La Councilwoman Slams Home Depot Over Immigration Raids, Blocks Eagle Rock Store on ONDA LA

LA Councilwoman Takes a Stand Against Home Depot

Yo, LA, we’ve got some real drama brewing in the City of Angels. Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado dropped a bombshell on Friday, coming out hard against a proposed Home Depot store at Eagle Rock Plaza. Nestled in the heart of Northeast LA, this mall’s been a longtime hub for the Filipino community, and Jurado ain’t about to let it become a battleground for what she calls ‘terror’ tied to federal immigration raids.

Her beef? Home Depot locations across the region - from Westlake to Pomona - have been hotspots for immigration enforcement ops, with federal agents swooping in on day laborers. Just last Thursday, a raid at the Westlake store led to eight detentions, while four folks were arrested outside a Pomona Home Depot on Friday morning. Jurado’s not mincing words, calling out the retail giant for staying silent while their name gets dragged through the mud.

Rising Tensions Over Raids and Community Safety

Speaking of mud, the situation’s been messy since June, when these immigration sweeps kicked off. The Westlake raid was the fourth at that spot alone, and locals are fed up. Add to that a tragic incident last week where a man lost his life fleeing an ICE raid at a Home Depot by running onto a freeway, and you’ve got a full-on SoCal storm brewing.

“When a company’s name is tied to fear and they refuse to speak up, they’re just as guilty,” Jurado fired off in a passionate statement. “Home Depot’s picking profits over the working folks who keep them in business.”

Jurado’s drawing a line in the sand, especially over the Eagle Rock Plaza plan, where Home Depot wants to bulldoze a former Macy’s to build a massive superstore. The proposal hit the City Planning Department last week, but Jurado’s ready to fight tooth and nail to keep it from happening in a spot that’s sacred to so many Angelenos.

Community Pushback and Calls for Boycotts

Over in Eagle Rock - a chill, artsy neighborhood known for its small-town vibe amidst LA’s hustle - the mall isn’t just a place to shop; it’s a cultural cornerstone. “I won’t stand for violence taking root in our hoods,” Jurado declared, doubling down on her mission to protect community safety and dignity. She’s crystal clear: LA deserves businesses that lift up the people, not tear them down.

The backlash isn’t just talk either. Earlier this month, immigrant rights advocates and labor groups turned up the heat with a community stoppage, urging a straight-up boycott of Home Depot and other businesses linked to these raids. So far, Home Depot reps haven’t clapped back with a comment on the Eagle Rock drama, leaving us all wondering if they’ll step up or keep dodging the spotlight.

With tensions hotter than a Santa Ana wind, this fight’s far from over. Will Jurado’s push keep Home Depot outta Eagle Rock, or will the retail giant muscle through? Stick with us as this SoCal saga unfolds, right here in the land of palm trees and red carpet showdowns.