KnockDotLA

Happening NOW: Target employees are trying to force out the ICE Watch station at the Hollywood Home Depot, threatening community members with arrest

Mutual Aid, Mutual Joy: Queer Fair in a Time of Crisis - Knock LA This year's Queer Fair, organized by the Community Solidarity Project, was a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights in the face of fascism.

New on Knock: this year’s Queer Fair, organized by the Community Solidarity Project, was a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and solidarity in the face of fascism

knock-la.com/queer-fair-i...

Occidental College Files Conduct Charges Against Students for Protesting - Knock LA Conduct hearings against Occidental students protesting the school's ties to Israel and its genocide in Gaza began on July 30.

New on Knock: Even as the international outcry grows against the starvation of Gaza, three Occidental College students face expulsion for protesting the genocide. Mohammed Ahmad reports.

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Occidental College Files Conduct Charges Against Students for Protesting - Knock LA Conduct hearings against Occidental students protesting the school's ties to Israel and its genocide in Gaza began on July 30.

New on Knock: Even as the international outcry grows against the starvation of Gaza, three Occidental College students face expulsion for protesting the genocide. Mohammed Ahmad reports.

knock-la.com/occidental-s...

They Call It Chaos, We Call It Survival - Knock LA Immigrant communties are experiencing state-sanctioned trauma in real time as a result of violent ICE raids.

New on Knock: the persecution of immigrants by the Trump administration mirrors the dynamics of domestic violence. They blame the people being harmed for “chaos” and exonerate the people doing the harm

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July 28, 2025 The Honorable Gavin Newson Governor of California 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Governor Newsom: I want to express my deep concerns about the impacts that State density laws are having on the recovery efforts in the Palisades. While your Emergency Orders have paved the way for an accelerated recovery by streamlining and waiving hurdles that have greatly benefitted homeowners, opportunistic developers are now using them in conjunction with state density laws to exploit a devastating disaster for their economic advantage. Developers are purchasing single family properties and redeveloping them into multi-family developments through SB9. Given that over 5,000 homes were destroyed by the Fire, the redevelopment of even a portion of these sites utilizing SB9 could lead to an unforeseen explosion of density in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (HFHSZ) that has limited ingress and egress. When SB9 was adopted into State law, it was never intended to capitalize on a horrific disaster. It was intended for infill development, but building in the Pacific Palisades is not consistent with the spirit of urban infill development. Pacific Palisades is a highly unique coastal community situated on challenging terrain with limited ingress and egress. Despite efforts to obtain exceptions from SB 9 and other state density laws in the Very High Fire Severity and Coastal Zones, lawmakers have repeatedly overlooked these overt risks. Evaluation of infrastructure and evacuation routes must be embedded in legislation that increases density to ensure the safety of these communities. Given the widespread destruction of the Pacific Palisades, its topography, and limitations to infrastructure, ingress, and egress, I am requesting that SB 9 and other laws permitting increases in density be suspended until such time an analysis can be conducted to determine the capacity of our evacuation routes and infrastructure can adequately accommodate this increased density…

Mayor Bass Issues Statement on Impact of Senate Bill 9 on Palisades Rebuilding LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass today issued the following statement: "While Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) was passed to support the creation of more housing across California - something that our state desperately needs - legislators in Sacramento could not have foreseen the bill's impact on the Palisades community as it works to rebuild from one of the worst natural disasters in state history. More than 5,000 single-family homes were damaged or destroyed in the devastating Palisades Fire. The ability for developers to use SB 9 to change recently destroyed single-family home lots into multiple residences could drastically further challenge ingress and egress in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFSZ) following the worst fire disaster the city has ever faced. It could fundamentally alter the safety of the area by straining local infrastructure. I oppose this usage as it relates to rebuilding in the Palisades, and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Newsom and state leaders to advocate for the Palisades community and identify a path forward as we continue to rebuild."

Councilmember Traci Park asked the state to suspend SB9 for the Palisades because adding duplexes "could lead to an unforeseen explosion of density."

