Media Continues to Reinforce Deeply Inaccurate Stereotypes
Danielle Bertothy, 36, was charged for arson by a federal grand jury on Thursday afternoon
In The Community
While Immigrant and Latino Communities Help Save LA, Congress Targets Them with the Laken Riley Act
The Eaton, Palisades, and other fires have left Los Angeles County in a state of crisis, with widespread destruction and significant loss of life. Amidst the chaos, immigrant workers and the Latino community at large rallied to support the community and help save LA. At the same time, challenges for immigrants who are undocumented, immigrants who are documented, and anyone who fits the stereotype of what an “immigrant” looks like, continue to mount, as the Laken Riley Act makes its way through Congress, which threatens to undermine not just immigrant rights, but everyone’s rights.
Ongoing Los Angeles County Fires and Immigrant Community Contributions Amid Crisis
The Eaton Fire has also grown to over 14,000 acres with 35% containment. The Palisades Fire has consumed close to 24,000 acres and is only 17% contained as of the morning of January 14. The smaller fire, Hurst, has consumed 799 acres and is at 97% containment.
At least 24 people have died, and approximately 92,000 LA residents are under evacuation orders as strong winds and dry weather continue to fuel the fires. The economic toll has estimates ranging from $250 billion to $275 billion. An air quality warning extension was issued with the City of LA and others offering N95 masks to protect against the severe health risks the smoke and ash are posing to residents of the entire LA area.
As the fires continue to rage, Latino immigrants in Los Angeles and their contributions to the community have become integral in protecting neighborhoods and assisting with firefighting efforts. As reported in NPR’s Morning Edition, groups of Latino immigrants volunteered to help in neighborhoods overwhelmed by the fires where there weren’t enough firefighters to provide assistance. They used hoses, buckets, and shovels to help extinguish flames.
“We came to help so the fires don’t keep spreading,” said one of the Latina immigrant workers lending a hand. Another woman who wasn’t from the neighborhood, identified as Maria García from Guatemala, stated that she couldn’t sleep knowing that houses were burning, so she rallied her sons to go help where they could. She shared with NPR that she called several friends to come help as well, including her brother, who also started making calls to get more people to join in the efforts.
Others, like Mexican Juan Carlos Pascual Tolentino, who does landscaping work, have offered equipment from their businesses to support communities in need. "You don’t need to have papers or be a U.S. citizen to help others," Tolentino told NPR, echoing a sentiment of solidarity that has resonated throughout the immigrant community as a response to the ongoing crisis.
Farmworkers, many of whom are undocumented, have also continued working in dangerous conditions near the flames to protect crops. According to the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, "As communities begin to rebuild, Latino workers will be essential in the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure." Despite their essential contributions, they face minimal legal protections, highlighting a persistent issue during California wildfires.
The Laken Riley Act and Its Broad Implications
The stories of community and resilience coming out of Los Angeles contrast starkly with what’s currently happening in the Senate with the Laken Riley Act. Presented as a public safety measure as a result of the tragic murder of Laken Riley in Georgia, the act has sparked debate due to its implications on immigration policy, constitutional protections, and the rights of immigrant communities, particularly Latino immigrants. Critics argue that the bill, rather than improving safety, exploits a tragedy to demonize immigrants and dismantle fundamental legal safeguards.
The bill proposes the detention of undocumented individuals charged with or arrested for theft-related offenses, even if they haven’t been convicted. It also eliminates bond hearings, meaning individuals could face indefinite detention without a chance to contest the charges or resolve their cases. This policy diverges sharply from legal standards, where most people accused of crimes, regardless of severity, are entitled to individualized bond hearings. Critics highlight significant due process concerns, as well as the disproportionate impact it could have on Black and Brown communities who are already subject to higher rates of policing and arrest.
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The Laken Riley Act also grants states unprecedented authority to sue the federal government over immigration-related decisions. This would allow state attorneys general to challenge federal policies on issuing visas, detention practices, and other discretionary decisions, regardless of whether the state has a legitimate interest. Critics argue this measure undermines the balance of power between state and federal governments and could lead to chaotic litigation, crippling the federal government’s ability to enact coherent immigration policies.
Laken Riley Act’s Progress in Congress
The Laken Riley Act has made significant progress in Congress, gaining bipartisan support in both chambers. On January 7, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the bill 264-159, with all voting Republicans and 48 Democrats supporting it. This marked the first major legislative initiative of the new Congress focused on immigration issues.
The bill then moved to the Senate, where it cleared a key procedural hurdle on January 9, 2025. Continuing with the trend of bipartisan support, the Senate voted 84-9 to begin debate on the legislation, far surpassing the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.
As of January 14, 2025, the Senate is set to consider amendments to the bill, with a final vote expected soon. While the bill has gained significant momentum, some Democrats are advocating for modifications, particularly regarding provisions that would allow state attorneys general to sue the federal government. If the bill passes in its final form, it will move on to President Donald Trump for his signature or veto.
