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Hundreds of high school students from across Los Angeles walked out of school on Wednesday and marched to City Hall, carrying signs and flags in support of immigrant rights.
Students from Boyle Heights, Koreatown, Pico Union and other neighborhoods joined together, demanding protections for their communities amid ongoing federal immigration raids.
My background: I was part of the team that launched De Los, a new section of the Los Angeles Times exploring Latino identity. I’ve been a local reporter for The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and The Orange County Register. You can find my writing on religion, food, and culture in The Atlantic, Eater, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and Religion News Service. My upbringing spans South Central, El Monte, and Pomona.
What I do: I write about how decisions surrounding immigration, city hall, schools, health, religion and culture impact Boyle Heights and East LA. I do this by spending time with residents and community members, reaching out to civic and elected leaders, and by analyzing related research. I also mentor Boyle Heights Beat youth journalists.
Why LA: It’s where I’m from. Reporting and living here means appreciating the different neighborhood identities that make up LA. Also, nothing beats walking along the LA River, hiking at Debs Park, or catching a sunset while running on the Sixth Street Bridge in Boyle Heights.
The best way to contact me: My email is alejandra.molina@boyleheightsbeat.org.
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My background: I grew up in Mid-City before my family moved to the suburbs of San Bernardino County. I later returned to LA for college and grad school at USC (Fight on!) and eventually spent three years in nearby Orange County, where I covered everything from the 2024 election and immigration to local government.
What I do: I report on the vibrant, immigrant-centered communities of Koreatown, Pico Union and Westlake, focusing on the people who live and work in these neighborhoods.
Why LA?: LA is where my immigrant family was introduced to life in the US, a city that just happens to be one of the best places to eat.
The best way to contact me: My email is hanna@thelalocal.org. You can also find me on Signal @hannak.77.
More by Hanna Kang
