Tag / News

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: A Crisis of Leadership of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Complicity of The Santa Ana Police Department and The ICE Impersonators (Bounty Hunters).

Santa Ana Police Department

The streets of Santa Ana have become a battleground for basic human rights, where residents live in fear—not from criminals, but from armed bounty hunters operating with alarming impunity. The silence from Mayor Valerie Amezcua and the complicity of the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) in allowing these violent kidnappings to occur is not just troubling—it is unacceptable.

On Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, multiple reports emerged of brazen kidnappings carried out by bounty hunters on Main St., Warner Ave., and Edinger Ave. Witnesses described scenes that would be more fitting for a war zone than a U.S. city: armed individuals grabbing people off the street, pointing assault rifles—including AK-47-style weapons—at terrified civilians, and disappearing with their victims while law enforcement stood by and did nothing.

Let that sink in: the police did not respond. In broad daylight, in front of SAPD officers, bounty hunters—private actors with no legal authority—committed acts of kidnapping and intimidation. This is not justice. This is not safety. This is an abdication of duty by those sworn to protect the public.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua has offered no public statement, no press conference, no acknowledgment of this escalating crisis. Where is her voice? Where is her leadership? If the mayor cannot—or will not—stand up for the safety and dignity of Santa Ana’s residents, she has no business leading this city.

Bounty hunters are not law enforcement. They do not operate under the same oversight, training, or accountability standards. Yet here in Santa Ana, they act as if they wear badges—threatening, detaining, and even kidnapping individuals without consequence. And the SAPD, rather than intervening to stop these crimes, appears to be shielding them.

This raises serious questions: What kind of relationship exists between the SAPD and these bounty hunters? Are we witnessing collusion? Is there an informal agreement allowing rogue actors to enforce their own brand of “justice” while real justice is ignored?

Santa Ana residents deserve better. They deserve a mayor who protects them, not puts them at risk. They deserve a police department that serves and protects—not enables violence and disappearances.

If Mayor Amezcua continues to remain silent while bounty hunters terrorize our neighborhoods, then yes—she should be recalled. Her inaction is not neutral; it is dangerous. It sends a message that some lives don’t matter, that violence is tolerable, and that accountability is optional.

And to the SAPD: your oath was to protect the people. When you stood by and allowed armed men to kidnap citizens in the street, you broke that oath.

We call on Mayor Amezcua to immediately address the public, issue a clear stance against these unlawful kidnappings, and demand transparency from the SAPD. We call for an independent investigation into the events of July 1st and the broader pattern of bounty hunters activity in our city.

Enough is enough. Santa Ana residents should not live in fear of being kidnapped by armed strangers while our leaders look the other way. If we do not hold our officials accountable now, we risk losing what little trust remains in our institutions—and putting lives at even greater risk.

It’s time for action. It’s time for justice. It’s time to protect Santa Ana.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: A Call for Accountability — Why Hasn’t Mayor Valerie Amezcua Taken Action Against Unverified “Federal Agents” Operating in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana Police Department
Failing to Protect The Residents of Santa Ana.

The people of Santa Ana deserve transparency, protection, and due process under the law. Yet, disturbing reports continue to surface regarding unidentified individuals—often masked and claiming to be federal agents—who are allegedly involved in unlawful detentions and even kidnappings in public view. These actions, reportedly occurring in the presence of Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers who fail to intervene or verify the identities of these individuals, raise urgent questions about both legal responsibility and public safety.

Under California’s Penal Code 832, peace officers are required to act with due diligence in the performance of their duties. When SAPD officers witness what appears to be illegal acts—including kidnapping—and do not intervene or attempt to identify those responsible, they may indeed be complicit under the law. By failing to verify credentials, request identification, or at least investigate such incidents, SAPD officers risk becoming accessories to crimes committed in their presence.

Furthermore, every sworn law enforcement officer has taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect citizens from unlawful government intrusion. When officers stand by as individuals—whether legitimate federal agents or not—engage in warrantless detentions or abductions, they are violating the very principles they swore to defend.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua, as the head of the city’s executive branch and a representative of the people, must address this alarming situation immediately. The City Council and local oversight bodies also have a duty to ensure that SAPD is fulfilling its mandate to serve and protect all residents of Santa Ana—not turning a blind eye to potential criminal activity, no matter the alleged affiliation of the perpetrators.

