Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stormed South Park sister restaurants Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta on the 3000 block of Beech Street just before 6pm on May 30. Witnesses say agents in tactical gear deployed flash-bang grenades and handcuffed restaurant employees while demanding identification. Reports claim three workers were taken into custody after failing to produce ID. All others were sent home for the night.
The timing and optics of the raid - conducted at the start of a busy dinner service at two popular family-friendly establishments - fueled outrage. Video footage shows stunned patrons and neighbors pouring into the street, confronting the heavily armed officers, shouting in protest, filming the events, and at one point even physically blocking unmarked government vehicles. Flash-bang and smoke devices were deployed to disperse the crowd.
Whether you agree with immigration enforcement or not, what happened in South Park Friday night was a display of raw civic solidarity - one that embodies the spirit of democratic protest enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Neighbors, customers, and even strangers stood up - not necessarily because they knew who was being detained, but because they believed the raid represented an overreach of authority during what should have been a peaceful dinner service.
By the next day, the images and videos had gone viral. From local news coverage and social media to a national report by NPR, the story of South Park’s defiance drew widespread attention. NPR’s reporting contextualized the incident within a broader immigration crackdown under the Trump administration.
San Diego Police confirmed its officers were called to assist with crowd control but emphasized that they did not participate in the federal operation. No injuries were reported.
In the days that followed, the support only grew. Neighboring communities like North Park and Hillcrest joined in solidarity. Patrons packed Buona Forchetta locations across the region. Signs appeared in windows. Protests took place in South Park and are scheduled to continue. Mayor Todd Gloria released a sharply worded statement condemning the raid, writing: "Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect. What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community."
In response to the public backlash, Buona Forchetta issued a heartfelt statement and on June 1, announced it would close all locations across San Diego and Orange County for two days. "We wish we could find stronger words, but the truth is we are heartbroken," the message began. "The traumatic incident involving a federal enforcement operation at our original and beloved South Park location has left a mark on all of us. A wound that is still raw, still echoing in our kitchens, our dining rooms, and our hearts." The statement emphasized the emotional toll on staff and thanked the community for its overwhelming support, saying, "What has kept us going, truly, is you."
Owner Matteo Cattaneo also told SanDiegoVille, “Buona Forchetta is a family, not a business. That’s our success. We stand together, and we do it with love for one another.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign titled "Support for Detained Buona Forchetta Employees" was launched by South Park neighbors and small business owners. The fundraiser is intended to help cover legal fees, lost wages, and basic living expenses for the affected employees and their families. Organizers wrote, "Families are separated, livelihoods are threatened, and the entire community is reeling from the shock and heartbreak... Every dollar sends a message of hope, solidarity, and care."
Speculation continues to swirl about the timing and motivation behind the raid. The day before, San Diego law enforcement officers reportedly visited Matteo, a nonprofit restaurant owned by the same group. The restaurant group was also scheduled to host a community meeting in opposition to a controversial 8-story development in nearby Golden Hill. Though no official link has been confirmed, the sequence of events has prompted concern among activists and civil rights observers.
Still, what stands out most from this episode is not the raid itself, but the community's response. In a time of increasing division and political polarization, it is rare to see such a unified, organic reaction. Whether you see it as brave or misguided, lawful or unlawful, what happened in South Park is a vivid reminder of what democracy looks like when it's activated at street level. It is a powerful reminder that solidarity is still possible, and that the values of dignity, compassion, and due process remain worth fighting for.
For many, it was not about politics, but about principle. It was about the idea that if injustice ever knocks at your door, your community should be there - not to turn away, but to stand beside you. And as Buona Forchetta's own statement affirmed, "We will be back soon. But for now, we are holding our people close and leaning into the love you have so generously given."
For many, it was not about politics, but about principle. It was about the idea that if injustice ever knocks at your door, your community should be there - not to turn away, but to stand beside you. And as Buona Forchetta's own statement affirmed, "We will be back soon. But for now, we are holding our people close and leaning into the love you have so generously given."
Originally published on June 2, 2025. Photo by W. Scott Koenig of A Gringo In Mexico.
