Boyle Heights protests ICE presence at hospital

Protesters gathered outside Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights on Saturday to condemn the presence of ICE agents at the hospital, with tensions escalating into confrontations and a teenager being pepper-sprayed. The federal agents arrived around midnight seeking medical treatment for a person in custody, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Hospital President Daniel Fontoura said officials refused ICE requests to enter a physician-patient consultation, and LAPD was called when protesters blocked ambulance access. Mayor-elect Nithya Raman joined the demonstration, calling the federal presence an affront to Los Angeles residents. Community member Derek Mejia criticized LAPD for prioritizing ICE safety over protesters, including two minors allegedly maced by agents.