We call on Mayor Amezcua and SAPD leadership to:

  1. Issue clear directives for officers to verify the identity and agency affiliation of any individual claiming to be a federal agent before allowing them to conduct operations within the city.
  2. Investigate all reported incidents involving unverified individuals engaging in detentions or arrests.
  3. Provide transparency to the public regarding any coordination or communication with federal agencies operating locally.
  4. Hold accountable any officers who fail to perform their sworn duty to protect citizens from unlawful harm or coercion.

The Constitution does not permit selective enforcement of the law. If our local law enforcement will not uphold it—especially when others abuse their perceived authority—they become part of the problem rather than the solution.

Santa Ana deserves better. Our community deserves safety, clarity, and justice—not silence or complicity.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Orange County Law Enforcement Must Verify the Identities of Alleged Federal Agents

SAPD
Photo By: The Orange County Reporter / SAPD – A Local Law Enforcement Agency in Orange County who has assisted in arrests with the Alleged Federal Law Enforcement ICE

Disturbing accounts and video evidence have surfaced in recent months indicating that purported federal officials have been carrying out arrests and detentions in Orange County—and even Los Angeles County—without any obvious identification, credentials, or verifiable authority. These occurrences, which frequently involve unmarked cars, plainclothes persons, and ambiguous assertions of federal affiliation, give cause for significant worry about public safety, civil rights, and the rule of law.

Before assisting or cooperating with anyone who claims to be a federal agent in any arrest or detention, it’s time for Orange County’s local law enforcement agencies to take quick action by confirming the identities and qualifications of those people. Not doing so not only endangers the populace but might also implicate local police in unlawful activities, such as kidnapping, which is a crime under California Penal Code.

Source: Facebook/ Union Del Barrio. LAPD Caught protecting Alleged Federal Agents Kidnapping an individual in Downtown L.A. that have not been verified if they are Actually Law Enforcement Agents.

 The Issue

Unidentified people are now seen in several videos circulating online, occasionally accompanied by local police, detaining or arresting people without clearly identifying their agency, showing badges, or outlining the legal justification for the arrest. The fact that these people sometimes seem to act without transparency or accountability raises the alarming possibility that they are not actual federal agents but rather bounty hunters, private security officers, or, worse, imposters taking advantage of the public’s confidence in law enforcement.

In Santa Ana, for example, local police were seen aiding in an arrest made by suspected federal agents whose identities have not been established. In Los Angeles County, a startling video showed LAPD officers standing by and defending alleged Federal Agents who forcefully abducted someone from the street. This action may be considered kidnapping under California law if carried out without legal authorization.

What the law says

Kidnapping is defined in California law, particularly in Penal Code § 207, as transporting someone against their will, by force or fear, and without any legal cause. Unless “federal agents” are acting within the confines of legal authority, the law makes no provision for them. A person may be unlawfully deprived of their freedom if they are detained or arrested by someone who claims to have federal status but has no verified credentials, and anybody who helps in such an arrest may face criminal charges.

In particular, local police officers who have been certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) are trained to protect constitutional rights and enforce state laws. This includes making sure that every arrest is legal and made by someone with the authority to do so. Officers violate both their training and their sworn duty when they fail to confirm the validity of those making arrests, particularly when federal affiliation is asserted.

 Where Are Our Local Leaders?

The silence of district attorneys, city council members, and Orange County supervisors is deafening. These authorities are in charge of supervising law enforcement procedures and guaranteeing the safety of citizens’ civil rights. However, local agencies have not been given any explicit instruction from the government requiring them to confirm the identities of federal officers.

We ask that the heads of the county and the city come out and give unambiguous directives to every law enforcement agency in the area:

1. Verify Credentials: Before aiding in an arrest or detention, an officer must ascertain the identity, agency connection, and official status of anybody claiming to be a federal agent.

2. Demand Transparency: Officers must demand that any federal officer involved in an arrest produce legitimate identification, justify the basis for the arrest, and produce evidence of authority.

3. Report Suspicious Activity: Any suspected impersonation of a federal agent should be reported right away to the appropriate oversight organizations, such as the California Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.

4. Educate officers accordingly: Local departments must revise procedures and train officers on how to deal with encounters with unidentified federal officers, stressing the significance of adhering to state law and protecting citizens from illegal imprisonment.

Demanding Accountability

It establishes a hazardous precedent for local law enforcement to continue to stand by while unverified agents take people into custody. We cannot let our streets turn into a Wild West where anybody may assert federal power and pull people away with impunity.

