While the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles and the ensuing protests have roiled the area, they’ve also made a big impact on local businesses.
In downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, KTLA’s Kimberly Cheng detailed unloaded crates of fresh produce in what’s typically a busy area full of workers and customers.
Some attribute the drop-off in shoppers and workers to concerns of being swept up in an ICE raid.
“I’ve noticed that a lot more people aren’t showing up, clients, people that work here … I’m pretty sure it’s fear,” one worker told Cheng. “A lot of people are afraid to get stopped by ICE police, because right now they’re not caring. Even citizens are getting stopped and almost taken.”
Perhaps one of the more notable such incidents occurred at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet over the weekend, when dozens of ICE agents swarmed the event.
“Why are they trying to go against us?,” another man told Cheng. “It’s crazy. I don’t even understand.”
