Home Blog Page 37

Gallery: Protesters clash with police force for several days in Downtown LA

Bella Schultz
-
0
Gallery: Protesters clash with police force for several days in Downtown LA

Police used “non-lethal” weapons against protesters to clear areas announced under unlawful assembly which caused injuries to both protesters and journalists during protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles on June 6.

Downtown Los Angeles became home to consistent protests since June 6 in response to the rise of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles County.

Protesters called for the removal of ICE, along with the release of several activists and figures such as David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union, California, who was released on Monday after being charged with conspiracy to impede an officer, after protesting.

Protests began relatively peacefully, but tensions escalated with the arrival of police, the National Guard, and now the United States Marines as of Monday. 

Protesters arrived daily with banners, flags and signs in front of the Wilshire Federal Building, which stands beside the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Metropolitan Detention Center, calling for the removal of ICE from LA neighborhoods.

Protesters marched over the 101 Freeway, successfully blocking off the traffic on both sides on June 8, with another attempt on Tuesday that was immediately met with resistance and arrests.

Protesters clashed on June 8 with police in riot gear, throwing rocks at the police cars from bridges and setting off fireworks.

According to the LAPD, as of Wednesday afternoon, almost 400 arrests related to the protests had been made, with the number of arrests increasing each day since June 7.

On Tuesday, protesters marched from LA City Hall down to 9th Street and back twice to avoid police and National Guard presence, chanting “peaceful protest” and similar phrases.

  • An anti-ICE protester being detained by LAPD officers and arrested. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • A protester flips off LAPD officers as they close in on anti-ICE protestors in front of the Wilshire Federal Building. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • LAPD officers form a barrier towards anti-ICE protesters, holding their batons outward to get them to move back at Alameda Street. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • Anti-ICE protesters wave flags and wear Mexican paraphernalia in front of LAPD officers stationed at the Wilshire Federal Building. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • An anti-ICE protester is detained by LAPD officers. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • Anti-ICE protesters march onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • Anti-ICE protesters push their way past police cars and onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
  • LAPD officers corner and detain anti-ICE protesters in front of the Wilshire Federal Building, next to the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • Riverside sheriff deputies stand guard in front of Los Angeles City Hall looking over anti-ICE protesters who marched in the street. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • Anti-ICE protesters march in the streets of Los Angeles after being deterred away from the Wilshire Federal Building by police. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • An anti-ICE protester tags a wall during a march after being deterred away from the Wilshire Federal Building by police. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • Protesters hold candles during a vigil in response to the ICE raids in Los Angeles County. The vigil began in Gloria Molina Grand Park before being led down to the Wilshire Federal Building on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • Father Brandon Busse stands in front of the California National Guard while holding flowers during a vigil in front of the Wilshire Federal Building. He along with several religious leaders led anti-ICE protesters down the streets of Los Angeles on June 10. (Sam Villa)
  • Anti-ICE protesters march onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)

Tuesday also marked the start of the Downtown LA curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., which remains in effect for the near future.

On Saturday, protests continued in LA in participation of “No Kings Day”, beginning peacefully, but were deemed unlawful after the LAPD reported that some protesters began throwing objects at officers.

CHIRLA rejects allegations from Sen. Hawley over federal funds and immigrant aid

Samantha Navarro
-
0
CHIRLA rejects allegations from Sen. Hawley over federal funds and immigrant aid

Letters addressing concerns about the use of federal funding tied to recent protests and immigrant aid were sent to over 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA), from Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley on Wednesday.

CHIRLA’s official press release, written by Luis Tadeo, included a comment attributed to CHIRLA’s Executive Director Angelica Salas, who acknowledged and responded to the letter. 

“We categorically reject any allegation that our work as an organization now and during the past 39 years providing services to immigrants and their families violates the law. Our mission is rooted in non-violent advocacy, community safety, and democratic values. We will not be intimidated for standing with immigrant communities and documenting the inhumane manner that our community is being targeted with the assault by the raids, the unconstitutional and illegal arrests, detentions, and the assault on our First Amendment rights,” Salas said. 

The Party of Socialism and Liberation, Union del Barrio and other NGOs also received a letter from Hawley. 

