The family of a woman who founded the group “ICE out of L.A.” says the federal government has been illegally holding her for several months.
The woman, “AK” Akalei Brown, was detained in September for allegedly assaulting a federal agent. That charge was later dropped. She was also charged with conspiracy to dox a federal agent. Her husband, Nick Souksavath, said Brown is an American citizen.
“This is about my wife. This is about her. This is about an indigenous woman being illegally detained by this federal government,” Souksavath told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener. “It's all freedom of speech. Everything they said and did was on public roads, public sidewalks.”
He said everything that was done was to monitor movements by ICE agents. Souksavath explained that there’s no expectation of privacy when one is in public view.
“Anybody can be recorded. Because he was on public roads, they had every right to monitor what he was doing and say whatever they want because it's freedom of speech,” he said.
Souksavath is now able to contact his wife, but he said she was on a blackout the first couple of weeks.
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“We didn't know, couldn't communicate with her, only communicated with the lawyers,” he said.
Souksavath said Brown is being held at the federal building in downtown L.A.
“They're detaining her and she's the only one in federal custody right now that has not been convicted of a crime. She's only been sitting in there and only been charged of a crime.”
KNX News has reached out to ICE for comment.
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