The Corsair Spring 2024 - Issue 6

May 15, 2024 | VOLUME 126 ISSUE 6 | SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

EVERY COPY OF THE CORSAIR IS FREE, EACH COPY AFTER IS 25¢ | SANTA MONICA COLLEGE, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1929

The Corsair Staff Editor-in-Chief | Cebelihle Hlatshwayo Managing Editor | Reneé Bartlett-Webber Photo Editor | Danilo Perez Design Editor | Alejandro Contreras Assistant Design Editor | Bunker King Digital Editor | Nicholas McCall Copy Editor | Taylor Parise Arts & Entertainment Editor | Ava Cyr Culture Editor | Karuna Namala News Editor | Sohrab Pourjavady Multimedia Editor | Amber Guerrero Assistant Multimedia Editor | Gio Sosa Opinion Editor | Brianna Johnson Social Media Editor | Megan Meadows Assistant Social Media Editor | MyDari Baker Sports Editor | Jermey Wolf

Faculty Advisors Sharyn Obsatz | Journalism Adviser Gerard Burkhart | Photo Adviser Samantha Nuñez | Social Media Adviser

Corsair Staff Alejandro Contreras | Alexey Nosov | Amber Guerrero | AVa Cyr | Blake Harris | Brianna Johnson | Bunker King | Caylo Seals | Cebelihle Hlatshwayo | Gio Sosa | Chrissy Washington | Danilo Peréz | Genesis Avila | Hazel Reyes | Jamael Shotomide | Jeffrey Berrios | Jeremy Wolf | Karuna Namala| Karen Lopez | Laurel Rahn | Libna Florêncio | Makaela Fujimoto | Maya Dondonyan | Megan Meadows | Nicholas McCall | Mydari Baker | Ryan Abazari |Sara Mendez | | Saiya Williams | Sohrab Pourjavady | Taylor Parise |

Contact Editor-in-Chief | corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com

Front Page Jose Elias Suarez holds up picket sign and takes part in the May-day protest , in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.

This Page Child sits on womans shoulders as they march through the streets during May-day, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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very day, people nurture, serve, entertain, and advocate to ensure the well-being of their community. Their voices, your voices, and your experiences are at the heart of this publication.

These stories encourage others to continue striving for positive change and connection with others.

for recognizing the University of Califorpeople who help us in nia Los Angeles, the our everyday lives.

University of Southern California, and In light of that, we, Santa Monica College. as a publication, must emphasize, however, Our dedicated that we are not ignor- team has produced ing ongoing calls for articles capturing action across United the essence of these States college cam- movements and the puses. This issue is voices behind them. in light of the war be- In response to the tween Israel and Gaza. overwhelming inter-

"Their voices, your voices, and your experiences are at the They help people reheart of this publication." member the importance of collaboration and collective action. They show that through hope, courage, dedication, and the magic of coming together, anything is possible. They remind people that the future is up to all of us.

Stories of advocacy within communities inspire others to work towards a better future while also reminding us to be grateful for the seemingly insignificant moments that make all the difference or

est and importance of these events, we have decided to compile all our coverage of the student protests into a forthcoming special edition. This comprehensive collection will be released on May 17th. This will ensure that our readers understand the protests and their impact on our community and beyond.

These calls have prompted protests and counter-protests throughout the United States, notably here in southern California. The Corsair, like many campus newspapers across the U.S. at present, has been working tirelessly to cover student protests. The recent protests have highlighted the passionate demands for I also want to thank change from students all our readers. Your on campuses like the engagement and con-

structive feedback are invaluable to us. By holding us accountable and actively participating in the conversation, you enable us to reflect and refine our craft constantly as we cover the stories that matter most to you.

Together, we will continue to build a vibrant, informed, and connected community. You are an integral part of The Corsair, and we thank you.

Cebelihle Hlatshwayo Editor-in-Chief

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Las Vidas d

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de Fruteros

Photo by Danilo Perez

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Minerva Velasco pours Tajin onto a cup of sliced fruits on Wednesday, April 3 at San Gabriel, Calif.

