In brief
David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested during a protest against an immigration raid earlier this year. After initially facing a felony charge, he has now pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice. Huerta's actions during the protest have galvanized immigrant advocates nationwide, and his trial is scheduled to begin in January.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Huerta, the leader of a major labor union in Southern California, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice following his arrest during a protest against an immigration raid earlier this year. Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested on June 6 while participating in a demonstration outside a business in Los Angeles, where federal agents were investigating suspected immigration violations.Originally charged with obstruction and a class A felony for allegedly conspiring to impede a federal officer, federal prosecutors later dismissed the felony charge. On Tuesday, Huerta entered his not guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge, with his trial scheduled to commence on January 20, 2026, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.During the protest, Huerta reportedly sat down in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged others to walk in circles in an attempt to prevent law enforcement from exiting. An officer intervened, and after a brief altercation, Huerta was arrested.His union, which advocates for janitors, security officers, and various workers across California, has become a focal point for immigrant advocates, who rallied for his release, calling for an end to the immigration crackdown. Huerta's attorneys, Abbe David Lowell and Marilyn Bednarski, have expressed their determination to expedite the trial to clear his name.
