A local branch of the Democratic Party in Los Angeles has stirred controversy by revealing the locations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and organizing protests at hotels where these agents are staying. The Foothill Community Democrats took to Instagram to share posts that identified several hotels in the area housing ICE personnel. They encouraged followers to contact these hotels and demand that ICE be removed.
One of the posts included a call to action for protests at a specific hotel, using the slogan “No Sleep for ICE.” The group stated that the protests would persist until the hotel agreed to evict the federal agents. In a notable incident, after a protest at the Arcadia Hilton, the group claimed victory, stating that ICE had left the hotel.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the actions of the Foothill Community Democrats. She stated that the department would pursue legal action against anyone who doxxes ICE agents, labeling those actions as criminal. McLaughlin emphasized that such behavior aids dangerous organizations like cartels and human traffickers.
The Foothill Community Democrats are officially affiliated with the Democratic Party, and membership requires dues paid through ActBlue, the party’s fundraising platform. The group has participated in events alongside prominent Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The actions of the Foothill Democrats are part of a broader trend among some activist groups who oppose ICE and federal law enforcement. Recently, there have been reports of activist networks providing supplies, including riot gear, to protesters in Los Angeles. This has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement in the area.
The California Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee have not commented on this situation. The Foothill Community Democrats did not respond to requests for further information.