From SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford:

“Friday, June 6, 2025, David Huerta, president of SEIU California and SEIU United Service Workers West (USWW), was injured and unlawfully detained while exercising his First Amendment rights as an observer during a massive ICE raid in downtown Los Angeles, during which at least 44 individuals were arrested. He has been released from the hospital but currently remains in ICE custody for reasons that are unclear. His arrest reminds us of the dangers of unchecked power and the urgency of collective action.

“President David Huerta has long been a fighter for immigrant rights and worker rights. He said, ‘What happened to me is not about me. This is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively must object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.’

“The Trump administration’s cruel attack on immigrants is an attack on all of us. With this persecution of hard-working immigrants with no criminal record, separating parents from their children and tearing apart our communities, they threaten our democracy, our civil rights, and our human rights — our very right to exist. Yet if we live in fear, they win. We must not give in to fear. Now more than ever, we must stand up for justice. We must stand up for each other.

“We, members of SEIU 1021 and SEIU California, call to an end to the raids and the immediate release of those detained, including President Huerta. Our union will not stop fighting until the rights and dignity of all immigrants are respected.”

On Monday, June 9, at 4 p.m., we will be gathering at the California State Capitol west side in Sacramento to protest these unjust deportations and defend our communities. Join us as we take to the streets to demand the end of ICE raids, deportations, and the terrorizing of immigrant families.