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Marc Sebastian, Michael Foote, Kay Poyer
These creators are using their platforms to provide resources and raise awareness about the protests taking place in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is entering its fourth night of protesting the growing number of aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, which Mayor Karen Bass has denounced as an "experiment" from the Trump administration to incite fear. President Trump's deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines in response to the protests has also been criticized by Governor Gavin Newsom as unnecessary, potentially unlawful, and an attempt by Trump to further sow "chaos."
Illustrating this unnecessary escalation, videos and images shared on social media show law enforcement using tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protestors. And as the demonstrations continue, queer social media content creators are using their platforms to raise awareness about the events unfolding in L.A., share resources for supporting the protesters, and express their opinions on the current situation.
Here is a list of creators using their platforms to speak up about the L.A. protests.
@vanillamace Grwm while I share important information!
Vanilla Mace, a former exotic dancer turned TikTok creator, did a get-ready-with-me video, where she shared locations ICE agents were spotted. She also shared tips regarding some of the situations protestors may encounter on the streets, like using water to rinse out your eyes after getting tear-gassed. Mace ended the video saying, "Remember if you are out and about today, remember to stay vigilant and stay safe, and remember that nobody is fucking illegal on stolen land."
@marcsebastianf forever and always 🚫🧊
Marc Sebastian, who gained popularity after attending a portion of the nine-month Royal Caribbean cruise last year, uploaded a video with a hard-to-miss message to ICE. He starts the video by sharing that he hasn't had a chance to show his new followers his rock collection and switches his camera to display a rock formation that spells out "FUCK ICE" as he talks about his affection for these specific stones.
Tefi Pessoa has utilized her platform to address various human rights issues in the past, and the L.A. protests are no different. She uploaded a text post to her TikTok with a Spanish protest song called "Latinoamérica" by the Puerto Rican hip hop group Calle 13. "If you can watch the ICE raids and feel that's justified or normal, please unfollow me," the post reads. "We are watching people hunt human beings. ICE is inhumane. This 'crime force' criminalizes migration, tears families apart, and often detains people in dangerous, overcrowded facilities without due process."
The influencer goes on to write that the organization targets vulnerable communities rather than offering safety or justice and goes on to say that the only reason she hasn't made a video is because she can't do so without crying. "When someone cries on camera, it immediately becomes about them and not the issue. Sometimes the message gets lost in the messaging and my message is: FUCK ICE."
@ladymisskay_ Know your rights, cover your face, go with friends, don’t bring your phone off
Kay Poyer is known for her masterful reads about a person, place, or idea, and she has never shied away from sharing her opinion. As the L.A. protests continued, Poyer shared information about the No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance, which is a collective group of demonstrations taking place on June 14 across the country.
@tanamongeaulol when i say match my donation i’m speaking to other influencers or anyone who can!!! i put the link in my bio and on my story. love u
Tana Mongeau has a checkered past on the internet, but she is working her way back into public favor with her Canceled podcast that she cohosts with Brooke Schofield. She put out a video Monday saying that she is watching what is going on in her city and feels that the best use of her influence is putting her money where her mouth is. "I'm able to make money and donate it to people who need it a whole lot more than I do," she said in the video and encouraged other influencers to match her donations that she has linked in her Instagram and TikTok bios.
Michael Foote is a lawyer on TikTok who uploaded a helpful video sharing information about what to do if someone is taken into custody by ICE. He shared a step-by-step process for what to do, what to say, how to request the things people are legally obligated to, and how to prepare oneself for this situation.
Moises Mendez II is a culture journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He covers internet culture and entertainment including television, movies, music, and more. For the last two years, he was a Culture Reporter at TIME Magazine. Before that, he was a freelance journalist and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and more. Moises holds a master's degree in Arts and Culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
Moises Mendez II is a culture journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He covers internet culture and entertainment including television, movies, music, and more. For the last two years, he was a Culture Reporter at TIME Magazine. Before that, he was a freelance journalist and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and more. Moises holds a master's degree in Arts and Culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
