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Police are investigating after a vehicle driven by a federal immigration agent appeared to strike a person in a Woodland neighborhood Tuesday morning, the Woodland Police Department said, in an incident that has drawn condemnation from immigrants’ rights advocates and an elected official.
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The incident happened just before 9:40 a.m. near Locust and Clover streets, Woodland police said in a Facebook post, describing it as involving a pedestrian and a vehicle operated by federal immigration authorities.
“Woodland PD responded, contacted the involved parties, and is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the department said in the statement.
In a video of the incident posted to social media, a black SUV was seen driving down the residential street before appearing to strike an observer as other observers blew whistles in warning of approaching agents.
The SUV braked, then veered to the left, followed by a person near the front end of the vehicle tumbling to the pavement. A voice could be heard yelling, the video showed. The motorist then appeared to continue to drive before the video ended.
The Tuesday incident came as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have increased their presence in the Sacramento region and across California, as part of a wave of ICE immigration operations in the state in the weeks leading up to November’s midterm election.
“ICE cannot continue to terrorize our communities,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, whose district includes Woodland and Yolo County, and has been in contact with Woodland authorities. “No one is above the law. ICE’s actions have contributed to growing distrust and fear within our communities, making transparency and accountability all the more critical. Members of our community need to feel safe.”
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Thompson in his statement said local law enforcement informed him “that ICE was operating the vehicle in question.”
Representatives for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sacramento monitoring group NorCal Resist condemned the incident involving the ICE agent and Woodland resident in a statement Tuesday, calling it part of a “greater trend of ICE escalation and aggression.”
“NorCal Resist condemns today’s violent act by the federal immigration enforcement agent who struck a Woodland resident — who was lawfully exercising their right to document law enforcement activity in public spaces — with their vehicle,” said Giselle Garcia, an attorney and NorCal Resist program director.
“This is a part of a greater trend of ICE escalation and aggression that has been documented since the start of this administration’s second term,” Garcia said. “NorCal Resist will not cease to lawfully assert our constitutional rights to observe and document government actions and hold those abusing power accountable.”
Read more ICE vehicle appears to strike person in Woodland, video shows. Police investigating
The Sacramento Bee’s Mathew Miranda contributed to this report.