Thousands Peacefully Rally for Release of Labor Leader David Huerta

Today labor, civil rights, and immigrant rights leaders rallied for the release of SEIU California President David Huerta, and other ICE detainees.

Last Friday, Huerta was wounded as he was arrested by federal agents during downtown protests against the wave of ICE raids traumatizing many Southern California communities.

More than 2,500 people rallied this afternoon at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles, less than a dozen blocks from the Metropolitan Detention Center where standoffs continue between protesters and law enforcement, and now national guard.

“¡Estamos aqui! ¡Pertenecemos aqui! We are here and we belong here!” proclaimed Areli Hernandez, Director of the Center for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), decrying “terrorizing of our communities… racial profiling… not just about Latinos” but also Black, Asian, and Muslim communities. “They are trying to tell us we do not belong here.”

Rally speakers included labor leaders representing service workers, construction workers, teachers, and several other professions. Numerous speakers emphasized the importance of non-violent resistance.

Mid-afternoon KABC reported that David Huerta has been released from federal custody on a $50,000 bond.

Below are additional ICE/protests photos taken midday today in downtown L.A., not at the rally.

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