El Salvadorian restaurant staff praised for helping officers hurt in LA riots
Share this @internewscast.com

An owner of a Salvadorian restaurant stepped in to aid police officers injured during the Los Angeles riots, despite understanding the protesters’ grievances. This compassionate act has quickly gained attention online.

“They’re humans,” Elizabeth Mendoza, who owns La Ceiba in Compton, shared with The Post regarding the officers she and her employees helped as they found refuge from the turmoil in her restaurant on Saturday.

“They were just carrying out their responsibilities, aiming to ensure safety for all,” Mendoza explained, noting that she didn’t hesitate when the officers requested assistance.

Mendoza and some other local Hispanic workers said that while they agree with the demonstrators’ cause — migrants’ rights — violence and looting are no way to achieve anything.

“Spray painting and all this damage, that’s not helping anybody,’’ said Pedro Perez, a worker at a nearby Boost Mobile that was damaged.

“And right here, where they were spray painting, mainly all these people are all Hispanic owners.”

“The whole point is to be united, and you guys are damaging your own people’s businesses. I just think it’s stupid,” he said.

Mendoza said she was working at La Ceiba that afternoon as clashes across the city between police and demonstrators protesting ICE’s recent mass arrests of illegal immigrants grew increasingly violent.

As a face-off grew particularly heated nearby, several sheriff’s deputies were caught in a cloud of tear gas and staggered into the restaurant and asked for help.

Mendoza jumped into action and joined her staff, fanning down the cops and giving them milk to pour over their burning eyes — even letting one of the officers stand in the restaurant’s freezer to cool down.

The scene — of Latin Americans readily helping police hurt trying to contain protests for migrants — quickly gained attention online, with many praising Mendoza and her staff for their integrity and humanity.

Mendoza, a US citizen who immigrated to the US 30 years ago, said she supported the protesters’ cause, although she added that looting and violence were no way to achieve anything.

“Things should be done properly. That’s not the way to handle the situation,” she said.

The restaurant owner said many of the protesters are from her community — and ended up working to help protect her business from some of the vandals.

“There were a lot of people also protecting the restaurant. Most of the protesters around here, they are like family, so they were protecting the place,” she said.

Not every business nearby was so lucky: Many in the strip mall neighboring La Ceiba were vandalized over the weekend.

Mendoza said she is hopeful that the riots will calm down and that ICE won’t deport hard workers who are truly in the US to chase the American dream.

“I want this to have a peaceful ending and to make them be smarter about deporting people and run background checks to make sure they are not deporting people who are just here for a better life,” she said of federal agents.

“They need to be deporting people who are really here for the wrong reasons.”

LA’s riots were sparked on Friday after ICE carried out several raids across the city and protesters attempted to intervene.

Demonstrators eventually showed up at a downtown detention center where detainees were believed to be held, and after violence broke out in places, President Trump sent in the National Guard to quell the chaos.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago immigration activity: Federal agents detain worker in Old Irving Park, appear to use tear gas; fear disrupts local parade

Federal Agents Detain Worker in Old Irving Park, Tear Gas Suspected; Local Parade Plunged into Chaos in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Saturday, federal agents were once again active on…
Heidi Klum drops 'cheeky' new Halloween costume hint

Heidi Klum Teases Fans with Playful Halloween Costume Preview: What to Expect This Year

Heidi Klum might be giving her fans a glimpse of her renowned…
Asking Eric: Friendship disrupted by house full of security cameras

Home Surveillance Strains Friendship: How Eric’s Security Cameras Created Tension

Dear Eric: I’m deeply concerned about losing a cherished friendship. I met…
Dublin protesters clash with police, burn vehicle after migrant accused of sexually assaulting Irish girl

Dublin Protests Erupt into Violence Following Allegations of Sexual Assault by Migrant

In a tense escalation of unrest, a police car was set ablaze…
Can AI keep students motivated, or does it do the opposite?

Unlocking Student Potential: How AI Transforms Motivation in the Classroom

Imagine a student employing a writing assistant fueled by a generative AI…

New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo Leaves Game Due to Ankle Injury

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a devastating turn of events for the New…
Nearly 80K sauna blankets recalled after dozens of burn injuries reported

Urgent Recall Alert: Over 80,000 Sauna Blankets Recalled Due to Burn Injury Risks

In an important safety notice, Lifepro Fitness has announced the recall of…
Serial slasher sought after 3 unprovoked Brooklyn attacks in 24 hours

Brooklyn on High Alert: Authorities Hunt Serial Slasher Behind Trio of Unprovoked Attacks in Just 24 Hours

A violent assailant responsible for slashing a stranger’s face on a Brooklyn…
Trump administration announces requirements to pass US citizenship test have increased

Breaking: Trump Administration Tightens US Citizenship Test – What You Need to Know

Aspirants are now required to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions…
Carjacking victim arrested after allegedly shooting boy breaking into his car during Atlanta confrontation

Atlanta Carjacking Twist: Victim Faces Charges After Shooting Alleged Teenage Thief

An Atlanta man found himself in handcuffs after allegedly shooting a teenager…
Clifford Proctor, LAPD officer at one time, charged with murder in 2015 Venice shooting of unarmed homeless man Brendan Glenn

Former LAPD Officer Faces Murder Charges in 2015 Shooting of Unarmed Homeless Man in Venice

LOS ANGELES — A former Los Angeles police officer has been indicted…
Chicago Halloween events: Pet costumes on display at 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Museum of Contemporary Art

Unleash the Spooky Fun: 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

CHICAGO (WLS) — This past weekend, Chicago was the stage for a…