“We have not participated, coordinated, or been part of the protests being registered in Los Angeles other than the press conference and rally,” a CHIRLA representative told the New York Post according to reporter Josh Christenson. 

Executive Director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition Juan Jose Gutierrez shared his own concerns and possible repercussions as a result of these allegations. 

“They attacked CHIRLA about the demonstrations… I think that clearly this is cruel that the republicans, specifically the senate and Senator Josh Hawley undermine the work that pro-immigrant organizations have been carrying out for years. They have the intention of weakening and ensuing chaos. We reject these false accusations that are not based on fact, they are simply allegations,” Gutierrez said.

The letter addressed many topics, one of which Hawley said, “… your organization’s alleged role in financing and materially supporting the coordinated protests and riots that have engulfed Los Angeles in recent weeks… Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions.” 

Gutierrez clarified that immigration services help people get their work permit for those who are already in the position to receive citizenship.

“This senator raises concerns and accusations that won’t be supported by evidence,” said Gutierrez. 

Although CHIRLA has recently faced a budget cut, Gutierrez doesn’t believe that it will lead to the organization’s collapse. 

“They’re going to continue to operate, organizations that aren’t as large as CHIRLA are going to be in serious trouble, not just the organization, but the people they serve,” Gutierrez said. 

Regarding moving forward, Gutierrez emphasized the importance of the “No Kings Day” rallies and protests that are set to occur on Saturday across the nation.   

“We’re going to be mobilizing a large, contingent amount of people toward immigration rights. We have to be there to advocate for the goal of immigration reform. This is the only solution to a situation that has been blown out of proportion. We know that we face many many challenges, but only united and through peaceful action we are going to be successful,” Gutierrez said. 

Gallery: LBCC hosts its final graduation at Vets Stadium for the class of 2025

Kay Pham-Nguyen
-
0
Gallery: LBCC hosts its final graduation at Vets Stadium for the class of 2025

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story failed to state why this was the last graduation ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

LBCC celebrated more than 3,200 graduates with over 1,000 students who walked the stage at its final commencement ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

“This is the final graduating class of Long Beach City College that will celebrate their commencement inside Veterans Memorial Stadium, an iconic venue that has been home to many generations of LBCC graduates…while we’re excited for the future with a brand new state of the art sports complex coming soon, today is about honoring this moment and the legacy of every student who has crossed this field,” LBCC Superintendent President Mike Munoz said.

Students graduated with honors, certificates and associate degrees, including those for transfer.

LBCC hosted guest speaker Shaun Harper as the 2025 commencement speaker, along with Valedictorian Lolita Mojica and other faculty members of the school for graduation.

“When they came for us with fear, we answered with fire. This was the year we carved out space for ourselves where they said there was none, and we left behind echoes to remind them that we were here,” Mojica said.

  • Valedictorian Lolita Mojica speaks about her experiences at LBCC during her speech to fellow graduates at graduation on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Students look up into the stadium, where their loved ones sit, to thank them for the support they have been given during their journey during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • Travis Davis, left, and Deon Rebers dance together after exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Honors student Jasani Cole, left, and Veteran James Goodman, right, celebrate while exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Beach volleyball player Enaya Vaielua smiles and holds her certificate while teammate Mikayla Curry celebrates behind her during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • Dianna Perez, left, and Indira Lara, right, hug after exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Linebacker Cordae Jones jumps and celebrates as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Melanie Alvarado holds her certificate to the bleachers in one hand, and a photocard of Korean boy group BTS member Jungkook in the other as she walks off the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Trinise Newborn, left, and Michael Tyler, right, hold hands after exiting the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Honors student Lyka Laine Rubio holds her certificate in one hand, and her phone in another, reading “I GRADUATED :D” during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Swimmer Olivia Hurley smiles while exiting the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Diana Marquez celebrates by holding her certificate over her head during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez)
  • Graduate Olivia Aska walks into Veterans Memorial Stadium with the class of 2025 during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • Graduate Cristina Mackey dances down the ramp after she receives her degree during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • President’s Scholar Honors student Emiliano Peinado gallops with his hobby horse in hand as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • Cesar Ignacio smiles as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
  • A group of graduates wave to their loved ones at the 2025 graduation ceremony at LBCC’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)

Softball wrap-up: Vikings win their first SCC championship in 23 years

Rafael Gomez
-
0
Softball wrap-up: Vikings win their first SCC championship in 23 years

The LBCC softball team ended their season with a 38-6 record, with their first South Coast Conference (SCC) championship win since 2002. 

