BBC News
Juan and several friends huddled in the car park of a
Typically, their gatherings include dozens of day labourers, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, seeking work from shoppers or contractors.
But on Sunday, only two small pickups advertised that they could help with roofing, repairs or paint jobs outside this branch of Home Depot in the suburb of Paramount, whose population is more than 82% Hispanic.
It was one day after the store became the centre of immigration protests, sparked by rumours that day labourers here had been rounded up and arrested.
Many who live in the community told the BBC they saw immigration enforcement vehicles in the area.
It caused instant fear and panic. Then came reports about raids and arrests of day labourers at Home Depot, a place where many undocumented migrants across the US go to find work.
Protests erupted in this Hispanic-majority city, turning violent as rocks and Molotov cocktails were thrown. Authorities used pepper spray, rubber bullets and smoke bombs to subdue the crowd.
But the demonstrations in Paramount appear to have spawned out of misinformation.
