Hired Goons? / Paul Blart: Ice Agent

An Op. Ed. by a Lazy Stoner

“Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???” - Donald J. Trump - 45th & 47th U.S. President

Throughout the first year of Donald Trump’s 2nd Presidency term, there has been a rash increase in Federally sponsored violence against immigrants and citizens of the United States. In what is becoming an all too common occurrence, masked men have been caught on video while committing disgustingly violent actions against the general public. From beating people in the head while five other masked thugs hold a person down to drawing weapons on people taking video of staging operations. Many of the incidents that have been caught on camera depict men with face mask, auspicious looking Police vest, and some kind of weapon. These weapons range from paint ball guns to rifles with silencers. The increase of intimidation and violence that these thugs callously dole out has the potentiality dire consequences.

Via Instagram account Uniondelbario

The overwhelming force that has been unleased on the communities throughout the United States has been met with protest and discontent from the people who live in the affected areas. Resulting in everyday U.S. citizens putting themselves at risk as they stand against, and in some cases, drive ICE agents out from their neighborhoods. One example of DHS thugs running scared took place in South Los Angeles and Bell, CA.

A Community pushes ICE out of South LA
byu/CantStopPoppin inEyesOnIce

Bell Residents Face Down ICE: Grassroots Resistance Stops Immigration Raids
byu/CantStopPoppin inEyesOnIce

Some protesters have made it a point voice their discontent while at hotels/motels that ICE agents are using as staging grounds for their raids. This type of outcry has been rather successful at the AC Hotel in Pasadena, CA. Where video shows the AC Hotel finally caving to the public’s outcry against lodging ICE agents in their community. Later on in the video, Ice agents flee in their vehicles as citizens follow on foot while chanting and waving signs.

A determined group of Pasadena residents made their voices heard, standing together against ICE’s presence at a hotel. Their collective pressure left no room for negotiation, forcing ICE agents to pack up and leave.
byu/CantStopPoppin inEyesOnIce

Signs that the Department of Homeland Security is feeling the pressure is showing. There were already reports of agents: wearing masks to hide their faces, not having any identifying badge numbers, or refusing to provide warrants for arrest while accosting immigrants. As tensions rise, there have been repeated reports of ICE agents drawing weapons on people filming their activates and committing acts of violence while detaining suspected immigrants. There have been two videos, that this writer has seen, depicting ICE agents pointing guns at civilians, both allegedly taking place in Santa Ana, CA. The first one seems completely unprovoked and comes off as an ill advised power flex. Admittedly, the second one seems like a justifiable argument could be made that the agent may have thought they were about to be ambushed, but such an argument is hard to make when ICE has already beaten the goodwill and benefit of the doubt out of the general public.

ICE agents aim weapon at person filming in car Santa Ana, CA
byu/Important_Dig7795 in50501

ICE Agent draws on civilian trying to photograph his license plate
byu/BrewNerdBrad inEyesOnIce

As reports come out from outlets such as

The Bulwark

and

MeidasTouch Network

of masked men pulling weapons on civilians increase in shocking rapidity. There has been reports of violence being committed during the ICE raids, with one example echoing the infamous Rodney King incident. Narciso Barranco, an immigrant who is a father of 3 sons, all of which served or are currently serving in the United States military, was thrown to the ground and beaten in the head while several other DHS thugs kneel on him. This sickening display of indifference and violence in the name of Mass Deportation is pushing everyday people to their limit, and leaving many asking why when Presidents like Obama were able to oversee record deportation numbers during their administration without resulting to jack booted thugs beating the shit out of a father of military men while on the streets of Santa Ana, CA.

a gang of masked ICE Nazis beat up and kidnap a father of three Marines in Santa Ana, CA
byu/Miserable-Lizard inthescoop

Many are questioning if these masked thugs are actually ICE agents, or if they were deputized by DHS due to the lack of restraint and professionalism that is on full display. Some have gone so far as to theorize that members of Right-Wing extremist groups, such as the Proud Boys have been recruited in the ranks to carry out these raids through out communities with higher numbers of immigrant residents. Since the “agents” who carry out these invasions of local communities refuse to wear identify themselves while driving unmarked vehicles, there is no way to disprove this conspiracy theories. Worst still, it leaves the opportunity for rogue elements to take advantage to the secrecy to commit crimes while impersonating federal agents.