Mayor Bass Responds to Federal Lawsuit Over L.A.'s Sanctuary City Policies

Mayor Bass Denounces Federal Lawsuit and Immigration Raids

• 🚨 Mayor Karen Bass has strongly condemned the federal lawsuit targeting Los Angeles' sanctuary city policies, calling it an "all-out assault" against the city.
• 🗣️ She stated that the lawsuit aims to overturn long-standing policies designed to protect immigrant residents, emphasizing that Los Angeles has been a city of immigrants for decades.
• 😨 Bass described the recent immigration raids as creating a "sense of fear and terror," impacting families, businesses, and the local economy.

Defense of Sanctuary City Policies

• ⚖️ The mayor asserted that Los Angeles will defend its ordinances and policies, which she believes reflect the city's values and constitutional rights.
• 💡 She highlighted that these policies were originally enacted for public safety, encouraging immigrant populations to report crimes without fear of deportation.
• ✊ Bass vowed not to be intimidated by the tactics used and pledged to protect all Angelenos against what she termed "unwarranted and cruel actions."

Labor Union Support and Concerns

• 🏗️ Ernesto Medrano, representing the Los Angeles and Orange County Building Trades, voiced solidarity with the mayor, stating that union members are being targeted based on assumptions and fear.
• 🚫 He criticized ICE agents showing up at union job sites, calling it intimidation rather than law enforcement and a chilling message to all workers.
• 🤝 Medrano stressed the labor movement's belief in solidarity and mutual protection, asserting that no one should be assumed guilty based on their appearance or workplace.

Broader Implications and City Values

• 🎯 The lawsuit is viewed as a test case and part of a "foreign extremist agenda," with L.A. standing as a symbol of resistance.
• 🏙️ Mayor Bass reiterated that Los Angeles is a proud American city built on diversity, labor, business, faith, and creativity, and will stand united.
• 📰 The report notes the lawsuit was filed by the DOJ against Los Angeles for its sanctuary city policies, with Bass vowing to defend the city's long-standing values.