Immigration activists disrupted a press conference held by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Monday, declaring Democrats are not the real resistance to President Donald Trump.
The group declared themselves "undocumented youth" who are "unafraid," in a series of scripted call-and-response chants, which were recorded on Facebook Live by NTK Network. The group targeted Pelosi's party for creating an "out of control deportation machine" and "trading away" their parents through immigration enforcement. They further expressed their displeasure about Pelosi striking deals with Trump.
"We undocumented youth will not be a bargaining chip," they said.
"Democrats created an out of control deportation machine [and] handed it over to Trump," they chanted. "We demand accountability. Democrats are not the resistance of Trump—we are! We undocumented youth, demand that you hear our voices."
Pelosi and Democrats have held the position that Dreamers should be legalized because only their parents are guilty of illegally immigrating to the United States. The protesters did not agree with such an approach.
"Congresswoman Pelosi, you called this press conference in our name to defend the so-called 'Dream Act,'" they chanted. "But you've already traded in our parents in our name."
They also attacked Pelosi for reaching out to make deals with Trump.
"Last week you announced that you had agreed with President Trump, and I quote you, 'to work out a passage of border security,'" they chanted.
They also criticized former president Barack Obama's record on immigration.
"We cannot say, however, we are surprised," they continued. "We remember all too well how for eight years the Democrats laid siege to our communities, raiding and deporting nearly three million people of our family members and loved ones. Where was your resistance then, Miss Pelosi? Did you think we would forget?"
Pelosi tried to speak at certain points but was drown out.
"We are the resistance to Trump, not the Democrats," they continued. "We extend our arms in struggle to our parents and our loved ones."
"With you, we are prepared to struggle side by side in this fight," they chanted.
Some protesters held up signs reading, "Democrats are deporters."