Dozens of individuals participated in a peace walk presented by the East Los Angeles Walking Club in remembrance of those who have been killed by ICE officers and/or detention centers.
As of early 2026, ICE and the Trump Administration have expanded operations and have directed their targets to more sensitive areas, such as schools and courthouses, according to CBS. These major shifts to more aggressive tactics have caused not only national outrage and protests, but also the deaths of both immigrants and U.S. citizens, according to PBS.
Despite community outrage, the peace walk was not a protest of the ongoing aggravation, but instead was intended to bring the community together to walk in silence to honor those affected by ICE raids in their community.
The weekly walking club originated on Oct. 8th, 2025. The club was founded by Brissa Sanchez, who works for a nonprofit and loves to volunteer in her free time.
The club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at different routes throughout East LA, which are announced on their Instagram page days prior.
The walk was open to all levels of walkers and encouraged beginners to join due to the path’s accessibility and flat terrain.
Sanchez emphasized that the club is not a protest group, but a space to express how the community is feeling by coming together peacefully.
“We wanted to make something of our own that would reflect how we feel about what’s happening right now,” Sanchez said.
“I don’t like saying the word ‘I,’ to me, it’s all about what we can do for each other…it’s been really beautiful hearing people say, ‘I’ve always loved to walk, but don’t feel safe’ or, “thank you for organizing this.’ Hearing thank you is more than enough for me,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez’s main concerns when organizing the weekly walks were safety.
One of the ways the club prioritized safety was by having walk leads. These walk leaders volunteered to remain in front of and behind the walking group to scan for cars, bikes, and other vehicles, as well as uneven sidewalks or construction.
The leads wore reflective vests and communicated to each other via walkie-talkie during the walk and kept groups of participants together so that no one would be left behind.
“It all stemmed from the walks I would take with my mom every Sunday…I never really thought that anyone our age would want to join a club like this,” Sanchez said.
Before walking, members participated in some breathing exercises led by Sanchez. Walk leads were also introduced, so that participants knew who to go to with any issues that may arise during the walk.
Dozens of participants, including families, kids, and pets filled the corner of Gerhart Avenue and Whittier Boulevard.
During the walk, individuals held candles and flowers to honor those who have died and remained silent throughout the approximately one-and-a-half-hour walk. The route of the walk was filled with numerous local businesses and street vendors that connected walkers to their community.
Some of these businesses along the route included restaurants, law offices, barbershops, bars, and even fitness classes.
Some participants honored those who have died not just due to the actions of ICE, but also those they have lost personally.
“I’ve recently lost so many people in my life – my grandma, my grandpa, my closest friend… it was important for me to be here to remember them,” said Maria Valez, a first-time participant of the East LA Walking Club.
Another participant, Rosa Merino, arrived at the walk to not only be a part of the community but to get in some exercise.
“I’m a runner and I wanted to experience something new. I saw the post about the walk on Instagram, and thought it would be fun,” Merino said.
Though the 2.8-mile walk started after sunset at 6 p.m., mother of three, Wendy Martinez, felt confident to bring her daughters to the walk with her.
“I feel safe bringing my daughters, knowing there’s a community who will have each other’s back,” Martinez said.
It was Martinez’s first time at an event hosted by the East L.A. Walking Club. She saw the post on the club’s Instagram and decided to participate and get a walk in.
Walkers were smiling as they reached the ending point, and as the final participants reached the end, members commended each other’s dedication to the movement.
The club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m.,and the scheduled routes are posted on their Instagram prior to meeting. You can find more information about the club on Instagram @eastla_walkclub.