Statement and Vigil Today: NDLON and CARECEN-LA Condemn L.A. Immigration Raid That Appears to Blatantly Violate Court Order

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 —At about 6:40 this morning, federal agents arrived in a Penske moving truck and began soliciting day laborers before raiding a Home Depot on Wilshire Boulevard—just blocks from MacArthur Park. The display of force, coordinated with a Fox News camera team, appeared to defy a federal court order limiting the Trump Administration’s enforcement actions in Southern California. Today’s raid targeted 10 to 15 street vendors and day laborers in front of the CARECEN Day Labor Center.

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Central American Resource Center of Los Angeles (CARECEN) today condemned both the Department of Homeland Security and the Fox network for joining forces in a blatantly lawless provocation in the heart of immigrant L.A.

The following is a joint statement from Martha Arevalo, Executive Director of CARECEN-LA, and Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director of NDLON:

“Let’s be clear: this is a continued targeting of day laborers and street vendors. The raid happened right in front of the CARECEN’s  Day Labor Center.” said Martha Arevalo, CARECEN-LA Executive Director. “Our team witnessed the harassment and criminalization of workers who represent the backbone of our local economy. These day laborers and street vendors are a symbol of dignity through hard work. This morning’s actions, including the detention of about 16 street vendors and day laborers, reflect a disturbing pattern of intimidation against the immigrant community and people simply trying to survive. Instead of protection and respect, they are met with armed agents, detention, and fear.”

“Today’s raid staged by agents in cowboy hats jumping out of a rented van with a TV crew in tow marks a dangerous escalation in the Trump Administration’s assault on immigrant communities, the courts, and the people of Los Angeles.” Said Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director of NDLON. “Just last week, the Ninth Circuit upheld a restraining order prohibiting indiscriminate immigration stops in Southern California. The courts have made clear: no agency has the authority to randomly detain and disappear people from the streets. We reject the rise of American Vigilantes or whomever they may be.”

We demand an immediate end to these unlawful raids and the removal of these vigilante agents from Los Angeles and every other community they target.

We will pursue all legal remedies against this lawless behavior. But we will not wait for courts to save us. That is why we immigrants and all people of good will, including our citizen compañeros, are organizing to defend our communities and protect one another. We are showing up for day laborers in NDLON’s  Adopt a Corner campaign. We are accompanying one another in court. Now, more than ever, solidarity is essential. We call on the community in L.A. and others across the country to join us. Only the people save the people. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo.

In response to today’s actions, community organizations will hold an evening vigil in solidarity with those targeted by today’s attacks.

What: Community Vigil and Protest

Where: 631 S. Union Ave., Los Angeles

When: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6

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