NLG-CCC Statement on ICE Assault of Legal Observer in Oxnard

The National Lawyers Guild – California Central Coast Chapter (NLG-CCC) strongly condemns the violent and unlawful actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who pepper-sprayed a clearly identified Legal Observer during a protest at an ICE raid yesterday in Oxnard.

The Legal Observer, wearing the NLG’s distinctive green hat and vest, was standing at a distance taking notes when an ICE officer, after spraying several protestors, deliberately approached and pepper-sprayed her without warning or provocation. No dispersal order or announcement regarding the intended use of chemical agents was issued.

Legal Observers serve a vital constitutional role: to document law enforcement behavior and protect the rights of all participants in public protest. Targeting a Legal Observer for chemical assault is a direct attack on the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly guaranteed by the First Amendment, and it contravenes both federal policy and California law, including Penal Code § 13652 and AB 48, which limit the use of chemical weapons and require de-escalation and protection of bystanders.

Such conduct is inconsistent with the rule of law and undermines public trust in government institutions. We call for an immediate and transparent investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the California Department of Justice Civil Rights Enforcement Section, as well as public accountability for all officers involved.

The NLG-CCC stands in solidarity with all Legal Observers, journalists, and community members who risk their safety to safeguard the rights of others. We reaffirm that witnessing is not interference—and that attempts to intimidate or harm those who monitor state power will not silence our commitment to civil rights and democratic accountability.

Contact:
National Lawyers Guild – California Central Coast Chapter
ccc@nlg.org