This is not about defying federal law enforcement; it’s about making sure that those who assert such authority are real, responsible, and abiding by the law. Residents deserve more than misunderstanding, terror, and the risk of being held unlawfully. They deserve transparency, due process, and the assurance that their local police are protecting them — not enabling would-be criminals who are hiding behind badges they don’t possess.

Orange County needs to set an example for the rest of the state. Law enforcement should no longer aid in arrests made by unverified individuals. And our elected officials must take action right away to safeguard the rights and security of every resident.

Enough is enough.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Justice or Injustice? The Santa Ana Police Brutality Incident Raises Serious Concerns

Santa Ana Police Department Agents
Photo by: The Orange County Reporter, Santa Ana Police Department in Controversy for Police Brutality Once Again.

In a scene that has now gone viral, the streets of Santa Ana turned into a battleground between law enforcement and concerned citizens — and the troubling footage raises serious questions about police conduct, accountability, and the misuse of power.

What began as an encounter with a visibly intoxicated man quickly escalated into chaos when Santa Ana police agents were captured on video using excessive force against the individual. The footage shows one agent pushing a woman to the ground and the same police agent is seeing again repeatedly striking the male victim with a baton. Witnesses, including several bystanders who attempted to de-escalate the situation or defend the vulnerable, were met with arrests rather than appreciation.

Video by: Bystander. Shows Santa Ana Police Department Agents Clearly Misuse Of Power Assaulting a Man on the Ground and Bystanders being assaulted trying to prevent the Assault on the Man.

The most disturbing aspect of this case is the reversal of roles being played by authorities. Instead of investigating potential misconduct by their own agents, the Santa Ana Police Department appears to be doubling down, backing claims that the officers were “assaulted” by civilians. And shockingly, District Attorney Spitzer has charged those who tried to intervene — the so-called “good Samaritans” — with crimes, while the agents involved remain on active duty without public disciplinary action.

This sends a dangerous message: that protecting the public from police abuse may itself be criminalized. Where is the justice for the man beaten on the pavement? Where is the protection for the woman shoved to the ground? And where is the outrage over the apparent shielding of law enforcement at the expense of truth and fairness?

Communities deserve to feel safe — not just from crime, but from the very people sworn to protect them. When police brutality occurs and the response is to silence witnesses and criminalize concern, it erodes trust in every level of the justice system.

We call on local officials, civil rights organizations, and the community at large to demand a full and transparent investigation into this incident. The agents involved must be held accountable if the evidence supports it, and the charges against the bystanders should be dropped unless there is clear proof of wrongdoing beyond intervening in what appeared to be a violent and unprovoked attack.

This is not about choosing sides — it’s about upholding justice. If we allow police violence to be justified under the guise of authority, then no one is safe. It’s time for real reform, real oversight, and real consequences.

Enough is enough. The badge should never be a shield for brutality.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: El silencio de la alcaldesa de Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua, ante el peligro — ¿Dónde está el liderazgo en Santa Ana?

El hombre no identificado afirma ser agente de ICE, pero no tiene una placa identificable. Apunta con un arma a personas desarmadas que grababan el arresto de un inmigrante en Santa Ana, California.

Ha surgido un video inquietante que muestra a hombres armados no identificados, que dicen ser agentes de ICE, apuntando con un arma a una persona que documentaba sus acciones durante lo que parecía ser un arresto migratorio en Santa Ana. Esto no es solo una violación de las libertades civiles, sino una peligrosa escalada que pone vidas en riesgo y erosiona la confianza pública en las fuerzas del orden.

Santa Ana California, ¿Dónde está el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana?

Las imágenes plantean preguntas urgentes: ¿Quiénes son estos individuos? ¿Por qué se les permitió operar sin una identificación clara ni supervisión? Y, quizás lo más importante, ¿dónde estaban las autoridades locales?

En una ciudad donde la seguridad y los derechos de todos los residentes deben ser primordiales, la ausencia de una respuesta rápida y contundente por parte de los líderes locales es alarmante. La alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua y otros funcionarios municipales han guardado silencio en gran medida tras este incidente, a pesar de las graves implicaciones para la seguridad y la rendición de cuentas de la comunidad. El Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana, que desde hace tiempo se ha posicionado como un defensor de la confianza pública, debe responder por qué ningún agente intervino o siquiera respondió a lo que podría haber sido un enfrentamiento mortal.

La individual grabando video podría haber sido asesinada, ¿por qué Amezcua no se involucra en esta descarada demostración de poder que pone en riesgo a los residentes de Santa Ana?

