A hardware store in Los Angeles faced unexpected disruption when anti-ICE protesters entered and refused to leave.
This incident occurred on Friday at a Westlake hardware store located on Wilshire Boulevard, just outside downtown Los Angeles. Protesters entered, waving signs that said “ICE Out of the Home Depot,” while chanting and drumming.
They proceeded to sit on the ground, effectively blocking some self-checkout stations for customers.
Priscilla, a member of the Democratic Socialists of Los Angeles, mentioned outside the store, “On International Labor Day, we are temporarily suspending benefits that don’t impact the billionaire owner’s profits and asking them to cease cooperation with ICE.”
Continuing, she expressed, “This city is a city of immigrants, and we’re urging them to stop allowing ICE into our neighborhoods and taking day laborers from our parking lots and stores.”
Shortly after, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived and requested that the protesters disperse, which was achieved with minimal resistance.
Home Depot responded by stating that the company does not collaborate with or coordinate with federal agencies.
A spokesperson for Home Depot clarified, “We have no knowledge of, and are not involved in, any immigration enforcement activity.” They added, “We do not work with ICE or Border Patrol and cannot legally interfere with federal enforcement agencies.”
The protest coincided with a recent report that highlighted the calls from anti-ICE nonprofits advocating for a budget increase from $1 million to $3 million to bolster efforts against ICE.
Day worker hubs, established in the 1990s, were designed to provide support services for often precarious workers, offering protection, job advice, and even basic amenities.
Eunice Hernandez, a DSA Trustee, emphasized the importance of these hubs, stating, “Given the current situation, work centers have been lifesavers, and that’s why I’m advocating for the budget for these centers to be increased to $3 million,” during a recent meeting with the City Budget and Finance Committee.
