Investigate ICE’s Use of Pepper Spray on Peaceful Protesters in Stockton
The Issue
On November 2, 2026, people gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office on San Juan Avenue in Stockton, California, to protest a wave of immigration arrests across San Joaquin County. By the end of the afternoon, agents had sprayed protesters with a chemical irritant, shoved them back and fired PepperBall rounds.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General must open an independent investigation into how agents used force that day, and make the findings public.
A video posted to Facebook appears to show a woman being sprayed in the face while she spoke with an agent from across the fence. A friend of hers told The Stockton Record that about six other protesters were hurt, and that the group had already stepped back when asked. Earlier, an agent had told the crowd it could stand near the gate. Later, agents ordered everyone farther away.
About an hour after the spraying, roughly eight agents, some carrying PepperBall launchers, moved toward the crowd again. The Record reported that protester Jarred Wright was shoved hard while filming and following orders to move, sending his phone flying. Once the crowd reached the spot agents chose, agents fired rounds from their launchers.
People hold many different views on immigration. But the right to gather peacefully and speak out belongs to everyone, and people who follow instructions should not be sprayed in the face for it. Stockton residents deserve to know whether the force used that day was justified.
Stockton City Councilmember Mario Enríquez has already called for a citywide immigration response plan. The Stockton City Council should support that effort and include a clear way for residents to report force used against them.
Sign the petition to demand an independent investigation now, before another peaceful protest in Stockton ends in pepper spray.
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The Issue
On November 2, 2026, people gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office on San Juan Avenue in Stockton, California, to protest a wave of immigration arrests across San Joaquin County. By the end of the afternoon, agents had sprayed protesters with a chemical irritant, shoved them back and fired PepperBall rounds.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General must open an independent investigation into how agents used force that day, and make the findings public.
A video posted to Facebook appears to show a woman being sprayed in the face while she spoke with an agent from across the fence. A friend of hers told The Stockton Record that about six other protesters were hurt, and that the group had already stepped back when asked. Earlier, an agent had told the crowd it could stand near the gate. Later, agents ordered everyone farther away.
About an hour after the spraying, roughly eight agents, some carrying PepperBall launchers, moved toward the crowd again. The Record reported that protester Jarred Wright was shoved hard while filming and following orders to move, sending his phone flying. Once the crowd reached the spot agents chose, agents fired rounds from their launchers.
People hold many different views on immigration. But the right to gather peacefully and speak out belongs to everyone, and people who follow instructions should not be sprayed in the face for it. Stockton residents deserve to know whether the force used that day was justified.
Stockton City Councilmember Mario Enríquez has already called for a citywide immigration response plan. The Stockton City Council should support that effort and include a clear way for residents to report force used against them.
Sign the petition to demand an independent investigation now, before another peaceful protest in Stockton ends in pepper spray.
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Petition created on November 3, 2026