VietRISE with coalition partners have launched the OC Community Self-Defense Coalition! The OCCSDC’s purpose is to defend our communities against immigration enforcement by patrolling our Little Saigon & Little Arabia neighborhoods, documenting abductions, and providing resources for people to defend themselves.

If you’re interested in volunteering with the OCCSDC, SIGN UP HERE!

The Vietnamese American High School Alliance (VAHSA) organized a supply drive to support immigrant families in Orange County, providing essential items and nonperishable food for those who don’t feel safe to leave their homes due to increased ICE presence in OC. VAHSA and VietRISE coordinated this supply drive this past weekend and will donate all items to Delhi Neighborhood and OC Mutual Aid, who will distribute them directly to community members. Thank you to everyone who donated items!

Please directly email vahsasocal@gmail.com for more information.

This past month, we have seen ICE and federal agents violently abduct immigrants all over Orange County. In the past several days they have specifically targeted community members in Anaheim and Garden Grove. As a community, the OC Community Self Defense Coalition, which VietRISE is a steering committee member of, held an emergency action in Garden Grove near Home Depot. Learn more about the action by checking out our Instagram, and listen to the speech our executive director, Tracy La, gave about refusing to be spectators, unity, and ICE out of Little Saigon. 

Congressmember Derek Tran campaigned on a powerful refugee story familiar to many of us living in Little Saigon. But since taking office, Tran has consistently voted in support of anti-immigrant bills. He voted to pass the Laken-Riley Act and most recently, he voted for a resolution that praised ICE, even as ICE raids tore through neighborhoods in his own district.

On June 18, VietRISE and community allies rallied in front of Phước Lộc Thọ, calling on him to take real action to protect immigrant communities. We thank the 13 community organizations, including the Harbor Institute, Councilmember Thai Phan, and Trustee Walter Muneton, who stood with us in demanding justice and for Congressmember Tran to do better for immigrant communities.

Sign the petition to demand that Rep. Tran stop backing Trump’s mass deportation and racial profiling agenda — and start defending our communities.

During the program’s first two weeks, participants explored the history of ethnic studies, the Vietnamese American identity, and what organizing looks like in diaspora. They also went on a People’s Tour of Little Saigon. As they walked through local spaces, they learned about the pivotal events and leaders who shaped Little Saigon into the vibrant community it is today. We look forward to witnessing their growth as advocates for positive social change.