Latest news with #CoalitionforHumaneImmigrantRights
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Reality TV spectacle': outrage as federal agents raid LA neighborhood with horses and armored cars
Dozens of federal officers in tactical gear and about 90 California national guard troops descended on a historic immigrant neighborhood in Los Angeles on Monday – mounting a sweeping show that local leaders denounced as a 'reality TV spectacle' and intimidation tactic. The troops were deployed to a mostly empty MacArthur Park in the neighborhood of the same name for about an hour, some on horseback and others in armored military vehicles. Agents were also operating an armored vehicle with a mounted rifle. Related: Karen Bass in hot seat as Trump targets Los Angeles – but it's not her first crisis It wasn't immediately clear that any arrests were made. But the operation on Monday morning has drawn widespread criticism from city leaders, who have characterized the militarized immigration raid as an intimidation tactic. 'What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation,' said Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, who called it a 'political stunt'. Bass said that children who were attending a nearby daycare center had to be quickly ushered inside as agents swept through the neighborhood, including through its namesake park. The agents arrived at about 10.30am, and left the neighborhood after Bass spoke to a Department of Homeland Security representative, according to reporters at the scene. LA city council member Eunisses Hernandez's office also sent constituents a warning on Monday morning that federal forces had been deployed in the neighborhood, urging: 'Please be careful and let your neighbors know.' Activists and locals – who have for weeks been documenting the ramped-up immigration raids in LA and across southern California – had also come out to witness the scene, and were prepared to call in legal support if needed. 'I definitely think it's a source of intimidation,' Jeannette Zanipatin, a lawyer with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (Chirla), told the Associated Press. 'We know that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of Los Angeles.' Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he received a credible tip about the operation on Monday. 'It was a demonstration of escalation,' he told the Associated Press. 'This was a reality TV spectacle much more so than an actual enforcement operation.' MacArthur Park has long been an immigrant neighborhood, with a history of political activism. In 2007, it was the center of the May Day rallies demanding amnesty for undocumented people, which were met with exceptional brutality by the Los Angeles police department. The neighborhood was also where the Trump administration kicked off its ramped-up raids in LA, sending agents to arrest undocumented day laborers at the local Home Depot store and street vendors along bustling commercial corridors. Since the raids kicked off, the normally bustling neighborhood had emptied out – fewer street vendors had been selling food and wares along the sidewalk. Many undocumented workers were avoiding reporting to their jobs at restaurants and shops, and parks and public spaces were eerily empty. Related: At Home Depot, Ice raids terrorize the workers who helped build LA: 'They just come and grab you' A defense official told reporters that the action on Monday was not a military operation, but said that the size and scope of the guard's participation could make it appear as one to the public, according to the Associated Press. 'It's just going to be more overt and larger than we usually participate in,' one of the officials said before the raid ended abruptly with no explanation. The primary role of the military service members would be to protect the immigration enforcement officers in case a hostile crowd gathered, that official said. They are not participating in any law enforcement activities such as arrests, but service members can temporarily detain citizens if necessary before handing them over to law enforcement, the official said. 'This morning looked like a staging for a TikTok video,' said Marqueece Harris-Dawson, president of the Los Angeles city council, adding if the border patrol wants to film in LA, 'you should apply for a film permit like everybody else. And stop trying to scare the bejesus out of everybody who lives in this great city and disrupt our economy every day.'
