Several activist groups in Florida staged a demonstration on Monday in support of the riots occurring in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles riots erupted in response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that resulted in the arrest of criminal illegal immigrants, including those with serious convictions such as murder and sexual battery, including heinous acts against children.
According to Breitbart, organizations including Occupy Florida, 50501 Florida, Resistance Support, the Florida Valkyries, and Voices of Florida collaborated to organize a “rapid response protest” outside Tampa City Hall to show solidarity with rioters on the West Coast.
In their announcement, organizers stated, “We are taking to the streets in solidarity with Los Angeles and communities across the country to say: NO MORE ICE RAIDS. NOT IN FLORIDA. NOT ANYWHERE.”
“Families are being torn apart. Homes raided. Communities terrorized. We will not stay silent while ICE targets immigrants with cruelty and impunity,” the post continues, noting that their movement is “rooted in nonviolence.”
Before the event, organizers disparaged law enforcement, placing blame on police for potential violence stating, “We expect law enforcement to be present. We cannot guarantee anyone’s personal safety or the security of property. We also cannot guarantee that arrests will not occur. Protesters are committed to non-violence — but we cannot predict how police may respond.”
The announcement of the demonstration did not address details of the ICE operations in Los Angeles, which included the arrest of individuals with serious criminal records. Among those detained was Cuong Chanh Phan, a 49-year-old from Vietnam with a conviction for second-degree murder related to a 1994 gang-related shooting at a high school graduation party. Other arrests involved Mexican nationals with convictions for offenses such as battery, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual battery, and theft.
According to WTSP, “in a statement to 10 Tampa Bay, the Tampa Police Department said: ‘We recognize that individuals may choose to peacefully express their First Amendment rights and understand some members of the community may wish to do so through demonstrations. Our goal is to work together to ensure these events are safe, legal, and respect the rights of all,’ adding, ‘We ask anyone who plans to participate in a demonstration to do so in a safe and responsible manner. The Tampa Police Department will continue its efforts to uphold the safety of everyone in the City of Tampa, fostering an environment where everyone can be heard and feel safe, equally.’”
