145 Arrested at Protest Against U.S. Deportations

U.S. Park Police say 145 people were arrested during a protest against U.S. deportations of migrants in the country illegally in a rally outside the White House.

Activists from CASA de Maryland and CASA de Virginia organized a crowd of hundreds of protesters Thursday. They called on President Barack Obama to stop deportations and make a decision on how to provide relief for immigrant families.

The groups say stopping deportations of migrant children from Central America should be a top priority.

Police spokesman Lt. Richard Butler says it was a peaceful protest. But protesters planned to engage in civil disobedience. In total, 145 protesters were arrested and charged with blocking a sidewalk. They were released after paying a $50 fine.

An estimated 2 million people have been deported since 2009.