Photo by Danilo Perez

Sara Mendez | Staff Writer

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he rainbow umbrellas that can bewe seen on nearly every street corner are symbolic in Los Angeles for the famous fruit in a bag with Tajin, lime and chamoy.

Although most may agree on the delicious value in these fruit bags, many do not recognize the value in the stories behind those that cut and sell the fruit everyday.

The many faces to these carts have similar but unique struggles, experiences and backgrounds.

Julio Hernández Bautista, 38 years old, took on the role of a business owner when his uncle retired after 12 years of selling fruit at his cart, El Chilly’s (Fritas Frescas). Bautista embarked on this new business venture in August

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of 2023, leaving his full time construction profession.

The average day for Bautista begins at 4 a.m. in order to serve the public by 10 a.m.

First, he drives to downtown Los Angeles to the wholesale produce district to pick out his produce for the day, going as early as possible in order to have first pick.

Most fruit vendors are workers for an owner of multiple fruit carts, meaning the fruit is bought in bulk. Bautista says there are advantages to being the

owner. “Gracias a Dios el negocio es mío, entonces yo puedo escoger buena cualidad de fruta y la gente lo puede ver,” he said, meaning people can tell the difference between his cart and others because he chooses good quality fruit. BautistaJulio believes this sets him apart from his competitors.

Bautista has the help and support of his wife, Minerva Velasco.

If Velasco is not at her job cleaning homes, she is present with their daughter and even re-

"Gracias a Dios el negocio es mio," -Julio Her-

lieves her husband at the cart so he can work on-call construction gigs.

Because Velasco has learned English over the years, while Bautista only speaks Spanish, having his wife at the stand in a middle class neighborhood where English is the common language also helps in setting their business apart from others. Velasco has created connections and gained loyal clients through her interactions in the neighborhood.

Bautista reveals that, although he is the owner of the fruit cart, by the health department law he cannot keep it at home. Instead, it needs to be parked overnight at a commissary lot in downtown Los Angeles, where Bautista pays 300 dollars a month.

Photo by Sara Mendez

Julio Hernández Bautista prepares a fruit cup for a local customer in San Gabriel Calif. The weather on March 13, 2024 was sunny, bringing many to stop on Las Tunas Blvd. for some fresh fruit from El Chilly’s.

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Photos by Saiya Williams

Carlos Real is peeling a cucumber outside of the Santa Monica Pier off the Pacific Coast Highway at a fruit stand selling fruit in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, April 2.

Carlos Real prepares fruit for a customer outside of the Santa Monica Pier off the Pacific Coast Highway at a fruit stand selling fruit

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Carlos Real works outside of the Santa Monica Pier off the Pacific Coast Highway at a fruit stand selling fruit in Santa Monica.

After finding a lot, Julio was able to obtain two required permits, one from the city and another from the Los Angeles County health department. These need to be renewed every year.

Providing for his wife and 8 year old daughter, BautistaJulio faces the raw difficulties of not knowing what day will be a good sales day or a slow one. Grateful for his uncle's established clientele, BautistaJulio would find it difficult for someone to start let alone sell for another person. He says in Spanish, “To be honest, for someone with family costs, I do not think one would make ends meet.”

Rain or shine, the Chilly’s Frutas is on Las Tunas and Gerona Ave. Although this family sheds light on the lives of fruit vendors, others have a different story. Polar opposite of this San Gabriel business owner is a fruit vendor

in Santa Monica. Carlos Real, 19 years old, sells fruit at the oceanfront of Santa Monica Beach.

Fresh Fruit Montana’s has multiple workers that station

sales, the owner has a different pay arrangement with each worker, whether it is by day, by hour, or commission.

For Real, it depends on the day itself; The owner decides

“En cada quien está, porque vender es bonito, se relaja uno aquí en el parque," - Carlos Real themselves right outside the pier, Real being one of them.

Real says his days usually start at 9 a.m. and end at 6 p.m., or until the sales die down. With the high volume of foot traffic, their best selling days are Friday through Sunday.

