By Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff Writer, CA Local News Fellow
Activists and labor officials, a part of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, stand outside the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in Downtown San Diego on June 3 to protest against unjust federal immigration raids.
Local elected officials, labor leaders, and activists are speaking out in condemnation of a surprise raid carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 30 at a popular South Park restaurant during dinner service.
The raid took place at Buona Forchetta restaurant around 5 P.M. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as 20 to 25 armed agents surrounded the building, handcuffed staff, and questioned workers for over an hour. Social media videos of the raid depict dozens of surrounding neighbors coming out in protest against the ICE agents, as what appeared to be grenade smoke bombs went off in the street.
“The way it unfolded was nothing short of traumatic. We are devastated and heartbroken,” said the restaurant owner, Matteo Catteneo in a social media post on June 1. All locations of the restaurant were reported to be closed the following Monday and Tuesday after the incident.
ICE officials reportedly had a warrant for 19 individuals who were employed at the restaurant and were alleged to be using falsified green cards. Four employees have been taken into custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Facility.
Many San Diego officials have since put out statements regarding the incident.
“Federal actions like these are billed as public safety measures, but it had the complete opposite effect. What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community,” said Mayor Todd Gloria in a social media post.
Meanwhile, members of the San Diego City Council, including District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, are calling the raid a display of “terrorism”.
“What we saw on Friday night was terrorism. It was an attempt to illicit fear and violence and intimidate us all into submission and compliance,” said Elo-Rivera during a June 3 press conference.
Labor leaders making up the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council have also come out to denounce the attack on immigrant workers.
“Workers who made this economy work are being rounded up and sent into detention camps–it is a wave of terror unleashed by this administration,” said Christian Ramirez, SEUI United Service Workers West Policy Director, during a June 3 press conference.
“There is no doubt that the attacks that we saw in South Park are reminiscent of dictatorships that we have fought to defeat in the past,” said Ramirez, “We will not stand for it, not in our city, not in our watch.”
Meanwhile, the assault has also prompted responses from leaders at both the state and federal levels.
“It is absolutely outrageous to see ICE agents armed like they’re entering a war zone in our streets and handcuffing workers who did nothing wrong. This isn’t making our communities safer, it’s just about terrorizing immigrants,” said Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) during a June 2 press conference.
“As this Administration spreads fear, we will keep fighting back. I will be demanding answers from DHS on this incident,” said Vargas.
As the investigation into the raid unfolds, advocates urge residents to stay informed, show up in solidarity and push local leaders to enact policies that shield vulnerable communities from what many are calling an unjust and traumatizing show of federal force.
