Newsletter: Parents and teachers are pushing back on a bilingual school's lack of Spanish resources
Plus, the San Diego Gay Rodeo is making a comeback.
Lauren and I are very excited to be up in Oakland this week for our first training with the Maynard Institute.
The organization selected Daylight as one of eight California newsrooms for its inaugural Fire Up Entrepreneurship Program, which comes with hands-on training, mentorship and a grant of $20,000.
We'll be working on reimagining our newsletter strategy, including revamping this weekly email and our Instagram roundup reels, to better serve you — and to hopefully build sponsorship opportunities to sustain this work.
If you have ideas, critiques or other thoughts about what you'd like to see from our newsletters, please send those my way at kate@daylightsandiego.org or fill out our survey. (You may have noticed that we've shortened the top of these considerably after we asked for feedback earlier this year. We take seriously what you all share with us.)
— Kate Morrissey
Over 100 teachers, parents, students and community members packed into EJE Academies Charter School’s auditorium for a tense school board meeting on June 29. Staff and families are demanding the school board and administration of the dual-language school prioritize the Spanish-speaking community by providing translated resources. The union is also advocating for changes to protect staff from termination after several were dismissed.
— Jenna Ramiscal
San Diego Gay Rodeo, once a community with close to 50 members, became defunct in 2010 — but now a team has been working to rebuild the chapter since 2024. Rodeo members have spent the majority of the last two years fundraising to host a local rodeo.
— Jenna Ramiscal
Misusing crowd-control weapons
Human rights investigators have documented hundreds of instances of misuse of crowd-control weapons at protests of immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump returned to office.
— Story by Kate Morrissey, Capital & Main
ICE arrested over 43,000 people in June, 90% of detainees at Camp East Montana in El Paso reported beatings and the Los Angeles Police Department let a three-year Flock Safety contract expire while continuing talks for a new one.
— Rami Alarian
Weekend Energy: July 30-Aug. 5
This week San Diegans can attend a session on crafting dinosaur terrariums, a trades career panel and a solar cooking workshop.
— Rami Alarian
Other news
The Barrio Logan post office is closing, and people are protesting, photojournalist Adrian Childress posted on Instagram.
Drag and cosplay performer Aang xiety has died after a battle with cancer, Hillcrest San Diego reported.
SF Gate reported that California researchers have launched an OnlyFans of yellow-bellied marmots in central Colorado to make up for lost federal funding after Trump administration cuts.
Entertainment Weekly caught footage of protesters demonstrating against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement outside of Comic-Con.
Protesters also found and documented ICE in an operation in City Heights, NBC7 reported.
Hurricane Genevieve was likely to send dangerous 8- to 11-foot waves to San Diego beaches beginning Wednesday evening, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. CBS 8 reported that lifeguards were already making more than 100 rescues a day due to dangerous rip currents and surf caused by the storm before it fully reached San Diego.
For Times of San Diego, journalist Rob Camacho reported that zines are making a comeback in activism spaces, but the Trump administration has already used them as evidence in cases against protesters.
SheFest announced that the group has changed its name to Sapphic Collective of San Diego.
The BBC quoted a San Diego doctor in a recent piece on the underestimated health impacts of heavy periods. According to the piece, many people have reported needing multiple blood transfusions before doctors took their heavy bleeding seriously. The San Diego doctor from Rady Children's Hospital noted that these experiences can be particularly traumatic for trans men.
KPBS reported that a San Diego woman is working to keep Black roller skating culture alive. Stacie Watkins’ group — Black Skate San Diego — teaches beginner-friendly classes in Liberty Station every Tuesday.
Need a new library card? You can get a Pride-themed card designed by local artist Kori Callu or a Comic-Con design by local artist Keithan Jones.
