People gathered Downtown at the corner of Grant St. and Liberty Ave. this afternoon to protest the arrest of SEIU-California President David Huerta. Huerta was arrested during an ICE raid in Los Angeles on June 6 on suspicion of interfering. Members of the local Pittsburgh SEIU chapter joined concerned members of the community and Mayor Ed Gainey in denouncing ICE and demanding the release of Mr. Huerta. Local activist Mel Packer led the group in a chant shouting, “Pittsburgh is a union town, we don’t want no ICE around!” Protesters displayed upside-down American flags and signs that read “Abolish ICE” and “No human is illegal” among other messages. Mayor Gainey showed his support by joining union members and speaking to the crowd. Gainey said, “You make the difference! We don’t stand with terror, but we stand in solidarity.”
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Guillermo Perez chants with the crowd during a protest against ICE and the arrest of David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Angelica Reyes attends a protest against ICE and the arrest of David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
SEIU members protest the arrest of SEIU President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest ICE and the arrest of SEIU-California President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Mayor Ed Gainey joins SEIU members in protesting the arrest of David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Police stand across the street from the protest. -
A channel 4 helicopter hovers near the protest on June 9, 2025. -
SEIU members protest the arrest of SEIU President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Etta Cetera protests the arrest of SEIU-California President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest the arrest of SEIU President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest the arrest of SEIU President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest the arrest of SEIU President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest ICE and the arrest of SEIU-California President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Mayor Ed Gainey joins SEIU members in protesting the arrest of David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
People protest ICE and the arrest of SEIU-California President David Huerta on June 9, 2025. -
Guillermo Perez and Emilio Cano chant with the crowd during a protest against ICE and the arrest of David Huerta on June 9, 2025.
