Photo by Frank Lopez | Protestors from the May 1st Committee for Immigrants Rights and Raza Against War gather outside Fresno City Hall on Thursday to urge Valley business owners to protect immigrant rights.

Local activist groups are calling for businesses to support immigrants in light of the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in the Central Valley.

The May 1st Committee for Immigrants Rights and Raza Against War held a press conference on Thursday in front of Fresno City Hall demanding an end to the what they called “attacks” and a media campaign “against” city council member Miguel Arias regarding his unverified claims of an ICE raid at the Cherry Auction.

The groups were also calling for businesses to not allow ICE and Border Patrol agents from entering non-public areas of their premises without a judicial warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.

They advise Fresno residents to consider other shopping options unless and until the Cherry Auction declares they will not cooperate with immigration authorities.

Neil Burson, owner of Cherry Auction, told the Fresno Bee he would not prevent ICE from entering the swap meet.

Leonel Flores, organizer for the May 1 Committee for Immigrant Rights, said they held the press conference to show support for the immigrant vendors, business owners and the immigrant community.

“We are here to support the immigrant community to stop deportations, attacks and support businesses that support the immigrant community and our people who spend their money in businesses where they feel safe,” Floes said.

The co-chair of Raza Against War said it’s critical for businesses and the community to work together to protect the immigrant population.

“We shouldn’t let them [ICE] divide us. Any outbreaks or disturbances would ruin all the economic opportunities that exist here for the immigrant community and the business community—we should look at ourselves as one community,” Santos said.

Gloria Hernandez, a local civil rights activist and community advocate, said business owners should support immigrant workers.

“You should stand firm to support your subcontractors, vendors, consumers and clients,” she said. “It’s not fair to take their money and then when it’s convenient to you, you turn around and accuse them of crimes.”

She said everyone should work together to preserve people’s constitutional rights, but also to focus on the economy of the Valley.

Though there were no sightings of ICE presence at the Cherry Auction on June 14, Santos said he doesn’t believe Arias would have urged the immigrant community to stay away from the swap meet unless he had a solid word about it.

Hernandez said they have evidence and are building a court case with testimony from individuals regarding local ICE activity, but would not share the information with the media.