Los Angeles Day Laborers Protest Noise Machines at Cypress Park Home Depot
In Cypress Park, Los Angeles, a group of immigrant rights advocates is raising concerns about high-pitched noise machines reportedly installed outside a Home Depot. Day laborers allege that these devices are used to deter them from gathering in the area, coinciding with recent immigration raids at the store.
Day Laborers Experience Distress
According to the laborers, the loud emanations from the machines have persisted for several months, causing them physical discomfort, including headaches and nausea. Jose De La Torre, a day laborer with 25 years of experience in the area, describes how the piercing sound began about a month ago. He stated, “It wouldn’t hurt you, but you can feel it in your bones.”
Protests and Community Response
This week, city officials and advocates came together to protest the noise machines. They are calling for the removal of these devices, which they believe are part of efforts to push day laborers away.
Home Depot’s Stance
A spokesperson for Home Depot addressed the allegations, stating that the company employs various safety measures and technology at its stores. They noted that the Cypress Park location is unique, mentioning the installation of K-gate barriers to discourage illegal overnight parking. However, the statement did not confirm the use of high-pitched sound machines.
Immigration Tensions and Job Challenges
Day laborers are facing increased difficulties in finding work due to ongoing immigration raids. De La Torre expressed his anxieties, mentioning that fewer clients are approaching them at the job center. “It’s a hard time to find a job. We’re scared, we’re afraid,” he shared.
Activist Actions Against Home Depot
In solidarity with the affected laborers, activists plan to encourage customers to reconsider shopping at Home Depot during an upcoming event in Hollywood. The contentious issue of noise machines adds to the ongoing challenges faced by day laborers in the face of immigration enforcement efforts.
