𝗩𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬: Santa Monica Mayor, Community Gather in Peaceful Tribute for Immigrant Rights and Solidarity

SANTA MONICA, CA — Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Dozens gathered at the St. Monica statue in Palisades Park for a solemn gathering officially titled “Vigil for Humanity.” Organized by the Mexican-American Policy and Political Alliance (MAPPA), the event responded to rising concerns over aggressive immigration enforcement, racial profiling, and growing fear within immigrant and marginalized communities. Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete participated in the vigil and shared deeply personal reflections rooted in her family’s immigrant past. “America is immigration,” she told the crowd. “It’s immigrants. It’s folks who have come here from everywhere to build this rich culture we have,” cautioning against the erosion of dignity and due process under current policies. Former Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, a prominent organizer, described the event as a collective act of prayer and peaceful protest. He criticized the use of “masked men with unmarked cars” to detain people in public spaces, decrying it as “racial profiling at its worst,” and a direct assault on families. State Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez, Santa Monica’s first Latino mayor, also addressed the crowd, urging California’s leaders to consider economic leverage—suggesting withholding federal funds in response to aggressive raids. “If we don’t flex our muscle, what good is it?” he warned. A powerful land acknowledgment and blessing were led by Lisette, a Maya-Nawat speaker, honoring the Tongva, Chumash, and other indigenous nations whose unceded lands were the site of the vigil. Healings and calls to unity continued with interfaith leader Reverend Kathleen Benjamin, who invited attendees to “be the hands of humanity” in solidarity with those suffering. The vigil included a poignant moment when a homeless attendee voiced frustration over public neglect. Rather than dismiss him, participants granted space, responded with compassion, and offered direct assistance—reinforcing the vigil's message of universal dignity. Artist Daniel Alonzo and activist Maria Loya recounted stories of ancestral struggle and resilience, urging healing through communal grief and positive intent. The evening concluded with a prayer circle beneath Saint Monica’s gaze as the crowd clasped hands in a show of unity. MAPPA and community leaders reiterated that this gathering marked only the beginning. Oscar de la Torre announced plans for a countywide general strike and boycott, calling for continued civic action through prayer, protest, and political engagement. “We must respond with unity, compassion, and strength,” he affirmed

𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗪𝗡: Strongman Martins Licis Pulls 34,680-Pound Electric Bus at Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica, CA — June 26, 2025 — Crowds gathered at the Santa Monica Pier Thursday morning to witness an extraordinary feat of strength as 2019 World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis pulled a 34,680-pound battery electric Big Blue Bus—with a driver onboard—across 30 feet of pavement in the beach parking lot.

The event served as the official kickoff to the upcoming Pier 360 Beach Festival, a two-day celebration of Southern California beach culture set to take place June 28–29. With Santa Monica’s newly branded fleet of zero-emission buses in the spotlight, the pull combined physical might with a message of sustainability.

City leaders including Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete, Santa Monica Pier Historian Jim Harris, and Transportation Director Anuj Gupta delivered remarks before the dramatic pull, adding civic pride to the high-energy spectacle. The event also featured appearances from Romark Weis, coach and co-organizer of the Santa Monica Strongman Classic.

The Big Blue Bus pull was part of a broader morning program featuring music, refreshments, and photo opportunities with the new battery-electric fleet.

This weekend’s Pier 360 Beach Festival will host over 80 strongman competitors alongside paddleboard races, ocean sports, beach games, skating showcases, live music, and food vendors. The festival begins at 9 a.m. each day and is free to attend.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to ride the Big Blue Bus for just $1.10 to help reduce traffic and emissions.

For more information, visit santamonicapier.org.

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗: Police Arrest Suspected Gunman Who Shot Officer Near Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica, CA — June 26, 2025 — A man suspected in a recent downtown shooting that injured two juveniles is now in custody after allegedly ambushing and shooting a Santa Monica Police Department officer during a foot pursuit.

The suspect, identified as David John Hairston II, 31, believed to be homeless, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon following a coordinated law enforcement response. He is being held at the Santa Monica Jail on $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 27.

The original shooting occurred late Sunday night, June 22, around 11:38 p.m. near 2nd Street and Broadway, where two juveniles seated inside an autonomous rideshare vehicle were shot by a suspect on foot following a verbal altercation. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

Detectives launched an immediate investigation, distributing a departmental bulletin the next day in an effort to locate the suspect.

On June 25 at approximately 1:00 p.m., an SMPD officer spotted an individual matching the description near 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue. As the officer attempted contact, the suspect fled on foot. During the brief pursuit, the suspect allegedly ambushed the officer, opening fire and striking him multiple times. The officer sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Roughly three hours later, at 4:20 p.m., a community member reported seeing someone matching the suspect’s description near Palisades Park. Officers quickly responded and apprehended Hairston following another short chase. A firearm believed to be used in the shooting was recovered at the scene.

The case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Anticipated charges include:

• Attempted murder of a peace officer

• Assault with a deadly weapon

• Two counts of attempted murder (related to the June 22 incident)

• Firearms violations

The Santa Monica Police Department expressed gratitude to vigilant residents and the multiple law enforcement agencies that supported the operation, including LAPD, CHP, LA County Sheriff’s Department, Beverly Hills PD, El Segundo PD, and others.

Authorities are asking anyone with further information to contact Det. Reyes, Det. Kayondo, or Sgt. Lozano at (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗘: Pacific Palisades’ First Home Rises from Ashes After Devastating Blaze

Pacific Palisades, CA — Tuesday, June 24, 2025 — Nearly six months after the catastrophic Palisades Fire scorched over 23,000 acres and destroyed thousands of structures, visible signs of recovery have begun to emerge. On Embury Street in Pacific Palisades, a home that was among the first to be demolished after the disaster is now rising again—possibly the first to enter the active rebuilding phase in the hard-hit neighborhood.