Now LA Mayor Karen Bass has issued her own bad-faith statement in agreement arguing SB9 will "drastically further challenge ingress and egress"

Setting the record straight about a wonderful organization

Operation Healthy Hearts Claps Back to Conservative Media Outlets - Knock LA After facing backlash over her mutual aid work during the LA ICE raids, founder Jacqueline Villalta began receiving hostile messages.

New on Knock: mutual aid organization @operationhh.bsky.social became the target of threats and conspiracy theories after being attacked by right-wing media. Despite the attacks, their work continues!

knock-la.com/operation-he...

As the genocide in Gaza continues, Palestinian-Americans struggle with despair and desperation, while also seeing a degree of allyship and support that was unthinkable in previous years.

knock-la.com/palestine-wi...

stopessayli.org

Contact your Senators to demand blocking Bill Essayli’s (Ah-Sail-E) nomination for US Atty. It’s easy, “Hi my name is __, and I’m concerned that Bill Essayli, who is responsible for the detaining a professor, and Army vet last week could be the US Atty for CA’s central coast. Don’t confirm him.”

People are into newsletters these days. If we set up a newsletter to get Knock stories in your inbox, would you folks be interested?

(It would be free but you could subscribe to support us as an alternative to the Patreon)

We Must Stop Bill Essayli Before It’s Too Late - Knock LA Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney poses an existential threat for equality and the rule of law in California.

New on Knock: Trump’s pick for US Attorney has abused the law to threaten liberal city governments and prosecute mutual aid. Bill Essayli is an existential threat to the rule of law in California.

knock-la.com/we-must-stop...

Proximity to Whiteness Will Not Protect You - Knock LA There is no such thing as a "good protestor" or a "bad protestor", and our immigrant communities need solidarity now more than ever.

New on Knock: in a system based on white supremacy, respectability politics will not protect you. Being “one of the good ones” won’t protect you from ICE, or racism, or a rubber bullet.

Op-ed by @traceeporter.bsky.social

knock-la.com/proximity-to...

UCLA Hates Palestinians - Knock LA UCLA administration is attacking protestors on campus and contributing to harm against Palestinian students while actively supporting Israel.

New on Knock: UCLA has failed to protect its Palestinian and Arab students. Instead, they have doubled down on repression, suspending peaceful protesters and sending police to break up a film screening.

knock-la.com/ucla-hates-p...

The Uprooting of a Community - Knock LA A USC grad student gives a first-person account of how her university’s real estate development has impacted South LA, the neighborhood she grew up in, driving gentrification and pushing out low incom...

New on Knock: USC has fueled gentrification near campus, driving out longtime residents and local businesses. A binding community benefits agreement could help preserve the community.

knock-la.com/the-uprootin...

Another story of the food & nutrition programs in California that will be dismantled because of this horrible budget bill. Take action today #SaveSNAPEd #SNAP-Edworks! www.votervoice.net/MFF/Campaign...
@rfk-junior.bsky.social @senatebudget.bsky.social

UCLA Hates Palestinians - Knock LA UCLA administration is attacking protestors on campus and contributing to harm against Palestinian students while actively supporting Israel.

New on Knock: UCLA has failed to protect its Palestinian and Arab students. Instead, they have doubled down on repression, suspending peaceful protesters and sending police to break up a film screening.

knock-la.com/ucla-hates-p...

Proximity to Whiteness Will Not Protect You - Knock LA There is no such thing as a "good protestor" or a "bad protestor", and our immigrant communities need solidarity now more than ever.

New on Knock: in a system based on white supremacy, respectability politics will not protect you. Being “one of the good ones” won’t protect you from ICE, or racism, or a rubber bullet.

Op-ed by @traceeporter.bsky.social

knock-la.com/proximity-to...

‘Affordable’ Artist Living: The Plight of the Hollywood Arts Collective - Knock LA Tenants at the Hollywood Arts Collective are demanding HACLA use their resources to help offset high prices and fight poor living conditions.

