held up an American flag and created signs reading 'We have eyes, no more lies' in the wake of recent killings of U.S. citizens by federal agents.

Why it matters

The protests reflect growing public anger over the actions of ICE, with critics accusing the agency of human rights abuses and overly aggressive tactics. The demonstrations come amid a national debate over immigration policy and the role of federal immigration enforcement.

The details

Protesters gathered on Ocean Beach and used their bodies to spell out 'ABOLISH!' as part of the human banner display. Some members of the crowd carried upside-down American flags, a traditional signal of distress. The action followed a larger march in San Francisco the previous day, where thousands of people, many of them high school students, took to the streets to protest ICE's activities.

  • The protest took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The previous day, thousands marched in San Francisco to protest ICE.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, which has faced growing criticism and protests over its tactics and treatment of immigrants.

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The takeaway

The protests on Ocean Beach and across San Francisco reflect the deep divisions in the country over immigration policy and the role of federal enforcement agencies like ICE. The demonstrations show that the debate over these issues is far from over and will likely continue to be a major political flashpoint.