Protesters targeted several Los Angeles County hotels where ICE agents were believed to be staying overnight.
A crowd of about 50 to 75 people in front of the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel in Downey waved flags and held signs that read “DEHUMANIZE ice” into the early morning hours on Thursday.
The protesters played loud music and used bullhorns to make as much noise as possible after learning that ICE agents were believed to be staying at the hotel on Firestone Boulevard.
Crowdmembers said they were expressing concern over the agency’s activity in the city on Wednesday, where a reported 12 people were detained during immigration sweeps, including at least one at a car wash and another at a local church.
The Rev. Tanya Lopez, senior pastor at Downey Memorial Christian Church, described witnessing five men in plain clothes with police badges and bulletproof vests detaining an individual.
“He could have just been walking down the street and choosing to walk through our parking lot,” Lopez said. “A lot of people do that all the time.”
Video recorded earlier Wednesday showed agents chasing a man through a Downey car wash, where the owner said that two workers were detained.
More protests were seen overnight outside the DoubleTree by Hilton in Whittier, where ICE agents were also believed to be staying.
The demonstration started peacefully but quickly turned when protesters began spray painting the building and smashing windows.
Law enforcement deployed flash-bang devices to disperse the crowd. It was unclear if any arrests were made.
A demonstration was also reported outside the Hilton Hotel in Glendale overnight.
Hotel staff have not confirmed the presence of ICE agents on the premises.
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