FALL 2025

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The LISTINGS section of this Dispatch–a roundup of ways to contribute to LA's mutual aid efforts in the form of time, money and/or items as well as what resources each group offers–can be found by ⬇️ scrolling down ⬇️

A FEW WORDS ON: Masking is Abolition

I recently had a conflict with a group of comrades while planning a mutual aid event. I requested the event be fully masked (wearing a well-fitted N95 or KN95 respirator) to lessen the risk of spreading COVID and be inclusive of disabled people. I was met with what has become the standard resistance to masking, but the most frustrating argument was that requiring a mask is somehow a form of policing. If community is contingent on the ease of maintaining the conditions that currently exist, then how can we build life-affirming institutions we need to survive? Police ensure the order never changes, however, masking is an abolitionist practice that keeps us safe, present in our communities, and involved in our own liberation.

Personal responsibility and individualism have never been answers to systemic problems. White saviors and punishment have never made us safe. So why is masking considered an act of personal decision making? “We keep us safe” is a demand, not a yard sign. Creating boundaries for our safety is a commitment to organize our survival. The worst irony is that masking is often seen as a favor to disabled people when it is disabled people who are also trying to protect those that choose to unmask. That is how a network of care actually works, none of us want to see any of us disappear.

Police disappear people from communities to chip away at our foundation of friends, family, neighbors, comrades. Abolition must work in the opposite direction, growing community through presence. If masking is a personal choice rather than a communal response, then community is only a reflection of “healthiness”. Those who need masking in order to be present get punished–and no one has to call the cops. The sick and disabled are expected to disappear themselves, which is why the spread of disease is a carceral process.

We are more than five years into the COVID-19 pandemic. A few weeks ago I noticed an entire mutual aid distribution was cancelled. All the organizers and volunteers had contracted COVID. I thought about how disabled people are so acutely aware of the need for mutual aid to survive. In abolition, we have to dream of a world that does not yet exist. Masking alone is not my dream. My dream is people living to care for each other, always meeting the needs of another because we recognize the same need in ourselves.

Written by matt, who is cared for by partner Anna and dog Maverick

FEATURED EFFORT: FEED THE BLOCK IE

Feed the Block IE has been serving community members on Tongva land (in the so-called Inland Empire) for the last five years. FTB provides survival resources, engages in political education, and builds community with their houseless and low income neighbors. Their work, like the work of many groups in Southern California, prioritizes community autonomy and self preservation over charity, a theme central to their mission. Moreover, FTB grounds their work in Black, Pan-Afrikan, Indigenous, and Third World liberatory politics– believing  that the liberation of all oppressed people begins with Afrikan liberation, both on the continent and in the African diaspora worldwide.

FTB organizes recurring food and resource distributions, medical clinics, emergency response efforts,  and know-your-rights workshops. Their annual Aid in the Shade event, for example, provides summer resources to community members–  including hot meals, hygiene kits, harm reduction materials, summer clothing, dog and cat food, cold beverages, and a mobile charging station. This is necessary  programming in a region that sees average daily highs of 100 degrees in the summer months and takes the lives of unhoused neighbors every year. This year, they also used Aid in the Shade as an opportunity to invite various local organizations, including Plus Size Cuties, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center (PEOC), Brittlebush Distro, and Breathe Free IE, to distribute PPE materials and COVID tests, plus size clothing, political zines and resources, iced coffee, and information on economic opportunities. Additionally, FTB held a Know Your Rights Workshop to inform houseless neighbors of their rights when interacting with ICE and police. The workshop also provided a space for the community to share their experiences with state surveillance and policing and brainstorm opportunities to autonomously organize and protect themselves.

One of FTB’s newest collaborative projects is the IE Relief Fund, a resource to financially redistribute community-sourced funds to those in the IE who have been affected by the ICE kidnappings. FTB continues to build community networks with other IE grassroots orgs through fundraising events, expanding rapid response networks, and providing direct aid to individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by state violence.

FTB’s work is a testament to the type of community care that is essential for connecting and liberating us all. Their innovative and responsive projects, and their work in coalition with other orgs in the region fills the gaps left by (and often created by) our institutions.

To celebrate five  years of community and mutual aid in the Inland Empire, FTB IE will be hosting a birthday bash fundraiser on November 8 from 1-7pm in downtown San Bernardino. You can RSVP to volunteer here. If you can’t attend, opportunities to support FTB IE include through monetary or physical donations. Check out their Instagram @feedtheblock_ie for up-to-date information on their needs.

How YOU can contribute...

• FOLLOW Feed the Block IE @feedtheblock_ie on Instagram and SHARE fundraising and archive collection efforts. While you’re there, be sure to check out their LinkTree!

• GIVE MONEY to the Feed the Block IE here, and the IE Relief Fund here and SHOW UP to fundraising events as advertised on their Instagram page.

• VOLUNTEER your time to assist with Feed the Block IE’s fundraising, unhoused outreach or administrative work. Fill out a volunteer interest form to get started.

