Philadelphia labor unions call for an end to ICE raids nationwide

US-POLITICS-MAY DAY — Source: MATTHEW HATCHER / Getty

The Philadelphia labor union gathered at Independence Hall to demand an end to ICE raids and the immediate release of union leader David Huerta.

Monday’s protest in Philadelphia and other major U.S. cities was organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which Huerta leads in California, as part of a nationwide day of action to bring attention to the Los Angeles clashes.

Huerta was arrested Friday during the LA protests, which resulted in a series of clashes with law enforcement. On Saturday, ICE announced on X that it had arrested 118 immigrants during operations in Los Angeles last week.

SEIU 32BJ Vice President Sam Williamson demanded Huerta’s freedom, as well as anyone “who has been unjustly detained for exercising their First Amendment rights.”

“These ICE raids, they’re not going after criminals, they’re going after women and children, students with visas. American citizens are being detained and deported, mayors of our cities and now union leaders,” Williamson said. “And if you think they’re done now, they’re not.”

Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President Daniel Bauder believes that these protests will become “the turning point” and “the moment when we all say enough is enough.”

“You won’t illegally kidnap labor leaders in this country because we’re going to fight back and we’re going to fight back with every fiber of our being,” Bauder said. “Do not lose hope. Stand up for each other. Not just in moments like this, but every day. Stand up for each other at work. It is our solidarity, that’s the only thing that’s going to get us through this, but we will get through it.”

SEE ALSO