"Immigration crackdown met with protest: Educators, retirees, and new activists voice their opposition to immigration raids, with the sentiment that inaction equals aggression"
In the heart of Pasadena, California, recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at Home Depot locations have sparked a wave of community response. The raids, which have affected the local immigrant and day laborer communities, have led to the establishment of community defense centers and grassroots activism in the area.
One such defense center, the Community Defense Corner, was set up a month ago at the East Pasadena Home Depot by Dayena Campbell, a local volunteer motivated by concerns about "inhumane, illegal kidnappings", lack of due process, and actions taken without accountability. The center sees around half a dozen to a dozen volunteers daily, who patrol, distribute literature, monitor for federal agents, and support day laborers.
The grassroots effort, led in part by Pasadena school librarian Sharon Nicholls and involving the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, engages local residents to protect vulnerable people from ICE enforcement on Home Depot premises and surrounding areas. The movement argues that corporations such as Home Depot bear moral complicity if they do not oppose these raids and surveillance activities occurring on their property.
Protests have been a regular sight, with rallies of 30-40 participants, including teachers, retirees, and first-time activists. They demand that Home Depot cease allowing its premises to be used for immigration enforcement. The impact of the raids has also provoked widespread community vigilance and mutual aid, such as providing food and information to day laborers, as well as organizing public demonstrations that include marches into the store.
Critics argue that ICE operations may be violating court orders, as seen in the double raid at the East Pasadena Home Depot in early August 2025. This has led to condemnation of ICE raids near community defense centers, such as the one that occurred near the CARECEN Day Labor Center in Los Angeles on August 6, which was seen as targeting day laborers directly in front of their community hubs, exacerbating community tensions and concern.
Among the protesters was Cynthia Lunine, a 70-year-old carrying a sign with a sinister image of President Trump and the text "Break His Dark Spell". Retired teacher Dan Murphy also regularly checks in with day laborers, speaking Spanish to offer support. Nicholls, an activist who has returned to activism due to recent events, leads the weekly rally that includes a march through the parking lot and into the store, where protesters present a letter to Home Depot management.
The East Pasadena Home Depot serves as a supply center for the rebuilding of Altadena. Despite the fear and desperation for work among some day laborers, several expressed appreciation for the support they receive from the community. Jorge, a day laborer just shy of 70, even asked Steve Lopez, a columnist on the website since 2001 and four-time Pulitzer finalist, to call him for any work.
The gathering outside the Home Depot was organized by the East Pasadena Community Defense Center. Retired teacher Mary Rose O'Leary joined the chants of "ICE out of Home Depot" and "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here". As the community continues to stand together, these actions exemplify a localized form of resistance aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations and holding both federal agencies and private corporations accountable.
[1] Source: Los Angeles Times [2] Source: KPCC [3] Source: La Opinión [4] Source: KTLA [5] Source: Pasadena Star-News
- The Community Defense Corner was established in East Pasadena, California, by Dayena Campbell in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at Home Depot locations, specifically concerned about inhumane practices, lack of due process, and actions taken without accountability.
- The grassroots movement in Pasadena, led by Sharon Nicholls and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, aims to protect vulnerable people from ICE enforcement on Home Depot premises and surrounding areas, arguing corporations like Home Depot have moral complicity if they do not oppose these raids.
- Protests have become regular occurrences, with various community members, such as teachers and retirees, demanding that Home Depta cease allowing its premises to be used for immigration enforcement, citing potential violations of court orders and targeting of day laborers near community defense centers.
- The ongoing community defense actions, as reported by various news sources including Los Angeles Times, KPCC, La Opinión, KTLA, and Pasadena Star-News, represent a localized form of resistance aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations and holding both federal agencies and private corporations accountable.
