Hundreds of civil rights and labor leaders gathered at Gloria Molina Grand Park early Monday morning, along with their supporters, to demand the release of Service Employees International Union California president David Huerta from federal detention, after he was violently arrested during an immigration enforcement action last Friday.
The peaceful rally, put on by organizations including SEIU, began early in the morning. By 11 A.M., hundreds had filled the park, later growing to a crowd of thousands.
Protestors chanted:,“Whose got the power? We’ve got the power!” And “Release David Huerta!” As they held signs with the union leader’s face.
The arrest of the 58-year-old occurred last Friday, after he and other organizers responded to immigration raids that were being conducted at a Los Angeles garment warehouse. Huerta was injured during the arrest and taken to the hospital before being detained.