In Pasadena, ICE arrests spur outrage, protests ...Middle East

By mid afternoon on Sunday, the scene on Madison Avenue near Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena was strangely festive, even as nearby Los Angeles city police were preparing to go on all out tactical alert.

A musical ensemble set up right there on the sidewalk, its PA system in full effect. The group’s accordion, violin, bass and Spanish-language vocals playing to a heavy up beat that had a crowd of dozens bobbing and dancing in approval.

But this was no ordinary street performance. Behind the smiles was a sense of peaceful defiance.

As the the National Guard and police officers clashed with hundreds of demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, after the troops were sent by President Donald Trump to stamp out a series of protests over federal immigration raids, smaller cities east of L.A. and into the San Gabriel Valley woke up to a sense their cities could be next.

Pasadena was among them, as news of the the sweeps rippled across Southern California.

The ICE operation that has now come to L.A. County had the city’s mayor calling for calm, marchers demanding accountability. It has immigrants and leaders bracing for sweeps but also seeking answers over claims federal agents were staying in local hotels.

The upbeat music of the band was a break in the marching for about 150 to 200 protesters, decrying the ICE action this weekend. Carrying signs and chanting  “ICE out of Dena,” they walked around the block multiple times, as the din of supportive honks along Colorado echoed through the downtown corridor.

“It is shameful,” said Hector Agredano, as he exhorted supporters at the corner of Madison Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. “It is humiliating. We are not going to stand for this. Get out of L.A. Get out of town.”

Throughout the morning, the crowd swelled, fueled by claims that local hotels were housing federal agents involved in the ongoing sweeps, a few local sites.

One marcher wondered how Pasadena could tout its own so-called “sanctuary” policies while also allowing ICE agents involved in the federal operation to be housed in the city during that operation.

Such policies limit the sharing of information on undocumented immigrants between a local jurisdiction’s police and federal law enforcement.

Last year, after then President Elect Donald Trump had pledged to deport millions of people living in the country illegally, the city, the Pasadena Unified School District and the Pasadena Police Department jointly reiterated a pledge that schools are safe places and that local residents can continue to use city services “without fear arising from their identity or status.”

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo stood by such policies on Sunday, as he said by phone that the city was seeking to confirm the reports of agents staying in local hotels.

“We do know that there were some National Guard troops spotted in Pasadena,” he said, noting that the city itself, in contrast to its businesses, has not housed any federal agents or troops. “We are looking into that,” he said of the hotel stays.

Gordo emphasized that while there were troops spotted locally, no enforcement actions appeared to have been taken.

“We’ve not seen the hallmarks of an enforcement action,” he said.

We are aware of federal immigration enforcement activity taking place in our region this weekend.

By later Sunday, the school district weighed in, noting that the district, which just celebrated graduations and the end of the school year last week, was readying itself in the event of federal sweeps.

“We want to assure our community that our top priority is maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all. We are taking proactive steps to support and protect our families,” said a message from Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco.

Blanco reiterated that Board of Education policy states that

Blanco said a dedicated webpage had resources for families with immigration-related concerns: pusd.us/immigrationresources.

She also said the district continues to work with the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, Los Angeles County, and community partners “to ensure that our campuses remain safe and inclusive spaces.”

Gordo said that there’s much concern among mayors of local cities about the operation, and you could see it playing out on Sunday.

“Folks, it’s hard to put this into words what I’ve felt today,” said Duarte Mayor Cesar Garcia in a social media post.

He told the story of his immigrant grandparents’ harrowing journey to the United States.

“I will never forget that my mother once spent hours in the trunk of a car, in 100-degree heat, just to reach the hope of a better future,” he wrote.

“We’ve been told these actions are about removing criminals … Raiding places of employment and deporting hardworking people is not justice,” he said.

In Montebello, officials noted that “immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal agencies—not the Montebello Police Department. Our priority is public safety, and that means ensuring all residents—regardless of background or status—feel safe contacting us when they need help.”

Still, federal authorities pressed the operation all weekend.

Later Sunday, Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said in a written statement that  “anyone who deliberately impedes the efforts of law enforcement agents and officers who are carrying out lawful warrants will be subject to federal prosecution, to include spending time in federal prison,” adding that  “there will be no tolerance for anyone who interferes with the law enforcement mission and in doing so, puts law enforcement or the community in harm’s way.”

This after Trump’s late Saturday social media post: “These radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!”

Back in Pasadena, Gordo and the city continued to urge peaceful demonstration.

“Let’s discourage any sort of violence, or destruction of property. That’s not how we do things,” he said. “We can’t let ourselves be used and have our actions play to the narrative of others.”

Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, based in Pasadena, also urged non-violence. But he also urged a response.

“All we have now is the streets,” he said in a statement Sunday. “Taking to the streets to oppose fascism, hatred and violence. We will do this responsibly. We will be orderly and peaceful at all times. At all times. But we will not be silent. We will not be deterred. We will not back down. We will not stop. We will continue this struggle until we win.”

Staff writer Anissa Rivera contributed to this article.

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