Ryanne Mena
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ryannemena.bsky.social
Ryanne Mena
@ryannemena.bsky.social
5.8K followers 180 following 73 posts
Crime & public safety reporter 🕵🏻‍♀️
LA Daily News +10 🗞️
Prevs: ProPublica, LAist, Daily Sundial, The Corsair
Send tips! RMena@SCNG.com
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ryannemena.bsky.social
Ryanne Mena @ryannemena.bsky.social · Apr 11
Many immigrant kids are facing court alone, without a lawyer. Legal orgs are stretched thin and turning children away after the Trump admin slashed key funding last month.

My latest: [🎁 🔗]
www.dailynews.com/2025/04/10/i...

#immigration #immigrationcourt #unaccompaniedminors
Immigrant children can’t find lawyers, are on their own in court
‘My friends who stayed in Mexico were buried a month ago,’ said a teenager desperate to make a life in the U.S.
www.dailynews.com
ryannemena.bsky.social
Visiting a loved one at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center means navigating a series of obstacles like long drives through the Mojave Desert, hours-long waits, and then facing the emotional toll of leaving your loved one behind after the visit is over.

Read more:
www.dailynews.com/2025/11/06/w...
What it’s like to visit the ICE detention center in Adelanto
The facility, roughly 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is at the end of a road splintered with cracks and potholes. Once there, some wait for hours to see their loved ones.
www.dailynews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
joeyneverjoe.bsky.social
New from me: The police are defunding our cities. In LA, LAPD’s growing liability lawsuits are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in payouts. $400m in payouts since 2019. The biggest culprits: protests, police shootings, and car collisions. More👇

lapublicpress.org/2025/11/lapd...
Inside LAPD's nearly $400M settlement crisis that's bankrupting LA
Taxpayers are covering civil rights violations and officer misconduct while basic city services face cuts—and a new audit could reveal whether LAPD is doing anything to stop the pattern.
lapublicpress.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
acatwithnews.bsky.social
NEW for The Ten Four:

A crowd of hundreds gathered in the late afternoon Saturday outside the Metro Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, turning what began as a nearly universally peaceful rally into officers dozens of batons.

latenfour.com/2025/10/20/p...
Protests After No Kings Greeted By Horses Protecting Federal Detention Facility
It’s her LAPD. She has said nothing. She has been more absent on this issue than when she was out of the country during the fires.” -Adam Rose
latenfour.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
reporterliz.bsky.social
So here is the City Attorney's funding request that includes paying Best Best & Krieger as outside counsel in the LA Press Club/Status Coup case against the city.

It asks for a three-year contract, and an initial $250,000 amount to help handle that case. cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2...
October 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
Hundreds are out here at the No Kings protest in downtown Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more updates!
October 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
freedom.press
#NoKings protests return Saturday.

Journalists covering police response will have new court-ordered protections in LA and Chicago.

Still, “you’ll never win a philosophical argument on a skirmish line,” warns FPF’s @adamrose.bsky.social.

Here’s how you can protect your rights while reporting:
How press can survive interactions with police on the skirmish line
The pen is mightier than the sword, but only if you know how to use it
freedom.press
October 17, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
adamrose.bsky.social
Federal judge denies LAPD emergency motion to let officers to use force against press during #NoKings protest on Saturday.

I’m hearing, unconfirmed, City Council unanimously ordered City Attorney to withdraw motion anyway. Thank you! Much needed oversight!

drive.google.com/file/d/1tVyi...
Proceedings: (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER RE DEFENDANTS’ EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL [98] On September 10, 2025, the Court granted Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction. [Dkt. 83]. Defendants filed a Notice of Appeal nearly a month later. [Dkt. 89]. The instant Ex Parte Application for Stay of the Preliminary Injunction Pending Appeal (“Application”) was filed on October 15. [Dkt. 98]. Defendants contend that immediate, ex parte relief is required in light of the “No Kings” rally scheduled to take place in Los Angeles (and across the country) on October 18. Application at 2. They also assert various “workability” concerns and other substantive arguments largely mirroring those raised and addressed in prior briefing. Id. at 12–31. To justify ex parte relief, the moving party must show that its “cause will be irreparably prejudiced if the underlying motion is heard according to regular noticed motion procedures,” and that it is “without fault in creating the crisis that requires ex parte relief, or that the crisis occurred as a result of excusable neglect.” Mission Power Eng’g Co. v. Cont’l Cas. Co., 883 F. Supp. 488, 492 (C.D. Cal. 1995). Here, Defendants waited five weeks after the Court issued its injunction to file their Application, during which time the Court presumes Defendants complied with its order to disseminate the injunction. Furthermore, they waited almost three weeks from when they first indicated to Plaintiffs that they would be seeking a stay. Declaration of Peter Bibring in Opposition to Application ¶ 2 [Dkt. 100-1] (noting that Defendants notified Plaintiffs of their intent to move for a stay pending appeal on September 26, 2025). And Defendants waited over a week from when they first filed their notice of appeal. Indeed, although they now assert urgency given the upcoming demonstrations, the protest has been well publicized for more than ten days. See Alexa Mae Asperin, List: 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests in Southern California on Oct. 18, Fox 11 L.A. (Oct. 7, 2025 at 10:48 PT), https://www.foxla.com/news/no-kings-day-anti-trump- protests-california-oct-18. In short, Defendants have not shown any exigency not of their own creation and therefore have not shown an entitlement to extraordinary relief. Notwithstanding these procedural deficiencies, the Court will address the merits of the arguments presented. To that end, the Court will issue a substantive order on the stay request no later than October 24, 2025. Given that a substantive opposition has already been filed, the matter is deemed submitted until then. All prior orders remain in full force and effect. IT IS SO ORDERED. Page 2 of 2 CI
October 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
adamrose.bsky.social
Mario Guevara is the only journalist behind bars in the U.S. for his journalism.

