Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza Friday called for a boycott of The Home Depot for evicting a long-operated day laborers center in Cypress Park, an allegation the home improvement retailer denied.
In a news conference Friday morning outside The Home Depot’s Cypress Park location, Caloza, D-Eagle Rock, joined nearly 100 residents, day laborers, workers from the center, students, union representatives and faith leaders — to criticize The Home Depot for actions they say are harming immigrants living in Los Angeles.
The Home Depot in Cypress Park has been the site of federal immigration enforcement actions, including a November raid where 50 people were detained, according to the Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur de California, which operates the day laborers center.
“We aren’t notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen, and we aren’t involved in the operations. We aren’t coordinating with ICE or Border Patrol. We cannot legally interfere with federal enforcement agencies, including preventing them from coming into our stores and parking lots,” The Home Depot said in a statement.
The company also faced criticism for installing machines in the parking lot that emit a high-pitched tone. It has stated the machines were not intended to deter day laborers or assist in immigration enforcement, but were placed to prevent illegal overnight parking.
Caloza said her office was notified Thursday that The Home Depot allegedly filed an eviction notice to remove the day laborers center, which for many years has operated on the portion of the Cypress Park Home Depot location leased by Caltrans.
“The state has been attempting to work with Home Depot in good faith. This eviction is not a coincidence. The Trump administration has been terrorizing our state and is in our backyards thanks to Home Depot,” Caloza said in a statement. “The rights of immigrants and innocent American citizens are being stripped away before our very eyes.”
George Lane, a spokesman for Home Depot, maintained the allegation the center was evicted was false, which Caloza called a lie.
“There are no plans or discussion about evicting IDEPSCA.,” Lane said.
Caloza urged Los Angeles residents to boycott the company and support local small businesses, hardware shops and supply stores.
“Reach out to your elected officials, make your voices heard, and let’s hold Home Depot accountable,” Caloza added.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the First Council District, which includes Cypress Park, echoed Caloza’s message.
“As immigrant families live under the constant threat of ICE terror, Home Depot has chosen to displace a center that provides safety, resources and basic human dignity to day laborers,” Hernandez said in a statement.
“Los Angeles will not stand by while billion-dollar corporations profit off our communities while discarding the very workers who make them rich.”
IDEPSCA Executive Director Meagan Ortiz said the nonprofit community based-organization that describes its purpose as promoting ”self-determination in the Latino community in Southern California politically, culturally, and economically using popular education methodology,” was deeply concerned about the health and safety of its members, who rely on the center every single day.
“This eviction notice strips away the basic human rights of our immigrant communities,” Ortiz said.
Services Employees International Union President David Huerta urged for the end of corporate collaboration with anti-worker elected officials, and the immediate retraction of the alleged eviction by Home Depot.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman noted the center has been there for 27 years.
“The timing of this eviction notice is not a coincidence, it is a choice, and a direct threat to our immigrant communities as ICE continues its targeted attacks,” said Raman, who represents the Fourth Council District, encompassing many San Fernando Valley communities.
I will make sure I go to home Depot and get the things I need. I support business who will help me be safe from illegal people who are taking advantage of our country by not coming in the right way. Prayers for Home Depot. Chinese Communism just trying to put them out of business. They are not Union. CHINA OWNS THE UNIONS. Every business should use the 10 finger background check for employees. Illegals E-verify Chinese Communist printed documents used by Home Depot employees.
Shame on Home Depot and on ICE, which should have been dismantled ages ago!
I wonder if Home Depot’s insurance covers these “day labor” operations.
I stopped going to Home Depot the minute that they allowed ICE on their property throwing our nation’s Constitutional rights aside without giving it a thought.