Protesters organized a “No Sleep for ICE” demonstration at the Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport on June 19, after federal immigration agents allegedly checked into the hotel. 

 Two days after a gunman shot through the window of a Waymo and injured two children, Santa Monica police happened to come across the suspect while on patrol downtown. He shot a police officer and was found and apprehended three hours later.

 An update on the UCLA-SMC student housing agreement.

Chemistry students are piloting SMC’s new textbook system during summer intersession. In the system, a collaboration with the education company Slingshot, students can purchase all their course materials at once, for $32 per enrolled credit. Students can opt out, but the campus bookstore is to carry less physical stock and instead serve as a communal spot for students.

 On Tuesday, SMC waved goodbye to 7,248 graduates, designated by President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery as the college’s second-largest commencement ever. The school bestowed bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, certificates of achievement, certificates of competency, and completion certificates upon those students.

Law enforcement officers unleashed self-described “numerous” amounts of less-lethal munitions on “No Kings” protesters, after issuing an unlawful assembly order. 

In a blooming garden in Santa Monica, Santa Monica College’s English professors invited their students to share and read their poetry works.

David Duncan, 2024-25 Associated Students president, presented a model for Health and Wellness vending machines for students to the Board of Directors on May 19. The vending machines will include products ranging from pain relievers to Plan B and pregnancy tests. The Board approved unanimously, but the proposal is pending legal review from the SMC administration.

Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew to curtail protesters—while attending a vigil for immigrant solidarity. On the first night of curfew, many resisted by continuing to protest downtown; 17 were arrested on curfew violations.

After losing their home in the Eaton fire, artist Camilla Taylor curated an exhibition made up of just artists whose houses have burned down. “My House Burned Down”, located at Track 16 in Downtown LA, hosts 8 different artists, 4 who lost their home in the recent LA fires and 4 who have lost their home from fires in the past. Taylor explores themes of loss, destruction and grief, as well as what happens when you have nothing left.

On Monday, June 9, 2025 protests across Los Angeles County continued after a recent wave of ICE deportations, marking day 4 of the protests. 

On Sunday, June 8, 2025 protests across Los Angeles County continued after a recent wave of ICE deportations, marking day 3 of the protests. 

In Paramount and neighboring city Compton on June 7, a chaotic scene unfolded with cops and protesters squaring up in a commercial area. For hours in the evening, protesters scattered throughout Alondra Boulevard, yelling, playing music, dancing, and sometimes clutching their faces and running when the Sheriff’s Department line by the 710 Freeway deployed tear gas.

Since Friday, steadfast protests in L.A. county countering ICE raids have expanded and intensified, leading to tensions between police and demonstrators. Trump summoning 2,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to protect government personnel is estimated to cost $134 million. As finals season starts, SMC is urging faculty to be flexible with students affected by the “unprecedented events” going on in the city.

On May 5, U.S. ICE detained SMC student Tony Lopez who was then deported to Mexico. Corsair reporter Jared Blair talked with students to get their reaction and incoming AS president Ailsa Ortiz shared what resources are available to all students.

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Chess Club hosted their last chess tournament of the school year with Navarro emerging as the winner in the Armageddon tie-breaker.

Following a series of immigration enforcement actions in L.A. on Friday, activist groups threw an impromptu rally at the Federal Building. Protesters threw rocks and bottles, and shot some fireworks, while DHS officers fired tear gas and pepper balls. Los Angeles police enforced a dispersal order with rubber bullets.

Amidst the Trump administration's new policies on immigration, the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica College find ways to respond.

Amidst closures and charred hillsides, a quiet recovery continues as the Santa Monica Mountains heal from the Palisades wildfire devastation.

The Corsair Spring 2025 - Issue 6