Church leaders in Downey, California, have condemned recent immigration raids carried out by federal agents near churches, schools and businesses, including one incident outside Downey Memorial Christian Church.
Senior pastor Tanya Lopez and pastor Alfredo Lopez say they witnessed armed agents detain a man in the church’s parking lot on Wednesday 11th June.
When they asked the officers to leave, they say the agents refused to identify themselves or show documentation, as reported by KTLA.
Lopez says the men took the man into one of the SUVs and ignored her repeated questions.
When she tried to speak to the man in Spanish, she claims one of the agents raised a rifle at her.
She said: “It came across as essentially a final warning, to step back. Then they started cracking up.”
The pastor added that she didn’t know the man and believed he had just been walking past the church.
Federal agents allegedly also made arrests near Our Lady of Perpetual Help church.
The Archdiocese later clarified the incident occurred on a public sidewalk and did not involve parishioners or school staff.
Downey’s mayor joined over 30 Southern California mayors calling for an end to the operations.
Protests across the region have remained largely peaceful, though a curfew was enacted in downtown Los Angeles following isolated unrest.