Collegian_Spring_2025_Issue 4

LOS ANGELES

Collegian

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Volume 196 Number 4

NEWS BRIEFS

OMG!!!

GUESS WHO'S DROPPING BY

SEE PAGE 8

The Student Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

ICON

Survey Seeks Voices of Student Dreamers, Undocumented

BY EMILY GONZALEZ A confidential survey is open at all nine Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) campuses that will help support the efforts of undocumented and AB 540 students who would like to participate.

The confidential survey will provide the LACCD with information about the challenges undocumented students face.

Students who have faced barriers in the district now have an opportunity to discuss their experiences and join the advocacy campaign. Data from the survey can help drive change. Responses will remain confidential and no identifying information will be collected.

Participants must be 18 years or older and be undocumented. This includes DACA recipients, AB 540 students, and students who do not have legal status.

Survey participants must be currently enrolled at one of the nine LACCD colleges. If these requirements are met, students can participate in the anonymous online survey that will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Participating in this research study is voluntary, and all data will be stored securely and used solely for research purposes. Any questions about the study may be directed to Karen Magaña, M.A. at kmagana16@ucla.edu or Emely Rauda, MPH. at emelym42@ ucla.edu.

LABOR, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER RECEIVES PRAISE, 'FLOWERS'

Dolores Huerta forever transformed the landscape for workers who feed America.

I

BY JUAN MENDOZA

t is Dolores Huerta -- the legendary labor and civil rights leader who proudly proclaimed, “Si Se Puede,” which means “Yes, we can,” and the Los Angeles Unified School District honored her for her work during a ceremony in April.

Scores of community activists, Huerta's family members, friends, teachers and students gathered at the LAUSD headquarters for a Board of Education meeting to participate in a historic event to celebrate her life and contributions.

All Board members attended, including Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Dr. Rocio Rivas, the Board of Education Member for District 2.

PHOTO BY JUAN MENDOZA

Civil rights and union activist Dolores Huerta (Front Row Center) attends a ceremony in her honor that the Los Angeles Unified School District organized on April 8, 2025. The activist and icon has spent decades advocating for equity in education and workers' rights.

SEE “ICON” PAGE 6

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK In the '80s, I went back to KC and joined the [Kansas City] Star and other publications.

On to Florida in the late '90s and taught high school while I continued in my photographic love. Retired from teaching in 2016 then joined the Peace Corps, Uganda.

[I] did some of my best photographic works until this last month of shooting Egypt.

So, I would hope that my life’s experiences would encourage the present-day staff of the Collegian. [By the way] between 197678, the Collegian set a State of California Journalism Convention record for winning the most awards!!!!

T N We were some A END B AT T M O bad momma T IAN GYPT E Y jammers!!!!

S URTE O CO T O Peace."

H P

From Campus to Motown: A Life Behind the Lens I had a wonderful photojournalism life, having spent a few days in my hometown of Kansas City, with Gordon Parks. He was from Fort Scott Kansas, not far from my hometown of KC. It was at the Collegian where I got my first good start. I photographed a young lady for the Collegian, and she took the photos to Hal Davis of Motown Records.

There, I did some work for Motown. “The perks of being a Tall Dark and Handsome Collegian Photo Editor!”

Streets, Stalls, Stalemates:

O

The LACC Swap Meet draws a crowd in the square of Parking Lot 2 every Sunday. The vendors outside the lot on the street surround the exterior of the entire parking lot by a block in each direction on May 11, 2025 in Los Angeles.

BY AMY SHANK

n a rare cloudy Sunday at the iconic LACC Swap Meet, Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente” plays over the buzz of shoppers, while the smell of pupusas fills the air. But beneath the music and masa, tension is rising.

A father calls for help at his family’s 15-year-old taco stand while two sisters barter over vintage chairs. But just outside the gates, street vendors line the sidewalks in defiance of city ordinances, igniting a bitter fight over fairness, legality and survival.

SEE “SWAP MEET” PAGE 5

ED L E C N A C

SEE “MAGAZINE FINALIST” PAGE 5

INDEX Opinion & Editorial Campus Life News

NBC’s Soboroff Talks Family Separation in Nick Beck Lecture Series

Inside Fight for LACC Swap Meet

PHOTO BY LOUIS WHITE

2-3 5 4-6

Resources

7

Arts & Entertainment

8

PHOTO BY KENNETH E. WASHINGTON

S JACOB SOBOROFF PHOTO BY LOUIS WHITE

BY KLENIMBER TORRES

tudents, faculty and staff members at Los Angeles City College gathered in the Morgan Freeman Theatre on May 15, as NBC News and MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff discussed childhood separations at the U.S.-- Mexico border.

SEE “BECK LECTURE” PAGE 6

2

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Collegian

EDITORIAL

Autonomous Weapons Alienate Civilians from War

Los Angeles City College Visual & Media Arts Department 855 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.953.4000 ext. 2832 losangeles.collegian@gmail.com

UCLA

Editor-in-Chief LEIF HAWK

D

BY LEIF HAWK

riven by military industrial advancements, robots, for the first time, are leaving their factories with new abilities to traverse the outside world.

They are also being given the agency to kill. For many, Anduril’s new autonomous fighter jet sparked fears of a dystopian-style robotic uprising. But the idea that they are completely obedient may be even more problematic.

War was always partially democratic in that it required cooperation from its participants.

Numbers used to win wars. Even with unequal equipment, the will of the masses could often prevail. The Viet Cong beat a better-equipped army with support from local civilians. Revolutions have been carried out by armies disillusioned with their leaders.

For a long time, military advancements have served to undermine this democratic aspect of warfare. More advanced bombs, planes and other weaponry have attempted to displace the power of participants’ opinions. An army with fewer combatants can win with technology instead of numbers.

Over the past 16 years, Boston Dynamics has produced robots with funding from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. They have progressed from BigDog, a clunky and loud gas-powered machine, to sleek and refined projects such as their robotic dog Spot and humanoid Atlas. While BigDog was canceled for being too loud for combat, Spot was marketed as the “quietest robot [they] have built.” Spot is a specially made combat tool, capable of traversing human spaces.

Graphics Layout Editor BEATRICE ALCALA Assistant Designer CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ Copy Editors TIA SHIPMAN ANGELA JOHNSON SORINA SZAKACS Opinions & Editorial Editor VANESSA KOLB Photo Editor BEATRICE ALCALA Photographers JEREMY CUENCA JUAN MENDOZA KLEN TORRES LOUIS WHITE Reporters ANGELA JOHNSON SHELBY SAXTON JUAN MENDOZA ERIKA RAMIREZ RIVER ROSS SULLIVAN AMY SHANK SORINA SZAKACS ANDRE SOTO NOAH KUBACKI CARLA WILLIAMS Social Media NOAH KUBACKI Faculty Adviser RHONDA GUESS ILLUSTRATION CREATED BY AI

Tech giant Google recently reversed its ban on AI weapons projects in a “blow to human rights,” according to Amnesty International. With a lack of regulation, weapons manufacturers have been jumping on the opportunity. “60 Minutes” revealed the first look at a completely autonomous fighter jet by autonomous weapons manufacturer Anduril, owned by Palmer Luckey. These have the agency to take a human life.

