newsAug 15, 202517:08pending

David Huerta, union leader beaten and arrested at ICE raid, speaks out

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About this episode

President Trump’s all-out assault on immigrant communities and the rule of law escalated to new heights when federal agents beat and arrested David Huerta, a prominent labor leader and president of the Service Employees International Union - United Service Workers (West), while Huerta and others were observing an ICE raid in Los Angeles, CA, on June 6. Huerta was released from federal custody, but he is still being charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer, and the Trump administration continues to ramp up its attacks on immigrants, sanctuary cities, and organized labor. In his first public interview since he was arrested, recorded at the Netroots conference in New Orleans, LA, TRNN editor-in-chief Maximillian Alvarez speaks with Huerta about the status of his case and about the roles unions must play in the fight against fascism.

Guest:

David Huerta is a longtime labor leader, born and raised in Los Angeles County, CA, who currently serves as president of the Service Employees International Union - United Service Workers (West) (SEIU-USWW).

Additional links/info:

Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, “Who is David Huerta, the California labor leader who was arrested in Los Angeles?”
SEIU, “STATEMENT: SEIU President April Verrett on David Huerta’s release from federal custody”
Luis Feliz Leon, In These Times, “Trump has put a target on SEIU, and the labor movement is fighting back”

Credits:

Filming: Kayla Rivara, Rosette Sewali
Post-Production: David Hebden

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