Linea Abierta Programming: January 20, 2025

MONDAY, JANUARY 20

PROGRAM #10659 12:00 PM PT

MLK Jr. Day and Trump’s Inauguration. Inauguration Day 2025 will also be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Civil rights leaders have condemned Trump’s presidential campaign rhetoric as hateful and say his agenda is at odds with Dr. King’s legacy. A national civil rights network is planning three days of mass protests during the holiday weekend, beginning with Saturday’s “People’s March on Washington,” a “National Day of Action” on Sunday, and a rally to honor Dr, King’s dream, and protest the second presidential inauguration of Trump. Journalists and analysts join this roundtable to report about the news developments, reflect on Dr. King’s influence and legacy impacting Latinos and discuss Trump’s first day in office.

Guests: Gerardo Guzman, Reporter and Program Host, Atlanta, GA; Roberto Cruz, Managing Attorney, LatinoJustice, Orlando, FL; Jose Lopez Zamorano, Reporter, Washington, DC; Vicki Gaubeca, Associate US Director for Immigrants’ Rights and Border Policy, Human Rights Watch, Tucson, AZ; Maritza Felix, Founder, Conecta Arizona, Phoenix, AZ.

*********************

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21

PROGRAM #10660 11:00 AM PT

Extra Edition: Rebuilding LA and Immigrants. Donald Trump said he will order the deportation of millions of immigrants in the country on his first day in office. How would this plan impact the US’ ability to quickly clean up and rebuild areas hit by extreme weather disasters like floods, hurricanes, and firestorms? And how are the fires impacting day-laborers who worked in the devastated neighborhoods of Los Angeles?

Guests: Dr. Gaspar Rivera-Salgado, Professor of Work, Labor and Social Justice in the US, Project Director, UCLA Labor Center Director, UCLA Center for Mexican Studies, Los Angeles, CA; Salvador Sarmiento, National Campaign Director, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Pasadena, CA.

Local Response to Federal Actions. After recent immigration raids, workplaces and schools are reporting more absenteeism and fewer families are applying for social benefits. How are sanctuary cities and local political and community leaders and schools responding to the first actions of the Trump administration? Listeners are encouraged to call in to share their feelings and opinions about the new reality.

Guests: Josie Tizcareño Pereira, Network News Producer, Radio Bilingüe, Fresno, CA; Xavier Vazquez, Immigration Services Program Manager, Centro La Familia, Fresno, CA.

PROGRAM #10661 12:00 PM PT

Immigration Edition: Trump’s First Day. On his first day in office, Trump promised to close the border, begin the largest deportation operation in history, end birthright citizenship, restore Trump’s travel ban, and revoke Biden’s pro-immigrant executive orders. Immigration experts take a look at Trump’s actions on Day One and discuss what they mean for the future.

Guests: Thomas Kennedy, Spokesperson, Florida Immigrant Coalition-FLIC, Miami, Florida; Helena Olea, Associate Deputy Director, Alianza America, Chicago, IL; Larry Kleinman, Political Analyst/Commentator, La Politica Mas Critica, Radio Poder, Woodburn, OR.

*********************

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

PROGRAM #10662 12:00 PM PT

LA’s Firestorm. Firefighters continue to battle the deadly Los Angeles fires. Tens of thousands of residents may continue under evacuation orders since the disaster areas are full of hazardous materials and hillsides pose the risk of mudslides. This is an update on response and recovery efforts, the state and federal emergency relief, calls from political leaders to provide disaster aid without politics, a moratorium on insurance cancellations, and reports that more US residents than ever are living in wildfire areas.

Guests: Diana Croft-Pelayo, Deputy Director of Communications, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Sacramento, CA; Ruben Tapia, Reporter and Producer, Radio Bilingüe, Los Angeles, CA.

