OXNARD, Calif. (KABC) — Federal agents fired tear gas at protesters and clashed with them on the streets of Oxnard during an operation on Wednesday.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says one man, identified as Isai Carrillo, was arrested in the operation for allegedly throwing rocks at law enforcement during another clash between protesters and federal agents earlier this year at Glass House Farms near Camarillo.
“This violent rioter arrested by HSI was part of an agitator group called VC Defensa – a rapid response network that regularly impedes and obstructs law enforcement. The operation these violent rioters tried to obstruct resulted in law enforcement rescuing 10 migrant children from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement.
READ MORE: 10 arrested for allegedly interfering during SoCal ICE raids
Officials announced the arrests of several protestors who allegedly engaged in violence and civil disorder during immigration enforcement actions in SoCal earlier this year.
In a statement on social media, Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur said DHS executed a federal warrant. It began around 6 a.m. in the 400 block of N. A Street.
The law enforcement activity drew a few dozen protesters, some with signs, who stood just outside that barrier. Once the agents started to leave the area, some protesters broke through the crime tape, and a confrontation ensued.
As some protesters advanced toward them, at least two agents were seen deploying pepper spray at the crowd.
“The Oxnard Police Department was not involved in this operation. DHS secured the area to maintain scene security and has reportedly taken at least two individuals into custody based on current information,” McArthur wrote. “The agents used gas as they prepared to depart, reportedly because demonstrators were attempting to block them and impeded their efforts.”
Things got really tense around 9 a.m. when federal agents set off flash bang grenades to keep the protesters away. AIR7 was over the scene that was cordoned off with crime scene tape. At least one armored vehicle was seen.
Eyewitness News saw one person being taken away moments after someone threw a glass bottle at the agents.
Witnesses told Eyewitness News that a teenage boy was seeking help after he claimed the agents had taken his parents.
“He said he was looking for his landlord, and he was looking for his neighbor, and I took him back. I wanted to make sure he made it there safely, and when I took him into the house, there was broken glass everywhere. The house was turned upside down. There were broken doors. It was just a horrible sight to see,” a witness said.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the agents all drove away, but there were still a lot of angry protesters at the scene who said they have had enough of the raids in their city.
“It’s awful. Oxnard… we have immigrants all around. It doesn’t matter if you have documentation or you don’t,” said Oxnard resident Estefany Nunez. “It’s always been a city people travel to work the fields… These are people who pay taxes. These are people that are parents, and they’re targeting the places they go to work. They’re targeting the places where they take their kids to school… it’s ridiculous.”
“I want to applaud the community of Oxnard for showing up in support and rally, to advocate for the departure of ICE,” said Oxnard resident Esther Anaya.
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