The following was originally published on SEIU 721’s website.

Against the backdrop of a massive replica of the Declaration of Independence, members of SEIU 721 joined forces with other labor unions, immigration activists, local faith leaders, artists and people affected by ICE raids to launch the “Summer of Resistance” at La Placita Olvera in downtown LA [on Friday, June 13]. The lively gathering kick-started a month-long rapid response effort and movement for peaceful protest in answer to the Trump regime’s ICE raids throughout Southern California.

SEIU 721 Executive Director and President David Green provided attendees with a vivid description of a horrifying ICE raid which took place last week at the Home Depot directly across the street from our union’s headquarters. Just hours later that same day, our union brother David Huerta of SEIU California was unjustly detained by ICE agents.

“This is a real turning point for our union,” said David Green. “That’s why we’re part of the Summer of Resistance. We are here because for the next 30 days we will be engaging in peaceful protests. There is power in workers. There is power in immigrants. We are not going to back down. We are going to fight. And when we fight?”

“WE WIN!” the entire crowd responded.

Attendees at the “Summer of Resistance” launch included workers from UTLA, UFCW 324, UFCW 770, Teamsters Local 396, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), LA United Front, KIWA Workers for Justice and a variety of clergy members from CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic justice).

For the rest of the story, continue here.