Due to the fluctuation of

what they will give him, and if he sells a lot, they will give him a little extra.

Although he may face the struggles that come with not being the owner, Real feels it is worth it. “En cada quien está, porque vender es bonito, se relaja uno aquí en el parque, y hay gente que has-

Photos by Saiya Williams

ta me dejan propina,” Real said. He explains that it all depends on the person. He finds fruit a beautiful thing to sell, he’s relaxed in the park and people even give him tips. Carlos really enjoys selling in Santa Monica, saying he has never had a bad experience.

These are stories of only two2 individuals that share the same occupation and backgrounds of many but do not share the same experiences. There is a clear marginalization of pay for Bautista and Real. It is not clear if thosemost that find themselves in the same position as Real are legally protected and given fair wages.through wages and However, Bautista, despite being a business owner himself, Bautista faces his own has the struggles of providing and sustaining for a family of three3.

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Photo by Jamael Shotomide

Many Santa Monica College (SMC) students and faculty scatter and chatter over the main walkway during the Santa Monica College fair on April 25,2024 in Santa Monica,Calif.

SMC Invites Students to Create their Future Makaela Fujimoto | Staff Writer

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anta Monica College (SMC) hosted a successful College Fair, drawing many students to one of California's largest college fairs. Held April 25 on the main quad, the fair featured representatives from University of California (UC) schools, California State University (CSU) schools, Marine Corps, out-ofstate schools, and international colleges. Colorful tents with representatives lined the walkway, each displaying their school colors with an assortment of flags, magnets, stickers, and pamphlets for any students interested.

The event aimed to present opportunities and aid students in the application process, providing the required steps for students to reach their transfer goals. University of Santa Barbara college representative Bestabe Morales said, “Sometimes we get Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) students who are, like, ‘I TAG-ed, but I didn't get in.’ It's because they didn't meet the requirements; therefore, it's not guaranteed.”

Morales highlighted the importance of understanding the intricacies of ad-

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mission processes before pinning hopes on “guarantees.” Attending workshops or events like the College Fair helps students prepare for a smooth transfer.

Transfer counselor Erika Knox emphasized that the fair “gives students the power of choice.” Knox pointed out that the priority question should be whether or not the school offers a student’s desired major. There are several highly-ranked academic schools that have limited specific niche majors, and ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to make the decision to transfer based on their major or the university.

Knox said, “Always apply and always come to the College Fair.”

Vanetta Alston, an SMC student with an undecided major, was on the lookout for esthetician schools and programs that were preferably in-state. She explained how informative and wellplanned the fair made it to get her questions answered, specifically mentioning the layout and walking spaces felt thoroughly organized.

The UC booths were surrounded by crowds, with the University of Califor-

nia, Los Angeles (UCLA) being notably the most favored choice. Sina Delfanazari, a computer science major, said he did not look at any other tents besides UCLA “because this is my first pick and that's it.” If Delfanazari doesn't get in, he is aiming for the University of Southern California (USC). He feels a degree from UCLA is powerful, as many employers favor degrees from the school, and he believes the connections made there will line up a job for him in the future.

According to the UC Information Center, SMC has remained the number one transfer college to the UC system for the past 33 years. SMC also acts as a funnel to top schools like Loyola Marymount University, USC, and several others. The Fair proves the significance of actively participating in opportunities that offer guidance and information crucial for educational success. By empowering students to make informed decisions about their academic futures.

Potentially saving them from wasting years of their time and thousands of dollars on missteps.

University of Southern California Officer of Admissions, Isiah Sneed, engages with a Santa Monica College student on behalf of admissions during the SMC fair.

A SMC student reads a brochure to Los Angeles film school with the headline "Create Your Future" during the SMC fair.

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Panning shot of Nolan Siegel during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21 at Long Beach, Calif. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair) (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

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Long Beach Grand Prix Danilo Perez | Photo Eeditor

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record-breaking crowd of roughly 190,000 motorsport fans gathered on the surrounding streets of the Long Beach Convention Center for the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (GPLB) for its 49th consecutive year. The roaring event took place from Friday, April 19, to Sunday, April 21, and ended in a climactic victory for Scott Dixon.

