Protestors Rally Outside OC City Hall To Decry Handling Of ICE Raids

SANTA ANA, CA — Hundreds of Santa Ana residents protested outside their city hall Tuesday to decry the city's handling of recent immigration raids and following protests, Voice of OC reported.

Activists and Santa Ana resident Joese Hernandez criticized Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua's leadership and response to the recent immigration sweeps reported in the city.

"I'm really disappointed with the leadership of the city. Our mayor has chosen to criminalize our actions," Hernandez told the news publication.

"She is the mayor of a sanctuary city, she should have been the first to come out and say this isn't okay," she said.

The rally comes after a week of protests in which thousands of Santa Ana residents took to the streets to decry recent immigration raid efforts and ICE's presence in the sanctuary city.

On Tuesday, the Santa Ana Police Department issued a statement responding to concerns that the department is hearing.

"First and foremost, any police response to incidents, including those referenced in recent reports, has been carried out in strict accordance with the law," the SAPD news release said. "Our officers are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all individuals within the community, and our actions are always motivated by the need to uphold constitutional rights and safeguard both people and property."