New on Knock: tenants at the Hollywood Arts Collective, built as an “affordable” project, are organizing for HACLA assistance and pushing back against rent hikes

knock-la.com/affordable-a...

#breaking A California appeals court has ordered dismissal of the case against Diana Teran, the former prosecutor who was prosecuted under state hacking statutes after she sent court records to a colleague as part of an effort to track bad cops.

We will always stand against war, imperialism, and militarism. No war on Iran, no weapons for Israel.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2025 Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky Introduces Motion to Sue Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conduct During Immigration Raids in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, CA - Today, Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion asking the Los Angeles City Attorney to take legal action against the Trump Administration in response to recent immigration enforcement activity reported across the city. Residents from multiple neighborhoods have reported being stopped, questioned, and detained by individuals claiming to be federal immigration agents, who in many cases are not wearing an official badge or other identification. In some cases, they have presented blank or unsigned warrants, and their actions appear to target people based on race or ethnicity. "These actions undermine the fundamental civil rights of our residents and threaten the safety of our entire community," said Councilmember Yaroslavsky. "We have a responsibility to protect our communities from abuse, and that includes holding the federal government accountable when it crosses the line."

"These actions further terrorize and traumatize our neighborhoods while tearing communities apart," said Councilmember Jurado. "In the face of this, Angelenos are showing courage and solidarity, and we must do everything in our power to protect them." The motion calls on the City Attorney to challenge the use of qualified immunity by federal agents who may be violating constitutional rights. In a recent court ruling, United Farm Workers v. Noem, a federal judge blocked similar actions by immigration agents in California's Central Valley. The proposed legal action would represent residents who may not feel safe coming forward on their own, due to fear of retaliation or further targeting. The goal is to stop unlawful detentions, protect civil rights, and restore trust and safety in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The motion is expected to move forward to committee consideration in the coming weeks. ###

LA Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Ysabel Jurado have introduced a motion to sue the Trump administration.

Yaroslavsky: "We have a responsibility to protect our communities from abuse, and that includes holding the federal government accountable when it crosses the line"

Los Angeles has ~3,400 unhoused veterans- the most in the country. The number of active troops deployed to LA now exceeds that. Those troops are all being housed and sheltered in the city with your tax dollars, while the veterans' very existence on the street has been criminalized by city ordinance

Republicans Want Crucial Food Education Program Dead - Knock LA SNAP-Ed, a food education program, serves 90 million Americans and accounts for 0.0077% of the Federal Budget.

New on Knock: Trump’s proposed budget completely eliminates SNAP-Ed, which served 90 million Americans. This little-known program powers early childhood education, healthcare clinics, and food and produce distribution—all of which could soon vanish.

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We simply have to cancel this 😮‍💨

Republicans Want Crucial Food Education Program Dead - Knock LA SNAP-Ed, a food education program, serves 90 million Americans and accounts for 0.0077% of the Federal Budget.

New on Knock: Trump’s proposed budget completely eliminates SNAP-Ed, which served 90 million Americans. This little-known program powers early childhood education, healthcare clinics, and food and produce distribution—all of which could soon vanish.

knock-la.com/republicans-...

How to Defend Los Angeles - Knock LA Protestors have been met with aggressive police brutality as they fight back against ICE raids and the military occupation of Los Angeles.

New on Knock: As masked ICE agents terrorize the city, Angelenos are standing up to protect their neighbors. The view from the ground with Farah Abouzeid

knock-la.com/how-to-defen...

Thanks to John Oliver for quoting my highly scientific analysis proving we don’t need federal troops in LA

How to Defend Los Angeles - Knock LA Protestors have been met with aggressive police brutality as they fight back against ICE raids and the military occupation of Los Angeles.

New on Knock: As masked ICE agents terrorize the city, Angelenos are standing up to protect their neighbors. The view from the ground with Farah Abouzeid

knock-la.com/how-to-defen...