In the midst of escalating tensions in Los Angeles, Archbishop José H. Gomez, the spiritual leader of the nation's largest Catholic community, has called for "restraint and calm" as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions turned violent.
The unrest, which began on June 6 following ICE arrests of unauthorized immigrants, quickly intensified. "I am troubled by today’s immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, and I am praying for our community," Gomez stated, emphasizing the distress caused by these operations. While acknowledging the need to address individuals who pose a genuine threat, he stressed that "there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families." He also urged Congress to reform the nation's "broken" immigration system.
The protests gained momentum after the arrest of David Huerta, president of the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union, who reportedly obstructed ICE vehicles. Videos circulating online showed crowds surrounding vans, their numbers growing as the demonstrations stretched into the night. On Saturday, protests intensified outside the detention facility where Huerta was being held after receiving treatment for injuries sustained during his arrest.
Sunday saw a further deterioration of the situation, with the California Highway Patrol deploying flash-bang grenades to clear Highway 101 after protesters blocked the roadway and threw debris, including tree branches and fireworks, at police vehicles. The night concluded with additional chaos, as protesters set multiple Waymo driverless taxis on fire, threw rocks at officers, and defaced neighborhoods with anti-ICE graffiti.
A planned candlelight interfaith prayer vigil at Los Angeles City Hall, organized by the archdiocese’s Immigration Task Force and other advocacy groups, was prudently postponed due to the escalating violence. The organizers reiterated their commitment to nonviolence and vowed to reschedule the vigil once conditions stabilized.
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday night, citing local leaders' inability to control the situation. This decision was met with fierce opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who condemned it as a breach of state sovereignty. On Monday, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federalization of the California National Guard.