Written by by Alli, who organizes with MALAN

DO YOU HAVE TIME, ITEMS*, OR MONEY TO CONTRIBUTE?
DO YOU NEED ITEMS, SERVICES, OR FOOD?

*PLEASE clean, sort & fold all items you are donating. Items should be new or gently used. Socks, underwear and hygiene items should always be unused.

WHO: Jail Support LA
YOU HAVE: TIME, MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
A grassroots collective dedicated to supporting anti-repression work in Los Angeles.

If you are going to a protest and worried you might be facing arrest, call or text (424) 610-3020. If you were you arrested, cited, or ticketed at a recent anti-ICE protest or due to the DTLA curfew, join an upcoming info sessions by registering at bit.ly/NLGinfosessions.

Check out this post for additional resources. 

IMPORTANT: They recently shared that a fake Venmo account using their name has popped up, and that their phone line has been bogged down by prank calls.If you call and can’t get through, TEXT THEM. 

Donated funds to be used for

• Bail

• Food/Water

• Transport to + from jail/court

• Tickets/Fines

• Court fees

$: Venmo @jailsupportla Cash App $bigcherry420

WHO: National Lawyers Guild LA
YOU HAVE:TIME, MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
Working to unite lawyers, law students, legal workers and volunteers in LA to serve the people.

Check out resources in linktree.

NLG LA offers :

• Helpline for folks who need assistance shifting in-person immigration court hearings to online. Call (888) 462-5211

• Federal Defense Hotline. If you are approached by federal law enforcement, call (212) 679-2811

• Provide and train Legal Observers. Request links for SoCal and Central Coast.Watch their IG page for updates on upcoming training opportunities. Looking for:

• Donations, for administrative support and volunteer coordination. Venmo @nlg-la.

• Volunteers for legal observation and pro-bono legal services. Sign up at nlg.org/join.

$: Venmo @nlg-la

WHO: Unión del Barrio
YOU HAVE: TIME, MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
Unión del Barrio is an independent political organization with a volunteer membership base dedicated to struggling on behalf of La Raza living within the current borders of the United States. They struggle every day to build a people’s organization capable of defending La Raza’s democratic rights and working-class interests.

Not a non-profit or charity-based organization, our barrio-based work is entirely financed through membership dues, community contributions, and local fundraising.

Their IG is a great up-to-date source on ICE activity in the area and community calls for support. Safety information including what to look out for, and what to do if engaged by ICE, can be found on their site. (Español, inglés)

To support Unión del Barrio’s community self-defense campaign,report suspected ICE/migra activity, or request more information, reach them at:
@uniondelbarrio
1-213-444-6562 (Los Angeles)
1-760-913-0306 (North County San Diego/ Escondido)
1-619-916-7215 (San Diego)

$: Donation link

WHO: Community Self Defense Coalition LA
YOU HAVE: TIME, MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
We keep us safe! Solo el Pueblo salva al Pueblo! Sign up here to get involved, or come out to one of their meetings or trainings. Their IG is also a great, up-to-date source on ICE activity in the area and community calls for support.
WHEN: Saturday, November 8th at 11 am (Register here)
WHERE: Koreatown
$: Donation Link

WHO: Community Solidarity Project
YOU HAVE: ITEMS, MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS, SERVICES, FOOD
Community Solidarity Project is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded with the goal of supporting grassroots groups and local nonprofits with large scale distributions and donation facilitation, as well as event production and protest safety. Essentially logistics of all kinds in service of social justice and liberation. We believe that by working in solidarity, we can achieve the vision of a more equitable society for all.

Bernie’s Coffee Shop is a place for gatherings and community events, providing space for social justice groups and work. Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA) is having a Winter Clothing Drive at Bernie’s on November 7th! You can drop off before or during at the venue (6101 Wilshire Blvd.), between 3-10pm.

COLLECTING: The PUMA clothing drive is collecting winter gear (jackets, blankets, sweaters/sweatshirts, pants, gloves, scarves, etc.) or new socks and underwear. Check out this post for more info!
WHEN: PUMA Winter Clothing Drive on Nov. 7 from 3-10pm;
WHERE: 6101 Wilshire Blvd (Bernie’s Coffee Shop), 6121 Wilshire Blvd (Free 99 Store), 765 Stanford Ave (Distribution Warehouse)
$: Donation link

WHO: MALAN Hygiene Hello
YOU HAVE: TIME, ITEMS, MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS, FOOD
Hygiene Hello! is back! MALAN is seeking help with sourcing the items for hygeine kits, and also with the hygeine kit build on Nov. 23 in Highland Park! DM us if you’d like to help source items, if you have items to give, or if you want a message when the RSVP link is live!
COLLECTING: We need these items
WHEN: November 23
WHERE: Highland Park (Message us for an RSVP link!)
$: Donation link (leave "Hygiene Hello" in the note)