The 43-year-old racer from New Zealand won his second Acura GPLB in an impressive fuel-saving strategy, marking his 57th career win in the IndyCar Series. Dixon’s push to his No. 9 Dallara-Honda fuel tank for 34 laps secured him the victory over Colton Herta by 0.9798 seconds.

His biggest challenge came from Josef Newgarden, who was the second-highest leader in laps, leading with 19 laps. Unfortunately, Newgarden’s Dallara-Chevrolet stalled in the “hairpin” and made contact from behind with Herta, ultimately causing him to lose two spots.

“He just misjudged it and ran into me. I got lifted up off the ground a foot or two,” Newgarden said in an interview with NBC Sports’ Kevin Lee. Newgarden states the team has to ultimately be happy with the good performance coming from the vehicle throughout the weekend, resulting in fourth place, but believes the collision with Herta must be looked at differently.

Herta responded to the collision by putting the blame on Newgarden for slowing

down in the hairpin but ultimately takes the blame in the end, naming it as an error on his part for misjudging the speed into the corner.

Aside from the main IndyCar race, fans bore witness to multiple exciting events such as the Historic IndyCar Challenge, which consisted of older-style IndyCar vehicles and Stadium SUPER Trucks that jumped ramps throughout the race track.

Fans were also greeted with an exotic car show that consisted of a Bugatti, Pegani, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.

The infamous “Drivers, Start Your Engines!” was said by a local Long Beach neighbor, the famed comedian and actor Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who was the Grand Marshal of this year's Grand Prix.

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Photo by Danilo Perez

Tim DeSilva at the Historic Indy Car Race #2 with his Tiger helmet at the Grand Prix of DeSilva won the Historic Indy Car race and took home the trophy.

Sco

Photo by Danilo Perez

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach workers watching Indy Cars drive by while on stand by with flags at the Grand Prix of Long Beach

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Photo by Danilo Perez

ott Dixon and his Dallara-Honda racing In the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21 at Long Beach, Calif. Dixon went on and won the Grand Prix.

(Left) Panning shot of Lance Smith after the hairpin turn of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (bottom)

(Right) Scott Borchetta driving in the Historic Indy Car Race #2 of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

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Jeffrey Berrios | Staff Writer

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he Annual Met Gala is one of fashion’s biggest nights.

The Met Gala is an event organized by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, which attracts A-listers from all over.

The 2024 Met Gala occurred at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The theme for this year's exhibitions was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the dress code was “The Garden of Time,” a 1962 short story by English novelist J.G. Ballard.

The story is about the last days of an aristocratic couple living in a villa surrounded by a garden, sheltered from the harsh realities of the world.

The theme itself feels ironic due to the immense backlash the event has received, with many calling it tone-deaf. One X user wrote, “A man carrying a celebrity unable to walk in her tight dress at the Met Gala is getting more coverage than a father carrying his dead child in Rafah, Gaza.”

Illustration by Karuna Namala

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The theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening of Fashion” refers to the 220 restored garments on display at the exhibit, many of which are four centuries old and have never been seen before. These garments being shown to the public for the first time represent their awakening, which is where the term “Sleeping Beauties” comes from. Not only that, but many of the garments are so fragile due to their age that they must be laid down behind a glass wall, unintentionally emulating the character of Sleeping Beauty.

Wintour was accompanied by Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, and Zendaya as the cochairs of this year's event. As always, the guest list included a star-studded lineup that was meticulously crafted

by Winotour herself.

The Met Gala steps are always a huge character whenever the event comes around, and I must admit, they looked stunning this year. The carpet was a beautiful mix of green and white, and the barricades that

separated the paparazzi from the celebs were covered in green roots and white flowers.

In terms of fashion, there were both hits and misses. Although a majority of the celebs this year followed the concept, which is rare, many of the looks felt lackluster.