What This Means for Latino and Immigrant Communities
For Latino immigrants, the consequences of the act could be devastating. Latinos make up a large portion of the undocumented population in the United States, 7,410,000 according to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), and they’re already disproportionately affected by racial profiling and over-policing. The act could result in many being detained indefinitely for minor or trumped-up charges. For example, a mother accused of shoplifting baby formula or an individual with an arrest from decades ago could be detained without bond under this legislation. DACA recipients, whose status is already fragile, would be particularly vulnerable. A single arrest, even without a conviction, could result in detention and the immediate termination of their protected status.
The impact of the Laken Riley Act extends beyond individuals. Families could be torn apart, communities destabilized, and essential industries disrupted. The legislation has also drawn criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes that link immigration with criminality. Research consistently shows that immigrants, including undocumented individuals, have lower crime rates than native-born citizens. By framing immigrants as a public safety threat, the act fuels divisive rhetoric.
Advocates are also pointing to the echos of SB1070, another controversial immigration bill that required law enforcement officers to determine the immigration status of individuals they stopped, detained, or arrested if there was reasonable suspicion that the person was in the country illegally. The bill was ultimately defeated because of serious concerns that are similarly found in the Laken Riley Act. Rather than a state law that inspires racial profiling, Latinos nationwide are facing a similar threat.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warns that the bill could lead to a significant increase in racial profiling. In a recent press release, Sarah Mehta, ACLU senior border policy counsel, stated: “This is the first immigration bill of the new Congress, and if passed, it will strengthen President-elect Trump’s hand in unleashing mass deportations on our communities. It will force immigration authorities to detain individuals accused of nonviolent theft offenses like shoplifting regardless of whether or not law enforcement even deems them as a threat.”
Immigration lawyers have also raised concerns about the Laken Riley Act increasing the likelihood of racial profiling in vulnerable communities like the Latino community. These concerns are echoed by organizations like Human Rights Watch, the Children’s Defense Fund, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In a recent article, Mel Wilson, NASW Senior Policy Advisor, shared: “The bottom line is that if the bill is passed by the Senate it would be a blank check for jurisdictions that have a record of discriminatory and anti-immigrant policies to execute their real goal of mass deportations of migrants.”
The Laken Riley Act represents a dramatic escalation in the approach to immigration policy in the United States. While its proponents argue that it improves public safety, the act’s far-reaching implications for immigrants, families, and the justice system have led many to consider it an unconstitutional overreach.
A Contrast of Contributions and Immigration Policy
The role of immigrants in the Los Angeles fires is only one example of the critical contributions immigrants make to the community. Yet, their efforts stand in stark contrast to the harm posed by policies like the Laken Riley Act, which threatens to marginalize them further. It raises pressing questions about how the country values the contributions of immigrant communities while simultaneously enacting policies that deny their rights and opportunities.
For now, the resilience and solidarity shown by Latino immigrants are a reminder of their contributions to the United States and a reminder of the disconnect that exists between national policy and reality.
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I am always shocked when I hear someone say they’re not a feminist or even say that the feminist movement is this crazy new world ideology. It isn't a "trend" or something that is done to be "edgy."
The feminist movement is fighting for human lives and for the rights that we should all have when we’re born.
Events like the overturning of Roe v. Wade are more than enough proof of that. If a human being losing autonomy over their own body doesn't alarm you, I don't know what will.
In simple terms, feminism advocates for equality between men and women in all aspects of life. The concept has gotten lost for many that choose to not educate themselves on the subject and not only believe, but also spread the false notion that feminism is fighting for the superiority of one gender.
The feminist movement is not an attack on men, far from it. Feminism views all people as human beings deserving of a quality life as it fights against social injustices prevalent in our society.
There's nothing out of this world about the feminist movement; after all, one would think that there’s no reason for one gender to be lesser than the other in our society when we are all humans. But our world was built upon patriarchy, and men have been the ones in positions of power for far too long.
And yes, the movement is flawed, mainly where it concerns women of color and non-cisgender women. Women of color, queer, and trans women fight for more than just gender equality, and we can't be truly equal if we solve one issue but not the others.
The effect of poverty, racism, systematic oppression, and homophobia on women of color is also why the concept of intersectionality in feminism was introduced. Coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw, she introduces the concept as "a prism for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other." When different forms of discrimination overlap, we can't just ignore one for the other, because if we do no equality has been achieved.
The feedoms and struggles of women in the U.S. look different for women in other countries. We need feminism because young girls and women are still fighting for fundamental human rights in many parts of the world.
In most countries in Latin America, for example, abortion is still heavily penalized, and reproductive rights for women are practically nonexistent. With some of the highest poverty rates in the world, access to contraception and sex education is not a given.
Femicide prevails across the world. About 66,000 women and girls are violently killed annually, accounting for approximately 17 percent of all victims of intentional homicides. A report published in 2016 by the Small Arms Survey, showed that "among 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide in the world, 14 are from Latin America and the Caribbean."
