Mobilization in Solidarity with Union Leaders
Mass 50501 Calls for Mobilization in Solidarity with Union Leaders in Response to ICE Raids and National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles
BOSTON, MA, June 8, 2025 — Mass 50501 vigorously condemns the violent actions of ICE and the Trump administration against peaceful protestors in Los Angeles and is mobilizing in solidarity with local union leaders here in Massachusetts.
A rally is scheduled for Monday June 9, 2-3pm at Boston City Hall, Circle Plaza (aka Neighborhood Circle Plaza), Boston.
On June 6, aggressive ICE raids swept through Los Angeles, detaining at least 44 people—many with deep ties to their neighborhoods, schools, and places of work. Protests erupted across the city, as outraged residents took to the streets. At a protest outside the LA ICE detention center, SEIU-USWW President David Huerta, who was observing and documenting ICE activities, was attacked and injured by federal agents who then arrested him.
“This is an attack on American liberty,” said Mass 50501 Council member Kylie Bemis. “The right to freedom of speech and due process of the law must be protected above all else, and the response by the Trump administration is tantamount to a declaration of war against the American people. Make no mistake—we will be peaceful, but we will not be quiet. They will hear us from Los Angeles. They will hear us from Washington, DC. Mass 50501 will stand in solidarity with SEIU.”
Mass 50501 is calling for the release of all Los Angeles protestors, including SEIU President David Huerta.
Representing hundreds of thousands of workers across the state, SEIU issued a statement condemning the federal government’s actions as “a coordinated attack on democracy, labor, and immigrant justice.” Later that day SEIU, CHIRLA, 50501 SoCal, Union del Barrio and more gathered together to protest not only the ICE raids but also the brutalization of a union leader.
Federal agents have responded with massively disproportionate force and violence, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets against legal observers and journalists in addition to protestors. President Trump has now deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles against Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has furthermore threatened to mobilize active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton in response to continued protests.
About Mass 50501
Mass 50501 is a cross-partisan group that strives to unite the people of Massachusetts to defend our rights, liberties, and democracy, to uphold the constitutional rule of law, and to stand against tyranny in all its forms. To stay updated, visit https://www.mass50501.org/join-us