Zendaya was not one of those

"I’m starting to th ban men from the a " people.

Personally, Zendaya was the event’s clear MVP, as the actress stunned in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano. She came down the steps looking in what I can only describe as Hunger Games fashion.

However, the actress did not stop there because a couple of hours later, she returned to the met steps in an entirely new outfit, this time wear-

OPINION

who wore a Loewe top made of actual wood, and singer Lana Del Rey, who wore a headpiece resembling a spider web inspired by Alexander McQueen's 2006 fashion week collection "Savage Beauty."

while singer Camila Cabello's purse gotten so bad that I’m starting to was a block of ice with a rose frozen think we should ban men from the inside to match her Ludovic de Saint affair altogether. gown.

I would add that one man who killed Although there were certain looks it was Nigeran-American model this year that will undoubtedly be Wisdom Kaye, who wore an all-red Entrepreneur Mona Patel and remembered for years to come, suit with a matching tattered cloak Grammy-winning artist Tyla made there were also those that I would and hat designed by Robert Wun. prefer to forget.

Despite being a co-chair, Jlo's sheer Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown Despite what I would consider a was a safe option for the Met while very safe year for the ball, the Met also being redundant, as Lopez has Gala remains a significant night in worn similar gowns for the past 15 fashion, keeping the craft alive. As years. It's especially underwhelming always, I'm looking forward to next their Met Gala debuts. They made because Schiaparelli is recognized year's theme and what these designmany people's best-dressed lists be- for having an avant-garde archive ers and celebs have in store for us. cause they did not disappoint, with that pushes the boundaries, which is Patel wearing a custom Iris Van the polar opposite of Lopez's look.

Herpen dress resembling butterfly wings and Tyla wearing an innovative custom Balmain dress made of I truly believe that Wintour needs sand. to place an infinite Met Gala ban on black suits and ties because of the A trend I noticed on the carpet was number of men who spent thouunique handbags. Tyla paired her sands of dollars for a seat at the event sand dress with an hourglass clutch, only to show up in a boring suit. It’s

hink we should affair altogether.

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SMC Celebrates Black Joy During Black Student Success Week 18 THE | CORSAIR

Black Block Party event on the Quad of Santa Monica College (SMC), Santa Monica, Calif., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The event was organized by Black Collegians Program (part of California-wide Umoja Community) of SMC as part of SMC's Black Student Success Week.

The event was organized as a big party, with line dancing, double dutch, music and food.

Photo by Alexey Nosov

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Photo by Karen Lopez

(L-R) Santa Monica College Communication Studies professor and President of the Pan African Alliance Dr. Jermaine Junius, Black Collegians Program Leader Sherri Bradford, Black Collegians Specialist Jocelyn Winn and Math professor and Vice President of the Pan African Alliance Kristin Ross pose behind the Core Performance Center building in Santa Monica, Calif. On April 26, 2024.

Chrissy Washington | Staff Writer

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rom April 22 to April 26, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Black Collegians program celebrated Black Student Success Week (BSSW) with a self-care workshop, on-campus events, and networking opportunities. BSSW is an annual event created in 2020 by advocates within the California Community College system. This year’s theme was Black Joy, and SMC Pan African Alliance leaders presented a week-long series of events to honor and uplift SMC’s Black students, professors, and faculty.

On Monday, April 22, Dr. Kenji Jones-Lane, Black Collegians Program Community Therapist, hosted a workshop titled “Centering Black Joy.” Its purpose was to give Black Collegians students a space to discuss what joy means to them. Students shared their thoughts and ideas about Black Joy, while JonesLane led a discussion on prioritizing happiness amid personal and external crises.

On Tuesday, April 23, Black Collegians hosted the “Black Block Party” on the SMC Main Campus Quad during their usual club meeting time.

Jackie and James Rice of J&J Soulful Steps led line dances in the grass. The couple has been line dancing for 28 years of their 47-year marriage and teaches line dancing classes at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on Monday evenings.

