LA rises up. Community members in LA continue to protest against extreme workplace ICE raids in the city, banding together to protect their neighbors. Federal law enforcement agencies, alongside LAPD, have continually escalated their presence and tactics at these demonstrations, as we have seen them use tear gas, flash-bangs, less-than-lethal rubber bullets, and other aggressive and violent measures. Trump has attempted to deploy California’s National Guard – without the Governor’s approval, which is illegal – and even the U.S. Marines. Many service members have reached out to veteran rights organizations to express discomfort with being deployed against their own communities. Widespread community response is expected to continue through the weekend, especially as a national day of action in opposition to Trump’s lavish birthday parade and general federal overreach affecting our communities.

HSI is ICE. On Tuesday, Arizonans came together to show support for immigrants by bearing witness to potential ICE presence, and to protect individuals’ constitutional rights in various locations across the valley, including at the intersection of 67th and Peoria avenues based on reports of militarized law enforcement. The Peoria police department claimed that this Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) operation “had no connection to ICE or immigration activity” despite HSI being one of the three primary operational directorates of ICE. “People will rightfully observe every instance of ICE in our communities to ensure they are respecting people’s constitutional rights and allowing for due process,” said Raquel Teran, Former State Senator and spokesperson for Proyecto Progreso. “There have been too many cases of masked agents violently arresting people across the country and we are on high-alert to peacefully observe and document to ensure people’s rights are respected.”

Students’ rights remain protected. Last week, we asked readers to call Governor Hobbs to ask her to veto HB2867 – a bill that would have infringed on students’ rights. After an immense response from community members and progressive organizations, Gov. Hobbs vetoed the bill on Tuesday. Already in the last 6 months, we have seen the Trump administration escalate attacks on higher education by attempting to destroy the U.S. Department of Education and control who can attend institutions of higher education. In Arizona, we’ve seen bills that infringe on students’ rights such as HB2867, which is a direct attack on freedom of speech in our schools. HB2867’s content-based restrictions on speech would have chilled open discussion, put people at risk for sharing their views, and undermined academic freedom.

A senator assaulted. On Thursday, California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla attempted to speak with Sec. of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at her press conference, as is his duty to oversee the federal government’s operations in LA and across California. Noem was in Los Angeles to discuss immigration enforcement actions in the city and ongoing protests over those efforts. Not only was Sen. Padilla not permitted to speak with Sec. Noam, but was forcefully removed from the room, handcuffed, and pinned to the floor – he was not arrested, but he was briefly held. Constituents and Democratic elected officials alike have shown their support for Sen. Padilla, as well as condemned Sec. Noem, calling for accountability from her & her department amid the horrific kidnappings by enforcement officials under her direction.