He was doing his job, not a crime. Today is his 100th day in jail.

#FreeMario

A message from your friendly local (and national and international) press organizations:
cpj.org/wp-content/u...
Today marks 100 days of journalist Mario Guevara’s detention. Guevara, the only journalist behind bars in the U.S. for his journalism, faces the very real threat of deportation for doing his job, despite having legal status. The government has argued that his livestreaming — a common reporting practice — poses a danger to public safety. CPJ is outraged that the Board of Immigration Appeals on Friday re-opened his 13-year-old immigration case, declining to release him on bond. That case had concluded in a judge granting him voluntary departure rather than a deportation order. While an appeal on that ruling was pending, the government administratively closed the case and allowed Guevara to stay on work authorization. Removing a journalist's ability to report erodes accountability for law enforcement and sends a chilling message to anyone who seeks to hold power accountable. “Today, Monday, marks 100 days behind bars, more than three months locked up as a criminal,” Guevara wrote in a letter translated by Marcelo Wheelock of Telemundo Georgia. “I’m aware of my legal status; I know I’m about to be expelled from this country, which I’ve loved and respected so much for more than two decades. Life isn’t always fair. If they deport me, I’ll leave with my head held high, because I’m convinced it will be for carrying out my journalistic work and not for committing crimes.” Mario is a Salvadoran immigrant and dedicated Spanish‑language journalist who has reported on immigration enforcement in the Atlanta area for over two decades. He founded MG News — a trusted digital news outlet with a vast social media following, reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers, especially in Latino communities. His work has made him an essential voice covering stories about immigration and local law enforcement activities. Learn more: https://freedomformario.com/
September 23, 2025 at 12:52 AM
ryannemena.bsky.social
The Department of Homeland Security is targeting several social media accounts that posted a video of a Border Patrol agent -- with an activist behind one of the accounts questioning if the federal government is trying to suppress free speech.

Read the story🎁🔗:
www.dailynews.com/2025/09/19/f...
DHS probe of Long Beach activist who posted video of Border Patrol agent raises free-speech questions
A Long Beach activist and the creator of Stop ICE Raids Alert Network, received a message from Meta on Sept. 5 that said a law enforcement agency was seeking information about his Instagram account…
www.dailynews.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
adamrose.bsky.social
BREAKING: Federal judge in Los Angeles issues preliminary injunction against Department of Homeland Security to restrict use of force against press, legal observers and protesters.

Judge in LA Press Club v. Noem calls out "surprising savagery" of DHS officers:

"The First Amendment demands better."
September 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
mzinshteyn.bsky.social
CA DoJ wrote in Newsom vs Trump briefs that federal troops' arrival brought out more protests. Also, the protests after Paramount were limited to like a 5 or 6 block area in downtown LA, maybe .2 sq miles in a city that's 500 sq miles. The protesters were largely focused on federal troops and ICE.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Aug 31
Kristi Noem: "I do know that LA wouldn't be standing today if President Trump hadn't taken action."
August 31, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
lby3.bsky.social
Vigil for missing 7-month-old boy brings out community seeking answers after arrest of his parents.