Fish, chicken, steak, and turkey tacos were provided, and snow cones were served under a tent in the quad by the team from Fluffy’s Sno-Balls, a New Orleans snow cone shop based in South Central LA.

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Wright Direction Inc., a nonprofit supporting schools and communities with exercise forms like hula hooping and double dutch, provided participants with hula hoops and jump ropes.

Jada Roper, a cosmetology student at SMC, said she attended the block party because “I like seeing people who look like me, and I wanted to have some fun, and meet new people and get my jitters out.”

On Wednesday, April 24, students were invited to attend a networking lunch with David Anderson, an SMC alum who transferred to the University of Southern California (USC), Annenberg School of Communications. He received his master’s degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and currently serves as the Executive vice president and COO of the Los Angeles Urban League. Anderson led students through his journey from SMC to USC and advised them about serving their communities.

Leisha Smith, student President of Black Collegians, attended the lunch as an accounting major at SMC. Smith said, "I think the biggest thing I took away was knowing that I do have power to make a change; that is something that I tend to struggle with, understanding that I do have the power to help my community.”

While Black Collegians held no events on Thursday, April 25, the program participated in the SMC College Fair, one of the state’s largest community college transfer fairs.

On Friday, April 26, the Pan-African Alliance hosted the first annual Umoja Games on the Corsair Field.

Events included a 100-by-four relay race, 400-meter race, 200-meter race, tug-of-war, and kickball. The kickball game and races featured two evenly split teams, while men and women competed in separate tug-of-war games.

Pan African Alliance faculty competed as Team Red, and Black Collegians students competed as Team Green. While Team Green won all three races, Team Red won tug-of-war and kickball.

Sydney Holmes, a Nutrition Sciences major, said she attended the events to connect with other students and flex her skills. “I wanted to connect with my community, and I used to do all these things when I was younger, and I just thought it would be a great opportunity to do it now, in college.”

Many students came to support SMC’s Black Collegians Club. Cameron Terry, a Sociology major, said, “I’m here to support Black Collegians in any way, shape or form I can. And part of that is being out here

today.”

Photo by Karen Lopez

Santa Monica College (SMC) Alumnus David Anderson raise his hand to ask a question of many years students have attend at (SMC) in the Networking and Lunch with David Anderson, hosted by Black Collegians to celebrate Black Student Success Week. This event was held at SMC's Student Services Center in Santa Monica, Calif. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

"The biggest thing I took away was knowing that I do have power to make a change; that is something that I tend to struggle with, understanding that I do have the power to help my community.”

- Leisha Smith

Photo by Alexey Nosov

Black Block Party event on the Quad of Santa Monica College. The event was organized by Black Collegians Program (part of California-wide Umoja Community) of SMC as part of SMC's Black Student Success Week. The event was organized as a big party, with line dancing, double dutch, music and food.

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Photo by Caylo Seals

A protester carries a bus which reads “Fare less Transit” during the May Day protest in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Los Angeles Laborers Unite in Hollywood

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Taylor Parise | Lead Copy Editor ith the start of May comes International Workers Day, in which many laborers celebrate through rallying for a cause. This Wednesday, the Los Angeles May Day Coalition hosted an annual march with the theme “Solidarity is Power: The People United."

The coalition is made up of more than 30 organizations, including Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Party for Socialism and Liberation, and United Teachers Los Angeles, who were all present at the march.

Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez said in a statement, “May Day in Los Angeles is about building a better community for workers, immigrants, and all Angelenos.”

The rally began on Sunset Blvd. and Gower St., where many labor organizations and supporters gathered as speakers addressed the crowd. Yvonne

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Wheeler, president of the LA County Federation of Labor, was among the speakers.

Leading the front of the march were Los Angeles janitorial workers with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Service Workers West (USWW), whose contracts had expired and were under negotiation.

Julio Ramirez, Industry Vice President for the janitorial division at USWW, said janitorial staff were marching for better wages, better health benefits, and a better life. If their union contract agreement was not reached by Monday, they would go on strike.

