California union leader David Huerta pleaded not guilty on Nov. 25 to charges of obstructing federal immigration officers during a protest in Los Angeles in June.
Huerta, 58, said he received an outpouring of support after the arrest.
“These charges are baseless,” Huerta said during a press conference on Nov. 25 outside of the court. “They’re an attempt to silence anyone who dares to speak out, organize, or demand justice. I will not be silenced.”
Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of California, was arrested on June 6 after allegedly obstructing federal agents from accessing a worksite and executing a warrant in the city, according to the court complaint.
Word spread quickly on the day of the operation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were at the location, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent stated in an affidavit. Protesters quickly emerged at the site, filming law enforcement with phones and shouting at them.
Huerta arrived at about 11:50 a.m. and started coordinating with other protesters allegedly to disrupt the operation, according to the DHS agent. Authorities say Huerta was walking back and forth at the gate as he and other demonstrators yelled expletives and taunted officers, the report stated.
Huerta was later seen allegedly sitting cross-legged in front of the gate and telling others to sit down and “stop the vehicles,” while texting others about the ICE operation location, according to the affidavit.
Officers also said the crowd tried to padlock the gate to prevent law enforcement vehicles from entering and leaving.
Authorities allegedly told Huerta to move away from the gate, which he continued to block. Huerta is also accused of instructing the crowd to make a circle and keep walking and at one point allegedly reached through the gate to make an offensive gesture to law enforcement officers, according to the affidavit.
Huerta allegedly pushed an officer after the officer tried to move him out of the way of a vehicle, which resulted in his arrest, the affidavit stated.
The California Teachers Association threw its support behind Huerta after his not guilty plea.
“Our union brother David Huerta, President of [SEIU California], faced arraignment today after being brutally assaulted and detained by ICE agents for standing up for working people during a raid in his community,” the teachers union stated on X. “An attack on one is an attack on all.”
Huerta was hospitalized after the confrontation after claiming to be injured during his arrest. A video released by federal authorities showed a federal agent pushing Huerta, who fell to the ground. He was released from the hospital the same day. He was released three days after his arrest on bond and on the condition that he stay at least 100 yards from federal officers.
The defendant also gained the support of Rep. Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), who said she was proud of him.
“David Huerta has had the back of our most vulnerable since day one and I am proud to support him today, as he has his day in court,” Rivas said on X. “Because of leaders like David, Los Angeles stands strong in defending our rights and those of our most vulnerable.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night gathering at the California Democratic Party headquarters on Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento. Newsom said he supported David Huerta following his arrest for obstructing federal officers, calling him a “respected leader.” (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
At the time of Huerta’s arrest, California Gov. Gavin Newsom also backed Huerta’s actions.
“David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people,” Newsom said on the day of Huerta’s arrest.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli, who brought the case in Los Angeles, said blocking federal agents from doing their jobs won’t be tolerated.
“No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties,” Essayli posted on X June 6.