“There’s no moral high ground in making a landmine that can’t tell the difference between a school bus full of children and Russian armor,” Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey said in his “60 Minutes” interview, drawing a false dichotomy. Anduril has not expressed any plans to create smart landmines, and autonomous fighter jets will not replace landmines.

Autonomous fighter jets will replace manned fighter jets and-

State of Israel Will Endure

BY DAVE MARTIN Nearly 1,200 Israeli citizens were massacred by Hamas terrorists On Oct. 7, 2023.

At no time since the Holocaust had so many Jewish citizens been butchered in a single day.

This was not the first time enemy forces had assaulted Israel from without.

The first major assault in modern history was on May 14, 1948, the same day that occupying British forces withdrew from the region.

Just as the British Mandate for Palestine was ending, Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, declared Israeli independence.

In response, five Arab nations — Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq — attacked the fledgling nation, starting the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The flashpoint for that war began on Nov. 29, 1947, with the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine (Resolution 181), which would have divided the British Mandate into two states: one Jewish and the other Arab.

The city of Jerusalem would have been under international administration. The Jews accepted the plan; the Arabs rejected it.

The United States was the first country to recognize the state of Israel under Harry S. Truman's presidency. He did so against the word of his advisors, who said that recognizing Israel was a bad idea.

When the war ended on March 10, 1949, Israel had gained 37% more land than what was allocated to it in the 1947 UN partition plan. The remaining land that was designated

for a Palestinian state was occupied by Egypt (Gaza Strip) and Jordan (East Jerusalem and the West Bank). Israel would not take control of those areas until 1967, after they won the.

Six-Day War. Unfortunately, what has happened to Israel in the past and what is happening today was not the way Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism, had pictured things in his 1896 book, “Der Judenstaat” (“The Jewish State”).

Herzl had envisioned a society in which Jews and Arabs could live together peacefully.

Sadly, what he had pictured in his book was a far cry from reality. One day, peace will eventually come to the Middle East. But today is not that day. Until then, Israel will, unfortunately, have to continue to fight for its existence against those who have sworn to destroy it.

What happened on Oct. 7, 2023, was a welltimed, well-planned-out attack that had been several years in the making. Israel did not start this war with Hamas. Hamas began it when they murdered nearly 1,200 innocent Israeli citizens.

The Israeli government is simply defending what it claims is its own land and protecting its people. No one can deny them that right.

After all, other countries, such as Ukraine, defend themselves against evil aggressors.

Anyone who studies the history of Israel knows that no matter what the odds are or who attacks, Israel will overcome the opposition, no matter what or how long it takes. As of now, the war against Hamas is one of Israel’s most protracted engagements.

No matter what the enemy throws at Israel, there can only be one winner. Israel is here, and she is here to stay.

Shalom Yerushalayim

consolidate more warpower in fewer hands. This has been the United States’ military philosophy for a long time.

One of the United States military’s biggest allies, the Israeli Defense Forces, uses extensive and costly bombing campaigns in the place of ground offensives.

This places decision-making power in the hands of the few.

Bombs cannot defect; autonomous weapons are an extension of this philosophy.

The implications in a civil war are dire. An autonomous military would be obedient to the incumbent government. Once, common sense prevailed — you can’t indiscriminately bomb your own cities. Solving that issue, Spot and Atlas are precise, capable of targeting individuals. Robot platoons don’t defect in the name of their ideals. There will be no negotiations. I am not hopeful that this technology will be used in constructive ways.

If the Collegian Times is only published every two years, it will be published in 2026, 2028, and 2030.

The 100-year anniversary of LACC and the Collegian, both founded in 1929, won’t have a magazine cover to commemorate it in 2029!

What irony! We will be the laughingstock of the other community college journalism departments for our lack of foresight. Perhaps the administration will come to their senses by then.

As a former ad sales manager for many years for the Collegian newspaper and the Collegian Times magazine, I sold ads that were bundled to attract advertisers with a good price.

If an advertiser bought an ad in our annual magazine, they were entitled to be included in the 6 Collegian issues of the spring semester. This revenue was not used to defray the costs of publishing either publication.

Instead, the funds were earmarked for the LACC Foundation, to go toward scholarships. This had amounted to thousands of dollars for the foundation when I sold ads.

The new alternating-year publication schedule for the magazine means a considerable loss of revenue for the foundation.

Mr. Pink, the owner of Pink's Hot Dogs, was a foundation member and

To advertise in the Collegian, direct all insertion orders and questions to: pr.collegian@gmail.com.

Issues of our award-winning newspaper and magazine are instantly available to our readers on issuu.com/ collegianwired.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor,

For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases, send materials to Collegian offices located in Chemistry Building, Room 207, or email: losangeles.collegian@ gmail.com.

alumnus of LACC who purchased our bundle, and every year he would post his years in business: In 2024 it was 84 years on the prestigious back cover.

I’m anticipating that he will be disappointed not to be in that 100-year commemoration issue that won’t happen because of the administration’s choices.

Mr. Pink's contributions have consistently benefited our publications and our foundation.

No consideration was given to our loyal advertisers who might switch their own loyalties to other community colleges, to reach a target audience of students in our non-publishing years. The everyother-year plan will affect contracts and commitments and might even result in queries as to our reasoning for such an unorthodox publication schedule.

What magazines publish in this manner?

I don’t understand the dismantling of the journalism department at Los Angeles City College. The reasons given for the elimination of certain classes are based on fabrication and misinformation.

These decisions seem to mirror the current Trump administration’s attack on journalism, as part of their war on truth and democracy.

Coincidence, or sign of the times?

Diana Campbell

Next Issue: Sept 24, 2025 Editorial Deadline: Sept, 14 2025

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

3

‘Never Again:’ Terms and Conditions May Apply

BY VANESSA KOLB The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written largely in response to Nazi Germany’s genocide of Jewish Europeans during World War II. Israel has now violated this document’s ideals in its invasion of Gaza. How can a people whose history is a cycle of oppression and persecution become the oppressors with so little apparent concern for what they have become?

Four of my great-grandparents moved to the United States around 1900 to escape anti-Jewish pogroms that swept through the 19th century Russian Empire. Like many American Jews, many Israelis have a family history that includes fleeing violence and religious

oppression. The need to escape persecution is a central theme of Israel’s founding mythology as a country.In 1947, the British and the United Nations decided to use what was at the time the British-controlled Mandatory Palestine territory to create one Jewish and one Arab state. The Arabs in the region opposed and fought this plan, and the promised Arab state never materialized.

When Israel declared its independence in 1948, approximately 700,000 to 800,000 Palestinians were forced out of their homes, facing destruction and violence that was perhaps similar to what forced my great-grandparents to leave Russia.

Of the people that immigrated to Israel between 1946 and 1953, a large portion were survivors of the Holocaust. They were determined to make sure that another genocide never happened again. But less than a century later, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and a United Nations Special Committee have raised serious

concerns that Israel’s actions in Gaza may legally qualify as genocidal.