After the march, they did, in fact, reach a tentative agreement, and on Monday, members across California voted to approve the new deal. According to Sebastian Silva, communications coordinator at SEIU USWW, the contract includes “historic wage increases and new protections to fight against sexual assault on the job and danger-

ous workloads.”

Maria Vasquez, with janitorial at LAX in terminal 7, attended the rally with her fellow coworkers and union members, marching for wage increases. While their contract has not expired, they marched in solidarity for Ramirez’s cause.

“It’s affecting all of us in all departments,” Vasquez said. She explained that the current minimum wage does not effectively compensate for employees' travel, rent, and other expenses they face day to day. Many workers live far from their jobs due to rent being cheaper in certain areas, but then they have to choose between paying high gas prices or traveling with public transportation, where they face “so many dangers.”

“There’s a lot of things that people don’t see. Us, LAX workers, we push our lives and, you know, we do what we have to do to get to work, and it’s a hassle,” said Vasquez.

Photo by Danilo Perez

Photo by Caylo Seals

A costume meant to embody the spirt of migrant works, families, and students is worn by a protester with the Central American Resource Center during the May Day protest in the neighborhood of Hollywood, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

A dancer wearing a headdress dances during the May Day protest in the neighborhood of Hollywood, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Photo by Caylo Seals

City Council District 13, Hugo Soto-Martinez gives a speech at the end of the May-day march on Wednesday, May 1 at Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif.

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Eduardo Martinez, who represents the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in the housing division, attended the march and addressed high rent in California. He shared that AHF is proposing a bill in November regarding rent control in the city of Los Angeles. “We have found that it is very difficult to live in California,” Martinez said. “There’s 60,000 people homeless in the county of LA, so we need to do something more.”

The march not only consisted of laborers and their families but also groups of students preparing to enter the labor force.

Javier Carbajal, counselor at Los Angeles Valley College’s (LAVC) Dream Resource Center, said they prepare students to enter the workforce at (LAVC), but want to ensure students can enter into fair working conditions. Carabjal described the turnout of this year’s May Day March, saying, “A lot of family, a lot of community, a lot of individuals that support the same causes. The idea that individuals should have the right to be free and individuals should have the right to have just labor.”

Among those fighting for fair wages and working conditions for laborers was an overwhelming amount of support for a ceasefire in Gaza. Organizations, such as The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, marched with signs in support of Palestine that read “Stop the war on workers” and “Workers demand ceasefire now.”

Groups of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC) students marched in support of Palestine. Maile McCann, a USC student, said, “We’re here bringing international solidarity into our labor organizing and, you know, celebrating the success of the labor movement right now and bringing worker power to leverage political power.”

After the initial gathering, the crowd marched to Hollywood and Highland, where a closing rally was held in front of the TCL Chinese Theater. Soto-Martinez kicked off the program, and Jornaleros del Norte Cumbia Group closed with a musical performance.

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Photo by Caylo Seals

Protesters with the Pilipino Worker Center hold up their mascot Laya, a colorful version of a Pilipino Eagle, during the May Day protest in the neighborhood of Hollywood, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Photo by Caylo Seals

Above: Protesters hold signs and dance during the May Day protest in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Photo by Taylor Parise

Photo by Taylor Parise

Local 11 drummer performing as he marched down Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 1, 2024.

A marcher with The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights waving a "Queers for Palestine" sign in support of a ceasefire in Gaza during the May Day Parade in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 1, 2024.

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A person wearing a rat costume walks next to an inflatable rat as part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (local 11) during the May Day protest in the neighborhood of Hollywood, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is a celebration of workers and laborers. Inflatable rats are used commonly by trade unions as a symbol of protest against employers or nonunion contractors.

Photo by Caylo Seals

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THE CORSAIR SPECIAL EDITION

May 22 In this special edition, we will provide in-depth reports from the front lines of the 2024 campus protests, along with personal stories from students and faculty. Our analysis delves into the impact of these protests and the discussions surrounding controversial events on campus, while photo essays capture the essence of the movement.