Los Angeles Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello headlines immigrant rights benefit at Echoplex
After a weekend of raucous 'No Kings' protests across the country — especially throughout Los Angeles — immigrant activists in music have a new benefit show planned for tonight in Echo Park. Tom Morello, the guitarist of Rage Against the Machine and a longtime leftist and human rights advocate, will headline a sold-out show called 'Defend L.A.' set at the Echoplex on Monday in support of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). The show will feature like-minded peers including B-Real of Cypress Hill, Pussy Riot, and visual artist Shepard Fairey. The Neighborhood Kids, a rising young San Diego hip-hop group whose songs document the on-the-ground reality of communities under threat from immigration raids, will play its most prominent L.A. set to date there. Comedian George Lopez will host. Morello joined the recent anti-ICE marches in Los Angeles, where protest signs and slogans often echoed his band's radical-resistance lyrics and imagery. The singer-songwriter wore a guitar emblazoned with anti-ICE messaging onstage at the Boston Calling festival last month. While downtown L.A., a site of many heated protests, had been placed under a nighttime curfew, Saturday's 'No Kings' marches were broadly peaceful, with only 38 arrests in Los Angeles, mostly for curfew violations. After the marches, the Trump administration recently announced efforts to expand immigration raids in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Gavin Newsom ‘siding with the cartels' as investigation launched into LA riots funding
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has agreed with claims that California Governor Gavin Newsom is 'siding with the cartels" over the LA riots. "Whether he knows it or not he is (siding with the cartels) – certainly," Gabbard told Fox News on Wednesday. Her remarks come as an investigation is being launched into the funding behind LA's anti-ICE protests. Republican Senator Josh Hawley has launched an investigation into a California-based left-wing group he claims may be funding the violent protests in Los Angeles. Senator Hawley sent a letter Wednesday to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), accusing the group of potentially 'financially and materially supporting' what he called 'coordinated' protests and riots in Los Angeles. It comes as Los Angeles has endured a sixth day of demonstrations against targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Becky G, Ivan Cornejo, Maná lead Latinx musicians' response to the ongoing L.A. ICE raids
A number of Latinx musicians have expressed their solidarity and support for immigrant communities via social media in the wake of immigration raids that have resulted in the arrest of 330 people in Southern California and the Central Coast. In a lengthy Instagram video posted Saturday, TV personality and two-time Grammy-nominated singer Chiquis held back tears as she addressed the raids and reminded her fans to 'treat people like you want to be treated.' 'United we stand, divided we fall apart, you guys,' she said. 'If all humans would to get together and be kinder and hold each other's hands and push people a little bit more in a positive way, uplift people, we would be so powerful.' Música Mexicana artist Ivan Cornejo shared in an Instagram post Tuesday that his father had been granted amnesty by the Reagan administration during the '80s. He punctuated his post by sharing the information for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and added that he'll continue to raise funds for CHIRLA throughout his tour. 'Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for my community,' the "Estas Dañada" singer, a native of Riverside, said. 'I see my mom, my dad and myself in many of you. I am speechless at the inhumanity that is affecting our Mexican and Hispanic communities.' Read more: 330 immigrants detained in Southern California and Central Coast; Bass blasts ongoing raids 'The people being attacked today are not 'illegal aliens,' they are human beings with RIGHTS,' pop star Becky G said Tuesday in an Instagram post that paid tribute to her immigrant grandparents. 'We must understand that an attack on them is an attack on OUR DEMOCRACY and an attack on what this country was made to stand for.' Read more: All of L.A. is not a 'war zone.' We separate facts from spin and disinformation amid immigration raids The "Otro Capitulo" singer also shared information about what to do if confronted by immigration agents, and listed several advocacy organizations to support. Los Aptos, a first-generation música Mexicana act band from Indiana, posted a segment of their interview with YouTube podcaster Pepe Garza describing their origins, and called for 'a system that is untouchable no matter what a— is in office.' In the same post, Los Aptos provided information on what to do if ICE knocks on your door and an infographic with the rights a person has if they are arrested. Fuerza Regida, one of the most streamed Latin music acts, offered their 'love and strength' to the Latinx community in an Instagram post Tuesday. 'We've been deeply moved by the events of this past week,' the band wrote in the statement. 