Federal officials followed multiple immigration raids around Los Angeles on Friday with another one Saturday morning, this time at a Home Depot parking lot in Paramount.
And once again, protesters turned out in force.
The raid at the Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd., drew crowds that turned over shopping carts and other objects that were left in the street, while federal authorities in riot gear stood by.
The street filled with smoke from tear gas canisters and at least one protester could be seen on the ground bleeding in news footage, though the nature of the injury wasn’t clear.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Saturday to the Home Depot for traffic control and “general public safety” in response to federal activity there.
“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement Saturday. “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.
“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.
“These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens. Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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