A reasonable person might think that, even if the Israeli government disagreed with those conclusions, the claims would make them rethink their approach to fighting Hamas — that a nation that still holds regular remembrances for Holocaust victims would take seriously international accusations that they themselves were committing a genocide.

It is possible to believe both that Hamas should be stopped after the horrific Oct. 7 attack, and that killing, displacing and starving civilian Palestinians, especially children, is a completely unacceptable way to go about it. A decent and humanitarian Israel would figure out how to fight Hamas without violating the international laws that protect civilians during conflicts.

Perhaps Israel is an example of how historical trauma is perpetuated over generations. People

who are raised with violence can have a heightened threat response and become more likely to commit violent acts. But have Israelis genuinely lost the ability to distinguish between the threat of Hamas and the powerless civilians of Gaza?

On the other hand, most genocides have not been committed by people who were themselves the victims of the same atrocities. There is something disturbing to me about this contradiction.

But maybe it only demonstrates that all groups of people can do terrible things; that even surviving the Holocaust and centuries of antisemitism doesn’t impart any special ability to empathize with other peoples’ persecution.

It seems obvious that the Israeli government does not view Palestinian civilians as equals, worthy of the dignity, respect and rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Israel should honor its own history and ensure that the vow of “never again” applies to everyone.

Technocracy Can Bolster a Broken Democracy

INK STYLE

BY CARLA WILLIAMS

ART BY RIVER ROSS

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I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the state of our country, and I’ve come to a conclusion that might make some people uncomfortable: I believe in technocracy. I believe that experts — scientists, engineers, economists, successful business owners — should be leading our governments, especially in times like these. And I believe this not because I distrust democracy, but because I’ve lost faith in the public’s ability to make informed decisions.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve watched the quality of our education system decline. I’ve seen critical thinking replaced by standardized testing, seen civic education pushed aside and seen misinformation fill the void. As a result, I don’t think most people are equipped to make complex policy decisions.

And yet, we ask them to vote on issues like climate policy, health care reform and artificial intelligence. These are topics that require deep, technical understanding.

That’s why I support technocracy. I want people who know what they’re doing to be in charge. I want decisions based on data, not ideology.

When I look at how technocratic institutions like the European Central Bank handled the eurozone crisis, I see the kind of leadership we need more of — decisive, informed,

and unburdened by political theater.

I’ve been encouraged by the second Trump administration’s embrace of technocratic governance. Appointing people like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency makes sense to me. These are individuals who understand systems and innovation. David Sack’s role in establishing government crypto policy and Sriram Krishnan’s work on AI policy show me that this administration is serious about bringing real expertise into government.

But I’m not blind to the risks. I know that technocracy can drift into elitism if left unchecked. That’s why I believe we need a new kind of democratic balance — one where citizens still vote, but only after they’ve demonstrated that they understand the issues on the ballot. I’m not saying we should take away anyone’s right to vote. I’m saying we should raise the standard of what it means to participate in a democracy.

Imagine a country where every voter had access to high-quality, nonpartisan education on the issues before casting a ballot. Where civic literacy was a requirement, not an afterthought. That’s the kind of democracy I want to live in — one that complements technocracy, not competes with it.

So yes, I believe in technocracy. I believe in putting experts in charge. But I also believe in an informed public. If we can achieve both, we won’t have to choose between smart governance and democratic values.

We’ll finally have both.

Homeless Become Pawns in Elite Chess Game

BY KLEN TORRES An Unlawful Detainer is the most dreadful message for any renter who lives on the cusp of homelessness.

Pa i r e d with a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, it usually means that the occupant has three days to pay up or vacate their home. There is no grace period.

They just have to leave.

In 2024, Los Angeles saw a staggering 166,433 evictions — a number that only worsened after the devastating wildfires of 2025. The wildfires killed 29 people and displaced 12,000 families, according to

NBC News reports. This tragedy worsened the pre-existing struggles of a large community of already-vulnerable renters.

In a city known for its scenic art, beautiful sunsets and the glamour of Hollywood, living with the status of a pawn is a reality for many local renters. For thousands of renters, the 3-Day Pay or Quit Notice is enforced under California Civil Code 1161(b) and has become the first step for landlords to take immediate legal action to evict tenants. It is unjust, and is a key factor that fuels the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.

As of early 2023, the Los Angeles homeless population exceeded 75,500. By contrast, data reveals that 225,000 units in Los Angeles County are unoccupied, with over 33,000 designated for recreational use, according to the U.S. Census

Bureau.

The Pay or Quit Notice is a core part of the issue. The deadline empowers the landlord to demand immediate payment from the occupant, or the resident must leave. Even to obtain just 30 days to resolve the issue or find a new home, the renter may need to go through a court case.

For tenants, this law leaves them with no time to organize the next chapter in their lives.

There is no hope of negotiating any possible solutions. An Unlawful Detainer accompanied by a Pay or Quit Notice is a nightmare for those who are already struggling. It pushes them one step closer to homelessness.

This law's rigid timeline exacerbates a growing crisis, and it leaves people with few options to find alternative housing. But

the consequences go even further, because after an individual or family has been evicted, the permanent stain on their credit makes it almost impossible for renters to find another home.

The eviction records, which are publicly available, will make the tenant’s housing situation even more unstable and cause them to be rejected from most applications for housing in Los Angeles.

Having an eviction on your record is not about losing your home, it is about losing your future. Many renters find themselves in hopeless situations and unable to recover from the financial loss once they are locked out of the housing market. Homelessness in Los Angeles is not bad luck, it is a result of policies that are tilted in favor of landlords at the expense of the most vulnerable.

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NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Administrators Take Aim at Student Journalism By the Bullet Points

BY ANGELA JOHNSON AND SORINA SZAKACS 1.

Visual and Media Arts Dean Vi Ly has ignored calls from the Los Angeles Collegian, but has retaliated against the student press, over and over. Recently, she removed the TBA "To Be Arranged" hours and remote learning from many journalism courses. L.A. City College is alone among the four fully functioning journalism programs in the District to be restricted and censored in this way.

2.

Dean Ly and VAMA Chair Amarpal Khanna canceled two course levels– Journal 219-1 and J 219-2–in a phone message to the journalism adviser by 4 p.m. on Feb. 10, the first day of the spring semester.

3.

While administrators were cutting, the adviser was evaluating the qualifications of new students to add the classes. But Ly and Khanna canceled J 219-1and J 219-2, anyway.

4.

Before the end of week one, Guess had enrolled 10 students in the section editors' class in the section that was still open--Journal 219-3. She filled out challenge petitions for students with experience and prospects for success in the course.

5.

On May 21, 2025, Khanna smeared Guess during public comment at the Educational Policies and Program Integrity Committee meeting. He called the successful 96-year-old program a "Zombie Discipline," according to the minutes.

6.

Khanna told EPPIC members that Guess enrolled students in Journal 219-3. But he did not mention that he and Dean Ly had canceled Journal 2191 and Journal 219-2 on the first day of class.

7.

Chair Khanna and Dean Ly covertly canceled the spring 2025 Collegian Times magazine, Journal 220-1 and Journal 220-2, sometime between Oct. and November 2024, without informing the adviser. The Collegian Times, an award-winning, nationally recognized collegiate publication, is a vital part of the newspaper program with an almost 100-year-old record of distinction.

