Families First rallies California cities against Trump’s gutting of essential programs

On July 26, “Families First Now rallied together in a peaceful public action to demand an end to cuts on essential programs like Medicaid, FEMA, food stamps and more.

Thousands of families came together to express their frustration with the Trump administration’s decisions, which are affecting their loved ones. Residents from several California cities, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside and more, showed up to say that families come first, not these attempts at authoritarianism.

“At a time when many families are barely able to afford the basics, these cuts will take away their access to healthcare, food support, and essential care,” stated Ai-jen Poo, executive director of Caring Across Generations and president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Because of the actions taken by the Trump administration, there have been many reports across the country of families scared and angry, with some experiencing forced disappearances of their loved ones taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

People came together to show that they will always defend their families, communities and the crucial resources that they need to live with dignity.

CALÓ News attended the Los Angeles rally, where hundreds of people gathered at Gloria Molina Grand Park, located between Broadway and Spring streets, to hear families and local leaders speak out and share personal stories about what's at stake.

Marucio Medina, a healthcare worker who has seen the impacts of ICE agents being permitted to enter hospitals firsthand, told CALÓ News that people avoid seeking care at hospitals due to fears of being taken away by immigration agents, as if, according to Medina, they are being used as bait.

“I feel like I'm a number now versus a human being. It’s horrible, like you can just get me and find out later,” said Medina.

Despite fearing what could happen to his loved ones every time they go out, Medina knows that he has two choices — fight or stay home. He also spoke about how important it is to rally peacefully against the administration and fight for their families, patients and oneself.

Medical professionals also shared concerns about the possibility of losing their jobs due to Medicaid and Medicare cuts. Catherine Ayayla-Rodriquez, a registered nurse and SEIU union member, told CALÓ News that these cuts not only directly affect her but, more importantly, patients who are losing out on medical resources.

“My concern was, ‘Are we going to go through another pandemic? Do the people in the White House really think this through?’ Because if you neglect medication or treatment for some people, you're just giving them a higher risk,” said Rodriguez.

She explained that attending these protests, rallies and marches peacefully is what gives her hope that people will stay together and fight back against what she considers inhumane actions taken by ICE agents at the direction of the Trump administration. 

“There's no other word for that… we’re supposed to be more civilized. We’re supposed to be better people, not the opposite,” said Rodriguez.

Patricia Santana Bautista, a long-time SEIU board member, demanded that families be treated with respect. When the domestic policy bill, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” was passed, she felt a pang of sadness, knowing that these cuts to vital medical resources would primarily benefit millionaires, not the most vulnerable families.

“A lot of people are going to lose their lives because a lot of those programs are what they need to survive,” said Bautista.

Bautista believes the government is taking away resources in order to fill their pockets with the lives of the poor, she told CALÓ News. Not only are they destroying families, but the economy as well, she said

The “Families First” mobilization was a day of action uniting families, workers, caregivers and immigrants and organized by a growing coalition of more than 75 organizations representing labor, migrant or racial justice and care movements, including the National Domestic Workers Alliance, SEIU, Planned Parenthood, among others.

As the rally was ending, people were instructed to gather in a circle around the park and create “chain of unity”, while children lined up and marched inside the circle. As the children marched, people began to chant, helping to inspire and remind everyone of what they are fighting for: the children’s future.

“We’re committing to ensuring that every one of our friends and neighbors knows they are not alone and hears what’s at stake for families in our country right now,” Families First Now said in a statement.