Left‑wing groups criticize LA28 security plan for heavy reliance on police and DHS

*TL;DR: Activists told Los Angeles officials that the LA28 security blueprint leans too heavily on the LAPD and the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns after a wave of immigration raids.

Context The 2028 Summer Games will be designated a National Special Security Event, a status that triggers federal involvement in security planning. The LA28 organizing committee released a Human Rights Strategy outlining how federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will supply resources, staff and technology. Left‑leaning activist groups have seized on the plan, arguing that the emphasis on police and DHS heightens anxiety in communities already shaken by recent immigration enforcement actions.

Key Facts - During a Los Angeles City Council hearing, representatives from the Fair Game Coalition and the Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative warned that the security plan’s reliance on the LAPD and DHS could “provoke fear and discord” among residents. - The Human Rights Strategy states that because the Games are a National Special Security Event, “DHS and other federal agencies will provide significant resources, staff, and technology” to support operational security and contingency planning. - Fair Game Coalition spokesperson Martin Barrera expressed dismay at DHS involvement, citing the agency’s role in recent raids that detained dozens of migrant workers. Barrera said the plan “fails to protect those most at risk.” - The activist criticism follows broader pressure on LA28 leadership, including calls for the resignation of chair Casey Wasserman after board appointments of former Trump officials and revelations linking Wasserman to the Epstein case.

What It Means If the concerns of left‑wing groups gain traction, LA28 may face pressure to adjust its security framework, potentially reducing the visible role of federal law‑enforcement agencies in favor of community‑based safeguards. The debate underscores a tension between ensuring Olympic safety and addressing community trust in policing and immigration enforcement. Stakeholders will watch upcoming council meetings and any revisions to the Human Rights Strategy for signs of a shift in approach.

*Watch for the next round of city council hearings and any public statements from DHS that could reshape the security blueprint ahead of the 2028 Games.*