Immigration attacks resulted in dozens of arrests Friday and caused hours of chaos in downtown Los Angeles
Here is what we know so far:
Where is the raid?
Federal agents attacked several locations, including ambience clothing in the costume area, many of whom were detained, authorities clashed with protesters, and Home Depot in the West Lake area.
At Ambiance Apparel, immigration authorities detained employees at clothing wholesalers and used flash grenades and pepper spray to protest the raids in the crowd at around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Agents surrounded the Gates protesters tried to stop. Some people threw objects at the agents as they yelled and filmed. To disperse the crowd, pepper spray was used.
At least a dozen people were out of the store and boarded the van on the van as other agents of other drivers recorded it in the area.
The vans are filled with immigrants, then the lines of tactical vehicles and trucks. The agents used grenades and pepper spray that appeared to have at least twelve rounds of flashes before protesters were dispersed.
There were reports of other actions, but it was not confirmed.
Who is detained?
Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, spokesman for ICE Homeland Security Investigation, said 44 people were administratively arrested, one person for blocking an arrest during Friday’s immigration operation. She said federal agents executed four search warrants related to suspected persons illegally carried at three central Los Angeles locations.
Carlosgonzález Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico, Los Angeles, said his team had identified at least 11 Mexican nationals who were detained in raids throughout the South. The office provides legal services to them, and he says he is monitoring the conditions of detention.
What about the President of SEIU?
California President David Huerta was injured and detained in an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.
Huerta, 58, was treated at the hospital before being transferred to a metropolitan detention center in downtown Los Angeles
“What happened to me is not about me; it’s a bigger thing,” he said in a statement from the hospital. “It’s about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that is happening. Diligent people, our families and members of our community are seen as criminals. We all have to collectively oppose this madness because it’s not justice.”
Many elected officials expressed anger at the arrest and called for his release.
In a statement about X, the United States. Bill Essayli claims Huerta deliberately blocked federal agents from entering the workplace, and they blocked their vehicles from executing an arrest warrant Friday morning. Huerta was arrested for allegedly interfering with federal officials and will be arraigned on Monday, Essayli said.
What about protesting?
Dozens of protesters gathered at the Metropolitan Detention Center on Friday afternoon and evening, sometimes clashing with agents. Some people destroyed the building.
The Los Angeles Police Department declares an illegal assembly and orders about 200 protesters who are still gathered by the Los Angeles federal building and dispersed around 7 p.m.
Police said the so-called small amount of ammunition was authorized at 8 p.m., after a small number of “violent individuals” threw large pieces of concrete at police. Shortly thereafter, a city-wide tactical alert was issued.
By midnight, most protesters had left the area.
It is not clear whether anyone was arrested or injured during the protests.
What is the reaction?
The raid was promptly condemned by politicians in Los Angeles.
Sens in the United States on Friday afternoon. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with California representatives, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, demanded an investigation into the strategies used in the San Diego raid.
“This disturbing incident is not an isolated case. Instead, it appears to be part of a wider escalating and dramatic immigration enforcement action across the country,” lawmakers said. “These incidents raise serious questions about the appropriateness, proportionality and implementation of the ice strategy.”
“It sees a sense of horror in the community. It happens in this location, but this is the way it spreads throughout the community and people are not sure where they are safe,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
This sparked a response from Stephen Miller, a deputy chief of staff at the White House and an advocate for immigration repression.
Miller responded to the bass on the X: “You have no say at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”
What do we know about the case itself?
Officials released few details.
But Essayli told KNBC that it was part of “strengthening” law enforcement efforts.
“My office has a search warrant for specific businesses, probably because they use virtual files to hire people,” Essayli told the site.
