LA restaurant proprietor helps tear-gassed police, protesters throughout anti-ICE chaos

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LOS ANGELES – A restaurant proprietor exterior Los Angeles is opening up about her decision to help police officers who have been tear-gassed throughout riots exterior her enterprise June 7.

Elizabeth Mendoza is the proprietor of La Ceiba Restaurant, a Salvadoran eatery in Long Beach, who instructed Fox Information Digital she welcomed each police and protesters who entered her enterprise looking for assist after being pepper-sprayed that Saturday afternoon.

"I really feel unhappy as a result of my metropolis … it is a good metropolis," she mentioned. "My individuals is sincere. My individuals need to work so much. I am right here for 14 years. I do know my individuals, and I really feel unhealthy … after I noticed the police. The police want my assist, too, as a result of they're human like me. They really feel every part like me.

"They need to … work," she mentioned, including she has obtained thanks from police for serving to officers that day

COAST-TO-COAST ANTI-ICE CHAOS CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Elizabeth Mendoza is the proprietor of La Ceiba Restaurant, a Salvadoran eatery in Lengthy Seashore, who instructed Fox Information Digital she welcomed police and protesters who stopped by her enterprise looking for assist after being pepper-sprayed June 7. (Derek Shook for Fox Information Digital)

Mendoza initially mentioned her restaurant had suffered as a result of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and police presence within the space made individuals "scared" to stroll round. However now her enterprise is flourishing because of the optimistic consideration she has obtained nationally for serving to officers.

She has been dwelling in the US for greater than 30 years and is a authorized U.S. citizen.

The enterprise proprietor mentioned the current riots and ICE raids have made her "unhappy" as a result of immigrants like her need "peace" and "work" in the US.

WATCH: DEM, MEDIA OUTLETS INSIST LA ANTI-ICE RIOTS ARE 'PEACEFUL' DESPITE VIOLENCE, INJURED COPS

Mendoza mentioned her restaurant has suffered as a result of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and police presence within the space made individuals "scared" to stroll round. (Derek Shook for Fox Information Digital)

Whereas outsiders have handled what she described as her "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant with respect, Mendoza referred to as on protesters to condemn violence against other local businesses.

"Every thing is OK. I wish to say that protest is sweet," she mentioned. "However no[t] one thing unhealthy — the road, the home windows. Please, do not do this."

DOZENS OF ANTI-ICE RIOTERS ARRESTED IN LA AS TRUMP SENDS IN NATIONAL GUARD TO QUELL VIOLENCE

Mendoza mentioned she obtained thanks from police for serving to officers who have been pepper-sprayed June 7. (Derek Shook for Fox Information Digital)

Protests escalated within the Los Angeles space starting June 6 and June 7, when ICE raids started throughout the county, leading to lots of of unlawful immigrant arrests. The Division of Homeland Safety shared info with Fox Information about some of the most violent offenders arrested by ICE these two days.

Rioting broke out on the night of June 7, a Friday, as agitators burned vehicles, threw objects and fireworks at police, blocked site visitors, vandalized public buildings with graffiti and smashed home windows of the Los Angeles Police Division headquarters downtown.

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A police officer's face is roofed in pepper spray exterior the Metropolitan Detention Heart in downtown Los Angeles June 8, 2025, after an immigration raid protest. (Jae Hong)

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The rioting continued into the weekend and ensuing weeknights.

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox Information Digital and FOX Enterprise. E-mail tricks to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.