DACA protesters shut down Westwood intersection

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- DACA protesters dragged bunk beds across the roadway at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue, stalling traffic on the roadway Thursday.

Several were arrested and taken away in police vehicles as officers worked to clear the intersection.

The protesters were there for a rally against the phasing out of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Thursday was the deadline to apply for renewal for those who are protected by the program.

The protest started earlier on Thursday at Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office, then participants marched down to the federal building where they began to drag the bunk beds, which they said represent beds in detentions centers and jails, into the busy intersection.

"We wanted to bring a clear message that we are fighting for all of our undocumented community," said one protester. "Not just a few. DACA gives relief to only a few and we're saying it's enough. We want relief for everybody. We want to be treated fairly. We want our human rights respected."

The intersection was briefly shut down, but has since reopened. The closure lasted about 20 to 30 minutes, causing traffic to be backed up for miles.