In 44 games, the team had a total of 292 runs and 17 home runs, with multiple athletes who earned awards and honors.

The Vikings lost two games in the 3C2A SoCal Regionals Second Round, where they lost to El Camino College.

This year, head coach Megan Martinez earned SCC Coach of the Year, and had nine athletes earn All-Star and MVP honors for the season. 

“The coaching staff is like no other I’ve ever been on. They are very encouraging, always willing to help,” catcher Zara Mineo said. 

First baseman Anaya Togia led the team with 75 hits and 43 RBIs in 149 at bats, and won her second MVP award and first All SCC First Team award. 

SCC First Team awards are similar to earning All-Star awards in the MLB. 

Hailey Harris and Lexi Ramirez were awarded Co-Pitchers of the Year, infielder Michelle Cervantes earned All SCC first team, infielder Jaela Ruiz and Mineo earned the All SCC second team. 

Outfielder Sienna Rievley, first basemen Mikaela Pacheco and infielder Haleigh Jacobs received honorable mentions.

“We are like sisters, honestly. We bicker like sisters. We all have each other’s backs, no matter what the situation,” Togia said. 

The athletes spent time off the field and grew together to build a closer relationship. 

“I think the season as a whole went great. Most loving and fun group I’ve played with,” Togia said.

Pre-season will begin in August, while the regular season will start in January.

Gallery: Muscle Beach International Classic Competition

Isabel Murty
-
0
Gallery: Muscle Beach International Classic Competition

Bodybuilders flex on stage for the audience and judges at the Muscle Beach International Classic competition on Memorial Day. 

Jeffrey Campbell participates in the Muscle Beach International Classic competition. (Sam Villa)

Charlotte Potter participates in the Muscle Beach International Classic competition for the Open Bikini Short. (Sam Villa)

Roman De Los Santos flexes in the Muscle Beach International Classic competition. (Sam Villa)

Jeffrey Campbell participates in the Muscle Beach International Classic competition. (Sam Villa)

Joe Wheatley announces the mens groups in the Muscle Beach International Classic competition. (Sam Villa)



ASB President suggests LBCC mascot change from viking to dolphin

Rafael Gomez
-
0
ASB President suggests LBCC mascot change from viking to dolphin

Newly elected ASB President Priince Bass shared his interest in changing LBCC’s mascot to the dolphins on May 4.

As of now, no formal proposal has been introduced by the ASB regarding the mascot change.

This would result in Ole the Viking, the school’s founding mascot since 1927, changing to a dolphin tentatively named Danny.

Bass reasoned that the dolphin represented the coastal area associated with Long Beach and appealed to high school graduates. It also connects to the Tongva land the school was built on, whose flag also contains a dolphin.

Bass also felt that a new mascot would represent a larger idea regarding future changes on the campuses.

“Even though there’s a culture with the Vikings here, we’d be showing that we’re not afraid of change. Just because things have been one way for a long time, if there’s a way to improve, we definitely should do it,” Bass said.

Ole’s mascot sightings have been scarce, with his social media activity dropping off completely in 2019, and has mostly been reduced to appearances on flyers around the campuses.

The Viking is often visually associated with the athletics department, which commissioned a redesign for its logo in 2018 and became the department’s first logo to incorporate the imagery of a viking.  

Long Beach College Promise partner CSULB underwent mascot changes around the same time as LBCC’s logo update, with its prospector replaced with a shark due to the prospector’s historically negative connotations.

Although he has not given his personal opinion, Superintendent-President Mike Munoz acknowledged the idea and spoke about the consequences as a result of the possible redesign. 

“It’s not as simple as flipping a light switch, we’d need to put it to a student vote, but there’s a lot of important things to consider, with branding, sports teams and our 100 year anniversary coming up. We look forward to working with him,” said Munoz.

