SF leaders say they support peaceful protest, will take action against violence after 150 arrested
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Police confirmed two officers were hurt, and over 100 people were arrested after an anti-ICE protest turned violent Sunday night.
Mayor Daniel Lurie held a public safety briefing on Monday, where officials updated that 148 people were arrested, six of whom were juveniles.
Nearly all of those people were cited and released, but one person was arrested for a felony.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the Immigration Services building in San Francisco Sunday to rally in solidarity against ICE raids and deportations happening across California and the U.S.
More protests are expected across the Bay Area Monday in solidarity with people in Los Angeles.
The protest Sunday turned into a showdown with SFPD police officers dressed in riot gear.
The protest was calm before taking a turn as the crowd began to march, calling for an end to ICE as they moved toward police who stood their ground.
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Police say a lot of people left once unlawful assembly was declared but some in the crowds got violent vandalizing buildings and attacking officers. One of the two officers injured was taken to the hospital.
"Everyone in this country has a right to make their voice heard peacefully, and local law enforcement will always protect that right and the rights of everyone in our city to be safe," San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a post on X. "But we will never tolerate violent and destructive behavior, and as crowds dwindled, a group that remained caused injuries to police officers, vandalized Muni vehicles, and broke windows of local businesses."
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"We've been watching what's going on in LA, and we're like, no," said Nancy Kato, a protester. "The whole thing about going after immigrants and people who are undocumented, the most vulnerable of our populations that is so wrong."
The move comes as a response to demonstrations in Los Angeles as protesters took to the downtown area Sunday, blocking off a major freeway and setting Waymo vehicles on fire as law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control the crowd.
"This has been going on for some time, but the events that have been going on in Los Angeles I just find horrifying," said Amy Gray-Schlink, a protester. "We need a united front of everyone who wants to oppose the scapegoating of immigrants."
"The moment it turns violent, no one wants that. Nobody wants anyone hurt - whether it's protesters or police," said Jason Zang, a protester.
UC Santa Cruz Professor of History and Media studies Nolan Higdon says the protests are a sign of what's been brewing for a long time.
"Well, immigration has been a divisive issue in this country for quite some time," Higdon said. "And given how passionate people are about it, how complex of an issue it is, I'm not surprised to see it exploding in the ways we're seeing on the streets in a place like Los Angeles and San Francisco."
Higdon said the battle between Governor Gavin Newsom and President Trump over the national guard troop deployment to LA could become a landmark moment in the battle between state and federal power.
"This has very serious implications about how much control people have over their local government, their state government, and what influence the federal government has," he said. "And so I think that's what the courts are going to decide in this war between Newsom's California and Trump's federal government."
SF mayor, police and DA support peaceful ICE protests; say they will take action against violence
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and city leaders reminded people Monday that local law enforcement is not working for ICE. But city officials say they will respond to violence.
Local authorities are preparing for more protests, including a major one happening Monday night in the Mission District.
Earlier in day, there was a big rally at the California State Building. More than 200 protestors demanded the release of David Huerta, California president of the SEIU union.
They gathered at the California state building on Golden Gate Avenue denouncing his arrest.
They say he was hurt and detained during a protest against ICE in los Angeles.
SEIU Local 87 President Olga Miranda urged everyone to take a stand.
"Everyone one of you can help. Every one of you can stand up," said Olga Miranda, SEIU Local 82 President. "It's a city we all love. It's a state we all love. We're not going to burn it down. Everyone who got arrested yesterday, half of the are not even from here. Go do it in your own G**damn city!!!"
According to interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep, San Francisco Police arrested 148 adults and 6 juveniles Sunday evening during that massive protest near the ICE office on Sansome Street. All but one person has been cited and released.
Police say demonstrators vandalized the ICE office, nearby buildings and tagged a Waymo with anti-ICE graffiti.
Two officers were hurt, one of them was taken to the hospital.
City officials are bracing themselves for more protests and possibly more arrests.
"We will not tolerate violence and destructive behavior. And will never tolerate violence directed at law enforcement or city workers," said Mayor Daniel Lurie.
"We stand united with those who are expressing themselves in a peaceful manner, in a legal manner to oppose the things they are seeing. But, as a district attorney, I have to be clear. We draw the line with people who violate the law," said DA Brooke Jenkins. "We will file charges against those who are committing vandalism, violence and other acts that are criminal in San Francisco"
Jenkins says it's going to take time to work through the more than 150 arrests that happened Sunday night.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, authorities say protestors vandalized and torched 5 Waymo self-driving cars on Sunday. Waymo is set to limit service in parts of San Francisco where protesters are gathering.
