Local labor leader David Huerta was scheduled to appear in federal court Monday following his arrest Friday during a protest at the scene of an immigration raid south of downtown Los Angeles, but local leaders and union supporters were calling loudly for his release.
Huerta, 58, is president of the Service Employees International Union California. He was among a group of protesters outside an Ambiance garment warehouse building Friday where federal authorities were conducting an immigration action, arresting multiple people.
Video from the scene showed a man, presumed to be Huerta, being pushed out of the way of a white van being driven onto the warehouse property, then being tackled and taken into custody.
Huerta was charged with conspiracy to impede an officer. The criminal complaint accused him of cursing and taunting federal agents at the scene.
“Sometime later, Huerta and another person sat cross-legged in front of the vehicular gate,” according to an affidavit in support of the complaint. “Huerta waved at those around him and yelled `everybody sit down, sit down!’ In addition to sitting in front of the gate, Huerta at various times stood up and paced in front of the gate, effectively preventing law enforcement vehicles from entering or exiting the premises through the gate to execute the search warrant.”
The affidavit added, “As officers issued instructions to clear the way, Huerta refused to move away from the path of the vehicle and instead stood in front of the vehicle with his hands on his hips.”
Huerta’s attorney could not be reached for immediate comment.
The Service Employees International Union California issued a statement saying Huerta, the union’s president, was “injured and detained.”
“SEIU California members call for the immediate release of our president, David Huerta, who was injured and detained at the site of one of today’s ICE raids in Los Angeles,” the union’s executive director, Tia Orr, said in a statement Friday. “He is now receiving medical attention while in custody. We are proud of President Huerta’s righteous participation as a community observer, in keeping with his long history of advocating for immigrant workers and with the highest values of our movement: standing up to injustice, regardless of personal risk or the power of those perpetrating it.”
Early Friday evening, Huerta issued a statement through the union saying, “What happened to me is not about me. This is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom was among the authorities speaking out on behalf of Huerta, calling him a “respected leader, a patriot and an advocate for working people.”
“No one should ever be harmed with witnessing government action,” Newsom said.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli wrote on social media Friday evening that Huerta actively obstructed a lawful operation.
“Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a L.A. worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,” he wrote. “He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are — if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”
Essayli posted a video online of Huerta being taken into custody.
Huerta is set to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles at 1:30 p.m. At noon, a rally of various union leaders will be held at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles calling for Huerta’s release.