On Monday, union members and leaders gathered at over 30 actions across the United States, calling for the release of SEIU California president David Huerta and an end to workplace raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On Friday last week, federal agents detained Huerta, allegedly injuring him in the process, as he was observing an immigration raid on a garment warehouse outside of Los Angeles. Huerta was released on Monday evening after the solidarity actions and many unions including SEIU and the AFL-CIO published statements, but he still faces federal charges of conspiracy for allegedly obstructing federal agents.
In Saint Paul, Minn., more than one hundred people from multiple unions and community groups joined thousands across the U.S. in these actions. They gathered on the steps at the state capitol to demand Huerta’s release and an end to ICE raids on workers and immigrant communities.