Annoyed group of bystanders and witnesses expressed anger at federal agents who saw immigrants detaining in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday.
A video by Union Dell Barrio showed several agents on display, many of whom were wearing face coverings, but the immigrants were locked in as the person was detained at around 9am on 9th Avenue and Spring Streets.
At least one agent oversees traffic in detention and bystanders who were watching the incident and filming were seen causing crowds in the area.
Another video, filmed by a New Moon Restaurant employee, also showed arrest. Restaurant owner Juan Galindo believes that two street vendors who have worked in the area “for many years” have been taken by agents.
“We buy bread, tamales, coffee from them. They’ve been there for many years – a very hardworking family,” Galindo said. “When you personally see it in front of your business, it’s very scary for the business owner. Now we don’t have a business.”
The US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security did not confirm whether agents today were on the ground today or whether an arrest was made.
Los Angeles police also confirmed the incident and said they received a call about a “possible invitation to the proceedings.”
The caller told LAPD that others were loaded into the vehicle while immigration agents attacked someone.
LAPD officials had to step in to control the crowd while the agents finished their arrests.
At least two ambulances were called to one person injured in a fall.
LAPD chief Jim McDonnell said at a police commission meeting on Tuesday that his department received a call about masked people detaining people, and his officers would respond.
“If they see the case, they’ll take the supervisor there and the supervisor will make sure that the law enforcement or agency is actually the person they say and that they are,” McDonnell said his officers’ ability to arbitrate is “very limited.”
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