8.

Administrators say they canceled the magazine because it is an "equity issue," and because it had low enrollment last spring. The journalism professor was not a part of this caucus between President Amanuel Gebru and Chair Khanna.

9.

Guess wrote to Interim Vice President Carmen Dones and President Gebru and assured them she could recruit enough students for the spring Collegian Times because she had a new enhanced journalism page for recruitment.

10. Guess wrote the letter on Dec. 5, 2024, to Gebru and Dones. They did not answer the professor until March 22, 2025. Guess wrote, “You are setting me up for failure when you do not allow me to try.”

11.

The president and Trustee Nichelle Henderson stated that students like Collegian reporter Juan Mendoza should not write to the Board of Trustees with their student press issues.

Guess disagreed with Henderson and wrote that journalists, even student journalists, are trained to speak truth to power.

12. Chair Khanna and Dean Ly also canceled Directed Study courses that have no fiscal impact. Guess made administrators aware of this, but they would not restore Directed Study Journal 185 and Journal 285 to the schedule for two semesters.

13. The result of cuts to J 185 and 285 hurt students. At least five students could not qualify for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Golden Globe scholarships for lack of required units; which the dean and chair removed inexplicably from the schedule.

14. The wanton cuts cause journalism to appear it is shrinking. It is not.

Between fall 2024 and spring 2025, enrollment in the program increased 17 percent.

15.

Journalism has suffered roughly 34 percent in course cuts over the last five months. This is happening at the same time the discipline is being studied for "revitalization."

16. Chair Khanna offered “Public Relations” to Guess as an assignment for the Winter Session 2025. Guess accepted in writing. Eight VAMA professors received assignments, thus far. Guess did

not receive the assignment she was offered, despite being senior to many of the art professors. She calls it "retaliation."

17.

Facts are stubborn things and President Gebru wrote a letter obtained by the Collegian staff under the Freedom of Information Act that states the magazine is an expensive yearly cost. That is false. The magazine is paid for with California Lottery funds. It costs $12,000 per year, not $30,000.

18. VAMA leaders and Gebru decided the magazine will be offered every two years. If the magazine is canceled every other year, there will be no Collegian Times for the centennial in 2029.

19. Administrators like V.P. Dones say the magazine class is not tied to the degree. But an overview of the A.A. Journalism Degree requirements shows Journal 220 is a required elective for the major.

20. Approved journalism courses, "Social Media and Blogging," "Article Writing," and "Converged Media" are approved journalism courses that have never been offered. Students would audit less and bring more revenue to the program if any of these courses were offered.

21. All California community colleges are open to any student who has the prerequisites without regard to major. The administration has dropped and criticized students who enroll in journalism courses and are not majors. This violates Title 5 §51006.

22. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests unearthed tensions within VAMA. Collegian reporters reviewed more than 2,000 records and identified a pattern. The dean, department chair, and college president convened meetings to discuss the journalism program, which excluded Prof.

Guess on a regular basis.

23. Representatives from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) reached out to President Gebru in January to share guidance on how to support student press. No response was received for more than two months.

Gebru finally met with FIRE on April 29, 2025.

Editor’s Note: This is part four in a series.

Riders: Immigration Officers Patrol EH Metro

T

BY LEIF HAWK

hree Metro riders headed for L.A. City College say plainclothes immigration officials with badges stopped them on a lower level of the Vermont/Santa Monica Station on May 21.

Manuel, whose last name will not be used to protect his privacy, says he was shaken up when two officers approached him and his friends. He told the Collegian that one of his friends is a citizen.

He says the two officers carried "long badges," and wore street clothes. Manuel says he and his friends were on their way to the Non-Credit Office at LACC. He described one man as white, with short hair and possibly brown eyes, 5' 9" tall and 190 pounds. He says the other was blond with blue eyes and 5’ 9" tall and 160 pounds. Manuel says the men began to ask questions as they approached him and his friends.

"Are you all LGBTs or gays," one of the officers said. "If you are citizens, show us your Real ID, show us your license ID, or green card."

Manuel says there were two other plain-clothes officers in the Vermont/Santa Monica Station that day on another level of the station. He says the encounter frightened him because he has been undocumented for 35 years.

The presence of four men in plain clothes with badges who asked Metro riders about their sexual orientation and immigration status on May 21, worries some who were on their way to L.A. City College.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

He says the officers did not offer him a right to counsel. Now, he says he just wants to return to the Philippines.

"Even the DACA in your school cannot solve the problems," Manuel said. "Don't come to America no more. You are in danger."

Manuel says his friend that was with him on May 21, is an American citizen who was not carrying identification. However, he told the officers to come with him to his home to see his ID. The officers insisted on seeing ID and told the men to produce their TAP cards, if they were students.

"You know we have the right to detain you?" one said. "You don’t

have your Real IDs with you?”

By then, Manuel who says he is 65 years old was shaking and scared. He says the officers did not offer any justification for the stop. They eventually allowed the three men to continue to the campus.

If you are profiled as a non-citizen without Real ID, you may be detained and fingerprinted without cause, according to the Legal Aid Society. U.S. Citizens are not legally required to carry ID but may be detained without it.

“I want to go home to my country — I paid $45,000 for immigration," Manuel said. "The lawyer died.”

Explainer:

No Truth, No Transparency--Just Cuts

BY SORINA SZAKACS The Journalism program at Los Angeles City College is under attack.

No matter how the administration tries to flip the story of the last few months, even of the last year, to me, it is more than clear that there is a united front between President Gebru, Visual and Media Arts Chair Amarpal Khanna and Dean Vi Ly against journalism.

Khanna and Ly proceeded to cut journalism classes without rhyme or reason; and Gebru told Collegian reporters he backs their decisions.

Moreover, the president sent a letter to the Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor, Alberto Roman, that decried the cost to print the Collegian Times magazine, and stated it cost $30,000 per year. It does not. California Lottery funds cover the printing of the magazine, and the cost is $12,000.

They all say they care about the journalism program. If not for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests I made and the 2,000+ documents I reviewed, I would have believed them. Now, I know better than that.

My FOIA requests went back to Jan. 1, 2024. The patterns I found not only show leadership is against the journalism program, but they also reveal a pattern of direct attacks on the publications' adviser Professor Rhonda Guess.

But the silent war against Guess did not start last year. It started in 2021.

That is when she sounded the alarm that Chair Alexandra Wiesenfeld wanted to hire a journalism adjunct who did not meet the district requirements. Guess emailed her colleague adviser at East Los Angeles College, Jean Stapleton, who in turn, emailed the district’s academic senate president.

The incoming Equivalency Committee Chair Naja El Khoury weighed in on the situation at LACC. “Dean has no right to overrule MQs or equivalency,” El Khoury wrote. “If the candidate doesn't have clearly the MQs and would like to be considered for equivalency, then the candidate needs to follow the process and apply for equivalency.”

