Hundreds of protesters rally outside federal building to condemn ICE raids
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hundreds of protesters rallied in downtown Los Angeles late Friday afternoon, condemning the ICE immigration raids that took place at three different locations across L.A. earlier in the day.
People began gathering around 4 p.m. outside the Federal Building at 300 N Los Angeles Street.
At one point, hundreds of activists began marching towards the detention facility in the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building.
While the protest remained largely peaceful, aerial video from AIR7 showed part of the street blocked off by protesters with LAPD patrol vehicles nearby. Video also showed that the Federal Detention Center had been sprayed with graffiti as the evening went on.
LAPD declared an unlawful assembly shortly after 7 p.m., warning individuals they were subject to arrest if they remained in the area. Eventually, officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowd.
A city-wide Tactical Alert is currently in effect, meaning all LAPD officers must stay on duty.
Earlier, some in the group had blocked the entrance and exit to the part of the building where detainees are taken to be processed.
Families and friends who had loved ones taken in the ICE raids Friday visited the building throughout the day to learn more about their status.
"I work with him. He's not a criminal, nothing. He's nice people," said Israel, whose friend was detained by ICE. "He's working good and, nice people. Family. He has two children. Working every day."
A young woman who didn't want to be on camera told ABC7 that she went to the building after her father was taken by federal agents and they wouldn't let her talk to him.
Immigration attorneys were also on site to provide legal assistance to families of detainees.
"Families waiting to see the end of their family members that were detained earlier today they have not been able to see their family members. Attorneys have not been able to speak to the individuals that have been detained. They have been completely avoiding due process for individual," said former California State Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo.
For those now detained, which attorney's present at the federal building say is about 200 people downtown, legal advice has to come quickly, because they could be moved out of Los Angeles before the weekend is over.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
