Protests erupt outside Los Angeles Home Depot amid federal enforcement operations
Video shows officers and protesters clashing
Social media video verified by NBC News captured protesters and authorities clashing near the Home Depot.
At one point, officers wearing green uniforms that said “police” could be seen shoving protesters who were in the street.
At another point, as officers began saying “move,” a group of them could be seen in a physical struggle with an individual on the ground as another officer pointed a weapon at protesters.
Protest comes one day after immigration raids in L.A.
Today’s protest comes one day after dozens of people were taken into custody as federal immigration authorities raided three locations across Los Angeles.
David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was among those arrested for allegedly obstructing law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Forty-four people were administratively arrested, indicating they did not commit a crime.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the raids, calling them “chaotic federal sweeps” that aimed to fill an “arbitrary arrest quota.”
“Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy,” he said.
Photos: Protesters confront law enforcement
Protestors were seen clashing with law enforcement during a chaotic scene near a Home Depot south of downtown Los Angeles.
Paramount is a largely Latino community south of downtown L.A.
Paramount, a city of roughly 51,000 people, is 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
It is a largely Latino community with a per capita annual income of less than $25,000, according to the U.S. census.
Protests erupt as U.S. attroney says federal law enforcement operations ‘proceeding as planned’
A protest erupted in Los Angeles today as the region’s top federal prosecutor said federal law enforcement operations were “proceeding as planned” across the county.
“I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution,” said Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for California’s Central District.
At least 30 officers wearing tactical gear and gas masks could be seen positioned across the street from a Home Depot in Paramount, south of downtown Los Angeles.
It wasn’t immediately clear what agency the officers work for or why they were there.
Shopping carts were strewn across smoke-filled streets occupied by dozens of people. Some appeared to throw things toward the officers. At one point, a fire was lit in the street.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it was on scene “to assist with keeping the peace but not get involved with any detentions or arrests.”