6/8/25 - WhatNo,Us. In Focus

Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest against ICE, creating a surreal collision of heartfelt demonstration and fierce passion. The air was tense, charged by the strong presence of LAPD officers, armed with rubber guns and not thinking twice before firing. Loud explosions and the sharp crack of rubber bullets broke through the chants, each sound leaving a residue of unease that hung over the crowd like heavy smog.
As a native Angeleno, I’ve lived my life alongside the Hispanic backbone of this city—a culture and community I love, one that has always felt like home. Immigrant labor doesn’t just contribute to Los Angeles; it sustains it. And yet, ICE continues to target this population, fracturing the very foundation the city is built on.

That night, the divisions between protester and officer blurred in small, startling moments—officers gripping rubber-bullet guns while mouthing apologies to screaming mothers. The contradictions were hard to reconcile. But what stood out most was the sense of unity threading through the chaos. Strangers held each other’s hands. Faces wet with sweat and tears met in silent acknowledgment. In that heat and noise, I—and so many others—felt the unshakable sense of community, carried on the voices of those who refuse to be unheard