YouTuber James Klug promotes mass deportation at Long Beach State

Students create makeshift signs from notebook paper in opposition of Klug and his declaration of supporting mass deportation. More on this story to come shortly. Photo Credit Elizabeth Carroll

On Monday afternoon, YouTuber James Klug, along with his video team, walked around Long Beach State parading a sign reading, “We support mass deportation.” Reactions were mixed as students surrounded the YouTuber as he responded to questions from the public.

Klug’s YouTube channel is based on bringing controversial topics to the public, speaking with strangers, and debating. “Defeating insanity with honest street interviews and commentary,” his YouTube bio reads.

Students stepped up one by one, both in favor and against the topic, to question Klug’s knowledge and reasoning behind the sign. Holding up his microphone, Klug responded to each question as his videographer recorded for his YouTube channel.

“They want to have debates, but it is hard to give debates when they are the only ones that had enough time to secure enough evidence to back up whatever they’re saying,” said Xavier Esparza, CSULB student and immigrant who was present during Klug’s recording.

In opposition to Klug's opinions, Esparza along with other surrounding students walked around with handmade signs that read “We support immigrants” and “We love immigrants.” Meanwhile, other students less dismayed by the situation laughed and made signs reading, “Keep the baddies.”

“I myself am an immigrant, so this is something very personal for me,” said a student who has elected to remain anonymous. “I’ve had family members affected by this, and just the lack of empathy, for me, that’s really disheartening to see.”

Klug’s YouTube channel, along with videos surrounding mass deportation and immigration, consists of other street conversations focusing on gender, ethnicity, and right wing opinions about Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and the democratic party.

Video titles found on the page include, “Childless Leftist VS Protective Mother,” and “Democrat SNAPS After I Show Him Immigration Stats.”

As the crowd began to dissipate, some participants remained behind to speak with Klug or to protest his actions and ensure that their voices were not only heard, but their signs were seen.

“Words matter,” said Esparza. “I need to go out and show these people that what they’re saying is wrong and being able to hold even just a sign in the back of their videos is going to be shown. People are going to see [our signs] and realize, maybe what [Klug] is doing isn’t right.”