The American archbishop José Gomez, called for “moderation and calm” while the tensions increased in Los Angeles during the weekend, after some protests motivated by arrests made by the US immigration and control service of Customs (ICE, for its acronym in English) to unauthorized immigrants they become violent.
“I am worried about immigration raids made today in Los Angeles, and I am praying for our community,” said Mons. Gomez in a statement published on June 6.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
“We all agree that we do not want undocumented immigrants who are known violent terrorists or criminals in our communities. But there is no need for the government to carry out immigration control actions in a way that causes fear and anxiety between immigrants common workers and their families.”
In his statement, Mons. Gomez urged Congress to reform the country’s immigration system, which he described as “broken.”
The riots began on June 6 in response to ICE raids in various workplaces, and intensified after the arrest of David Huerta, president of the California chapter of the International Union of Service Employees (SEIU), who allegedly blocked the passage of ICE vehicles.
Videos showed crowds surrounding the trucks, chanting slogans and increasing in number as the protests spread overnight. The demonstrations intensified on Saturday, when the protesters gathered outside the detention center where Huerta was held after being discharged from the hospital, where he was treated by injuries suffered during his protest and subsequent arrest.
On Sunday, the situation got worse when the California road patrol used stunned grenades to clear the 101 highway after protesters blocked the road, throwing debris, including tree branches and fireworks, to police vehicles that circulated below.
On Sunday night he was even more chaotic: protesters set fire to several autonomous Waymo taxis, launched stones at the agents and vandalized neighborhoods with graffiti against ICE.
An interreligious vigil with candles scheduled for Sunday night at the City Council of Los Angeles, organized by the work group on immigration of the Archdiocese along with organizations such as the Coalition for Human Rights of Immigrants (Chirla), the Central American Resources Center (lack) and the Voice, was postponed by caution due to the increase in violence.
The organizations issued a statement reaffirming their call to non -violence and promised to reschedule the vigil once the conditions are stabilized.
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday night, citing the failure of local leaders to control the situation. Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the measure, describing it as a violation of state sovereignty.
On Monday, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the decision to federalize the California National Guard.
Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.
Amira Abuzeid
Amira Abuzeid ES Publisher Senior en Catholic News Agency.