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Downey City leaders and community faith leaders condemned the migrant attacks that took place in the city on Wednesday.
Federal agents have made immigrant arrests at the Home Depot in La Fitness, near Our Lady of the Eternal Help Church and Downey Memorial Christian Church, councillor Mario Trujillo said.
In one instance, according to Trujillo, an elderly man who dropped off his granddaughter at Our Lady of the School of Permanent Help was taken into custody in front of his property. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles later revealed that detention took place on public sidewalks.
“The social media post released today depicts what appears to be a federal agent stopping individuals in front of Downey’s enduring help,” the church statement read. “We want to make it clear that this issue took place on public sidewalks and not on the church grounds. We also did not involve any schools, parishioners or staff. We hope you continue to pray for peace and unity in our community and surrounding areas.”
At Downey Memorial Christian Church, Pastor Alfredoropez said at a press conference that he was on the property when he saw the man outside the parking lot of the church surrounded by immigration officers. He, along with Senior Pastor Tanya Lopez and other community members, confronted the agents and repeatedly sought information about them.
Lopez said the agent refused to give his name and refused an order to leave the church parking lot.
“When we said we didn’t want this in our property, this gentleman again cried out, ‘The whole country is their property,'” Lopez said. “When someone tells you it with a weapon in their hands and body, it was a very clear message. And it is not permitted, it is not right and is not permitted to stand up to everything our nation represents.”
It is unclear how many people were detained in Wednesday’s operation in total. Downey Mayor Hector Sosa is among 30 Southern California mayors seeking an end to the immigration operation.
Mayor Bass called for a decision to send Trump’s decision to “taunt” the “military.”
“Our job as elected officials is public safety,” Trujillo said. “We present to you that these attacks at home depots, restaurants, places of worship, or schools do not keep our community safe. They are creating chaos and fear.”
The Downey immigrant raid comes almost a week after protests broke out in Southern California in response to federal businesses. Protests against President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration stance were largely peaceful during the day, but some individuals exploited their fears, looted and destroyed property and businesses in downtown Los Angeles, leading to curfews.
The Los Angeles Police Department said more than 200 arrests have been made Tuesday through Wednesday, most of which have been made due to curfew violations and illegal legislatures.
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