Vikings beach volleyball season wrap-up, 12-11 overall record

Isabel Murty
-
0
Vikings beach volleyball season wrap-up, 12-11 overall record

The Vikings beach volleyball team ended the season with an overall record of 12-11 with a home record of 5-6 and an away record of 4-4 after not making it past the first day of the Pairs State Championship on May 9.

“It meant a lot to me, especially because I got to play with people that were new to the game so it was very fun to teach them new ways about beach volleyball,”  player Enaya Vaielua said.

The Vikings had a record of 5-3 in the South Coast College Conference, falling in second place behind Mt. San Antonio, who had a record of 7-1. 

However, the Vikings came in ninth place at the Southern California team regionals, losing both matches to San Diego Mesa and Ventura College.

“Something I would have to work on is taking accountability because on the beach it’s all you and your partner out there. So it forces you to be mature about your mistakes and own up to them,” player Alana Jones said. 

This year’s player achievements included a win at the 2025 SCC Pairs Championship by Enaya Vaielua and Tyreana Allen, cousins who have played together since they were kids. 

“I actually played with my cousin that tournament, and at first, the first day was really easy for us because we kind of went in just knowing that we were good enough to play against other schools and when it came to the second day it did get harder,” Vaielua said.

Both Allen and Vaielua, along with their teammates Mikayla Curry and Kaylani Moncada, secured spots in the Pairs State Championships, however both pairs lost and did not advance to the final day of the championships.

Curry and Moncada also made the first all-conference team, while their teammates Ryannah Gagau, Alexandra Rosquin, Ryleeh Tuaolo, and Camille Agrupis were named to the second all-conference team.

Making the all-conference team is similar to being selected for an all-star team, as they both are away to acknowledge the top performers during the season. 

This is Curry’s second consecutive season being selected for the SCC first all-conference team. 

The next season for the Vikings will start in February 2026.

LBCC’s 2025 valedictorian shares her story of educational resilience

Ryan Hixson
-
0
LBCC’s 2025 valedictorian shares her story of educational resilience

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Lolita Mojica was a reporter for NPR and KCRW, and assisted in the founding of Dhalia Bar Co.

Former Editor-in-Chief of the Viking News, Lolita Mojica, has been named LBCC’s 2025 valedictorian, who was a Next Gen Scholar for NPR and had featured stories through her internship with Los Angeles’ KCRW.

Mojica found herself enrolled as a full time student at LBCC in 2023, with her first assignment for the Viking News being an obituary on Irving Alvarez, an LBCC student who had died in a fatal car crash on Halloween in 2023.

“It was hard for me because I lost my mom pretty early on, and actually my mom was murdered by my dad when I was 4, and as a result I’ve always felt a strong connection to anything prison related, so when I found out Alvarez was a former Justice Scholar, I immediately felt the need to do right and write the story,” Mojica said. 

The Justice Scholars program assists and supports formerly incarcerated or system-impacted students pursuing a higher education. 

The story was recognized with a second place award at the California College Media Association (CCMA) Awards in 2024, and led her to go the extra mile and send out physical copies of the newspaper with the obituary for Alvarez to his family members.

Being named valedictorian was never Mojica’s main educational goal, but she applied and was surprised to receive recognition.

“Valedictorian was never on my radar, I didn’t really excel, I just wanted to get into a good school,” Mojica said. 

She began working immediately after graduating highschool and eventually fell into the world of bartending. Mojica was the general manager of Bar Flores and later founded the bar catering company Dahlia Bar Co. 

During the pandemic, Mojica found time to take care of her mental health and became invested in reading, which motivated her to pursue her education rather than continue her bartending career.

“Right around COVID, which was pre-Bar Flores, I was already starting to feel disillusioned because up until that I had been working 60 hour weeks, and once COVID hit, I realized I had no personality,” Mojica said. 

When she made the decision to return to school in 2023, Mojica majored in journalism and upheld a “do-or-die” mentality.

“I was at Cerritos (College), I wanted to study journalism. That was all I wanted to do since I was a kid, but I quickly realized I couldn’t go to school and take care of myself at the same time,” Mojica said.