'These are our people, our fans, the very communities that inspire our music.' Fher Olvera, the lead singer of legendary rock en español band Maná, posted a video on the group's official Instagram on Wednesday expressing his support for the immigrant community in L.A., and asked protesters to remain peaceful. Read more: ICE raids across L.A. spark backlash; Trump officials vow to continue operations 'That's how you are going to win,' Olvera said in Spanish. Eight-time platinum artist Junior H also chimed in Wednesday, sharing a photo captioned with "No one is illegal in stolen land." The "Rockstar" singer also shared a post from his fashion brand, Sad Boyz Clothing, announcing that a portion of its sales would be donated to "help cover the legal fees for families impacted by ICE Raids." "It's a small gesture, but one we believe matters— because when one of us hurts, we all do," read the company's statement. The normally tight-lipped Texas band Grupo Frontera also chimed in, writing in an Instagram Story on Wednesday that they 'send strength and resilience to our migrant community.' 'We stand with you. As immigrants, we understand the pain, uncertainty and fear that many are experiencing,' the group said. 'It hurts to see our people go through this and that's why we want to speak out. We support you and we will never stop fighting for our community.' Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Becky G, Ivan Cornejo, Maná lead Latinx musicians' response to the ongoing L.A. ICE raids
A number of Latinx musicians have expressed their solidarity and support for immigrant communities via social media in the wake of immigration raids that have resulted in the arrest of 330 people in Southern California and the Central Coast. In a lengthy Instagram video posted Saturday, TV personality and two-time Grammy-nominated singer Chiquis held back tears as she addressed the raids and reminded her fans to 'treat people like you want to be treated.' 'United we stand, divided we fall apart, you guys,' she said. 'If all humans would to get together and be kinder and hold each other's hands and push people a little bit more in a positive way, uplift people, we would be so powerful.' Música Mexicana artist Ivan Cornejo shared in an Instagram post Tuesday that his father had been granted amnesty by the Reagan administration during the '80s. He punctuated his post by sharing the information for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and added that he'll continue to raise funds for CHIRLA throughout his tour. 'Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for my community,' the 'Estas Dañada' singer, a native of Riverside, said. 'I see my mom, my dad and myself in many of you. I am speechless at the inhumanity that is affecting our Mexican and Hispanic communities.' 'The people being attacked today are not 'illegal aliens,' they are human beings with RIGHTS,' pop star Becky G said Tuesday in an Instagram post that paid tribute to her immigrant grandparents. 'We must understand that an attack on them is an attack on OUR DEMOCRACY and an attack on what this country was made to stand for.' The 'Otro Capitulo' singer also shared information about what to do if confronted by immigration agents, and listed several advocacy organizations to support. Los Aptos, a first-generation música Mexicana act band from Indiana, posted a segment of their interview with YouTube podcaster Pepe Garza describing their origins, and called for 'a system that is untouchable no matter what a— is in office.' In the same post, Los Aptos provided information on what to do if ICE knocks on your door and an infographic with the rights a person has if they are arrested. Fuerza Regida, one of the most streamed Latin music acts, offered their 'love and strength' to the Latinx community in an Instagram post Tuesday. 'We've been deeply moved by the events of this past week,' the band wrote in the statement. 'These are our people, our fans, the very communities that inspire our music.' Fher Olvera, the lead singer of legendary rock en español band Maná, posted a video on the group's official Instagram on Wednesday expressing his support for the immigrant community in L.A., and asked protesters to remain peaceful. 'That's how you are going to win,' Olvera said in Spanish. Eight-time platinum artist Junior H also chimed in Wednesday, sharing a photo captioned with 'No one is illegal in stolen land.' The 'Rockstar' singer also shared a post from his fashion brand, Sad Boyz Clothing, announcing that a portion of its sales would be donated to 'help cover the legal fees for families impacted by ICE Raids.' 'It's a small gesture, but one we believe matters— because when one of us hurts, we all do,' read the company's statement. The normally tight-lipped Texas band Grupo Frontera also chimed in, writing in an Instagram Story on Wednesday that they 'send strength and resilience to our migrant community.' 'We stand with you. As immigrants, we understand the pain, uncertainty and fear that many are experiencing,' the group said. 'It hurts to see our people go through this and that's why we want to speak out. We support you and we will never stop fighting for our community.'