El Salvador and Honduras stand out with rates of more than ten female homicides per 100,000 women. The level of violence affecting women in El Salvador and Honduras exceeds the combined rate of male and female homicides in some of the 40 countries with the highest murder rates in the world, such as Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Tanzania.
Body autonomy and violence are just a few of the issues in the fight for equality. Phrases like, "I'm not one of those crazy feminists" or "women aren't oppressed," need to be used as teachable moments rather than just brushed off casually as just another knock on women. The more we destigmatize the word, the more we can actually achieve understanding from those who are willing to listen and learn.
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- Mexico Decriminalizes Abortion at the National Level - Luz Media ›
- Latin American Feminist Movements: From Protest to Power - Luz Media ›
On January 18, 2025, Washington, D.C., will once again become a hub of public dissent with The People’s March, hosted by Women’s March. This demonstration comes at a historic moment, just days before Donald Trump begins his second term as president. Framed as a collective stand against policies that organizers see as harmful to equality and justice, the march aims to unite voices from across the nation in an act of resistance and hope.
Scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, the march will likely take place near the U.S. Capitol as in previous Women’s March events, but the exact location is yet to be announced. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 AM, with the rally expected to continue until 3:00 PM. The event seeks to channel people’s energy and determination into a collective call for change, addressing a wide range of issues from women’s rights to immigrant justice and LGBTQ+ equality.
A Platform for Diverse Voices
At its core, the organizers describe The People's March as not just about opposition, but also about creating a space for advocacy, connection, and a shared vision of progress. Tamika Middleton, Managing Director of Women’s March, emphasized the importance of this inclusive approach. "We want to push against this notion of hopelessness, this sort of fear that we see people leaning into demobilization and demoralization. We're also trying to make visible a resistance...We want to demonstrate that there are people who will continue to stand up and fight against [Trump's policies],” she shared with Time Magazine.
The march is expected to bring together a coalition of individuals and groups united by a commitment to justice. From climate action to racial equity, the event aims to amplify voices that often go unheard, reminding the nation of the power of collective action.
Emiliana Guereca, Co-Chair of the Women’s March Foundation, also highlighted the power of coming together for a common goal in a recent press release. “The People’s March is about collective power. We are not just here to resist; we are here to lead. The policies and attacks coming our way will be cruel, but our resolve is stronger. Together, we will fight for justice, equality, and a future where all people thrive, no matter the political landscape.”
Continuing a Legacy of Activism
The People’s March builds on the historic momentum of the first Women’s March, held on January 21, 2017. That event, sparked by Trump’s initial inauguration, saw hundreds of thousands of people flood the streets wearing pink hats, which became symbolic of that historic Women’s March. It remains one of the largest single-day protests in the U.S., gathering around 470,000 people in D.C., and an estimated 4.6 million people across the country in a variety of related events.
In the years since, Women’s March has evolved, addressing criticisms of exclusivity and working to become a more inclusive movement. The decision to rebrand the 2025 event as The People's March underscores this commitment to inclusivity, aiming to create a space where everyone concerned about the future can feel represented and heard.
“We know that we're going to have to have all of them, poor folks, middle class folks. We're going to need women. We're going to need queer, trans folks and non binary folks. We're going to need men,” Middleton shared with Time Magazine. “We're going to need all of us really in this struggle together in order to fight back against what we see coming.”
Bold Action That Goes Beyond Marching
As the date approaches, organizers are framing The People's March as a rallying cry for civic engagement at a critical time. Women’s March has been clear about the stakes, declaring on their website: “We are not done. With Trump set to return to the White House early next year, we’re facing a moment that calls us to act boldly. It’s time to march.” This bold call to action reflects the urgency many feel as they prepare for the potential challenges of Trump’s second term.
The People's March is designed as one part of a broader strategy to foster long-term political engagement, with the hope that participants will carry the energy of the day into ongoing efforts to help keep everyday people engaged in political action and discourse. “What we are trying to do is offer a vision of a different world, to offer something, a vision of change that speaks to all of us, and that includes all of us,” is how Middleton describes the vision.
Women’s March organizers are committed to turning protest into progress through initiatives like the Digital Defenders program, which equips activists to combat disinformation, and the Feminist Night School, an educational platform designed to empower and inform. These programs reflect a dedication to ensuring that the march is not an endpoint but a springboard for sustained activism.
A Stand for Justice and a Call to Action
The Women’s March is calling on people across the country to join The People's March, whether in person or in spirit. Sister marches in cities like Los Angeles offer additional opportunities for engagement, and those unable to attend can participate virtually or support the cause through donations and volunteer efforts. Organizers also encourage people to explore ongoing initiatives and educational resources as a way to stay involved beyond January 18.
As the nation prepares for another Trump presidency, The People's March hopes to create a defining moment for those committed to protecting civil rights, equality, and democracy. Organizers hope that the activism doesn’t end with a single event, but instead be looked at as a continuous effort, driven by hope, resistance, and a belief in a better future. By uniting diverse voices and focusing on both immediate and long-term goals, The People's March seeks to inspire long-term transformation.
