Additional Coverage:
Protester Seriously Injured After Violent Clashes Outside Santa Ana Federal Building
SANTA ANA, CA – A demonstration in Santa Ana last week, held in solidarity with Renee Good, a Minnesota woman tragically killed by an immigration agent, devolved into violent confrontations between protesters and federal authorities, leaving one man with severe injuries.
Video footage, captured by a freelance photographer, shows a protester being forcibly dragged into the Santa Ana federal building by an agent. Friends of the injured man reported on Tuesday that he sustained a serious eye injury.
The demonstration initially took place peacefully on Friday after 8 p.m. in front of the Santa Ana federal building, with most participants having already dispersed. However, later that evening, footage from the scene depicted violent clashes.
One video clip appeared to record the sound of less-lethal rounds being discharged as federal agents advanced on a crowd gathered on the building’s steps. While the exact preceding events remain unconfirmed, the same footage then shows a man with a megaphone engaged in a brief struggle amidst further less-lethal rounds.
Moments later, another man was seen kneeling face down on the ground. Federal agents then grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into the building; his face appeared to be bloody.
According to a friend, the injured man, identified only as “K,” was hospitalized and is currently unable to speak publicly. In a statement read by his friend, K recounted, “I heard a bang, and suddenly I was on my knees. It hadn’t dawned on me what had happened; everything was a blur.”
Rue el Amar, K’s friend, stated that he suffered a serious eye injury requiring surgery, and there is a possibility he may not regain his vision.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that two officers were injured, and two protesters were arrested, facing charges of assault on a federal officer and disorderly conduct. When questioned about K’s injuries, DHS responded, “One of the rioters, who was arrested for disorderly conduct, was taken to the hospital for a cut and was released that night.”
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento expressed that local officials will seek more information regarding the incident, though he anticipates that access to details may be limited. “Federal agencies right now have little to no discussion with our local agencies.
That is very rare, something unlike what we’ve seen. We’ve always worked in tandem with one another so information is readily available,” Sarmiento commented.
The Santa Ana Police Department confirmed it was not involved in the incident.