Stapleton replied with a second email: “Eloise, the journalism instructor, who is not department chair, is being told by the dean that he doesn’t have to have the degrees, that someone on your committee says, it says, or experience and she considers the experience adequate. I don’t think we can get them to send the information as they are not even going to the pool to see if there is someone qualified. The journalism instructor feels she can’t argue with the dean, but I feel as a DAS member and discipline chair, that we shouldn’t let them get away with this. What do you think we can do? They will be interviewing him this week, but only him.”

From June 2021 forward, Guess refused to participate in any hiring committee because she did not want her name associated with a practice that goes against the district’s rules.

But her decision backfired on Nov. 19, 2024, when VAMA Vice Chair Nicole Belle forwarded a series of emails about photojournalism to incoming Chair Amarpal Khanna.

Belle’s language shows the way she and former Chair Wiesenfeld talked about Guess.

In one email to Khanna, Belle writes, “Okay, I've forwarded you some past emails to illustrate the lack of cooperation between photo and journalism. Rhonda asked to be removed from the hiring committee to hire a Photojournalism professor and didn't pledge any support to promote the course to her journalism students (even though the paper and magazine rely heavily on photos). We have not removed the photojournalism course

(Photo 20) — it's still part of our degree. But it is unfair and false advertisement to promote a certificate that doesn't have the support or cooperation of the journalism area (which is essentially Rhonda).

“And I will add, Rhonda has not once objected (sic) in way that I have heard to the certificate being archived. Linda objects, but she isn't involved in the process. I support it being archived, you and Alec, Dan, and Vi all support this, and Rhonda doesn't object. The only people who might object (Linda and Daniel Marlos) don't have any stake in the process.

I will also add that not only was I the Vice Chair when this all went down, but I used to work at the Associate[d] Press at their National Photo Desk (as an assistant photo editor) in New York, so I actually have job experience in the field of photojournalism.”

Belle ended her email with: “I hope this helps.”

It certainly did help … to turn Khanna against journalism and implicitly against Guess.

The vice chair’s email followed a Jan. 30, 2024, email from Guess that justified her refusal to participate in a photojournalism committee.

Guess wrote: “With all due respect to the professionals, I am not a photojournalist. I am uncomfortable when the expertise of someone who is qualified and wishes to participate is unwanted. My expertise lies in print, broadcast and digital journalism. I am sorry this happened. Please keep my name out of this. I declined with good reason.”

Guess referred to Photography Professor Linda Okamura as the qualified person, but emails show that there were tensions between Okamura and Chair Wiesenfeld as well.

“It is clear that I am again being singled out and excluded from participating in important photo department information and processes. I am not being given the same opportunities as other full-time colleagues or treated as other full-time professors are being treated. I have been made invisible and my voice has been deliberately silenced by you and others,” Okamura wrote in a January 2024 email, part of the series of emails Belle forwarded to Khanna a few months after he became the VAMA chair.

This type of exclusion and the constant attacks are common practice within VAMA and are Wiesenfeld’s legacy. Khanna took over her previous position.

Dean Ly wrote in the discipline's program review that the Collegian newspaper is for “mere readers.”

I spent four years in person in that newsroom and the last three remotely, while pursuing my B.A. and M.A. at Columbia University. I know what it means to work for the newspaper.

How many hours, weekends, nights we spend writing, editing, designing … for “mere readers," to use Ly's words.

The “mere” deans who cancel classes without asking the adviser for input have no idea what journalism means. The “mere” chairs not once asked student journalists what they need to complete their degrees and transfer.

But Guess did. And she does. Every single day. Every night she spends working with reporters. The only person on the LACC campus who knows what the journalism program was, is and should be is the publications’ adviser. No one else.

It is ironic that one of City’s marketing/public relations slogans is “You Matter Here!”

From my point of view, it is a “mere” lie. We students do not matter. Journalism does not matter. At least not to Ly, Khanna, Gebru and others who use their pens to destroy a legacy program while falsely declaring their support for journalism.

CAMPUS LIFE

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

5

FROM "SWAP MEET" PAGE 1

The pay to enter LACC Swap entrance is flanked by outside vendors in Los Angeles, CA., on May 11, 2025.

PHOTO BY RIVER ROSS

V. P. of Administrative Services Joe Dominguez takes a photo opp while he fills the Collegian staff in on construction updates on June 2, like the Rising Star Cafe. "Coffee shops are more than caffeine," Dominguez said.

"They're a campus community hub for students to connect."

Pandemic Forces First Closure of Swap Meet in Two Decades The conflict is dividing neighbors, pitting vendors against one another and drawing accusations of racism and neglect against city leadership. One of the longest-running swap meets in Los Angeles, LACC Swap has been a community staple for nearly three decades. It not only provides affordable goods for residents but also generates around $500,000 annually for scholarships through the LACC Foundation, which serves 17,000 students, according to the event’s official website.

“The swap meet’s contribution was at its height at $675,000 in 2019,” said Robert Schwartz, chairman of the LACC Foundation board. “Last year, 2024, was $405,000. It’s gone down each year.”

Beyond the COVID-19 shutdown, Schwartz attributes the drop to the rise of vendors — some permitted, some not — who’ve taken to the sidewalks despite a city ordinance.

And when it comes to business, he would know. As the Foundation’s former executive director, Schwartz helped grow its assets from $4.5 million to over $50 million.

“It’s been a real battle,” he said.

“It’s having an impact on the bottom line because it’s impacting how much money comes in for operating, so we have to get it from somewhere else.”

The Foundation is the largest in the history of the Los Angeles Community College District.

Last year, it distributed more than half a million dollars in scholarships and funded textbook grants and emergency support, including $250,000 in the first month of the pandemic.

But with swap meet revenue down, those efforts may be in jeopardy.

“The money we get from the donors is being used for operating versus things like scholarships and support and textbooks,” Schwartz said. “I don’t think it’s sustainable at the level we’re currently seeing it.”

In 2021, Schwartz brought in Phillip Dane, a veteran L.A. event producer with 34 years of experience, to revive the swap meet from its near collapse. And for a time, he did just that.

But Dane has since become one of the most polarizing elements of the current controversy.

Vendors and advocates accuse him of threats, aggressive tactics and racist language — claims that Dane denies or says he has disproved.

One such claim — that Dane placed giant boulders on the sidewalk to block street vendors — was refuted by Schwartz himself.

“The foundation paid for [the boulders] to the tune of about $25,000,” Schwartz said. “But the council office had street services come and — I’m not sure if it was legal or not — take everything away.”

The roots of the conflict trace back to 2020, when the pandemic forced the swap meet’s first closure in two decades.

Many vendors who had once sold inside pivoted to the sidewalks along Vermont and Monroe. Most never left.

“They are a blight on the community,” Dane said over the phone. “It’s illegal for them to be in the immediate vicinity. Just go across the street, that’s all I’ve been saying since day one.”

Dane places the blame squarely on Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez of District 13.

“For three years I’ve been battling with him, saying you have to uphold this ordinance,” Dane said. “Their office refuses to meet with us. He’s advocating for street vendors, whether it’s legal or not. I’m willing to meet with Hugo in a public forum, and I promise you — he’ll never do it.”

