Federal agents in tactical gear armed with
military-style rifles threw flash-bang grenades to disperse an angry crowd near
downtown Los Angeles on Friday as they conducted an immigration raid on a clothing
wholesaler, the latest sigh of tensions between protesters and law enforcement
over raids carried out at stores, restaurants and court buildings.
The operation was one of at least three
immigration sweeps conducted in Lon Angeles on Friday.
The raid at the clothing wholesaler began
about 9:15 a.m. in the Fashion District, less than 2 miles from Los Angeles City
Hall.
It was an extraordinary show of force.
Dozens of federal agents wearing helmets and green camouflage arrived in two
hulking armored trucks and other unmasked vehicles, and were soon approached by
a crowd of immigrant activists and supporters. Some agents carried riot shields,
and others held rifles as well as shotguns that appeared to be loaded with less-than-lethal
ammunition.
Agents cleared a path for two white passenger
vans that exited the area. A short time later, as officers boarded their vehicles
to leave, a few agents lobbed flash-bang grenades at group of people who chased
alongside the slow-moving convoy. Some protesters had thrown eggs and other objects
at the vehicles.
The operation drew immediate criticism from
officials in Lon Angeles, a Democratic-led city in a country where more than
30% of residents are immigrants.
“As mayor of a proud city of immigrants,
who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has
taken place,” Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angles said in a statement, adding, “My
office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations.
We will not stand for this.”
Hours after the raid, a second clash
between protesters and federal agents broke out outside federal detention center
in downtown Los Angles, where those who were detained were taken. At one of the
entrances, protesters chanted and approached the building as officers fired
less-than-lethal projectiles and squirted what appeared to be pepper spray.
Some protesters threw a chair and other objects and appeared to spray-paint
anti-ICE graffiti on the building.
By 7 p.m., the Los Angles Police Department
declared an unlawful assembly, ordered demonstrators to disperse and a line of
police in riot gear started to clear the area. (Orlando Mayorquin and Jesus
Jimenez)
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