What role should local leaders play when federal agents target your community?

In this urgent conversation, Eddie and Santa Ana Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez speak from the frontlines of back-to-back ICE raids in Southern California. Together, they unpack how local governments can either protect or abandon their people — and why understanding your city’s power matters more than ever.

Hernandez also sheds light on significant initiatives in Santa Ana such as establishing rent control, police oversight, and Chicano Heritage Month celebrations. The episode serves as a powerful call to action for community solidarity and the need for proactive local governance in fighting systemic oppression.

Show Notes:

00:19 Meeting at the Chicano Moratorium

01:25 The Importance of Independent Journalism

02:20 Jonathan's Background and Family History

04:15 Growing Up in Santana

05:40 Impact of Music and Art

07:36 Current Immigration Issues and Community Response

11:36 ICE Raids and Community Impact

14:58 Police and ICE Collaboration

22:37 Historical Context and Modern-Day Parallels

38:57 City Council Responses and Community Activism

43:01 Executive Order Breakdown

44:50 Legal Defense and Empowerment

45:35 Public Awareness and Reaction

47:21 Santa Ana's Diverse Community

48:32 Coalition Building and Policy Introduction

49:00 ICE Notifications and Public Records

50:21 Targeted by the Trump Administration

53:56 Local Government Challenges and Powers

57:45 Rent Control and Legal Battles

01:02:06 Police Violence and Community Response

01:19:55 Chicano Heritage Month and Community Unity

01:24:23 Conclusion and Call to Action