Vigil Held at Site of ICE Enforcement Incident

Local residents and activists held a vigil at a local site where immigration officials took six people into custody on Wednesday.

The ICE out of Dena event started at 6 p.m. in parking lot outside the Winchell’s Donut House where the event occurred.

“To demand ICE out of Dena. Six workers were taken today at Pasadena. Let’s show up for them,” the online flier reads.

The event marked the second local vigil in less than a week. On Saturday more than 4,000 marched against the widespread immigration action.

According to local residents and business owners agents working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took six people into custody outside of a Winchell’s Donuts shop at 439 Orange Grove Blvd. shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

One witness told Pasadena Now that the people were waiting at a bus stop when they were detained. A video appeared to corroborate.

Residents said ICE agents returned to the location a second time shortly before 9 a.m.

Video of the event shows two cars approaching the bus stop. Immediately afterwards two men flee the bus stop and are pursued by what appears to be ICE agents.

During the video, the pursuers appear to ignore an African-American man at the bus stop.

It is not known if they came back and detained or questioned that man.

“We at the City of Pasadena are deeply saddened and concerned by the events that have taken place in the region over the past several days surrounding the federal government’s immigration enforcement activities.

“Neither the City of Pasadena nor the Pasadena Police Department participate in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, nor ask about immigration status when responding to calls for service or when delivering City services. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not state or local governments.

“Our focus and priority will remain on enforcing state and local laws to ensure the safety and well-being of our diverse community,” the statement reads.

Local residents interested in learning their rights can visit Los Angeles County’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for links to local and national immigration support organizations and hotlines.