How Residents In Chicago And LA Are Building Multiracial Solidarity Against ICE

Following the June detention of a local tamale vendor and her family, South Los Angeles residents mobilized to protest ICE actions with a march and vigil. This event catalyzed a multiracial coalition dedicated to mutual aid and community defense. Organizer Enrique Gaspar highlighted the community's commitment to protecting one another, stating, "an attack against one of us is a strike against all of us. " The coalition has since organized initiatives for rent control and legal rights education for immigrants, illustrating their resilience against gentrification and state violence. As South LA's demographics shift, the community confronts both the challenges of cultural differences and the necessity of solidarity.

Gaspar acknowledged the need to dismantle anti-Blackness within the coalition for true unity. This effort represents a broader trend of diverse groups advocating for each other amidst increasing immigration enforcement. The grassroots response showcases a model for collective action against systemic oppression.