Planned protest and march to take place in Downey today over ICE activity
DOWNEY — Community members are planning a protest and march today, Tuesday, Jan. 13, in response to recent immigration enforcement activity in Downey that residents say has sparked fear and outrage.
Organizers have called for a 5 p.m. protest along Firestone Boulevard between Brookshire Avenue and Downey Avenue, followed by a march at 6 p.m. to Downey City Hall ahead of the City Council meeting scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., according to a flier circulating on social media.
Protesters are being urged to bring signs and their voices as part of a community stand, join the council meeting and consider making public comments.
Organizers are emphasizing that participants keep things peaceful and avoid blocking traffic.
The call to action follows video and eyewitness accounts of immigration enforcement activity in Downey over the weekend, including Saturday morning footage showing immigration agents confronting and grabbing two local landscapers.
Neighbors intervened and the individuals were released, and the agents left the area, according to witnesses.
At least one agent was seen pointing a gas canister at people filming the encounter, and neighbors said one of the landscapers had a green card and the other had a valid work permit at the time of the incident. The episode was one of several reported in the area, including at a local Home Depot parking lot.
The planned protest connects to broader regional tensions over immigration enforcement. Thousands of demonstrators recently filled downtown Los Angeles in an anti-ICE rally that drew protesters from across Southern California, part of a wave of demonstrations following controversial federal actions and enforcement operations.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement Tuesday sharply critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying, “ICE is not just targeting undocumented immigrants. For these agents, anyone who is Latino is fair game.
“These two landscapers are here legally – they did everything right. But that didn’t stop ICE from trying to drag them into an unmarked SUV. It could not be clearer they are racially profiling our residents, and this is an assault on our entire Latino community. I continue to call on Homeland Security Kristi Noem to pull ICE out of LA County.”
Downey Mayor Claudia M. Frometa, in a separate statement, said the city recognizes the fear and uncertainty among residents and reaffirmed Downey’s commitment to community safety.
“We know that the recent ICE activity in our neighborhoods has caused fear and uncertainty. To those of you feeling unsettled: we see you, and we hear you. This is your home, and your safety is not just a policy to us – it is our top priority,” Frometa said.
Frometa added, “Downey believes in a city where everyone is treated fairly and with the dignity they deserve regardless of their background, and we condemn any activity that reflects otherwise. We encourage our residents to remain vigilant and know their rights. The City has put together a comprehensive list of resources and information to keep our residents informed. This can be found on our City website and social media outlets.”