What started as a routine City Council meeting in Bell turned into a furious showdown, as activists packed the chambers and accused the mayor and Police Chief Damian Velasco of working with federal immigration agents. Several residents shouted that local officers had helped identify and detain their neighbors, while Velasco repeatedly denied the claims as the crowd demanded answers.
Activists confront city leaders
Video from the meeting shows a tense scene, with people repeatedly interrupting council business, shouting over officials, and refusing to let the issue go, according to CBS Los Angeles. Protesters pressed the mayor to explain any coordination with federal immigration authorities and demanded specifics. Chief Velasco answered that he had not assisted federal immigration enforcement.
City offers immigrant-rights resources
In response to broader community concerns, the City of Bell has posted an “Official Public Statement on the Immigration Enforcement Policy” along with a set of “know your rights” materials on its website. The resources are designed to guide residents who encounter immigration agents and include fact sheets, hotlines, and the Red Cards toolkit, which lays out how people can assert their rights during enforcement encounters.
Background: Raids at car washes stoked anger
Tensions in southeast Los Angeles had already been running high after federal agents carried out operations last summer at multiple car washes, including one on Atlantic Avenue in Bell, where protesters later gathered for hours. The Los Angeles Times reviewed video that showed masked agents and documented the intense street confrontations that followed the raids.
Officials respond, activists demand transparency
Federal officials said Border Patrol vehicles were damaged during those operations and that local officers also responded, according to NBC Los Angeles. Activists at the latest council meeting told reporters they want clear rules made public about how and when local police interact with federal immigration agents. Chief Velasco again denied any assistance to immigration operations in comments to CBS Los Angeles.
What to watch next
The clash at City Hall highlights a deep mistrust between immigrant-rights advocates and federal enforcement in the Los Angeles region, with Bell now squarely in the middle of that fight. The City of Bell’s online calendar lists its next regular council meeting on January 28, 2026, where residents and activists are likely to return and continue pressing city leaders for answers and transparency.