Gaza Ceasefire Deal. After months of talks, Palestinians and Israel have reached a ceasefire deal. The agreement was mediated by Egypt, the US and Qatar. How was it reached? What does it mean for Gaza and the region? What are the guarantees? What to watch? What’s next? Analysts also comment on ongoing Senate hearings to confirm Trump’s cabinet nominees and the first measures of the Trump administration on Gaza.

Guests: Medea Benjamin, Co-founder, Codepink, Washington, DC; Alexander Avina, Associate Professor, School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Arizona State University-ASU, Tempe, AZ; Gilberto Conde, Professor, Center for Asian and African Studies, El Colegio de México, Mexico City, MX; Carol Padilla Shaath, Member, Raza Against War, Fresno, CA.

*********************

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

PROGRAM #10663 11:00 AM PT

Extra Edition: Labor Activism on the Rise in Fresno. (Program repeat). As new labor laws come into effect this year and a new president takes office, labor organizations are bracing for change. Amid a rise of labor union activism, local unions in the San Joaquin Valley are joining forces around an institute that seeks to build a pipeline of skilled labor organizers and community leaders. Is this reported “union boom” in the valley here to stay? This program was originally aired on January 16, 2025.

Guests: Daniela Rodriguez, News Reporter, Radio Bilingüe and Fellow, California Local News Fellowship Program at UC Berkeley, Fresno, CA; Olga Valles, Board Member, Service Employees International Union-SEIU, Labor Activist, Fresno CA; Reyes Uviedo, Director, Valley Forward, Fresno, CA.

California Prohibits Cancellation and Non-renewal of Insurance in Fire-Affected Areas. As thousands of Southern Californians who have suffered losses from the LA fires begin the arduous process of filing insurance claims, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced a one-year moratorium on the cancellation of such policies in areas affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. What should those whose homes have been destroyed do as they prepare to file any claims with their companies?

Guests: Ricardo Lara, Insurance Commissioner, California Department of Insurance, Los Angeles, CA; Yisel Cabrera, Spokeswoman, Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center, Los Angeles, CA.

California’s Health Care System and LA Fires. As the health care system may fall into the abyss under President Trump, a journalist comments on the big health care projects that marked the California governor’s administration and what to expect from now on. She also comments on the work of health professionals following the devastation of the flames while several of these experts lost their homes in the tragedy.

Guest: Paula Andalo, Ethnic Media Editor, KFF Health News, Silver Spring, MD.

PROGRAM #10664 12:00 PM PT

Restoring Salton Sea. California announced a project to accelerate Salton Sea restoration efforts. The Salton Sea, California’s largest inland lake, has shrunk in recent years due to reduced flows from the Colorado River, and the planet warms. The exposed, dry lakebed releases dust that worsen air quality in the Imperial Valley, a region already burdened by poor air quality. The reduced water levels and increased salinity also negatively impact habitat for wildlife, including birds traveling the Pacific flyway. Coinciding with this, community organizations are launching a campaign to revitalize Salton Sea communities by building trail networks, addressing public health concerns, and educating residents about the impact of exposure to playa dust and water quality..

Guests: Silvia Paz, Executive Director, Alianza Coachella Valley, Coachella, CA; Miguel Hernández, Public Affairs Officer for the Salton Sea Management Program, California Natural Resources Agency-CNRA, Brawley, CA; ​​Jose Luis Olmedo Vélez, Director Ejecutivo, Comite Civico del Valle, Inc., Brawley, CA; Moises Cisneros, Senior Campaign Organizer, The Sierra Club, San Bernardino, CA; Felicitas “Féliz” Nuñez, Co-Chair, Salton Sea Coalition, Bermuda Dunes, CA.

*********************

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

PROGRAM #10665 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. In the first week of the new administration, President Trump is expected to sign a package of major actions on border security, immigration, trade, global health, and more. What do these early measures mean? What can Mexicans expect for 2025? How is President Sheinbaum facing the threat of hard-line policies?

Guests: Dr. Leticia Calderón Chelius, Political Scientist and Researcher, Instituto Mora, Mexico City, MX.