If I Was Your Boycott
Mon Feb 02 2026
Alissa, Godfrey, and Sophie recount another week of accelerating immigration raids and how Angelenos are organizing against them. Why the “national shutdown” isn’t a general strike (yet). If ICE is going to the Winter Olympics, what does that mean for LA in 2028? And what about the World Cup this summer? And RIP to Shirley Raines who brought dignity, agency, and eyelash extensions to Skid Row residents.
LA Taco’s Daily Memo for Wednesday, January 28: “There was a time when 25-40 was the total number of incidents I’d report for a whole week; they just did that in one day”
“What we’re seeing now are large numbers of officers to grab anywhere from one to five people, not necessarily questioning them, and then moving out as quickly as possible,” Juan Pablo Orjuela-Parra, an organizer with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told the Los Angeles Times
TPM: ICE not only looks and acts like a paramilitary — it is one
Gavin, wyd? “California has cooperated with more ICE transfers probably than any other state in the country,” California’s governor told Ben Shapiro
Meanwhile progressive district attorneys — meaning: not LA’s DA — are banding together to prosecute federal agents: “The group launched Wednesday and calls itself Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO”
Highland Park is testing out air raid sirens for ICE raids
There’s another community defense training Saturday, February 7 at 11 a.m.; here’s how to sign up
Kim Kelly on the difference between a general strike and a national shutdown
Yes, ICE is going to the Winter Olympics. Yes, it’s also kind of horribly normal for U.S. law enforcement to be involved in the Olympics — does everyone remember when the LAPD got special permission to carry guns in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics?
“ICE, NO GRAZIE!”
LAist’s Libby Rainey reported on potential plans to clear unhoused people from around sports venues ahead of megaevents
Will LA see a boycott in 2028? Will LA see a boycott this summer?
Alissa’s Torched piece focused on “hospitality houses” in what feels like the least hospitable possible environment — and she also reported on the World Cup fan zones announcement
Speaking of cognitive dissonance, how about that Home Depot World Cup sponsorship deal?
LA Mayor Karen Bass is giving two State of the City addresses; one is Monday, February 2, watch it here
Finally, remembering the Skid Row outreach legend Shirley Raines who died at 58
Tune in Tuesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. for a Measure G teach-in to learn the latest news about LA County’s charter reform initiative
This episode was produced by Sophie Bridges
The reporting and analysis you hear in the show is put together by our rotating cast of producers and co-hosts every week. All opinions expressed on the show are solely those of co-hosts and may not represent the views of LA Forward
Become a paid subscriber at thinkforward.la to keep this podcast weekly! Subscribers-only event is coming soon!
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Alissa, Godfrey, and Sophie recount another week of accelerating immigration raids and how Angelenos are organizing against them. Why the “national shutdown” isn’t a general strike (yet). If ICE is going to the Winter Olympics, what does that mean for LA in 2028? And what about the World Cup this summer? And RIP to Shirley Raines who brought dignity, agency, and eyelash extensions to Skid Row residents. LA Taco’s Daily Memo for Wednesday, January 28: “There was a time when 25-40 was the total number of incidents I’d report for a whole week; they just did that in one day” “What we’re seeing now are large numbers of officers to grab anywhere from one to five people, not necessarily questioning them, and then moving out as quickly as possible,” Juan Pablo Orjuela-Parra, an organizer with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told the Los Angeles Times TPM: ICE not only looks and acts like a paramilitary — it is one Gavin, wyd? “California has cooperated with more ICE transfers probably than any other state in the country,” California’s governor told Ben Shapiro Meanwhile progressive district attorneys — meaning: not LA’s DA — are banding together to prosecute federal agents: “The group launched Wednesday and calls itself Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO” Highland Park is testing out air raid sirens for ICE raids There’s another community defense training Saturday, February 7 at 11 a.m.; here’s how to sign up Kim Kelly on the difference between a general strike and a national shutdown Yes, ICE is going to the Winter Olympics. Yes, it’s also kind of horribly normal for U.S. law enforcement to be involved in the Olympics — does everyone remember when the LAPD got special permission to carry guns in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics? “ICE, NO GRAZIE!” LAist’s Libby Rainey reported on potential plans to clear unhoused people from around sports venues ahead of megaevents Will LA see a boycott in 2028? Will LA see a boycott this summer? Alissa’s Torched piece focused on “hospitality houses” in what feels like the least hospitable possible environment — and she also reported on the World Cup fan zones announcement Speaking of cognitive dissonance, how about that Home Depot World Cup sponsorship deal? LA Mayor Karen Bass is giving two State of the City addresses; one is Monday, February 2, watch it here Finally, remembering the Skid Row outreach legend Shirley Raines who died at 58 Tune in Tuesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. for a Measure G teach-in to learn the latest news about LA County’s charter reform initiative This episode was produced by Sophie Bridges The reporting and analysis you hear in the show is put together by our rotating cast of producers and co-hosts every week. All opinions expressed on the show are solely those of co-hosts and may not represent the views of LA Forward Become a paid subscriber at thinkforward.la to keep this podcast weekly! Subscribers-only event is coming soon!