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Union leader thrown to ground by agents while protesting ICE raid, charges later dropped

Oct 18, 2025·Location: Los Angeles, CA

Union leader thrown to ground by agents while protesting ICE raid, charges later dropped
Photo via Associated Press

David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested while protesting a federal immigration raid at an apparel business in downtown Los Angeles. Federal agents pushed him to the ground, causing his head to hit the curb, then sprayed him with a chemical irritant, handcuffed him, and took him to a hospital before transferring him to a federal detention center. Prosecutors initially charged him with felony conspiracy to impede a federal officer. The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor, and the case was ultimately dismissed with prejudice in July. Huerta said the 15-month legal ordeal caused him significant psychological stress, strained his marriage, and led him to begin therapy.

Timeline

Oct 18, 2025—Huerta's felony obstruction charge formally reduced to a misdemeanor in court records.
Jul 1, 2025—Case against Huerta dismissed with prejudice.
Jun 6, 2025—David Huerta arrested and injured by federal agents while protesting an ICE raid in Los Angeles; charged with felony conspiracy to impede a federal officer.
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