California labor leader calls charges of obstructing immigration officers during raid 'baseless'

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Union leader David Huerta pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice related to a confrontation with immigration officials during a raid this summer.Huerta, the 58-year-old president of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West — a group that represents healthcare, property service and public sector employees — was detained by federal agents and hospitalized June 6 while documenting one of the first in a string of immigration raids that roiled the region over the summer.He was released on his personal recognizance and was told to remain at least 100 feet away from federal officers.

After his arraignment, Huerta spoke to reporters, union members and supporters, blasting the charges filed against him.“These charges are baseless, they are attempting to silence anyone who dares to speak out, organize or demand justice,” Huerta said.

“I will continue to stand with you until every worker and every family is safe from raids, separation and fear and our constitutional rights are protected.”Chants of “¡Si se puede!” erupted from the small crowd.In a video of the incident obtained by TV station KPIX, Huerta can be seen at a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles verbally confronting federal agents with his hands at his hips before being shoved to the ground and promptly taken into custody, hoisted by the back collar of his shirt.

California Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning in downtown Los Angeles to protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.According to the original federal criminal complaint, Huerta was allegedly witnessed “taunting” and “yelling” at federal enforcement officers as they attempted to execute criminal search warrants of four businesses in the downtown area accused of “unlawfully employing illegal aliens.” The complaint alleged that Huerta also attempt...