“It’s essential to bring together residents, vendors from inside and outside the Swap Meet, and LACC to build a system that supports safe, legal vending while respecting the needs of the local community and the Swap Meet itself," Soto-Martinez said.

In a 2024 win for street vendors and advocacy groups, with the councilmember’s support, the city repealed several major no-vending zones. And the 2018 Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) decriminalized street vending statewide. But the swap meet, and its surrounding 500-foot radius remain an official no-vending zone under a still-active city ordinance. This leaves the vendors in a legal gray area where they can’t be charged with a crime but can be legally cited and removed.

Nick Barnes-Batista, communications director for Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, said the office has been monitoring the situation and working with agencies, such as the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, to respond to parking complaints and traffic safety complaints.

“This has been on our radar for a while and the types of concerns vary,” he said, adding that only one resident has formally relocated because of the swap meet activity.

Barnes-Batista acknowledged the limitations of enforcement alone and echoed a desire to find long-term solutions.

“It’s about getting the stakeholders involved,” he said. “Centering the vendors — inside and out — and neighbors and working out a solution that can work for everybody. This is the work Hugo has done his entire career.”

Yet across nearly every stakeholder interviewed — residents, neighborhood leaders, Robert Schwartz, and especially Phillip Dane — the sentiment is the same: City Council is not listening.

Dane, who says he is building a lawsuit against the councilmember, isn’t alone in his frustration.

Residents have raised concerns

PHOTO BY LOUIS WHITE

ranging from noise and parking issues to harassment and safety risks.

“It appears you have been well aware of these concerns for some time yet refuse to take action to make your community safer,” wrote Berenger LeFranc, a public-school teacher and single mother in East Hollywood, to the councilmember.

“In fact, it appears you are directly preventing any sort of compromise or solution. This is nothing short of a betrayal to your constituents.”

LeFranc eventually broke her lease to move away, citing 6 a.m. noise violations, sexual harassment, and a $734 liability from an uninsured vendor hitting her car. It was “a devastating financial burden,” she wrote, for someone living paycheck to paycheck.

Residents find this all the more frustrating when median home prices in the neighborhoods surrounding the swap meet — along Vermont Avenue, Marathon, Madison, and Monroe — have steadily increased over the last decade. The average listing price in East Hollywood is currently around $875,000, while average rent hovers just above $2,300 per month, according to Realtor. com With over a decade of campaign work and a seat on the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council, East Hollywood resident Colter Carlisle has watched this battle unfold from many angles.

“I would suspect the majority opinion is that people are tired of it,” Carlisle said. “A lot of people were upset about the noise or the trash. Other people didn’t mind it, or thought it was cool.”

Two years ago, the EHNC scheduled public meetings and formed a committee to resolve the conflict. But according to Carlisle, little came of it, and progress now hinges on political movement from the city council.

However, four years of bureaucratic gridlock have pushed the conflict to its boiling point.

The path to resolution has only grown more tangled — especially for vendors, for whom this is not just a legal fight, but a matter of survival.

Street vending has long been woven into the fabric of Los Angeles, and so have efforts to regulate and restrict it. For many, vending is not a choice. It is the only thing keeping food on the table.

“A lot of people who are undocumented and don't have a social security number can't get a job — this is their income,” said Claudia, a longtime vendor and active member of CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of L.A.).

She used to vend inside the swap meet, but now prefers the street.

“It’s way better out here,” she said. “We’re a community — we support each other. This pro-

vides opportunities to pay for college, start a business, help their families. Inside, sometimes you don’t even make your money back.”

That refers to the $70 to $85 daily rental fee for an official stall, which is an unaffordable sticking point for many.

Ana, a swap meet staple for the last 15 years, and she shares her row inside with friends and family. She relies on her booth for nearly half of her income.

“It's not fair that they don't come inside and pay — they're just selling outside for free,” she said. “A lot of people that pay think the same."

Her partner, José, prefers to go only by his first name. He sees it differently.

“Swap Meet has changed a lot,” he said. “Everything's been hiked, and prices and sales aren’t the same. It's because of the economy. I can’t say nothing about it because I think everybody is fighting right now to survive."

Stories of ICE raids and deportation breaking up multi-generational families have sparked community advocacy. Tommy, a first-time vendor and designer bought three hangers from Claudia before setting up his booth to promote his brand, yoonyjun.

All proceeds from the day went to CHIRLA. “Countless industries & individual businesses would collapse without [undocumented migrants],” read one of his handouts. “Nobody is illegal on stolen land. F-CK ICE.” It is hard to argue when, according to the most recent data from USC’s Equity Research Institute, undocumented immigrants contributed close to $18 billion to the economy in local, state and federal taxes, as well as spending power in 2021.

But while the vendors keep showing up, carrying histories, families and futures in plastic crates and folding tables, the systems around them remain stalled.

Nearly everyone agrees that the current setup does not work.

What’s missing is not more debate, but political will.

“What happens a lot of times with compromise is that everyone walks away kind of angry, but sometimes that means it’s a really good compromise,” said Carlisle of the EHNC. “I tell people that the pinnacle of politics is everyone being mad at you — but they completely understand why you did what you did.”

Rather than a straightforward issue of legality or fairness, the LACC Swap Meet conflict is a microcosm of a broader breakdown: of policy failing to keep up with economic reality.

Structural change takes time, but people’s lives can’t wait.

“Does it affect business negatively? Yeah, it does," said a swap meet vendor named Diego. "But I see it this way — the sun shines for everybody.”

Reality of a College Cafeteria Edges Closer

BY ARELY VALENCIANA Every school needs a cafeteria for its students. It is a basic need. If you noticed, looking at a map of the campus, it is clear that Los Angeles City College is missing this important piece of campus life.

However, it appears the college is poised for change, as the college is finally ready to bring this important part of the campus to life in the Student Union.

The construction buildout of the new cafeteria is moving forward as planned, and "substantial completion" is estimated by October of this year, according to Vice President of Administrative Services Joe Dominguez.

It will be located on the first floor of the Student Union.

There will be full-service food options. The Student Union is the building where students will find a variety of spaces, from a study spot, a place where stu-

dents can socialize, enjoy event areas, and soon, a dining area.

The goal is to [provide students with appetizing choices like a daily deli/grill, a pizza/ pasta bar, a salad bar and a global themed food bar which will change weekly.

This is comforting to know for those who may be picky. They will not have to worry about the food being limited. Designers say they want students to feel comfortable in this area.

"The new dining area will feature a mixture of 4 and 6 top tables that may be re-configured to meet the needs of groups varying in size," according to a statement from the design architect, Lewis Schoeplein, the firm guiding the $7.59 million construction award. “These new facilities will offer a place for students, staff, faculty, and community groups to meet, host events, eat, socialize, study and relax."

Collegian Times Magazine Wins Finalist Nod

BY BEATRICE ALCALA The Los Angeles City College Collegian Times Magazine is among the finalists for the 67th annual Southern California Journalism Awards in a professional category for best in-house or corporate publication.

The Magazine has already won a Gold Crown Award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in New York.

Organizers of the L.A. Press Club Awards say, this year judges pored over more than 2,500 entries, breaking last year’s record!

