US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents on Friday carried out a series of immigration sweeps, including two Home Depots, that sparked a tense standoff between the official and demonstrators.
Approximately 500 demonstrators walked through streets near the federal building, displaying pro-immigrant banners and flags, following a rally organised by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) on Los Angeles Street.
LAPD declared the protest an unlawful assembly at 7 pm, instructing participants to leave or face arrest.
Over 40 people arrested
Immigrant advocates confirmed to CNN that authorities detained a minimum of 45 individuals without warrants at seven different sites. The arrests occurred at two Home Depot locations, a fashion district establishment and a doughnut shop, according to Angelica Salas, executive director for the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, at an afternoon press conference denouncing the activity.
"If our constitutional rights are violated, if our due process is violated, then anybody's rights can be violated," said Salas. She added, "If you think you are protected because you're not a immigration, I'm here to tell you what's happening in our country is unprecedented."
When protests occurred?
The protest erupted following an immigration enforcement incident at a San Diego eatery. Similarly, demonstrations occurred in Minneapolis when federal agents wearing tactical equipment entered a Latino community. The officials clarified that their presence was related to a criminal investigation rather than immigration enforcement matters.
During the demonstration, some participants defaced the federal building with graffiti, prompting law enforcement to respond with smoke bombs, Los Angeles Times reported.
Why protest erupted?
A large crowd gathered near the Los Angeles Federal Building at 4 pm to protest against the enforcement action, condemning the crackdown. The demonstrators called for the freedom of Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta. According to the labour union's statement, Huerta sustained injuries and was taken into custody while recording documentation of the raid.
'Hard-working people are being treated like criminals': Huerta
Huerta, aged 58, received medical attention at a hospital before being moved to the Metropolitan Detention Centre in central L.A. According to a spokesperson from SEIU, he was still in custody at 5.30 pm.
“What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger,” he said in a statement from the hospital. “This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. 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.”
Huerta arrested for interfering with agents: US attorney
In a post on X, US Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Huerta had intentionally prevented federal agents from accessing a worksite where they were serving a warrant by obstructing their vehicle on Friday morning. According to Essayli, Huerta was taken into custody for allegedly interfering with federal officers and is scheduled for arraignment on Monday.
"Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday," he said.
"Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties," he added.
Protest caught on camera
In Los Angeles, onlookers and news teams recorded footage showing federal agents escorting individuals across a Home Depot car park, whilst confrontations occurred at additional detention locations.
KTLA aired overhead shots depicting agents outside a fashion district apparel shop, guiding detainees towards two large white vans stationed in the parking area. The detained persons had their hands bound behind them. The agents conducted body searches before placing them in the vehicles. The officers wore protective gear displaying the letters FBI, ICE and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations).
Armed personnel utilised yellow police cordons to maintain distance between the public and the enforcement activities.
'Do not sign anything. Do not tell them where you are from': Protestors
Protesters assembled outside Ambiance Apparel's warehouse, offering legal guidance to those detained within. They positioned themselves atop a long bed truck in the street, causing traffic disruptions on the busy thoroughfare.
"You are not alone," one said into a megaphone drowning out the sounds of the crowd. "Do not sign anything. Do not tell them where you are from."
Eighteen-year-old Katina Garcia peered through the glass, searching for her undocumented father who had arrived for his regular workday that morning, Ls Angeles Times reported.
"We never thought it would happen to us," she said, "I'm in disbelief."
Following a two-hour period, numerous federal agents in riot equipment arrived at Ambiance Apparel to address the growing crowd of over 100 people outside.
Their convoy of armoured vehicles announced their presence with blaring sirens. "Pigs," someone called out during the chaotic situation. "Fascists," came another voice.
Authorities uses 'pepper spray, smoke bombs and flash bangs' to disperse crowd
ICE agents emerged and encircled the entrances that demonstrators attempted to obstruct. Several protesters hurled items towards the armed officers whilst shouting and recording the incident. Officers deployed pepper spray to scatter the assembled crowd.
Officers who were stationed inside the establishment escorted approximately twelve people out and loaded them into waiting vehicles, while additional personnel in protective equipment cordoned off the surrounding area.
Overhead video captured by KABC-TV depicted officers deploying smoke bombs or flash bangs onto the roadway to clear the gathering, enabling their departure in SUVs, vans and military-style transport vehicles.
Will respond, investigate and protect- regardless of person’s legal status': Los Angeles Police Department
The LAPD and LA County Sheriff's Department issued announcements acknowledging their awareness of Friday's immigration enforcement activities. Both organisations clarified their stance of non-participation in civil immigration enforcement and confirmed they would not investigate anyone's immigration status.
"We want our residents to know that when they call for help, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will respond, investigate and protect everyone — regardless of a person's legal status," the department said in a statement.
'Cruel and chaotic.' LA Mayor Bass, Governor Newsom slam ICE raids
Union del Barrio and the Community Self-Defense Coalition planned additional protests Friday evening in downtown LA against raids and deportations that are "terrorizing people."
“Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel,” Newsom said. “Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”
LAPD reported their officers were called to assist with a "large, unruly group" in downtown LA, though they had not officially declared an unlawful assembly by Friday evening.