Hundreds of activists fight back ICE activity, detentions in Los Angeles

Hundreds of people gathered in downtown L.A. on Friday afternoon to protest the immigration raids that happened hours before.

About 45 people were detained in seven locations throughout Los Angeles including Westlake, Pico-Union, Cypress Park and L.A.’s fashion district. 

Miguel Alfaro was outside of the Ambiance clothing company on 927 Stanford Street and said he witnessed part of the raid.

"They had FBI vests,” he said. “Then one of the [Ambiance] workers came out and said he was let go after he showed his documents," said Alfaro.

Another community member who didn’t want her name to be made public said the company was being investigated for money laundering and the immigrant workers very likely were just collateral damage. 

As time passed by, the situation turned chaotic when dozens of people tried to stop immigration vans from taking the workers out of Ambiance.

Among the detainees was David Huerta, president of the union SEIU-USWW, who was also injured. It was later reported that he was released from the hospital but kept detained for obstructing law enforcement.

Later on Friday evening, Huerta released a statement through the union saying that what happened was not about him. 

“This is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that's happening,” he said. “Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice." 

The community fights back

Two consecutive press conferences were held outside of the federal building in downtown L.A. on Friday afternoon.

Activists said the detentions took place without previous notice or search warrants. They called this an unprecedented attack on work places and their employees.

Ruth Reyes, a teacher at an L.A.-based school said the day was supposed to be a joyous moment as they were going to celebrate a graduation. However, the happy moment turned into chaos and fear when they were notified there was an ICE raid nearby.

"My school was on high alert and seemed like less families showed for my kids [graduation]," said Reyes with a broken voice.

Activist Gabriel Quiroz Jr. said they are mobilizing the community and doing as much as possible to prevent more detentions. He said some people are working from home and having more webcams outside of their homes. 

Activists from both protests joined into one and let detainees inside the Metropolitan Detention Center know they are supporting them. They closed Aliso Street between Los Angeles And Alameda for a few hours. The police also closed the entrance of the 10 Freeway on Aliso Street and Los Angeles. 

A joint statement by several L.A. City Council members said they condemn the ICE raids.

“Los Angeles was built by immigrants and it thrives because of immigrants. We will not abide by fear tactics to support extreme political agendas that aim to stoke fear and spread discord in our city,” they said in the statement. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was very upset by the actions that took place in Los Angeles. 

“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this,” she said in a statement.  

Ron Gochez, activist with Union del Barrio, said they also felt lied about the city being a sanctuary city. He said police or politicians are not there to protect them.

“Sólo el pueblo salva al pueblo,” he said, translated to “only the community saves the community.”

While many police officers were seen at the two Ambiance locations where the raids took place, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said he wanted to make it clear that they don’t collaborate with federal immigration agencies. 

“While LAPD will continue to have a visible presence in all the communities to ensure public safety, they will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations. The department remains focused on critical issues like crime reduction, enhancing public safety and improving the quality of life for all Angelenos,” he said. “I want everyone, including our immigrant community to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one’s immigration status.”