LOS ANGELES (AP) — The arrest of California’s labor leader has ignited a movement among immigrant advocates nationwide, calling for his release and an end to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
David Fuerta, the 58-year-old president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, was apprehended on Friday while protesting at a business under investigation for alleged immigration violations. He secured his release from federal custody on a $50,000 bond the following Monday after a federal court hearing in Los Angeles.
In the meantime, union members and immigration supporters rallied in cities from Los Angeles to Chicago, and from New York to Boston, demanding Fuerta’s release. In Boston, hundreds gathered at City Hall Plaza, with protesters chanting, “Free David, everything free.”
Fuerta, a seasoned labor leader with roots in Los Angeles County, symbolizes the resistance against Trump’s aggressive immigrant enforcement measures. His situation also highlights the enduring connection between Democratic officials and the unions representing thousands of California’s workers, including managers and security personnel.
After his release, Fuerta emphasized his commitment to non-violence as a means to evoke change, stating he was not interested in further arrests.
“This fight belongs to us, it belongs to our community, but it belongs to everyone,” Fuerta expressed in Spanish. “We all have to fight for them.”
A protest erupted in Los Angeles last week following reports of an attack on immigrants. In response, thousands took to the streets of the nation’s second-largest city, leading to an escalation in protests involving the National Guard. Over the weekend, demonstrators blocked major thoroughfares and even set self-driving cars ablaze as law enforcement employed tear gas and rubber bullets to control the crowd.
Fuerta was arrested during the enforcement of a federal search warrant at a Los Angeles business suspected of employing undocumented migrants and falsifying employment records.
Many, including Fuerta, had congregated outside the business, demanding accountability from its executives. Fuerta sat in front of the vehicle gates, urging others to circle around to obstruct law enforcement’s access, according to an agent’s report, which indicated that he and others intended to disrupt operations prior to their arrival.
After law enforcement officers instructed Fuerta to leave, one agent placed a hand on him to clear a path for the vehicle. The filing notes that Fuerta pushed the agent back, leading to officers pushing him to the ground and taking him into custody.
“Don’t worry about who you are. If you interfere with a federal agent, you will be arrested and charged,” stated Bill Essayli, a U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, in a post on social media platform X.
No responses were received from Marilyn Bednarski, Fuerta’s lawyer.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, along with two California Democrats, has reached out to federal officials for clarification regarding Fuerta’s arrest. California Senator Adam Schiff was present at Fuerta’s bond hearing.
“It’s deeply concerning to witness U.S. citizens, union leaders, and prominent members of the Los Angeles community being detained by the federal government for merely observing immigration enforcement,” the senator remarked.
Fuerta has dedicated over 25 years to SEIU, serving as president of SEIU California since 2022, representing more than 750,000 members.
According to the union, Fuerta sustained injuries during his arrest on Friday.
In a statement, the SEIU condemned the attacks on migrants, affirming their commitment to advocating for workers’ rights.
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Taxins reported from Santa Ana, California, with Boston Associated Press Writer Leah Willingham contributing to this report.
Source: apnews.com