Cuando individuos armados, ya sean agentes federales o no, operan en nuestros barrios con poca transparencia o supervisión, el potencial de violencia aumenta exponencialmente. Esto es especialmente cierto cuando estos individuos parecen actuar con impunidad, intimidando a civiles que simplemente intentan observar y documentar actividades legales (o ilegales). Esto no solo es imprudente, sino que constituye una amenaza para la democracia.

Si bien el ICE tiene el mandato de hacer cumplir las leyes federales de inmigración, dicha autoridad debe ejercerse dentro de los límites legales y éticos. No hay justificación para blandir un arma de fuego contra alguien que ejerce su derecho a grabar a funcionarios públicos en espacios públicos. Si efectivamente se trataba de agentes del ICE, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional debe iniciar una investigación inmediata. De no ser así, ¿quiénes eran exactamente? ¿Y cómo operaban tan abiertamente en una importante ciudad estadounidense?

¿Milicia en Santa Ana California, afirmando ser ICE?

Los políticos locales como el alcalde Amezcua no pueden permitirse el silencio. Sus electores merecen más que clichés: merecen protección. Los líderes deben exigir claridad a las agencias federales, garantizar la coordinación entre las fuerzas del orden locales y federales y, sobre todo, reafirmar su compromiso con la seguridad de todos los residentes, independientemente de su estatus migratorio.

No se trata de partidismo. Se trata de la dignidad humana fundamental y la seguridad pública. Alguien pudo haber muerto ese día. El hecho de que no lo hayan hecho no es motivo de alivio; es una advertencia. No podemos permitir que nuestras calles se conviertan en campos de batalla donde figuras armadas no identificadas ejerzan un poder sin control.

Santa Ana se enorgullece de ser una comunidad diversa, vibrante e inclusiva. Esa identidad no significa nada si no nos movilizamos para proteger a los más vulnerables. Nuestros líderes deben alzar la voz, actuar y exigir responsabilidades a los responsables, antes de que ocurra una tragedia.

Basta de silencio. Basta de excusas. Es hora de un verdadero liderazgo.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua’s Silence in the Face of Danger — Where Is the Leadership in Santa Ana?

The unidentified man claims to be ICE but no Identifiable ICE Badge. Posting a weapon at unarmed individuals recording an immigrant arrest in Santa Ana California.

A disturbing video has surfaced showing unidentified armed men, claiming to be ICE agents, pointing a gun at a person who was documenting their actions during what appeared to be an immigration arrest in Santa Ana. This is not just a violation of civil liberties—it is a dangerous escalation that puts lives at risk and erodes public trust in law enforcement.

Santa Ana California, Where’s Santa Ana Police Department?

The footage raises urgent questions: Who are these individuals? Why were they allowed to operate without clear identification or oversight? And perhaps most importantly—where were the local authorities?

In a city where the safety and rights of all residents should be paramount, the absence of a swift and forceful response from local leadership is alarming. Mayor Valerie Amezcua and other city officials have remained largely silent in the wake of this incident, despite the serious implications for community safety and accountability. The Santa Ana Police Department, which has long positioned itself as a guardian of public trust, must answer why no officers intervened or even responded to what could have been a deadly confrontation.

The individual recording could have been killed, why isn’t Amezcua Getting Involved in This Blatant Show of Power putting Santa Ana Residents at Risk?

When armed individuals—whether federal agents or otherwise—operate in our neighborhoods with little transparency or oversight, the potential for violence increases exponentially. This is especially true when those individuals appear to act with impunity, intimidating civilians who are simply trying to observe and document lawful (or unlawful) activity. It is not only reckless; it is a threat to democracy.

While ICE does have a mandate to enforce federal immigration laws, that authority must be exercised within legal and ethical boundaries. There is no justification for brandishing a firearm at someone exercising their right to record public officials in public spaces. If these were indeed ICE agents, then the Department of Homeland Security must launch an immediate investigation. If they were not—who exactly were they? And how did they operate so openly in a major American city?

Militia in Santa Ana California, Claiming to be ICE?

Local politicians like Mayor Amezcua cannot afford to stay silent. Their constituents deserve more than platitudes—they deserve protection. Leaders must demand clarity from federal agencies, ensure coordination between local and federal law enforcement, and above all, reaffirm their commitment to the safety of every resident, regardless of immigration status.

