More than a dozen arrested after police raid on famed West Hollywood LGBTQ+ venue The Abbey
The Abbey in West Hollywood is one of the most famous LGBTQ+ bars in the US. (Getty)
The Abbey in West Hollywood is one of the most famous LGBTQ+ bars in the US. (Getty)
More than a dozen people have been arrested following a police raid on famed West Hollywood LGBTQ+ venue The Abbey.
Thirteen people were arrested on Friday (17 October) in West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, where the presence of unmarked vehicles initially sparked fears of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid.
Despite social media posts warning of ICE raids, particularly at LGBTQ+ venue The Abbey, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that ICE agents were not involved in arrests.
One viral clips shows security staff locking and barricading an entrance door as officers are seen outside.
A different clip shows people being arrested by officers, with the person filming saying, “they’ve just been going into the clubs and grabbing people… they haven’t been presenting any ID.” An officer then confirms to the cameraman that he and his colleagues are members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at the West Hollywood station. The officer refuses to share the reason for the arrests.
The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station told Them that the raid was a “scheduled undercover operation” that occurred “in response to reports of pickpocketing and other criminal activity”.
The Abbey has long been associated with an area where pickpockets operate, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reporting that nearly 400 thefts were recorded in the area in 2024 alone.
ICE is reportedly getting $76.5 billion (£56.6 billion) from Congress to help meet Trump’s demands, and the administration has launched a recruitment drive to help fill 10,000 news jobs over the next four years. There have been more than 115,000 applications, according to Homeland Security.
In September, Eric Duran thanked his followers on TikTok for their support as he battles to free his boyfriend from ICE.
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