Horvath decries probation union for juvenile hall woes
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said yesterday that California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s push for receivership over LA County juvenile halls is another reminder of how deeply broken the juvenile probation facility operations have become.
Horvath said the County is backing SB 357 to give the tools to fix this crisis, but much of the Probation Department staff, especially Probation union leadership, continues to stand in the way.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of any county to delegate to another county department all or part of the duties and authorities concerning those minors, or concerning the oversight or operation of juvenile detention facilities, that are granted to the probation department or a probation officer.
“They’re [Probation union leadership] blocking reform at every turn, and our young people are paying the price,” said Horvath. “For a receivership to have a chance at successful restructuring, the State must take on the challenge LA County has faced for decades—employment agreements and civil service procedures that have protected the rights of those who have harmed our young people, instead of the young people themselves.
I won’t stop fighting for the structural change our young people deserve.”
Menjivar grateful for putting juvenile halls into receivership
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) called Attorney General Rob Bonta’s asking the Los Angeles County Superior Court to place Los Angeles County Juvenile Halls into receivership a good step, but cautioned that more needs to be done.
“Today is a historic day in the ongoing battle to bring justice for our incarcerated youth in Los Angeles,” said Menjivar. “In Sacramento, I have been sounding the alarm on this public safety crisis occurring in my backyard for years. I’ve held oversight hearings and introduced legislation to change the business-as-usual approach that holds back youth from disenfranchised backgrounds, and condemns them to a cycle of incarceration without the tools needed to forge a better path.”
Menjivar cautioned that while she is grateful for Bonta’s decisive action, no change will happen under the status quo.
“Our current punitive system requires action beyond a Receiver’s purview in order to meet the gravity of this moment. We must protect our youth by building accountability into a system where this currently does not exist. At the state level, I will continue prioritizing policy and working with stakeholders, so one day we can bring enduring solutions that protect our youth and truly serve public safety through effective rehabilitation and reentry programs,” the lawmaker said.
Kamlager, Chu push for visible IDs of immigration enforcement agents
U.S. Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Culver City, View Park-Windsor Hills, parts of South LA) and Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) joined several other House members yesterday to introduce the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025.
This bill would require immigration enforcement officers to clearly display visible identification during public enforcement actions.
The measure comes as the Trump Administration continues to carry out its mass deportation agenda; there has been an increase in civil enforcement action involving officers wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity.
“In Trump’s America, immigrants are being snatched off the streets by ICE agents wearing plain clothes, face masks, and no proper identification. This isn’t about officer safety—it’s an authoritarian tactic meant to sow fear and distrust within our communities,” said Kamlager-Dove. “Regardless of where you were born, every single person in this country has the fundamental right to know who is detaining them and why. ICE’s lawlessness must end now—the VISIBLE Act is a commonsense measure to increase transparency and trust between immigration enforcement and the communities they serve.”
“Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids have indiscriminately targeted entire communities, undermined every person’s right to due process, and greenlighted ICE agents and immigration enforcement to act with impunity. We saw this happen in front of our eyes in my district in Pasadena, California, where masked ICE agents targeted community members, including those on the way to assist in Eaton Fire recovery, brandished guns at innocent bystanders, and refused to identify themselves,” said Chu.
The bill does not apply to covert or non-public-facing operations nor prohibits face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.
Mitchell, Solis praise Muslim peace mural
Los Angeles County Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Hilda L. Solis this week joined LA vs. Hate faith leaders, artists, and community members at the Islamic Center of Southern California to celebrate the unveiling of a new mural titled “Sabr at Fajr” by Palestinian-American artist Saj Issa.
The event, hosted by LA vs Hate in partnership with MPAC, CAIR-LA, is part of LA vs Hate’s Signs of Solidarity campaign. Launched in April, Signs of Solidarity is a grassroots initiative aimed at countering rising hate, hostility, and discrimination by distributing community signage—such as yard signs, posters, and murals—to foster a shared neighborhood identity rooted in inclusion and respect for diversity.
The mural’s Arabic title, which means “Patience at Dawn,” depicts a symbolic Sabr (cactus) plant taking root in an ethereal landscape that evokes both Los Angeles and the Middle East, echoing the strength and identity of the Muslim community in LA County.
“Through art and outreach, our community has made it resoundingly clear that love, resilience, and unity will prevail over the act of hate that happened at this sacred place of worship,” said Mitchell. “This mural embodies the spirit of LA County’s Signs of Solidarity campaign, which is about reclaiming space, amplifying community voices, and making visible our shared values of inclusion and belonging. We are standing together to show that hate has no home in LA County.”
“The unveiling of ‘Sabr at Fajr’ is a powerful reminder of our community’s resilience in the face of hate,” said Solis. “At a time when acts of hate seek to divide us, this mural stands as a vivid symbol of hope, healing, and unity. I’m proud to stand with LA vs Hate, the Islamic Center of Southern California, and all those working to ensure Los Angeles County remains a place where diversity is not only welcomed but celebrated.”