This is not about partisanship. This is about basic human dignity and public safety. Someone could have been killed that day. The fact that they weren’t is not a reason to breathe a sigh of relief—it’s a warning shot across the bow. We cannot allow our streets to become battlegrounds where unidentified armed figures wield unchecked power.

Santa Ana prides itself on being a diverse, vibrant, and inclusive community. That identity means nothing if we do not stand up to protect the most vulnerable among us. Our leaders must speak out, take action, and hold those responsible accountable—before tragedy strikes.

Enough silence. Enough excuses. It’s time for real leadership.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: A Cry for Empathy in Santa Ana — Not Control

Protester that lost family in the Military.

Last night, if you caught my Facebook Live broadcast, you witnessed a moment that cut deep into the soul of our community. I found myself stepping into a couple of tense altercations during what was otherwise a peaceful demonstration of solidarity in Downtown Santa Ana.

The first involved a young Latino man, overwhelmed with pain. Another demonstrator tried to de-escalate the situation, but emotions were high, and instead of cooling down, things flared up—especially between the young man, law enforcement, and military personnel on site. I had to step in. What could have turned violent needed a voice of calm. I did my best to be that voice.

Lone Demonstration of Solidarity

This young man—hurting, frustrated, and grieving—had family in the military. The pain he carried exploded into words directed at law enforcement. Again, I stepped in to calm him. But minutes later, after walking away, he returned, now face-to-face with an OCSD deputy. This time, his grief turned to desperation. He pleaded with the officer to shoot him. Said he wanted to die like his brother, who lost his life in service.

He stood just inches from the deputy, who had assumed an aggressive posture. I intervened once again, shielding this broken soul from what could have become another tragic incident on our streets.

Solidarity

Which raises the question: What is it with law enforcement and the lack of empathy? Have badges and state protection numbed their humanity? When did they stop hearing pain and start seeing only threats?

I have family in the military—my brother, my cousins. I understand duty. But duty, whether in uniform or behind a badge, is first and foremost to the Constitution, not to a delusional narcissist like Donald Trump. The U.S. Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the Oath of Enlistment make this clear: uphold the Constitution, not the man who happens to sit in the Oval Office.

Orange County Sheriff Department taking an Aggressive Stance on Peaceful Protest.

The same should be expected of our local police. Their oath is not to power—it’s to principle. Yet increasingly, we’re seeing the military and law enforcement used not as protectors of the people, but as enforcers of a nationalist, fascist agenda driven by fear and division.

We are not the enemy. That young man was not the enemy. He was a citizen in pain. And what he needed was compassion—not confrontation.

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Santa Ana Police Shot Rubber Bullets at Peaceful Protestors This is Violence Approved by the State.

Law Enforcement Line Of Defense

What reason would the Santa Ana Police Department use rubber bullets to shoot protesters who were only yelling words—albeit angry ones? Let’s not sugarcoat what happened. In Santa Ana, protesters were exercising their constitutional rights. Shouting their anger and displeasure at law enforcement—an activity safeguarded by the First Amendment—they were. And in reaction, the police did not respond with conversation or restraint, but with weapons.

Rubber bullets are not harmless. They are not a “safe” option. They result in very serious bodily harm. They disfigure. They cause blindness. They even cause Death. People have suffered from fractured bones, internal hemorrhage, and lasting impairments as a result of these so-called “less lethal” weapons. Santa Ana Police Department Agents are committing violence under the color of law, when law enforcement uses them against crowds just for yelling.

Protestor with Hands Up and no weapon, Santa Ana Police Department Agents pointing the rubber bullet weapon at the unarmed individual and ready to shoot.

This is against the law. This isn’t public safety; it’s putting the public at risk.

Police provoke disorder when they turn a peaceful protest into a violent clash, which undermines the right to assemble. They bring about the very unrest they claim to be averting. Additionally, the lack of accountability for these acts sends a clear warning to the public that disagreement will be punished.

A least 3 Santa Ana Police Department Agents on top of the individual on the ground that was not resisting arrest.

The Santa Ana Police Department needs to be held accountable. These incidents are not isolated; rather, they are part of a larger trend of repression and intimidation intended to silence voices critical of law enforcement, particularly in marginalized communities.

Peaceful Demonstrator who was arrested.

We must insist on thorough investigations, legal accountability, and systemic change. Santa Ana’s streets should never be a battleground. The right to protest should be protected, not singled out.

The public has a say. And it won’t be silenced by a rubber bullet.

Message to Law Enforcement
by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Las fuerzas del orden atacan a los periodistas del sur de California.

