Service Workers Worldwide Union California President David Huerta was injured and detained whereas documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles Friday, labor union officers stated — prompting protests and requires his launch.
Huerta, 58, was handled at a hospital after which transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Heart in downtown L.A., the place he remained in custody as of 5:30 p.m., in keeping with a spokesperson for the labor union. Protesters spray-painted the middle with messages reminiscent of “F— ICE,” “Burn Prisons” and “Abolish ICE.”
“What occurred to me isn’t about me; That is about one thing a lot greater,” he stated in a press release from the hospital. “That is about how we as a group stand collectively and resist the injustice that’s taking place. Laborious-working folks, and members of our household and our group, are being handled like criminals. All of us collectively must object to this insanity as a result of this isn’t justice.”
The labor union stated in a press release that Huerta was detained whereas “whereas exercising his First Modification proper to look at and doc legislation enforcement exercise.”
Federal authorities, nonetheless, stated Huerta intentionally obstructed federal brokers’ entry to a worksite the place they had been executing a warrant by blocking their car.
Brokers executed 4 search warrants throughout L.A. Friday associated to the suspected harboring of individuals illegally within the nation, in keeping with Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for Homeland Safety Investigations, a department of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
“Let me be clear: I don’t care who you’re — in the event you impede federal brokers, you may be arrested and prosecuted,” U.S. Atty. Invoice Essayli wrote in a assertion on X. “Nobody has the correct to assault, impede, or intervene with federal authorities finishing up their duties.”
Elected officers representing Los Angeles on the metropolis, county, state and federal ranges launched a flurry of statements condemning Huerta’s arrest, criticizing the raids and decrying the Trump administration’s escalation of deportations.
“SEIU California President David Huerta was injured by federal brokers and wrongfully detained,” stated L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I’m calling for his speedy launch. This can be a democracy. Folks have a proper to peacefully protest, to look at legislation enforcement exercise, and to talk out towards injustice.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom known as Huerta a revered chief, patriot and advocate for working folks.
“Nobody ought to ever be harmed for witnessing authorities motion,” he wrote on X.
Essayli stated Huerta was arrested on suspicion of interfering with federal officers and will likely be arraigned Monday.
“There’s not a First Modification proper to bodily impede legislation enforcement officers from executing a duly issued warrant,” stated Harmeet Dhillon, the U.S. assistant lawyer basic for civil rights.
Senate President Professional Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) known as for Huerta’s speedy launch, saying he was “violently thrown to the bottom” by ICE brokers.
“We’re higher than this and each American must be alarmed,” McGuire stated in a press release.
Apart from Huerta, 44 folks had been administratively arrested throughout Friday’s immigration motion, O’Keefe stated.
A whole lot of individuals rallied exterior the Los Angeles Federal Constructing, condemning the crackdown and demanding Huerta’s launch.
By 6:30 p.m., a crowd of greater than 100 folks had gathered exterior an immigration providers constructing and detention heart downtown, with a number of protesters carrying T-shirts with the phrases, “ICE out of L.A.”
Mandy Bell, a 65-year-old Koreatown resident, stated she noticed a video from the protests earlier within the day and was keen to hitch.
“Immigrants aren’t the enemy,” she stated. “I didn’t assume the raids would come right here. It’s so incorrect, so I’ll be out right here. I gotta discover out when the following protest is.”
The Los Angeles Police Division declared an illegal meeting and ordered the group to disperse round 7 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., round eight police automobiles and a bunch of about 50 officers in riot gear closed in on a bunch of protesters on North Alameda Road, whereas a secondary group of protesters additional again shouted “disgrace on you” on the officers.
“We’re out right here as a result of individuals are dwelling in concern proper now,” one protester shouted at an officer. “You understand somebody who’s.”