The SoCal Journalism Awards Gala will unfold on Sunday, June 22, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

IN-HOUSE OR CORPORATE PUBLICATION * Susan Bell, Letty Avila, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, “USC Dornsife Magazine – The California Issue” * Collegian Staff, L.A. City College Collegian, “Collegian Times Magazine” * Deadline Hollywood Editorial and Design Teams, Deadline Hollywood, “Deadline Disruptors” * Deanna McClure, Jessica Doherty, Bobby Martinez, Javier Vasquez, Brett Webster, Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre, “Performances Magazine: CTG and Deaf West Theatre's American Idiot” * UCLA Magazine Staff, UCLA Magazine, “UCLA Magazine, Fall 2024 Issue”

6

NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

FROM “ICON” PAGE 1

FROM “NICK BECK LECTURE” PAGE 1

Emotions Ran High at LAUSD April Tribute for Dolores Huerta We need to teach the children that we are one human race, that we are homo sapiens, and our human race came from Africa.”

—Dolores Huerta, Activist Rivas introduced the idea and authored the resolution.

Excitement and emotions ran high among attendees as they witnessed 95-year-old Huerta enter the auditorium. The crowd welcomed her with an ovation, as they chanted “Si Se Puede."

“I have the distinct honor of introducing a resolution that uplifts the legacy of one of the most powerful voices in the fight for labor rights, social justice and dignity, the beautiful Dolores Huerta, as a lifelong organizer, educator, and civil rights leader,” Rivas said.

Huerta raised 11 children as a single mother while she organized strikes and boycotts. She began to confront agricultural giants about conditions for farmworkers as far back as the 1950s.

The civil rights leader continues

her fight for the underprivileged, and the LAUSD honored her with an official day.

Huerta Empowers Communities The activist has never stopped fighting to empower communities that have long been silenced and sidelined. She co-founded the United Farm Workers, established the Dolores Huerta Foundation, and she inspired the world to act.

“I admire Dolores Huerta for her courage and lifetime commitment to justice,” said Jazmine Garcia, community affairs deputy, from Dr. Rivas’ team. “At a young age, she began to organize to uplift the marginalized community.”

On many occasions, the opposition attempted to silence Huerta for her advocacy and organizing for justice.

“Dolores Huerta is regarded as a giant of the civil rights movement," Garcia said. "She came across hate and pushback, yet she continued to fight. At 95 years old, she speaks against racist policies and threats to our Constitutional Rights.”

Huerta Pays Price for Activism During a peaceful protest in San Francisco in 1988, the police brutally beat Huerta and cracked 11 ribs and ruptured her spleen.

She collapsed on the pavement.

Despite the abuse and pain, she did not stop and continued the fight. After five years of nationwide boycotts, Huerta negoti-

ated the first-ever contract for farm workers with the multimillion-dollar agricultural industry.

“When I think of you, Dolores, I think that you can't lead the people if you don't love the people, and the love that you show to everyone in all places,” said David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association.

“I want to honor you the way you have shown so much love to everyone, especially the most vulnerable people in our society."

The working conditions improved, and pesticide protections were implemented; however, the true victory was that Huerta demonstrated to Americans that even the most marginalized and powerless individuals could organize and succeed.

Because of her efforts, millions of previously invisible workers gained visibility.

Voices Rise for Huerta “Her advocacy and her passion remind us that we are the change we can advocate for, and believe in,” said Yolanda Cuevas, an LAUSD student.

The working conditions improved with time and effort.

Companies implemented pesticide protections. Huerta showed Americans that even the most marginalized individuals could organize and succeed.

“This remarkable woman we are here to honor today lasted as a California public school teacher for a year; she left the worthy profession for far greater reasons

I PHOTOS COURTESY UNSPLASH

SCAN QR CODE TO SEE THE INTERVIEW

PHOTO BY LOUIS WHITE

City College alumnus William B. Torres moderates as NBC Political Correspondent Jacob Soboroff discusses childhood separation at the U.S. — Mexico border during the Nick Beck Lecture event on May 15, 2025.

Soboroff visited the campus for a special screening of the documentary film named after his New York Times best-selling book, “Separated –Inside an American Tragedy.”

The Los Angeles City College Foundation hosted the event and President Amanuel Gebru welcomed the attendees and underscored the seriousness of the border crisis.

Students and faculty members in the screening room were able to participate in the Q&A that

Collegian alumnus Will Torres moderated.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris directed the feature documentary. See a short excerpt from Soboroff 's interview with Collegian reporter Noah Kubacki. The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and has also premiered in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.

The NBC correspondent signed 80 books for those who attended.

Shoppers Brace for Price Hikes, Fewer Imports

Fast fashion, small appliances, textiles, and toys could soon be missing from store shelves.

BY ERIKA RAMIREZ

Experts warn consumers will pay higher prices in the coming months.

than mine,” said Sarah Bradshaw, a consultant in management and labor relations. Bradshaw says she met Huerta and Cesar Chavez in the 1990s while she was working for a union. She considers it an honor.

"Little did I know that I would be blessed with this woman in my life for the next 35 years; thus, I refer to her with love and respect as 'Dolores,' and occasionally as "big D,” Bradshaw said.

“Dolores is bringing joy, compassion, love, healing, organizing, hope, faith, strength, persistence and a whole lot more to millions around the world,” Bradshaw said. “I'll never forget the day a young woman walked up to her in San Diego, pulled up her sleeve, and showed Dolores the ‘Si Se Puede’ tattoo on her forearm.”

Huerta acknowledged that teachers are burdened and have a great deal to teach, yet at the same time, public funding for education has been reduced.

“We have a difficult road ahead of us, and so we all have to keep working together and making sure we get the kind of community support that we need,” Huerta said to the audience.

She called education "the savior of our democracy.”

“The only reason we are in trouble right now is that we have many people who are ignorant, uneducated, and do not know our country's history,” Huerta said.

nflation and the rising price of retail goods will keep Americans on their toes.

Shoppers should anticipate a spike in the cost of consumer goods as retailers struggle to pay the cost of tariffs for imported products, according to CNN. Retailers must make do with their current supply, which will result in fewer items on store shelves. The United States and China have made a temporary stop to slash the 145% tariffs for 90 days, yet that may not make a difference.

Many shortages of goods are to be expected because of a decline in imports from China and trade disruptions.

“Retailers are having to store

their products in Chinese warehouses because it’s much more affordable than paying the tariffs,” said Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, a logistics and freight forwarding broker in San Francisco. Consumers will begin to notice their favorite goods are not in stock because the products that were stored in the United States are starting to run out.

Peterson says if this continues for a few more weeks, retailers will end up selling through inventory.

Product shortages such as apparel, toys, electronics, and household items may lead to higher prices.

“So, if you’re looking for a certain type of pants, you may find all kinds of pants, but not the type you want," said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. "And the type you want … are going to be

priced up.”

Los Angeles locals have a few thoughts on the matter and on whether the shortages will affect them or lead to higher prices.

“I personally don’t mind because in my day-to-day life, it won’t affect me in the long term as opposed to the short term,” said Ronald Martinez who works as a security officer near his home. Although he lives from paycheck to paycheck, he still is not bothered about price increases.

