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Ep. 37 How Can Communities Protect Each Other? (Feat. Maya Suzuki-Daniels & Lupe Cardona)

Published on: 15th September, 2025

On this episode, we’re talking with Maya Suzuki-Daniels and Lupe Carrasco Cardona about immigrant rights, community safety, and the grassroots organizing behind the Harbor Area Peace Patrols. These patrols, launched in San Pedro, are part of a broader effort by the Community Self-Defense Coalition — an alliance of more than 65 organizations across Los Angeles and Southern California working to defend immigrant rights and respond collectively to ICE activity. Maya is a teacher, union leader, and a founding organizer of the Harbor Area Peace Patrols. Lupe is an award-winning Ethnic Studies educator, chair of the Association of Raza Educators in LA, and a steering committee member of the Community Self-Defense coalition. Together, along with many other community members, they’re helping shape community-led models of safety and solidarity that challenge traditional policing and center immigrant justice.

Resources:

www.instagram.com/communityselfdefensecoalition

www.instagram.com/harborareapeacepatrols

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About the Podcast

MHD Off the Record
Dive into the heart of South Los Angeles with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson on MHD Off The Record—where culture drives leadership and community voices lead the way!
The MHD Off the Record Podcast provides an inside look at Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s perspective on the culture, values, and policies shaping the City of Los Angeles. With a focus on uniting diverse neighborhoods across the city, the podcast delivers political and policy insight, offering listeners an opportunity to learn more about their City’s culture, resources, and government.

Whether discussing groundbreaking ideas for change, highlighting community-driven solutions, or sharing personal stories that reveal the role of multicultural activism, music, and culture in his worldview, this podcast is for anyone interested in the progression of Los Angeles.

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Marqueece Harris-Dawson