Newsletter: San Diego mayor calls for more oversight on police interactions with ICE
Plus, some more information about our launch party
Håfa Adai (Greetings), everyone!
We have a beefy newsletter for you. But before you get into it, we wanted to share with y’all a little more about our launch party in August!
We will have some unique items for our opportunity drawing and silent auction, including a gift basket from Matcha Cafe Maiko and a selection of beers from Shogun Brewing.
This is your chance to support journalism that is thoughtful, fair and diverse. Help us bring you journalism that is for you, not just about you. Plus, it’s a great time for us all to finally meet! So, get your tickets here for a night of fun with us.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
Mayor Warns Police Not to Cooperate With ICE
Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order Wednesday telling the San Diego Police Department to inform his office if and when officers respond to an incident involving federal immigration enforcement efforts. He also called for updated police training and a city-run “Know Your Rights” campaign.
— Kate Morrissey
Experience Comic-Con without a badge
Tickets for San Diego Comic-Con may be long sold out, but there are still plenty of ways to join the fun. All things pop culture take over the city with panels, themed cafes, fashion shows and colorful cosplayers filling the Gaslamp Quarter.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Queer community members and allies cheered while waving pride flags at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, an annual awards ceremony organized by San Diego Pride and the Hillcrest Business Association that celebrates this movement and calls people to action. People within the community were given moments to highlight their service work, while individuals were also honored for their contributions to LGBTQ+ activism.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Interfaith community celebrates Pride
Hundreds gathered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral on Wednesday night for the 10th annual Light Up the Cathedral, an interfaith celebration to kick off San Diego Pride this weekend. The standing-room-only event featured readings from nearly four dozen religious leaders, performances by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and San Diego Women’s Chorus and a rainbow lights display outside around the Bankers Hill church.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Pride Parade draws crowd to Hillcrest
Colorful floats, waving flags and fierce fashion filled the streets in a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ joy and resilience last Saturday for the San Diego Pride Parade, celebrating LGBTQ+ joy and resilience.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
Trump dismantles protective pathways for Afghans
The Trump administration has systematically shut down the pathways that Afghans were using to flee the Taliban and find safety in the U.S. Family members of U.S. military veterans, students, former prosecutors and others who worked to support the United States’ vision for Afghanistan are among those stuck either in their home country or in satellite processing locations that the U.S. government set up for them, including Qatar.
— Kate Morrissey, Capital & Main
Trump and Kennedy throw Head Start into reverse
The Trump administration’s latest blow to Head Start landed last week.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is attempting to prevent the preschool education program from continuing to provide resources for all low-income children in America. Its effects would be real — and potentially toxic.
— Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
It might be San Diego Comic-Con weekend, but that doesn’t mean every local wants to wade through the crowds of cosplayers downtown. Whether you’re skipping the badge scene, or just looking for something low-key, here are some fun, off-the-radar events happening around the county.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
San Diego has become the first city in California to strike a deal with the state that allows it to clear encampments of unhoused people along certain freeway areas and receive reimbursement, Voice of San Diego reported. The one-year agreement covers stretches of freeway in Barrio Logan, downtown San Diego, East Village, Little Italy and Sherman Heights. Some unhoused residents told Voice that without a sufficient number of shelter beds, they worry there won’t be anywhere for them to go.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a new small business training program to help owners and employees know their rights during Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, according to KPBS. The move follows the May arrests at Buona Forchetta in South Park and a rise in immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration.
On Tuesday, San Diego City Council finalized a new cap on backyard apartments — or accessory dwelling units — in single-family neighborhoods, following months of public concern over large-scale projects, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The new rules limit ADUs to four on smaller lots and six on larger ones, but city leaders said some major developments already in progress will likely move forward.
The Mexican Consulate in San Diego is offering free legal services to LGBTQ+ Mexican citizens dealing with discrimination or violence, KPBS reported.
Upcoming Events
July 25
CreativeMornings: Head to the San Diego Made Factory to hear from guest speaker Kendrick Dial at CreativeMornings, a monthly breakfast lecture series that brings together artists, business owners and other creatives. Artistically known as Mr. Lyrical Groove, Dial fronts The Lyrical Groove, a band celebrated for its fusion of soul, hip-hop and socially conscious lyrics. The free monthly event includes time for networking, coffee and a 20-minute talk on the month’s theme: mentor. Register online for free. 8:15-10 a.m., San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92113
Watch Night: Join the Block Club for its monthly watch night, where organizers screen television series and films. 6-9 p.m., 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Taste of Eastlake: Try foods from more than 40 local purveyors in Chula Vista during the Taste of Eastlake. The night includes a silent auction and live entertainment, with proceeds benefiting K-12 public schools. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased online. 6-9:30 p.m., Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Pkwy., Chula Vista, CA 91915
July 26
Art Share & Friendship Fair: BIPOC, queer and female creatives will showcase their work focused on art and expression as resistance during this National City event. Anyone interested in vending at the event can email dominiquexgil@gmail.com. 4-9 p.m., 926 A Ave., National City, CA 91950
the land we carry: The Viet Voices San Diego AAPI Emerging Artist Fellowship culminates in the art exhibit and performance "the land we carry." The event features works from C. Ryu, haven luya, Long Nguyen, and seh-reum. Casa Familiar partners with Viet Voices to host the event with support from the Prebys Foundation. Admission is free with RSVP. 4:30 to 8 p.m. at El Salon Theater at The Front Arte Cultura, 147 W San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173
July 27
Concerts on the Green: Stop by Kate Sessions Park this Sunday for Concerts on the Green, a free live music event hosted every Sunday until Aug. 10. This week, guests can listen to Paging the 90s, covering pre-Y2K favorites like Blink-182, the Spice Girls and Will Smith. 4-7 p.m., Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Rd., San Diego, CA 92109
Want to support our efforts to bring Daylight to San Diego?
- Please subscribe to our newsletter so you’re the first to know when we publish content or announce upcoming listening sessions.
- Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our fundraising campaign on Givebutter. A huge shoutout to everyone who has made a donation toward our goal of raising $50,000 this summer to support our journalism.
- We’re now formally accepting story ideas! If you have an idea or pitch that you think will interest other San Diegans, tell us about it!
- Do you have an upcoming event to promote? We are building an events calendar! If you are hosting public events, let us help you get the word out by using our submissions form.
- We are continuing to accept submissions to our Daylight San Diego Community Survey to help shape upcoming news content.
Hit the follow button on our social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook and YouTube) and share our page with your own community within the region.
