As immigration raids and protests continue to escalate in Los Angeles and spread across the country, Santa Cruz County leaders say they are doing their best to keep residents’ fears at bay. Meanwhile, an ICE spokesperson tells Lookout: “There’s no secret that we’ll be out in the field.”
The Trump presidency and Santa Cruz County
News and opinion coverage of reaction in Santa Cruz County to the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, plus news from around California via Lookout’s content partners.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz must stand up to unlawful immigration enforcement and attend ‘No Kings’ rallies on Saturday
Jenni Veitch-Olson, the chair of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party, condemns recent federal immigration raids and the use of the military to control Los Angeles County protests. She supports the right to peaceably assemble and calls on the federal government to end fear-based enforcement. She urges members of the public to join local “No Kings” protests Saturday to stand up for democracy.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Outrageous’: California Democrats react to FBI agents handcuffing Sen. Alex Padilla
FBI agents handcuffed U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Thursday after he interrupted a news conference on immigration enforcement in Los Angeles by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Padilla is the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County residents share their fears of a national showdown on immigration
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud hit the streets this week to speak with residents about the Los Angeles protests, Donald Trump’s military deployment and their fears about similar enforcement actions reaching their community.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘No Kings’ and Juneteenth: Santa Cruz County’s eventful Saturday
Santa Cruz County will do its part in nationwide “No Kings” protests with rallies in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Meanwhile, the long-planned Juneteenth celebration will go on in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County education leaders ‘fearful’ that Medicaid cuts may hurt mental health, special education
Santa Cruz County education leaders warn that proposed federal Medicaid cuts could disrupt critical school-based services for low-income and special education students. With schools relying on Medi-Cal reimbursements for counseling, health screenings and therapy, superintendents fear the funding rollback will force service reductions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Democrats push to block ICE from schools, hospitals and shelters
Highly publicized immigration raids in the early months of Donald Trump’s second term have rattled California communities and prompted lawmakers to push for more laws protecting immigrants.
Posted inCommentary
When are America’s artists going to answer the call to protest? June 14 would be a good time to start
A small Santa Cruz theater troupe called Dangerous Neighbors is putting on a show of sketch comedy called “Deflating Fascism,” on the same day that Donald Trump will preside over a showy military parade on his own birthday. It’s a tiny step, but a sharp reminder that it’s time for America’s creative artists to stand against the country’s slide into authoritarianism.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Don’t have Medi-Cal? Cutting it will still hurt you – here’s how.
Proposed $700-$900 billion cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) will strain our local health care system and affect us all – even those of us with private insurance, writes Watsonville Hospital CEO Stephen Gray. Fewer doctors and services may lead to longer emergency room wait times and private insurance costs could rise as providers shift costs to cover lost Medi-Cal funding. He urges community members to contact their congressional representatives.
Posted inLatest News
Nearly 1,000 gather at Main Beach to create ‘Resist!’ human banner protesting Trump administration
Around 1,000 people gathered Saturday morning at Santa Cruz Main Beach to spell out the word “Resist!” The event, organized by Indivisible Santa Cruz County, aimed to protest the Trump administration and celebrate Santa Cruz Pride’s 50th anniversary.