LOS ANGELES — David Huerta, a prominent labor union leader in Southern California, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge following his arrest during a protest against an immigration raid earlier this year. Huerta serves as the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California and is set to stand trial in January 2026.
Huerta was arrested on June 6 while participating in a demonstration outside a business in Los Angeles, where federal agents were investigating potential immigration law violations. His initial charges included a class A felony for obstruction and resistance to federal officials, although those charges were later dismissed, and he now faces misdemeanor charges.
During the protest, Huerta allegedly obstructed law enforcement by sitting in front of a gate and encouraging others to encircle the area, as detailed by a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations in prior court documents.
In response to his arrest, which mobilized many advocates for immigrant rights, Huerta’s legal team has called for a swift trial process. Their efforts have highlighted the intersection of labor rights and immigration policies, particularly in California, home to a significant immigrant population.
Huerta's union represents hundreds of thousands of workers, from janitors to security officers, emphasizing the ramifications of his case for labor rights and immigrant support across the nation.
