It has become evident that ICE agents are not known for handling situations with civility. They frequently seize individuals away from their families or places of work without verifying their identification. Essentially, they show little concern. When ICE agents use force during arrests, they seldom accept responsibility for their actions. A recent incident in California demonstrates this, where two agents tackled a man to the ground.
A brief video captures the moment two ICE agents in tactical gear pinning a man face-down on the pavement. The camerawoman is heard saying, “He says he is a U.S.A. citizen.”
ICE agents in tactical gear chase down and tackle a U.S. citizen in L.A. After realizing he’s American, they just slink away. Their only explanation: “Why were you running?” Probably because two masked men with guns were trying to snatch him.
“>Source: Reddit
byu/ExactlySorta in PublicFreakout
Once the agents realize they have just assaulted an American citizen, they release him and attempt to help him up, as if that would rectify the situation. There is a hint of amusement in their voices upon this realization. The man asks, “What the hell?” as he stands, and the agents begin to walk away. Their only response: “Why were you running?”
Does this imply that anyone who runs near ICE agents should be violently tackled? Understandably, anyone would run if they saw two armed, masked men in tactical gear approaching them. The fact that these agents conceal their identities and do not display badges means they are strangers, so running is a natural response.
Public Response to the California ICE Agents’ Mistake
The public generally expresses anger towards ICE when they detain immigrants, so the outrage over agents attacking a U.S. citizen in California is even more intense. One commenter highlighted the lack of regard for civil rights, saying “Civil rights? What civil rights?”
Another individual shared a personal account of nearly being abducted by police impersonators:
“If you can tell they aren’t real cops, you should run… I managed to escape on foot a kidnapping from Police Impersonators back in March and am a white guy, sure enough they didn’t chase after me because I literally risked bodily harm to avoid getting stuffed into their fake cruiser and jumped down 10 feet into a dirt embankment and am lucky I didn’t break any bones. They dipped out fast before I could even get up and run off, it was like nothing ever happened…. Videos like this and the MN law maker getting shot make me feel less crazy trying to explain my insane encounter.”
Recognizing that violence only leads to further conflict, one person commented, “I’m waiting for the news headline of someone shooting ICE agents after thinking they were being kidnapped by another gang.” Many agreed this is a real possibility. Another individual suggested this could be exactly what former President Trump intended, stating:
“It’s the goal. Imagine how giddy Trump will be when he gets to announce ‘due to armed violent liberals trying to kill federal officers and protecting criminals, we’re declaring martial law to ensure a swift and peaceful end to this insurrection.’ I’m sure the administration has the tweets and speech drafted and they’re just dying to hit enter.”
Given the current climate, such scenarios would not be surprising if they materialize.
