The City of Pasadena canceled all programming scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at Villa Parke, Robinson Park, and Victory Park after reports of apparent federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke, officials said.
The decision was made out of an “abundance of caution,” city officials said in a news release posted on Instagram, after social media posts appeared to show federal agents at Villa Parke that morning.
Canceled activities include swim lessons and other recreational programs.
Witnesses at Villa Parke on Saturday morning described a large unmarked SUV and another, darker car that pulled up in front of a tamale stand at Park and Garfield, in front of a soccer field around 6 a.m. ICE agents reportedly detained three men who were buying food at the stand, and another who was taken at nearby Marengo Avenue – four men in all.
By 9 a.m., the cars of those who were taken sat abandoned on the street.
Earlier this week, video footage showed federal agents taking at least two people into custody outside a Winchell’s Donut House, ABC7 reported.
The cancellations also follow protests in Pasadena on Sunday, June 8 sparked by reports of federal immigration sweeps and claims that ICE agents were staying in local hotels. Demonstrators marched through Old Pasadena, calling for federal agents to get out of town and for the city to reaffirm its sanctuary policies.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more.