Upcoming Events
July 30
HeART Night: A New Path Narcan Project and The Brown Building host their weekly HeART Nights series, offering a free arts and crafts activity as part of their harm reduction programming. 6 - 8:30 p.m., weekly on Thursdays, The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
RISE Arts Talks: "We Survived": RISE San Diego is hosting a conversation on the threat to defund San Diego's arts ecosystem with Monica Delgadillo Hernandez, Leah Goodwin and Bob Lehman. Register online for free. 6 - 8 p.m., Heartspace, 3619 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Tiny Dinosaur Terrariums: Playground San Diego is hosting a crafting session where guests build a succulent terrarium featuring hand-painted dinosaurs. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Playground Art + Coffee, 3043 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
The Paranoyds, Doll Riot, Trash Day: Soda Bar is hosting a live show featuring The Paranoyds, Doll Riot and Trash Day. Tickets are available online starting at $18.54. 7 p.m., Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Dedication Hour Tour After Party: City Soul Collective is hosting the official after party for the Jason Joshua Dedication Tour, featuring DJs Selektah Olmeca and Beau Selector at the show, followed by a night of prizes, raffles and vinyl. Doors at 8 p.m., no cover, The Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
July 31
The Block Club Community Social: The Block Club is hosting a free family-friendly community social with a walking taco bar, chef-made chili options, build-your-own toppings, a spoons tournament, Uno, Connect Four, ice cream, music and kids activities. 3 - 6 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Dancing in the Street: Swing Edition: North City is hosting a street dance session as part of its July summer programming. 6 - 8 p.m., North City Farmers Market, 250 North City Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
San Diego Summer Folkfest: Morava Folklore Ensemble is hosting its 35th annual summer festival. The event opens with a Welcome Dance featuring DJ Miko at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church on Friday, followed by a folklore concert and afterparty with Chicago's Kalca Band at the church on Saturday. The festival closes with a beach party at Pacific Beach on Sunday. The weekend features authentic homemade Serbian cuisine and international guest performers, including C.O.T.K. Desanka Djordjević from Serbia. Tickets are available online. Times vary by day, July 31 - Aug. 2, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 3025 Denver St., San Diego, CA 92117
Aug 1
Lemon Grove Mural Walk: The Lemon Grove Historical Society is hosting a 1-mile walking tour of the city's historical murals and landmarks, followed by a muralist Q&A. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the historical society. 8 - 10 a.m., starting at Lemon Grove History Mural, 3308 Main St., Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Global Marketplace Vendor Space Opening: Karen Organization of San Diego is hosting a soft opening for a new vendor space in the Global Marketplace, inviting the community to shop from locally owned small businesses. 9 a.m. - noon, The Global Marketplace, 5591 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
San Diego Soul Food Fest: The annual San Diego Soul Food Festival is returning with music and food. General admission is $5 and tasting tickets are $10; tickets are available online. Public transit or rideshare is strongly encouraged due to minimal street parking. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 3812 29th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Shelltown Mochilaton: Aztlan Libre is hosting its first backpack distribution in Shelltown, dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Veronica Maria Moran, a member of the group's Aztlan Youth Brigade. The event includes music, a healing area, raffle items for youth and food from Isa's Tamales. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Between Birch St. and Cottonwood, 2051 Osborn St., San Diego, CA 92113
Thank You Southeast Community Day & Block Party: Shavone Speakerboxx is hosting the inaugural Thank You Southeast block party celebrating the people and culture of Southeast San Diego with food, music, sports and local vendors. DJs Dauche and Beto Perez are performing, and the first 200 guests will receive a free meal from The Chicken Shack. Noon, Willie Henderson Sports Complex, 1035 S. 45th St., San Diego, CA 92113
Aug 2
Latin Sundays: Mixed Grounds is hosting Latin Sundays with Sunday Runday Club, a music and dance event featuring DJ Cutlos Supreme, free dance lessons and Puerto Rican food from Wanda Puertorican Cuisine. 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Mixed Grounds, 4555 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
Vinyl at the Market: Vinyl Record Rarities and Mo Records are hosting a record show, featuring vinyl DJs, vendors and thousands of records for sale. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Intro to Mending with Hand Sewing & Tea: Dear Tomorrow is hosting a beginner-friendly class teaching hand-sewing basics, including securing a patch, different stitch techniques and with tips for embroidering text. All materials are provided, and attendees can take home their supplies. Tickets cost $25. 2 - 4p.m., Dear Tomorrow, 216 S Tremont St., Oceanside, CA 92054
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement. 2 - 4 p.m., 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA, 92154
One Book One Brew: KPBS and Books and Brews are hosting a celebration for the 20th chapter of One Book, One San Diego, featuring a limited-edition beer from Chula Vista Brewery made especially for the milestone. The family-friendly event includes food, non-alcoholic drink options, shopping with local vendors and an announcement of the top 10 finalists in each One Book category. Reserve free tickets online. 5 - 7:30 p.m., Working Class, 4095 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