“In this day and age, what even is affordable? You look at Door Dash for example, they have implemented a buy now, pay later plan. At what point does the consumer take accountability for their choices on spending money they don’t have!"

Martinez says miscellaneous prices will rise, but the consumer has the power and the choice

about whether to buy or not.

Single mom, Alejandra Gonzalez is more sensitive to price hikes. She says it was already a challenge to live in Los Angeles because it is expensive.

"As a mom of three children ... with my full-time job, getting paid bi-weekly and not receiving enough food stamps. Because I am considered middle-class, these high prices on foods and clothes and toys are just not okay," she told the Collegian.

Gonzalez works as a deli cook, and her mother watches her children to help her save money. She is concerned about prices and shortages in the future.

"I have children who play with toys and there are certain ones they see online that they want," Gonzalez said. "But it’s become too much, so I buy secondhand.

It’s unfortunate, but I have to consider the necessities.”

Master the Media...

Get the skills!

Journalism 101, News Writing and Reporting. (Mon. & Wed. 11:10 a.m.-12:35 p.m.) Journalism 217-1, Publication Laboratory. (TBA) Journalism 219-1, Techniques for Staff Editors (Plan and direct a section of the newspaper) Journal 218-1, Practical Editing (Learn to copy edit and expand upon existing skills for students who wish to edit or report at media outlets.

BEEN THERE DONE THAT?

Tell us about your journalism experience at another college or high school.

Email guessrd@lacitycollege.edu Or visit the Journalism homepage at: https://www.lacc.edu/academics/aos/journalism

SCAN ME

RESOURCES

Los Angeles Angeles Collegian Collegian - Wednesday, Wednesday, May May 10 14,, 2023 2025 Los

7

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Amount: $2,000 Deadline: No deadline Website: www..parkerfoundation.care

Activism Award. Student and non-student art activists are welcome to apply for this award.

These $5,000 awards are intende to support young and emerging artivists each year who exemplify Mary’s passion for the arts as the vehicle for their own HIV/AIDS and/or health equity and social justice community activism and expression.

Recipients of the Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award use their art and activism to raise greater awareness about bigotry, stigma, and social justice around the issue of HIV/AIDS and/or health inequities and social injustices that fuel the spread of the disease.

Eligibility Criteria: - Must be 27 years of age or younger - Must reside in or be enrolled in a U.S.-based program or institution - Must be engaged in artistic work that supports activism related to HIV/AIDS and/or broader health and social justice issues Aplication Process: - Submit personal and contact information along with your application materials - Describe your proposed or ongoing artistic project and how it relates to HIV/AIDS activism or social justice - Include examples of previous artivism work, if applicable - Submit the completed application by the posted deadline

Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Dixie Belle Award Paint Co. Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Deadline: June 30, 2025 Website: www.aidsmemorial. org/mary-bowman-arts-in-activism-award

To honor the memory of Mary Bowman and support other and emerging art activists ("artivists") like her, the National AIDS memorial partnered with ViiV Healthcare to create the Mary Bowman Arts in

Parker Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 Deadline: June 15, 2025 Website: www.dixiebellepaint. com/scholarship/ Exciting news! We're thrilled to announce our Creativity Leads to Success Scholarship, brought to

Certifications and education programs provide opportunities and credibility for rural government employees, underprivileged citizens and veterans seeking to start a career in the information technology, medical, first responder, and emergency management fields.

Being certified and educated by a reputable institution allows anyone to stand out from the crowd and more likely to succeed in their positions to obtain a better quality of life.

Eligibility Criteria: - Underprivileged citizens - U.S. military veterans - Rural government employees - enrolled in an accredited university, junior college, trade school, or certification program - Provide documentation verifying enrollment and eligibility Application Process: - Submit a completed scholarship application form - Submit an essay of at least 300 words on a topic related to IT, medical, first responder, or emergency management fields - Provide an enrollment verification letter from your university, training, or college Attach required supporting documents based on eligibility: Veterans: Copy of DD Form 214 All applicants: Copy of state driver’s license or ID Underprivileged: Copy of income tax statement showing earnings below $26,500 Rural government employees: - Proof of government employment Submit all materials for review; applications missing any required documents will not be considered.

Mail your application and all supporting documentation to: The Lois Parker Foundation 206A S LOOP 336 W Suite #205 Conroe,TX 77304 Applications are reviewed, and scholarships are awarded throughout the year. Due to a large volume of applications, notification of the scholarship committee decision can take up to two months. Apply today.

8

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, June 4, 2025

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

GAME GUIDE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

I am Back!!!

M

BY SHELBY SAXTON

ajor retailers roll out the Nintendo Switch 2 this week and excitement is building.

Many are asking, "How do I get my hands on one?"

Consider this your essential guide to securing a Switch 2 on launch day, June 5.

Pre-order was the surefire way to guarantee a console from GameStop, Best Buy or Walmart on April 24. While Nintendo has made efforts to distribute the Switch 2 widely, demand for this

console is unprecedented. There is more online buzz for the Switch 2 than its predecessor. Though the pre-order window has closed, there's still a path to day-one access.

Your second option for getting a Switch 2 is what I call the "old-fashioned way." On June 4, most Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop locations will host release parties. Each store will have not only pre-ordered consoles but also an undisclosed number of unreserved Nintendo Switch 2 systems. These will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Your best bet for securing a console on release day is to arrive early and wait in line. It might be hot, and it might be boring, but if you want the system badly enough, it's your strongest play.

It is not yet clear how Nintendo plans long term to meet demand, but if you

Secure Nintendo SWITCH 2 ON DAY ONE want a console on release day, this is likely your best opportunity. If you wait, it could mean months before you secure a system.

Beyond the console itself, let's talk about purchase options. Two versions of the console will be available. They are identical except for one that includes a bundled game for an additional $50.

Go for the bundle, as the included game will likely retail for more than $80 on its own.

The console comes with a pair of JoyCon controllers, allowing for multiplayer gaming. If you need an additional controller, you can purchase another pair of Joy-Cons for $94.99 or a Pro Controller for $84.99. The console also connects to the new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, priced at $54.99.

Finally, here are some game recommendations for your new console:

• Mario Kart World: This is the big title for release day. A new Mario Kart hasn't been released in almost a decade, so its arrival is highly anticipated.

• Cyberpunk 2077: This exhilarating open-world futuristic firstperson shooter from the creators of "The Witcher 3" is another excellent pick.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 editions): These games are already considered some of the best ever made, but on the Nintendo Switch 2, they truly shine. Running at 60 frames per second with 4K graphics, gamers will be hard-pressed to find a better way to experience these two titles.

Note to readers: This reporter will pick up the Switch 2 on day one and report back.

Los Angeles City College

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LEARN BASIC BROADCAST WRITING AND REPORTING Beatrice Alcala Designer-VideographerEditor Columbia Scholastic Press Assoc. 2022, 1st Place Award Winner L.A. Press Club, 1st Place Graphic Design Layout Award, 2021 Julio Huerta Telemundo-NBCUniversal Former Collegian Editor

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