On Tuesday, Jorge Gurrola, CEO of JG Demolition & Construction Cleanup Inc., and Ram Miller, founder of Miller Construction and Development Inc., were on-site overseeing construction progress. Gurrola’s team completed the initial demolition and debris removal at the site back in February, following required clearances from the Environmental Protection Agency and successful asbestos and lead testing.

“This was one of the first projects we took on after the fire,” said Gurrola. “We hauled out eight truckloads of fire debris to Calabasas Landfill and cleared another 20 loads of concrete, delivered to certified facilities like Vulcan and AMH. All permits were secured through the City and County, and we made sure everything was done to code.”

Miller, who is rebuilding his own home after living there for 27 years, praised the speed and coordination of the rebuilding effort so far. “We got our permits approved in about three weeks,” he said. “JG Demo did a fantastic job on demolition and excavation. We started in May, and now we’re framing the second story. We should be done with all framing in about 60 days and hope to move back in within eight months.”

Founded over 16 years ago, Miller Construction and Development is known locally for its integrity, transparency, and craftsmanship in custom homebuilding. The company is now helping lead the charge in post-fire reconstruction.

JG Demolition, a Los Angeles-certified waste hauler and EPA lead-certified contractor, continues to support recovery efforts throughout the burn zone. With strict adherence to environmental protocols, the company ensures that debris is processed through approved channels in compliance with local and federal regulations.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, was fueled by intense drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The fire destroyed 6,837 structures and claimed 12 lives before being fully contained on January 31. In the months since, cleanup crews, contractors, and public agencies have worked to stabilize terrain, restore utilities, and clear debris.

The rebuild underway on Embury Street stands as a milestone—one of the clearest signs yet that the long road to recovery is finally taking shape.

𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: Drag Queens Read to Children During Santa Monica’s Pride Event

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (June 21, 2025) – On Saturday morning, families gathered inside the historic Merry‑Go‑Round building at Santa Monica Pier for Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family‑Edition, a free event crafted for children ages 10 and under. The three‑hour celebration featured drag queen storytelling by Pickle and Lil Miss Hot Mess, a musical performance by Queen Angelina, plus a host of community activities . Organized in partnership with The Crow Comedy Club and supporting SaMo Pride programming, the event included face painting, poetry by Santa Monica Poet Laureate Anne Carmack, a barnyard play from Santa Monica Playhouse titled Barnyard Madness, and a “Books & Cookies” musical storytime. A “pint‑sized Pride parade” accompanied the morning’s festivities. Event coordinator Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian at Santa Monica Pier, noted, “Fabulous Fables continues [the Pier’s] tradition by creating a space where every family feels seen, celebrated, and connected through the power of storytelling,” as reported in a community announcement. Generous support came from sponsors including Pacific Park, The Crow, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. As part of a city‑wide SaMo Pride takeover on June 21, Fabulous Fables served as an early highlight, preceding additional programming such as Pride Beach sporting activities, a silent disco and Kid Zone at Santa Monica Place, and live entertainment along the Third Street Promenade into the evening.

𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥: Black Lives Matter Fills Santa Monica Pier in Massive Celebration of Freedom and Culture

SANTA MONICA, CA – June 19, 2025 — Thousands of people packed the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday for a historic Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Ebony Beach Club and Black Lives Matter. The all-day event transformed the iconic pier into a vibrant stage for culture, community, and remembrance—drawing such an overwhelming turnout that crowds spilled over onto the sand and surrounding boardwalk.

Festivities began in the morning with free surf lessons, encouraging participants to reconnect with the ocean as a symbol of liberation and joy. By the afternoon, the pier was at capacity. The evening portion—headlined by a sold-out lineup of DJs including BRICK! & Dirty Dell, B4BYL3XIGIRL & Faucet, and WaveIQ—turned the waterfront into a powerful gathering of sound, movement, and solidarity.

This year’s Juneteenth on the Pier was more than a celebration; it was a cultural reclamation. Organizers spotlighted the story of the original Ebony Beach Club, founded in 1957 by Silas White at 1811 Ocean Avenue. Intended as an exclusive Black-owned social club offering leisure and elegance in the face of segregation, the club never opened—its building seized by the City of Santa Monica under eminent domain for a “civic parking lot” that was never built.

Thursday’s turnout marked a symbolic return to those shores, fulfilling the promise of a space that once was denied.

“Ebony Beach Club on the Santa Monica Pier is more than a Juneteenth celebration,” organizers stated. “It is a rejoice, restoration, and reclamation of space rooted in real Los Angeles history.”

With thousands in attendance and the pier pulsing with energy, this year’s Juneteenth event marked one of the largest cultural gatherings on Santa Monica’s coast in recent memory—serving as both a tribute to the past and a powerful step forward in reclaiming place and presence.

𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧: Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI After High-Speed Crash in West LA

WEST LOS ANGELES — On Thursday, June 19, 2025, Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a traffic collision in the 11000 block of La Grange Avenue after reports of a vehicle traveling at high speed through a residential neighborhood. According to eyewitnesses, the driver was swerving and narrowly avoided multiple vehicles before crashing into a parked car. Despite the impact, the suspect reportedly continued driving for several blocks before stopping and exiting the vehicle. Witnesses described the driver as carrying a beer in his back pocket as he walked away from the scene. Both the suspect’s vehicle and the parked car sustained significant damage and are believed to be total losses. Responding LAPD officers detained the driver and conducted a series of field sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer. The driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). His vehicle was subsequently impounded and towed. No injuries or additional incidents were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.