A day-long protest against immigration raids in Santa Ana Monday turned violent and resulted in several arrests after demonstrators threw objects at police and federal authorities.
The demonstration began near the Santa Ana Federal Building, where several people were arrested, and by nightfall had moved to the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse at 411 W. Fourth St.
Police declared an unlawful assembly at around 8:30 p.m. Monday as some protesters continued to hurl fireworks and objects including bottle rockets at local and federal authorities, who responded with tear gas and other crowd-control weapons.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies joined the fray, and authorities began moving the crowd away from the federal courthouse, which was heavily damaged by graffiti and other vandalism.
The exact number of arrests was unclear Monday evening.
“The situation has escalated, and what began as a lawful assembly around the Civic Center Plaza, has escalated into objects being thrown towards officers and other members of the public, posing a risk to public safety, property, and the well-being of our community,” the city of Santa Ana said in a post on X at about 9 p.m.
“In response, federal agents have deployed less-lethal ammunition, including tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets.”
A woman who said she was a nurse volunteering at the scene told City News Service that multiple people were treated for injuries suffered when law enforcement fired rubber bullets at the crowd.
Earlier, about 200 activists waving flags and carrying signs congregated around Santa Ana Boulevard and Flower Street, chanting slogans such as “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA” to protest the Trump administration’s recent immigration enforcement actions in Southern California, which included raids in Santa Ana on Monday.
“We are aware that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently conducting immigration enforcement action in the city of Santa Ana. We acknowledge that this news causes fear and uncertainty to many in our community,” the Santa Ana Police Department said in a statement.
“We want to ensure you that the city of Santa Ana is fully compliant with the State of California Values Act. The Santa Ana Police Department does NOT and will NOT participate in immigration enforcement efforts.”
However, Santa Ana police were engaged with trying to keep the peace near the Federal Building. The Santa Ana Civic Center is also home to an ICE facility, and some demonstrators were taken into custody by what appeared to be federal authorities in military-style gear.
By 11 p.m. things had apparently died down, with authorities pursuing a few stragglers near Main Street.
One of Monday’s raids saw ICE officials at the Home Depot at MacArthur and Harbor boulevards, NBC4 reported, detaining an unspecified number of people outside the store.
Further details on the other possible ICE action in the city were unavailable.
“When a peaceful demonstration escalates into rocks, bottles, mortars, and fireworks being used against public service personnel, and property is destroyed, it is no longer a lawful assembly. It is a violation of the law,” SAPD Chief Robert Rodriguez said in a statement late Monday night.
“We will not stand by while our city is put at risk. Santa Ana police officers, along with our mutual aid partners, are actively working to restore order. We urge everyone: go home,” he added.
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, said Monday’s raids prompted him to head back to the airport to return to Orange County from Washington D.C.
Correa claimed that many residents who are complying with the law and attending removal hearings were getting re-arrested despite having their cases dismissed by an immigration judge.
“What’s going on is they’re coming in for their removal cases and in many cases the judges are dismissing removal cases and then they immediately turn around and put them back in custody in an expedited removal process,” Correa said.
Correa said he returned to Santa Ana on Sunday and toured immigration services.
“I was there Sunday. I was down at the Civic Center,” Correa said. “It was boring. It was quiet. That’s the way we like Santa Ana — boring and quiet.”
When he checked on immigration services, “They weren’t near capacity. The detainees are being treated well. And I actually saw the Mexican consulate there doing interviews with those in custody. They were all respectful and the federal agents all respectful. And I left today. I got to Washington, D.C., a few hours ago and my phone is ringing off the hook. I’m getting bombarded.
“The best I can figure is this administration is not meeting their deportation numbers and they’re not even close to meeting them and they’re going Defcon Three and doing everything they can to deport people,” Correa said.
Correa implored protesters to stay peaceful, saying acts of violence could backfire in getting the general public to support their cause.
“You want to get your message across and affect change, but do it smart,” Correa said. “Gandhi, Martin Luther King — lawful peaceful protest. You don’t take on an (assault rifle) or Glock. It doesn’t work. Continue to show your displeasure, your anger, your First Amendment rights, but do it within the law and do it peacefully.”
Santa Ana City Councilwoman Jessie Lopez attended the rally, saying she wanted to ensure the protesters were able to peacefully demonstrate.
“I’m here because many of my constituents’ hearts are breaking, they’re frustrated, they’re taking a stand,” Lopez said. “This is not how we want our tax dollars being used.”
She added, “We want to make sure they can convey their dissent.”
Lopez said she was also concerned that many of her constituents are “being tricked” to go to court for a routine matter so they can be “arrested in front of their families.”
Lopez said the city’s jails were being used over the weekend to house those arrested in the Los Angeles protests. The city has a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to hold defendants scheduled for federal court hearings.
Lopez said she wants to review that contract, citing Santa Ana’s status as a sanctuary city.