These ‘neighbors from the hood’ saw ICE terrorizing their community—and banded together to fight back

Working People

After seeing friends and neighbors in their community of Pasadena, CA, being terrorized, assaulted, and abducted by masked federal agents, Daniela Navin and Jeannette De la Riva joined together with other neighbors in their area to form Grupo Auto Defensa and fight back. From chasing ICE cars out of town with bullhorns to setting up security brigades so terrified residents can walk outside and go to the grocery store, from providing know-your-rights information to reclaiming public space, protecting each other, and rebelliously refusing to live in fear, the members of Grupo Auto Defensa are defending their community when no one else will. In this crossover episode of Working People, recorded with Professor David Palumbo-Liu and the Speaking Out of Place podcast, TRNN editor-in-chief Maximillian Alvarez joins Daniela Navin and Jeannette De la Riva to discuss the origins of Grupo Auto Defensa and the power of grassroots resistance in the face of the Trump administration’s authoritarian assault on immigrant communities and the rule of law.

Guests:

• Daniela Navin is a resident of Pasadena, CA, and a founding member of Grupo Auto Defensa.
• Jeannette De la Riva is a lifelong resident of Pasadena, CA, and a founding member of Grupo Auto Defensa.

Additional links/info:

• Grupo Auto Defensa Instagram
• Speaking Out of Place website and Instagram
• The Real News Network, “‘ICE out of Dena!’: CA community FIGHTS BACK against ICE terror”
• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “He’s worked in the US for 30 years—then masked ICE agents beat and kidnapped him in broad daylight”

Featured Music:

• Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song

Credits:

• Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor