Laserfiche WebLink
2 <br /> Whereas U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <br /> agents recently carried out immigration enforcement <br /> raids in Southern California; <br /> Whereas prioritizing the removal of individuals who pose a <br /> clear threat to public safety, such as those convicted of <br /> violent crimes, is essential to maintaining trust and jus- <br /> tice in the immigration system; <br /> Whereas ICE has conducted raids by deploying unmarked <br /> Federal agents to detain individuals on the streets, at <br /> their homes, and at places of employment; <br /> Whereas many citizens objected to the ICE raids and peace- <br /> fully protested ICE activity, primarily in an approxi- <br /> mately 10-block area of downtown Los Angeles, Cali- <br /> fornia; <br /> Whereas the First Amendment of the Constitution of the <br /> United States protects "the right of the people peaceably <br /> to assemble"; <br /> Whereas peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American de- <br /> mocracy and an essential means for individuals to express <br /> dissent, demand change, and advocate for justice; <br /> Whereas troublemakers also infiltrated these peaceful dem- <br /> onstrations and committed unlawful acts of violence, van- <br /> dalism, looting, and destruction of property; <br /> Whereas these unlawful acts harm small businesses; <br /> Whereas such acts of violence undermine the goals of peace- <br /> ful protest and endanger the safety and security of all <br /> community members; <br /> Whereas law enforcement and elected officials provided clear <br /> assurances that those who committed violent acts will be <br /> arrested and prosecuted; <br /> •HRES 543 IH <br />