Guardias Nacionales de California en alerta en las calles de Santa Ana, California. Foto: The Orange County Reporter

En los condados de Orange y Los Ángeles, las fuerzas del orden parecen haber pasado de los manifestantes a quienes informan la verdad, en lo que solo puede considerarse una grave crisis para la democracia. Según informes, las agencias policiales locales han recurrido a la violencia, arrestos ilegales y amenazas públicas contra reporteros, fotógrafos y periodistas que cubren redadas de ICE y protestas civiles.

Esto está respaldado por testimonios de testigos presenciales, relatos de testigos presenciales y videos, no por hipótesis. Se han disparado balas de goma contra periodistas, se les ha encarcelado sin motivo y se les ha prohibido explícitamente cubrir irregularidades policiales. Este comportamiento no solo es ilegal, sino también totalitario, y por lo tanto destruye la base de la libertad mediática de toda democracia funcional.

Manifestación pacífica frente al Palacio de Justicia Federal en Santa Ana, California. Foto: The Orange County Reporter.

El reciente despliegue de la Guardia Nacional y la Infantería de Marina de los EE. UU. en el sur de California aumenta el peligro. A diferencia de la policía local, la Infantería de Marina no está entrenada en seguridad comunitaria ni en disturbios civiles. Está entrenada para enfrentarse y eliminar a los oponentes en zonas de combate utilizando munición real. Esto no es control de multitudes, sino una táctica de escalada.

Entrar en ciudades ya sumidas en la agitación, las protestas y la inestabilidad política con soldados listos para el combate no es una demostración de poderío, sino una declaración de guerra contra la población, los derechos civiles y la libertad de prensa. Ofrece un ejemplo esclarecedor de las consecuencias de la excesiva intromisión del gobierno.

La Primera Enmienda protege la libertad de prensa como un escudo contra la tiranía, no como un favor. El público se ciega cuando se silencia a la prensa. Vivimos en una civilización regulada, no democrática, donde quienes dicen la verdad son vistos como oponentes.

Vincent Sarmiento, de la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Orange, y Benjamín Vázquez, alcalde interino de Santa Ana. Foto: The Orange County Reporter.

Exigimos que todos los funcionarios electos, las organizaciones de derechos civiles y los defensores legales actúen de inmediato para investigar estas violaciones. Protejan a los periodistas. Antes de que la violencia se intensifique, desmilitaricen nuestra sociedad ante todo.

Todo el mundo observa. ¿Se convertirá el sur de California en un santuario de libertad o caerá bajo la opresión?

by The Orange County Reporter

Editorial: Law Enforcement Targets Southern California Reporters

California National Guards on Standby in The Streets of Santa Ana CA. Photo by: The Orange County Reporter

In Orange and Los Angeles counties, law enforcement appears to have switched from protestors to the very people who report the truth in what can only be considered as a developing and serious crisis for democracy. Local police agencies have resorted to violence, unlawful arrests, and public threats against reporters, photographers, and media personnel covering ICE raids and civil protests, according to reports.

This is backed by eyewitness testimonies, ground level eyewitness accounts, and video—not hypothesis. Rubber bullets have been pointed and fired at journalists, imprisoned without cause, and explicitly told not to cover police wrongdoing. Such behavior is not only illegal but also totalitarian, hence destroying the free media foundation of every functioning democracy.

Peaceful Demonstration outside of The Federal Courthouse in Santa Ana CA. Photo by: The Orange County Reporter.

The recent deployment of National Guard and US Marines to Southern California increases the danger. Unlike local police, marines are not trained in community security or civil unrest. They are trained how to engage and eliminate opponents in fighting zones using actual ammo. This is not crowd control, but an escalation tactic.

Entering cities already embroiled in turmoil, protests, and political unrest with battle-ready soldiers is not a display of might but rather a declaration of war against the populace, civil rights, and the free press. It offers a sobering illustration of the results of too much government meddling.

The First Amendment safeguards freedom of the press as a shield against tyranny, not as a kindness. The public becomes blind when the press is silenced. We live in a regulated civilization, not a democratic one, where those who speak the truth are viewed as opponents.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Vincent Sarmiento and Santa Ana Mayor Pro-Term Benjamin Vazquez. Photo by: The Orange County Reporter.

We demand that all elected officials, civil rights organizations, and legal protectors act right now to look into these violations. Protect journalists. Before the violence intensifies, demilitarize our society above all else.

The whole globe is watching. Will Southern California become a sanctuary of liberty or fall under oppression?