Monthly Archives: January 2026

ICE Out LA

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Protesters gather on the steps of LA City Hall


Once again, protesters are turning out across the nation to protest the Trump administration’s violent immigration raids. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have thrown more fuel on the fire, putting national attention on the ICE surge in Minneapolis. There were several LA area events on Friday in cities including Culver City, El Monte, Monrovia, Pasadena and Torrance. Thousands of protesters gathered near LA City Hall to give voice to their anger.

Protesters gathered in Grand Park in front of LA City Hall
You could feel the outrage in the air
The crowd was thick in front of LA City Hall


I showed up at City Hall around one o’ clock. It was an unusually warm January day. Signs calling out the deaths of Good and Pretti were plentiful, but protesters also called attention to those who have lost their lives in detention facilities. As outrage over the immigration crackdown has spiralled, it seems the Trump administration is trying to rethink its approach, but will the changes amount to anything more than a public relations move? Hard to believe Trump will back down.

Signs asked for justice for Alex Pretti…
…and for Renee Good…
…and for those who have died in detention facilities.
Speakers railed against the violence of the ICE crackdown.
As usual, plenty of folks showed up with cameras to document the event.
Still more cameras.


The protests aren’t going away. And the pressure has become so great that even some of the Republicans in Congress are speaking up. No doubt some are worried about how this will impact the mid-term elections. But we need to see meaningful investigations, not just for Good and Pretti, but also for the immigrants who have died in detention facilities. And we need to see ICE get out of Minneapolis. Listening to politicians posturing is a waste of time. We need real change

Vigil in Altadena One Year after the Fires

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People gather at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena one year after the fires.

It’s been a year since the fires. As bad as that catastrophe was, with blazes erupting in locations all over the LA area, and the two most devastating conflagrations in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the year since then has been an ordeal for the thousands of survivors who are trying to rebuild their lives. Some have left LA. Some are working through the arduous process of constructing new homes. Many are still trying to figure out how to move on.

Tonight several hundred people gathered at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena for a vigil, both to remember those who were lost and to celebrate the community’s resilience as it works to rebuild. Located in the middle of the neighborhoods that were ravaged by the Eaton Fire, Fair Oaks Burger miraculously survived unscathed. As the community struggled to recover, the restaurant partnered with a non-profit to provide free meals to those who needed them.

Before the vigil began, the crowd gathered in the parking lot.
A memorial was created to remember those who perished in the fire.
Hundreds gathered around the stage as musicians played.
Speakers talked about the losses the community had suffered, but also about its tremendous strength.


The mood was both somber and celebratory. Many of those attending lost their homes in the fire. Speakers talked about the losses they had suffered. But they also spoke of the joy they felt as the community came together to support them. It was a cold night, but the vibe was very warm. You could feel the love.