The Dead Rabbit, a world-renowned Irish bar in New York City, has publicly voiced its support for protestors in Los Angeles following immigration raids ordered by President Trump. The bar, founded in 2013 by Belfast natives Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, is known for combining the authenticity of an Irish pub with the spirit of a classic American tavern.
Amid the growing tensions in Los Angeles—where the president deployed thousands of troops, including 700 Marines—the bar released a statement taking a firm stand on the political climate. In a Facebook post, the team declared: “Silence in moments like this isn’t an option. We are The Dead Rabbit, and we are immigrants.”
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The statement continued: “Our team is made up of people from all walks of life, many of us far from the place we first called home. That experience, of leaving everything you know and love in the hope of a better future, shapes how we see the world.”
Addressing the situation in LA directly, they wrote: “What we’re witnessing in Los Angeles is a violation of the very freedoms that the US claims to uphold. To protest is a right. To speak out against injustice is a responsibility, and to be met with brutality for doing so is not just abhorrent—it’s unconstitutional.”
The bar concluded its message with a clear stance: “We stand with those making their voices heard, and we stand against the use of force to suppress dissent. We stand with the communities—in LA and beyond—fighting for justice, safety, and dignity.”
The protests are expected to continue through the weekend in several cities, coinciding with events marking the president’s birthday. A third consecutive curfew remains in effect in downtown Los Angeles and is likely to extend for several more days.
Meanwhile, legal challenges to the federal response have seen mixed outcomes. A federal judge ruled on Thursday that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard was unlawful and ordered him to return control to California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, the decision was quickly put on hold by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which issued a temporary injunction blocking the ruling.
The Dead Rabbit’s bold support has resonated with many, reflecting the sentiments of immigrant communities and allies across the country.
