At a Glance
- Protesters marched on Downey City Hall to condemn weekend immigration enforcement actions
- Mayor Claudia Frometa clashed with a councilmember over federal operations in the city
- Demonstrators accused the mayor of supporting ICE raids; she denied the charge
- Why it matters: The city council delayed all public comments, leaving residents without an immediate forum
Tension flared in Downey on Tuesday as residents marched to City Hall to protest federal immigration enforcement activity that played out on local streets over the weekend. Demonstrators packed the council chambers, demanding answers from elected officials and voicing anger over a video that appears to show federal agents trying to detain landscapers.
Protesters Confront City Leaders
The crowd organized outside City Hall ahead of the regularly scheduled council meeting. Chanting and waving signs, they denounced the reported ICE operation and called on local leaders to take a stand against federal enforcement.
Inside the chamber, the issue quickly turned personal. Mayor Claudia Frometa sparred with a councilmember over whether the city should oppose the raids.
> “You know that my constituents are upset because they believe this is a partisan seat when it is not a partisan seat,” Mayor Frometa said.
Protesters later told News Of Losangeles they believe the mayor supports the federal operations. Frometa rejected that claim.
> “Well, I think they’re not representative of the community,” she said. “It’s two, three, four people. And so, I think it’s important for the community and in general to realize Downey is supporting the community and we are hearing them.”
Weekend Video Sparks Outrage
Demonstrators cited a video circulating on social media that appears to show federal agents approaching landscapers in Downey. The footage, recorded over the weekend, has not been independently verified by News Of Losangeles.
> “They’re doing a good job just trying to make a living and take care of their families,” protester Dawn Vance said.
Joseph Buck, another demonstrator, framed the issue in broader terms.
> “That’s not what this country was built on,” he said. “We built on rising up and being together as one, and that’s what we’re trying to do here.”
News Of Losangeles has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to confirm whether a federal operation took place. The agency has not responded.
Council Delays Public Comments
The confrontation prompted a brief recess. When the meeting resumed, the city council postponed all public comments related to recent federal operations. No new date has been set for the discussion.
Key Takeaways
- Downey residents are demanding transparency after weekend enforcement actions
- Mayor Frometa denies supporting ICE operations but faces skepticism from protesters
- The city council has yet to schedule a formal discussion on the issue
- Federal officials have not confirmed or denied the reported raids
