Our Best Defense Is an Organized One: Inside the Southeast Los Angeles Community Defense Forum
When immigrant communities in Southeast Los Angeles face escalating threats of detention and deportation, passive concern is never enough. Across our neighborhoods, heightened ICE enforcement in the weeks leading up to Election Day has underscored an urgent truth: our best defense is an organized, collective community. In response, local organizers, service providers, and neighbors are coming together to ensure no family has to face these realities alone. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a city leader, or an advocate on the front lines, your presence and voice are vital to strengthening our community safety net.
From Report Findings to Collective Action
The upcoming Community Defense Forum is designed to move beyond discussions of crisis into tangible, grassroots solutions. During the gathering, organizers will present key findings from the recently released ICE Activity in Southeast Los Angeles report, offering an unvarnished look at how federal enforcement continues to impact our neighborhoods. Central to the discussion are community-driven priorities: protecting immigrant families, investing in long-term economic stability, expanding the SELA Legal Defense Fund, and demanding rigorous transparency between local police agencies and federal immigration authorities.
Following the report presentation, attendees will break into small working groups to review recommendations, share mutual aid strategies, and establish concrete next steps. The goal is to leave the room with actionable commitments that build authentic protection and ensure our most vulnerable residents are surrounded by knowledgeable, united neighbors.
Event Details and How to Attend
Community safety belongs to all of us, and every voice contributes to a stronger defense. We warmly invite residents, elected officials, nonprofit staff, and local service providers to join us in person for an evening of shaåred purpose and solidarity.
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Ross Hall, 6662 Loveland St., Bell Gardens, CA 90201
RSVP: Space is limited; please RSVP in advance via the link in our bio to confirm your attendance.
Originally shared on @nuestralinea
