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CITY COUNCIL 25 JUNE 17, 2025 <br />misinformation that ICE had notified the city 42 times, when the Department of <br />Homeland Security had actually done so only 17 times. He thanked everyone who <br />came to speak, acknowledged the widespread anger, frustration, heartbreak, and <br />disruption caused by the ICE raids, stated he issued a statement condemning the ICE <br />raids, and expressed devastation at seeing working-class residents in his district having <br />their lives torn apart and families affected. He described the situation as frightening, <br />scary, and deeply personal, recounting how seeing raids at bus stops, Home Depot, <br />and car washes reminds him of his parents' fear for 15 years after immigrating from <br />Guerrero, Mexico, before receiving amnesty in the 1980s, and stressed he cannot <br />remain silent while families like his are hunted and humiliated on their own streets and <br />neighborhoods. Councilmember Penaloza explained he was unable to be at the <br />Monday evening event because he was at work until 6:30 P.M. and expressed pride <br />for everyone who was out protesting. He stated he attended Congressman Correa's <br />town hall on Tuesday morning with other labor organizations . Councilmember <br />Penaloza emphasized the city has zero control over federal enforcement operations, <br />including ICE raids and the National Guard's presence , stated he pressed the City <br />Manager all weekend to open streets on Fourth Street , advocating for the struggling <br />immigrant-owned businesses, and confirmed no one on the council is working with ICE, <br />nor are they supportive of the current state of their streets. He reiterated his <br />denouncement of the National Guard and expressed pride for everyone who came to <br />speak, affirming their First Amendment right to protest peacefully, and stated that the <br />city's strength comes from its people. He expressed solidarity with everyone feeling <br />afraid and described the situation as devastating, acknowledged the justified rage, and <br />stated he willingly accepts any anger directed at him because many residents do not <br />know where else to turn, sharing their same sentiments. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hernandez expressed solidarity with the community, affirming his <br />commitment to stand and fight alongside them, and stated his American identity stems <br />from his great-grandfather, whose sacrifice provided his family the opportunity to bring <br />loved ones from Mexico. He credited the resistance of the Chicano community during <br />the Zoot Suit Riots and the Vietnam War for his presence today. Councilmember <br />Hernandez shared his Catholic upbringing with an emphasis on principles of love to <br />combat violence and details of an incident between the Santa Ana Police and his <br />cousin, Brandon Lopez. He stated that the recent ICE raids in Santa Ana are terrorizing <br />the community, with ICE, DHS, and Border Patrol targeting vulnerable members of <br />Orange County's largest immigrant community. Councilmember Hernandez affirmed <br />his support for peaceful protest, stated he will stand alongside the community and will <br />not support violence or destruction of the city, and emphasized his belief in peaceful <br />demonstration. He urged residents to continue using their First Amendment rights and <br />to hold each other accountable for safety. Councilmember Hernandez stated the <br />violence was inflicted by the police department, spoke regarding his experience at the <br />protest, and stressed the importance of the city and department complying with state <br />law. He requested the City Manager prioritize revisiting the Santa Ana Police <br />Department's militarized equipment policy, identified the various communities at risk, <br />and requested the City Manager's office provide transparent data on the number of <br />non-lethal rounds fired at the public and chemical agents deployed during peaceful <br />protests. He also asked the Chief for the threshold number of demonstrators that would <br />trigger calling for mutual aid.