MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA
STATEMENT
10 JUNE 2025
Statement on the detention and assault of SEIU's David Huerta in Los Angeles
The MUA, alongside the over 700 global transport trade unions that make up the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), condemn the violent assault and detention of SEIU Local USWW President David Huerta by ICE agents in Los Angeles.
Huerta was targeted while doing what union leaders around the world do every day: standing up for justice, for dignity, and for the rights of working people. We demand his immediate release and the dropping of charges against him.
"This disgraceful act of aggression is a threat not just to David Huerta, but to every worker who dares to speak out," said MUA National Secretary and ITF President Paddy Crumlin.
"It is part of a wider, dangerous trend: weaponising immigration enforcement to silence the voices of the most marginalised and anyone who dares to speak out against injustice. We condemn the violent crackdown and heavy-handed tactics on people's rights to peaceful protest and assembly.
Those exercising these human rights, guaranteed by the US constitution, must be protected, not attacked." Crumlin continued: "Immigrant workers are the backbone of countless industries in the US - keeping cities running, supply chains moving, and essential services alive. We stand with SEIU as part of the global labour movement demanding an end to the harassment, criminalisation, and scapegoating of migrant communities.
Oppression will never silence solidarity."
"David Huerta is a respected trade union leader and a champion of workers' rights," said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton. "To assault and detain him for defending immigrant workers is an attack on the entire labour movement. We stand shoulder to shoulder with SEIU and demand justice."
The MUA and the ITF will continue to stand in full solidarity with SEIU and all those defending the rights of immigrant workers.
