David Huerta, who leads California’s largest union — Service Employees International Union California — pleaded not guilty in federal court Tuesday to obstructing an ICE operation in Los Angeles this summer.

Prosecutors are charging the labor leader with a misdemeanor, accusing him of obstructing, resisting, or opposing a federal officer during the first day of immigration sweeps across the region.

The federal government originally charged Huerta with a felony , which carried a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

After entering his plea, Huerta spoke outside the courthouse, calling the charge against him a "weaponization of the justice system."

"These charges are baseless," he said. "They are an attempt to silence anyone who dares to speak out, organize, or demand justice. I w

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