A Salvadoran restaurant owner in Long Beach, Elizabeth Mendoza, has become a focal point in the ongoing tensions surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) operations. On June 7, she made headlines by opening her restaurant to both police officers and protesters who had been involved in violent clashes during the anti-ICE riots. Mendoza, a legal U.S. citizen who has lived in the country for over 30 years, expressed her empathy for both sides of the conflict, welcoming those who had been tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed during the unrest.
Initially, Mendoza had concerns that the ICE raids and the heightened police presence in the area were causing her customers to become fearful, affecting her business. However, the positive attention she received for her compassionate actions has led to a noticeable increase in her restaurant’s patronage. This situation underscores the broader conflict and the personal impact of these events on local communities and business owners.
Protests against ICE escalated in the Los Angeles area beginning on June 6, when ICE raids began across the county, resulting in hundreds of arrests of undocumented immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security shared information with Fox News about some of the most violent offenders arrested by ICE those two days. Rioting broke out on the evening of June 7, a Friday, as agitators burned cars, threw objects and fireworks at police, blocked traffic, vandalized public buildings with graffiti, and smashed windows of the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters downtown.
Rioting continued into the weekend and ensuing weeknights, with reports of widespread property damage and clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Federal officials criticized Democratic rhetoric for inciting violence, as ICE agents faced violent mobs in both Los Angeles and New York City. Despite the chaos, Mendoza’s restaurant remained a safe haven for those in need, reflecting the diverse reactions and personal stories emerging from the broader social and political tensions.