Feb. 3, 2026 5 AM PT <\/p>\n
To the editor: It\u2019s totally synchronistic that I saw anti-ICE protests directly in front of Cheech Marin\u2019s art museum in Riverside on Friday (\u201c\u2018National shutdown\u2019 brings protests to L.A., across the nation; demonstrators clash with police,\u201d<\/a> Jan. 30). As a matter of fact, in the 1987 Cheech & Chong movie \u201cBorn in East L.A.,\u201d Marin plays an American citizen who is mistaken for an undocumented immigrant and deported.<\/p>\n We have always depended on people who come from south of the border not only for their contributions to our workforce, but also for their cultural ones. It\u2019s time we acknowledge that and treat them with more compassion.<\/p>\n If you want to see the soul of a great culture, go to Cheech Marin\u2019s museum<\/a> and check out some extremely impressive Chicano art.<\/p>\n John Densmore, Los Angeles ..<\/p>\n To the editor: Seeing the beauty and determined strength of the American people while demonstrating their love and concern by marching together, exercising those very basic constitutional rights, is a noble sight to behold. Standing up and fighting for the freedom and justice of a resilient nation is the essence of who we really are when citizens are threatened by fear tactics and intimidation from within.<\/p>\n What we are witnessing every day in so many cities gives us hope, confidence and cautious optimism that we can learn how to endure and withstand any obstacles. We become stronger because of all the efforts made to hold on to our core beliefs and prevail into a much healthier democracy for all. The mosaic of this country is our greatest asset; history reminds us of that fact every day.<\/p>\n Frances Terrell Lippman, Sherman Oaks<\/p>\n ..<\/p>\n To the editor: When Angelenos participated in the \u201cnational shutdown\u201d and related protests, they just added to the collective anger. If its increasingly aggressive tactics continue, ICE\u2019s credibility will keep dropping. The administration clearly lied<\/a> about the circumstances surrounding Alex Pretti\u2019s death, as bystander videos show Pretti being forced to the ground, face down, disarmed, and then being shot multiple times in the back. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed<\/a> Pretti was brandishing a gun and intended to do harm.<\/p>\n Anger so palpable was expressed last week by what one protester in the Los Angeles Times article called about 5,000 to 6,000 Angelenos. It is clear those protesting didn\u2019t need to be paid to show up, as falsely claimed<\/a> by President Trump.<\/p>\n Wait until more Americans hear of more injuries suffered at the hands of ICE agents. Recently<\/a>, an immigrant in Minneapolis was taken to a hospital because bones in his face and skull had been broken in federal custody. ICE claimed the migrant \u201cpurposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.\u201d But physicians who examined him said ICE\u2019s account couldn\u2019t possibly result in the fractures sustained. The anger will continue.<\/p>\n Marcy Bregman, Agoura Hills<\/p>\n ..<\/p>\n To the editor: Can this really be happening, or is it a fever dream inspired by my youthful days demonstrating against the Vietnam War? I may be a deluded old boomer, but I think I recognize a \u201860s-like vibe of protest spreading across America.<\/p>\n
This writer was the drummer for The Doors.<\/p>\n