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Thousands of union members, immigration rights activists and supporters gathered at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon to demand the release of David Fuerta, who was injured by the California Union President in last week’s immigration and customs enforcement raid.
The protesters are peaceful and loud. They sang, chanted, and held the signs with slogans such as “Warm Margarita b-cuz f—Ice.” Their presence was in stark contrast to the downtown surrounding them. It was quiet, heavily destroyed, lined up with police and National Guard vehicles.
“It was a chaotic weekend, not started by workers, working immigrants in Los Angeles,” said 2015 Arnulfo de La Cruz, United Nations Local for Service Employees, in an interview at a union-organized gathering.
“Ice attack,” he added. “It’s causing trauma and devastating effects on our community…and I have very serious concerns about the situation of the people they’re picking up,” he added.
And he said in Los Angeles, “It’s important to remember that thousands, thousands of migrant workers must pass through the National Guard, LAPD and LA County Sheriffs.
“I don’t think they’re California worth,” De La Cruz said. “right?”
Say California’s 58-year-old president, Fuerta, was arrested Friday while recording an immigration enforcement raid in downtown fashion district, according to a union member who said he was exercising his first amendment rights.
Federal authorities said he intentionally blocked the vehicle and interfered with access to workplaces where federal agents were running search warrants. Video of the arrest shows him being forced into authorities with a riot device until he appears to hit his head on the curb. He was treated at a hospital and then transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Fuerta made her first appearance in federal court on Monday afternoon on charges of conspiracy to obstruct officers. He was released with a $50,000 appearance bond. As part of his terms, he may not be deliberately within 100 yards of federal agents or operations.
It gathered thousands of rallies at Grand Park on Monday to support union leader David Fuerta, who was recently detained by ice agents and faced federal accusations.
(Robert Gautier/Los Angeles Times)
Two of Fuerta’s nephews, Raymond Gutierrez and Thomas Magdellino Gutierrez, 39, of Whittier, stood quietly in the crowd. Thomas said he was worried about his uncle’s safety in federal custody and, like many others, was scared of the sight of National Guard members on the streets.
He said he has mixed feelings about the graffiti covering downtown buildings. He said he showed Los Angeles, who believes the Trump administration and its supporters would latch on it, claiming they are confused to justify their use of military force.
But at the same time, he said he understands the rage behind the spray-painted message.
“We don’t like to see the city being demolished,” Thomas said. “But I understand the rage. Buildings and property can be rebuilt and painted at any time, but if the family breaks down, it cannot be rebuilt.”
Jason Petty, a 46-year-old musician from Boyle Heights, said he came to the rally because “This is our community – we are immigrants.”
Petty, a former ninth grade history teacher, said he was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was black and his grandmother lived in Watts during the 1965 Watts riots. His father was a Black Panther. He also experienced the 1992 riots.
Protests against the weekend ice attacks did not rise to levels that required the National Guard, he said.
“There’s no comparison,” he said, adding that calls to the army were “not necessary at all.” “It doesn’t have to be like this,” he said. “This is intentionally cruel.”
Petty said he has a fourth-grade daughter and recently an immigration agent came to her school. He says he has to have difficult conversations with her and ensures she is safe, but “You don’t have to worry about that, but Mom and Dad are sticking to your friends.”
“There shouldn’t be a need for this conversation,” he said.
Petty said he had a lot to think about his late grandmother over the weekend. He remembers talking to her during the 1992 riots. She lived through the Watts uprising and, as she told her family, “I won’t go anywhere until I see the tanks coming down the street,” she seemed out of nowhere.
He said she was alive this weekend and the National Guard “is not likely supporting it.”
As a police helicopter hovered overhead, Dolores Fuerta, a 95-year-old civil rights leader and union activist, took the stage, where he spoke about Indian Gandhi’s non-violent protests.
“If Gandhi can win non-violence, can we win non-violence?” she asked.
“Yes!” The crowd responded.
“We’re all angry like hell, but we have to turn that rage into organizing our energy and convince people that we can win with non-violent tactics in marching and protest,” she urged.
Times staff writer Brittny Mejia contributed to this report.
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