The president of a major Southern California labour union has entered a not guilty plea to a misdemeanour charge stemming from his arrest during a protest against an immigration raid earlier this year.
From Felony to Misdemeanour: The Charges Evolve
David Huerta, who leads the Service Employees International Union California, was initially charged with a serious class A felony of obstruction, resistance, or opposition to a federal officer. The arrest occurred on June 6, when Huerta joined a large demonstration outside a Los Angeles business that was the subject of a federal immigration investigation.
However, in a significant development last month, federal prosecutors dismissed the original felony charge. Instead, Huerta now faces a single count of misdemeanour obstruction of justice. He formally pleaded not guilty to this reduced charge on Tuesday, 26 November 2025.
The Day of the Protest and Arrest
According to federal court documents filed by a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, the protest involved attempts to disrupt the federal operation. The filing states that Huerta sat down in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged other demonstrators to walk in circles to prevent law enforcement officers from entering or exiting the premises.
The situation escalated when an officer instructed Huerta to move. The agent's account details that the officer then placed his hands on Huerta to physically move him from the path of a vehicle. Huerta allegedly pushed back, leading the officer to push him to the ground and place him under arrest.
National Repercussions and Forthcoming Trial
Huerta's arrest quickly became a focal point for immigrant advocacy groups across the United States. Many rallied for his release and used the incident to criticise what they term President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Huerta's legal team, attorneys Abbe David Lowell and Marilyn Bednarski, have stated they will seek "the speediest trial" to clear his name. The trial is now scheduled to begin on 20 January 2026, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The case is being closely watched, as Huerta's union represents hundreds of thousands of janitors, security officers, and other workers across California, giving him a significant platform and making his legal battle a matter of public interest.
