Council members Nithya Raman and Hugo Soto-Martinez were arrested during a hotel workers protest near LAX, according to their offices.
Unite Here Local 11, the union representing nearly 32,000 hotel workers, demonstrated Thursday afternoon on Century Boulevard outside LAX. The demonstration prompted police to block the main thoroughfare in both directions from Sepulveda to Airport Boulevards.
“We are here to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone exercising their First Amendment rights,” the Los Angeles Police Department tweeted Thursday afternoon. “We appreciate the peaceful nature of the demonstration and remain committed to public safety.”
According to Unite Here, 300 people were arrested during the protest.
United Teachers Los Angeles claimed their vice president-elect was part of the group that was arrested.
“We are willing to put our bodies at risk for our right to live comfortably and safely in LA,” the union tweeted
Hundreds of workers and allies, including the vice president-elect of UTLA (secondary school), were arrested today in support of workers from @UNITEHERE11
We are willing to risk our bodies for our right to live comfortably and safely in LA pic.twitter.com/IJJWQpuyKI
— United Teachers Los Angeles (@UTLAnow) June 23, 2023
The two council members were released shortly after their arrest.
The union’s contract with big hotels — like Hyatt, IHG, Hilton and Mariott — expires on June 30. They are demanding the establishment of a housing fund for hotel workers, better wages, healthcare benefits, a pension and safer workloads.
The protest lasted several hours, with LAX announcing a full reopening around 9pm
“All of today’s closures on Century Boulevard have now reopened and traffic is returning to normal. Thank you for your patience,” the airport tweeted.
All of today’s closures on Century Boulevard have since reopened and traffic is returning to normal. Thank you for your patience.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) June 23, 2023
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