The City of Pasadena canceled all programming scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at Villa Parke, Robinson Park, and Victory Park after reports of apparent federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke, officials said.
The decision was made out of an “abundance of caution,” city officials said in a news release posted on Instagram, after social media posts appeared to show federal agents at Villa Parke that morning.
“The City of Pasadena is cancelling programming, including swim lessons and other programs at Villa Parke, Robinson Park and Victory Park today, Saturday, June 21, out of an abundance of caution after seeing social media posts of what appears to be federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke this morning and the potential escalation of conflict that unannounced federal enforcement activity causes,” the city said in a news release.
Witnesses at Villa Parke on Saturday morning described a large unmarked SUV and another, darker car that pulled up in front of a tamale stand at Park and Garfield, in front of a soccer field around 6 a.m. ICE agents reportedly detained three men who were buying food at the stand, and another who was taken at nearby Marengo Avenue – four men in all.
By 9 a.m., the cars of those who were taken sat abandoned on the street.
The agents’ stop in the middle of the narrow street startled Carmen Garcia, who for more than 15 years has run a taco stand at the location.
She said in Spanish that she was in fear immediately, not just for the incident that was unfolding in front of her, but that she herself would be taken.
Her daughter, Sandra, a caregiver in Pasadena, was called and came as soon as she could.
“Somebody called me and I left right away, thinking the worst, that they were taking her. Because they are taking everybody,” Sandra Garcia said.
“I’m very very very angry … they are are targeting people who are hardworking,” she said.
A longtime Pasadena resident, she said she’s been telling people to be vigilant, especially after ICE detained several men on Wednesday outside a nearby Winchell’s Donuts.
“Why are they taking my people? It breaks my heart,” Sandra Garcia said in tears. “They are taking people making a better life.”
The arrests immediately touched off a scramble in the quiet, working-class neighborhood.Throughout the morning, residents stood in their front yards talking to each other about what happened.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Daniela Navin, a neighbor. “They were here on Wednesday and they are back again.
“This is my park. I walk my dog here. It’s my neighborhood,” she said. “This hits really close to home. This is my library right here.
“These people were just doing their job and working.”
On Sunday, June 8, demonstrators marched through Old Pasadena, calling for federal agents to get out of town and for the city to reaffirm its sanctuary policies.
White House border czar Tom Homan has said agents are forced to make more arrests in communities because of sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with ICE in some cities. ICE enforces immigration laws but seeks state and local help in alerting federal authorities of immigrants wanted for deportation and holding that person until federal officers arrive.
President Trump has announced he would target Democratic cities for enforcement actions.
Critics contend that most of those detained or arrested on the streets around communities or while at work have no criminal backgrounds, or are U.S. citizens.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more.
Originally Published:
