Category: Immigration

Protesters: Immigrants built America

'Un Día sin Inmigrantes' spurs protests in Butte County and elsewhere
by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 3, 2025

Magdalen Riestra (middle in photo) organized a same-day protest for the Day without Immigrants. Some Chico State students stayed home from work or class.

More than 100 people participated in a peaceful protest to show solidarity with immigrants today in Chico, and more hit the streets in Gridley and elsewhere in the state.

Participants marched around Chico State, danced spontaneously in City Plaza, and stood on the sidewalk next to the plaza, holding signs and shouting at passing vehicles.

Magdalen Riestra, 21, a public health student at Chico State, organized the protest.

“There’s a lot of issues surrounding immigration and immigrants coming into this country for a better life,” Riestra said. “They are being told by the media and our president that they are not wanted here and that is not fair. They built America since a long time ago, and no person is illegal on stolen land. read more

People’s March on Chico prepares to fight for change

Voting is important on everything from "dog-catcher to president"
by Yucheng Tang | Posted January 18, 2025

Hundreds of people joined the People’s March on Chico today, marching from City Plaza to the Women’s Club as many passing drivers honked in support, prompting cheers and screams from the protesters.

Lead coordinator of the People’s March Chico coalition and Women’s March Chico, Angela Silva, said the coalition formed in “response to Trump’s second election. We have welcomed in so many groups.” Silva said more than 500 people participated in the march and rally.

“On the national level, there is a massive list of groups that have come together across the nation, understanding that we’re going to need to work together to fight for our human rights, and to not abide by the injustices that may come out of this incoming administration,” Silva added. read more

Fear Paralyzes Tiny Town in California’s Tulare County

After Border Patrol raids, town of Poplar comes to a standstill
by Peter Schurmann | Posted January 18, 2025

photo by Manuel Ortiz
Mari Pérez Ruíz of Community Valley Empowerment Alliance discusses the recent raids with a community of indigenous farmworkers in Tulare County.

POPLAR, Ca. -– In the early 1970s, this unincorporated town in California’s agricultural heartland was designated by county officials as having “no authentic future.” That designation—entailing dramatic cuts to basic services remained until as recently as 2023.

Now, following a series of raids on immigrants that began on Jan. 7 in neighboring Kern County, residents here say the future does indeed look bleak.

“People are scared. They don’t want to come out. We’re all scared,” says Gregorio, a resident of Poplar for the past seven years and the owner of a local business that caters to the community’s farmworker population. (We are not using Gregorio’s last name to protect his identity.) read more

Día de los Muertos inspira un redescubrimiento cultural

Mejor comprensión de la tradición china que era parte de mi niñez
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 19, 2024

foto por Yucheng Tang
Los bailadores folklóricos celebraron en Meriam Park con coloridos actividades del Dia de los Muertos.

Read in English here.

Al entrar al lugar llamado “The Barn” donde mucha gente estaba reunida para la celebración mexicana del Día de los Muertos el 2 de noviembre, yo no anticipé que tal celebración me haría reconsiderar un festival chino – Día de la Limpieza de las Tumbas – que fue parte de mi propia niñez.

Música latina sonaba a todo volumen al fondo. Niños con caras pintadas de esqueletos bailaban y cantaban con alegría en el escenario. Al lado había una ofrenda comunitaria, adornada con fotos de seres queridos fallecidos; velas; y las flores cempasúchil las cuales se cree que guían a los espíritus en su regreso a casa. read more

Day of the Dead festivity leads to cultural rediscovery

Understanding better the Chinese tradition that was part of my childhood
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 13, 2024

photo by Yucheng Tang
Folkloric dancers recently celebrated a lively and colorful Day of the Dead at Meriam Park.

How can a day that’s about death feel like a huge party?

When I joined the crowd at The Barn at Meriam Park for a Nov. 2 celebration of Day of the Dead — a Mexican tradition called Día de los Muertos in Spanish — I didn’t expect it to lead me to reconsideration of a Chinese festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, that was part of my own childhood.

Latin music played loudly in the background. On stage, children whose faces were painted like skeletons danced and sang joyfully. Next to the stage stood a community altar, adorned with photos of deceased loved ones, candles, and marigolds — the flower that is believed to guide spirits back home. read more

Sikh community pursues change in narrative

Los sijs buscan que sus historias sean escuchadas
by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 24, 2024

photo by Yucheng Tang

Jasbir Singh Kang, co-founder of the Punjabi American Heritage Society, speaks during the Listening Session.

Lea aqui en español

YUBA CITY — Sikh communities want more visibility and want their stories heard.

Not only should the religious stories be told, but also the stories about how Sikh farmers grow peaches and walnuts, how Sikh community members import food from Mexico or export into Canada, and how they contribute to California’s economy. That’s the view of Jasbir Singh Kang, co-founder of the Punjabi American Heritage Society in Sutter County.

The “Sikh Listening Session” held in Yuba City on Oct. 23 was organized by the California Racial Equity Commission and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), and gave community members the opportunity to share their stories. read more