The Buzz 06.19.25

FREE SPEECH

As tensions escalated in Los Angeles over raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month, journalists on the ground documenting the protests have reported being shot by police with rubber bullets and forcibly prevented from filming. Freelance photographer Michael Nigro told NPR that a non-lethal bullet fired by an officer struck the helmet he was wearing. “It felt very, very intentional… a chilling effect to convince us to go away and not document what’s occurring,” he said. On June 16, the Los Angeles Press Club and Status Coup announced they had filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging officers violated journalists’ First Amendment rights and state laws. The suit comes about a week after the First Amendment Coalition and other organizations sent a letter to LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, warning that legal liability was coming over their alleged actions. “Our democracy depends on an informed public,” said Carol Sobel, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “When press rights are threatened, it’s the public that suffers.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It’s not about the left or the right, it’s just about standing together with other people.” - Wild Fish co-owner Liz Jacobs, after the restaurant’s manager was taken into ICE custody (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

For Pajaro Valley Unified School District students interested in a career in the aviation industry, this fall they will be able to take advantage of a new Career Technical Education pathway at Pajaro Valley High School. The district partnered with several organizations including Monterey Bay DART, City of Watsonville, Watsonville Municipal Airport, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 119, Tango Flight and Joby Aviation (which manufactures aircraft at the Marina Municipal Airport). Students will get hands-on training and learn skills in aircraft maintenance, aviation safety and flight systems. “The RV-12 Airplane Build Lab represents a bold extension of our commitment to cultivating an inclusive, future-ready workforce by directly engaging high school students in hands-on, high-tech learning,” Monterey Bay DART Executive Director Josh Metz said.

GREAT:

The first day of summer is Friday, June 20, meaning the weather is about to heat up in the inland areas. As the dry season gets underway, there will be plenty of thirsty wildlife. This week, the Monterey County Fish and Game Advisory Commission and Parks and Lakes Division unveiled a wildlife “guzzler” at Toro County Park. The guzzler consists of a sheet metal apron that covers a water tank, which catches rainwater and diverts it to the tank. It is estimated that six inches of rain is needed to fill the 1,100-gallon tank. The parks division funded supplies for the project, while commissioners donated their time to construct it. “It’s really great to see commissioners not only come to meetings to conduct the public’s business but also get out in the field and build things that truly benefit wildlife, protecting it for future generations,” said Commissioner Kevin Kreyenhagen, who designed the guzzler.