DOJ drops final charge in LA protest case against SEIU leader

The U.S. Department of Justice moved to drop its final charge against SEIU-United Service Workers West President David Huerta, who was arrested during a Los Angeles protest against ICE. The indictment began as a felony conspiracy to impede an officer and was downgraded to a misdemeanor; DOJ says the case was not about peaceful protest, while Huerta and allies contend it was an attempt to silence dissent over immigration enforcement. The move comes amid broader debates over immigration policy and the DOJ’s willingness to indict protestors and labor leaders.