@sbsun.bsky.social story by Madison Hart and @ryannemena.bsky.social:
Vigil for missing 7-month-old boy brings out community seeking answers after arrest of his parents
Emmanuel’s parents were arrested on suspicion of murder earlier that day.
buff.ly
August 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
taylorlorenz.bsky.social
My story is at the top of the @wired.com homepage, read my scoop about the Democrats secret paid influencer efforts! www.wired.com/story/dark-m...
WIRED homepage with my story up top
August 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
hrw.org
NEW: Law enforcement officers responded to protests against immigration raids in and around Los Angeles, California, between June 6 and 14 with excessive force and deliberate brutality.

Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
August 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
At the Adelanto ICE processing center, people with disabilities face abuse & neglect, according to a recent report that found detainees are being denied medication, food & care. The population surged to 1,400 by the end of June—with only 3 psychologists.

Read more:
www.dailynews.com/2025/08/14/p...
People with disabilities detained at ICE’s Adelanto center experience neglect, group says
On Thursday, Aug. 14, at a downtown Los Angeles press conference, the group and others pushed for change.
www.dailynews.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
mzinshteyn.bsky.social
This is happening now. Audio link: cand-uscourts.zoomgov.com/j/1611472837...

You'll be delighted to know that the four issues concerning this trial are the ones I covered in this primer below.

I provide links, quotes, context and a review of a dozen or so court documents. Dive in!
mzinshteyn.bsky.social Mikhail Zinshteyn @mzinshteyn.bsky.social · Aug 11
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta say yes. Trump’s DOJ says no. The three-day trial to answer this question is scheduled to commence today at 10 a.m. with implications for the country as Trump continues to signal a desire to deploy troops to patrol domestic city streets.
5 things to know as Newsom and Trump go back to court over the National Guard in LA
Gov. Gavin Newsom alleges the Trump administration broke a 19th Century law when it sent troops to L.A. with military security perimeters and alleged apprehensions of civilian protestors.
calmatters.org
August 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
Despite a court order, Border Patrol agents raided a Home Depot in Westlake this morning, using a Penske truck to deceive undocumented people.

Sixteen individuals were taken.

Read more here:
www.dailynews.com/2025/08/06/d...
Despite court order, federal officials use Penske truck to trick and arrest 16 immigrants in LA
According to video from Fox News, agents burst from the rear of a yellow moving truck and then ran toward a group of people amassed near a sidewalk food stand.
www.dailynews.com
August 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
melbuer.bsky.social
To get a sense of what’s been happening outside the MDC these last few weeks, take a look at this great reporting from my colleague @ryannemena.bsky.social—
July 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
Occupy ICE LA protesters have maintained a 24/7
presence outside of the MDC in dtla & say they won't leave until ICE raids in LA stop.

"It's time for ordinary
Americans to show up and do something. ... We have to save ourselves," one activist said.

Read my latest:
www.dailynews.com/2025/07/23/i...
Inside the downtown LA Occupy ICE protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center
A group of strangers formed the Occupy ICE LA 24/7 protest in early July, and said they’ll remain until immigration raids in Los Angeles come to a halt.
www.dailynews.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
adamrose.bsky.social
LOOKING FOR VIDEO/PHOTO EVIDENCE:
- No Kings protest in Downtown LA/City Hall
- June 14 from 5:43pm-5:49pm (probably on earlier side)
- Spring St near Temple St

There's a line of police at intersection who shoot LLMs, lots of press around. DM me or email pressrights [at] lapressclub [dot] org.
July 16, 2025 at 1:48 AM
ryannemena.bsky.social
After ICE raided a Hollywood Home Depot, vendors & laborers kept showing up. “There’s no freedom living in this fear,” one man said.

In response, community groups have upped efforts to patrol, alert workers & build mutual aid to protect ppl just trying to survive.
www.dailynews.com/2025/07/12/l...
LA activists patrol Home Depots, parks using a volunteer network to warn of immigration raids
Community organizers across Los Angeles remain active in their fight to protect undocumented community members.
www.dailynews.com
July 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Ryanne Mena
melbuer.bsky.social
I’m here in MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, where military style vehicles have pulled up down Wilshire and Alvarado, amid rumors of an ICE raid in the park have proliferated since last night
July 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
Today Glendale Memorial Hospital did not allow an attorney with @immdef.bsky.social entry to see their client.

Journalists were also denied entry into the lobby, the same “public space” federally contracted detention officers are allowed to occupy.
July 7, 2025 at 5:18 PM
ryannemena.bsky.social
Detention officers were inside of Glendale Memorial hospital today.

A woman suffering from a severe medical emergency was brought in yesterday after federal immigration agents took her.

This photo was taken at around 10:30am by a community member and shared with me.
Federally contracted detention officers stand in the lobby of Glendale’s Memorial Hospital after a woman they took suffered a severe medical emergency. It remains unclear when she will be discharged. And it is unclear if the detention officers will wait to take her again.
July 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM