Category: Community

North State shows up for No Kings 2

Two events draw thousands of people, stretching the day of protest to East Avenue
by Leslie Layton | Posted October 19, 2025
Chico State students Lauren Hughes (left) and Camryn Kennedy made t-shirts for the No Kings 2 protest. Photo by Leslie Layton at Veterans Memorial Park.

Thousands of people showed up for two protest events in Chico Oct. 18, joining in a national No Kings 2 movement that swept the nation.

The Saturday morning march, organized by the Defenders of Democracy Coalition, drew more than 5,000 demonstrators, possibly making it the largest march in Chico history, organizers said.

An afternoon event, the No Kings Festival at Veterans Memorial Park organized by Indivisible Chico, stretched the day of joyful protest north toward the city’s suburbs. Some participants had also attended the morning march, but others had not.

An Indivisible Chico volunteer said more than 1,250 people attended the festival, which included a streetside protest on East Avenue. read more

Local groups plan for upcoming No Kings events

In nationwide day of protest, demonstrators will oppose Trump actions
by Natalie Hanson and Leslie Layton | Posted October 15, 2025

Butte County groups are planning a day of peaceful protesting Oct. 18 on what will be the second national No Kings day. Protests are planned across the country to oppose assaults on free speech, civil rights and democratic norms in general.

A No Kings march will begin at 10 a.m. in downtown Chico, organized by the Defenders of Democracy Coalition. Those interested in marching should meet at the Our Hands sculpture at 160 East Fourth St. The march will also end at this location at 11:30 a.m. 

 A noon festival with community activities and a vigil at Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Wildwood Park) will follow. That event is organized by Indivisible Chico, and Chico State’s Gender & Sexuality Equity Coalition (GSEC) will participate. read more

Professor Briggs: A shield for the vulnerable

Changemaker: Briggs sees her roles online and in the classroom as different
by Lexi Lynn | Posted October 10, 2025
Professor Briggs. Photo by Leslie Layton.

This story by contributor Lexi Lynn is part of ChicoSol’s Changemaker series.

As Chico State students slowly trickle into Lindsay Briggs’ classroom, a Whitney Houston song plays on the overhead speaker, filling the room with the bubbly lyrics of an ’80s hit. A few students first make their way to the front of the classroom to snag a colorful mask from the front table, free to whomever feels inclined to take one. 

A colorful slideshow is pulled up on dual projector screens, the initial slide filled with attention-grabbing graphics and memes. Students pull out their computers as Briggs fades out the ’80s music ambiance and begins the day’s lecture on mental health disorders.  read more

Tiny homes win on a split Council vote

NSST wants four tiny homes for pilot project
by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 8, 2025
Mason speaks at the City Council meeting. Screenshot photo by Yucheng Tang.

The disagreement around tiny homes for the unhoused, at the end of the Oct. 8 City Council meeting, centered on whether to limit the number that will be allowed on a church parking lot. 

There were two motions on the table when one of the two passed 4-3 — supporting a pilot program for tiny homes on a church parking lot that can house women. The motion directs City staff to move forward with the plan that was presented earlier by the North State Shelter Team (NSST). Most importantly, compared to the other motion, this motion doesn’t limit the number of houses that will be provided. 

Before the motion passed, there were tense moments with a 3–3 split on the Council. Three conservative councilmembers — Tom van Overbeek, Mike O’Brien and Dale Bennett — voted against the motion, and the three progressive councilmembers — Addison Winslow, Bryce Goldstein, and Katie Hawley — voted in favor.  read more

Butte County Mental Health Diversion court brightens futures; challenges remain

Mental health diversion underused, some attorneys say
by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 5, 2025
Mental Health Diversion court takes place at Butte County Superior Court monthly. (ChicoSol was unable to get permission to take photos of the proceedings.) Image by AI.

ChicoSol reporter Yucheng Tang attended sessions of Mental Health Diversion court on Aug. 5 and Sept. 2 to learn more about how the program is working in Butte County. Only first names of defendants — who sometimes have charges dismissed — are used in this story.

Michael, then a defendant in a Butte County Superior Court vandalism case, was standing at what a judge called the “finish line.”

“How do you feel?” Judge Jesus Rodriguez asked him.

“My life’s changed in three years,” Michael said, adding that he has learned more about trauma, self-reflection, psychology and empathy.

“Your case has been dismissed. Congratulations,” the judge said, as applause filled the courtroom on a morning in early August. read more

Domestic violence survivors face new barriers

Immigrants suffering partner abuse afraid to go to court
by Natalie Hanson | Posted September 26, 2025
Attorney Weibel: People like Padilla may fear seeking help. Photo courtesy of ACoM.

For abuse survivors like Juana Padilla, nonprofit organizations can be a lifeline amid heightened threats of federal enforcement actions which sometimes lead to deportation.

Padilla, a woman who suffered domestic abuse in Southern California, told a recent American Community Media (ACoM) panel that the Survivor Justice Center in Los Angeles helped her get protection for herself and her Mexican-born children. The children are now here legally and getting the treatment they needed, she said.

“I was afraid to even say that I was abused,” Padilla said. “Especially when your husband is ex-military and they put in your head that you have nobody. I would call the police and they would come to my house and see his uniform …. and say everything is fine, and leave.” read more