As an Afro-Latina woman, Mojica shared that she had always felt different from her family because she was the only one who was Black, and they were never tolerant of her heritage. 

“Growing up I think I believed that worth always came from what I did, and not who I was,” Mojica said.

LBCC has allowed Mojica to build a community of support, including her boss Karla Aguiniga and fellow student Juan Pablo Rodriguez Villegas.

“I think it’s funny how she presents herself in a way with her leather and her big boots but when you talk to her she’s so kind and very sweet and you can tell she really cares about you,” Rodriguez Villegas said. 

Aguiniga felt that Mojica had a challenging journey in both educational and personal regards, but has learned how to find support and advocate for her needs.  

“Hearing that she was valedictorian was probably one of the happiest moments and I was so proud of her,” Aguiniga said.

‘Si se pudo:’ LBCC celebrates students at RAICES graduation

Jose Rivera
-
0
‘Si se pudo:’ LBCC celebrates students at RAICES graduation

LBCC celebrated its RAICES cultural graduation for its Latinx students at the LAC Hall of Champions with an opening mariachi performance on Saturday.

Superintendent President Mike Munoz shared a heartfelt message to the graduates and explained why cultural graduations are important.

“This is a space for us, because it is important to also celebrate our culture, after similar adversities we all are here today, and this is something that uplifts us,” Munoz said.

Various students got to speak on the podium and share their celebratory words with the entire crowd.

“Every moment that you thought about quitting but you didn’t, you have won,” Lolita Mojica, upcoming LBCC valedictorian, said.

Student Success Coach and guest speaker for the event, Martha Fuentes, remarked on the trials and tribulations she has gone through as a first generation student and pointed out that this academic achievement is nothing short of spectacular.

“I worried that college wasn’t meant for me because I felt that I didn’t fit in, so I started looking for people like me and built a community,” Fuentes said.

Together, graduates and their families celebrated their academic achievements. Families could be seen dancing, cheering and embracing one another. 

“It was nice, I thought it was great they included part of our culture, I’m happy to see him graduating,” Evelio Gandara Castros, father of graduate Evelio Gandara Ocampo said in Spanish. 

After receiving their diplomas, graduates and families alike chanted “si se pudo,” meaning “yes, it was possible.” Graduates received medals with inscriptions of that same message, congratulating students on their achievements. 

The event concluded with a dance number by the group Folklorico, followed shortly after by food and a live DJ for those who decided to stay.

Opinion: LBCC should offer combat sports

Emma Lloyd
-
0
Opinion: LBCC should offer combat sports


Long Beach City College should expand their sport options by including combat sports onto campus. 

LBCC already offers demonstrative self-defense classes through the kinesiology program indicating the importance of combat sports, so investing in them it’s the next step to provide a structured setting for students to get the benefits of practicing them.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has gained popularity over the past 20 years and the demand of people who want to practice at least one branch of the martial arts is high.

Combat sports have been mischaracterized as violent, unsafe and purely brutal for a long time, but the fine disciplines such as wrestling, boxing, judo, jiu-jitsu and taekwondo offer more than just a physical challenge. These activities teach a variety of life skills such as discipline and confidence.

Unlike most team sports, in any combat sport the practitioner has to emphasize their individual accountability due to the result of commitment and perseverance.

At a time in which most students live a sedentary life, combat sports could provide a solution through an approach that trains the mind and body at the same time.

LBCC already funds football which is a sport known for its aggressiveness, so the idea of any of the martial arts being dangerous is discredited.

When it comes to safety concerns, LBCC could look at USC and UCLA that have intramural clubs for some of these sports. 

Looking away from rings and mats, combat sports could help LBCC students by providing future career pathways towards branches like physical therapy and coaching. 

Martial arts are heavily inspired by cultures such as Thailand’s Muay Thai or the Japanese inspired Brazilian Jui-Jitsu. These cultural impacts are significant and highlights the need for LBCC to embrace combat sports. 

By providing combat sports through intramural leagues, clubs and intercollegiate teams, LBCC would reinforce its commitment to students by preparing them and creating a culture of effort at school.

1...363738...261Page 37 of 261