Pomona, CA — On Friday morning, January 30, 2026, students from Pomona High School, Garey High School, The School of Arts and Enterprise, and Village Academy all gathered at the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Garey Avenue to protest federal immigration enforcement and recent deaths in ICE custody. The demonstration took place alongside similar actions occurring across the country, including in Los Angeles and New York City.

A large group of students moved through the intersection carrying handmade signs, forming a loud and visible protest against Immigration enforcement. School leadership were present alongside the students as the demonstration continued through the area.

The protest coincided with a nationally circulated call for a “no work, no school, no shopping” day of action, promoted online in response to deaths reported in ICE detention facilities earlier this month. While there was no visible central organizer or formal program in Pomona, the messaging echoed themes seen in protests elsewhere: opposition to ICE’s role in immigration enforcement and anger over deaths occurring while individuals were in federal custody.

Students carried signs criticizing ICE directly, mixing humor and frustration. Several participants waved Mexican, American, Puerto Rican Flags. An altered American flag appeared among the crowd, its imagery repurposed to question traditional expressions of patriotism.

Students chanted “Who’s streets, our streets” as they moved through the intersection. The group crossed Mission Boulevard together while adults supervised and guided students. Traffic slowed and stopped, with some motorists honking in solidarity while others supported as they watched quietly and raised a fist from their out the windows of their vehicles.

The demonstration remained peaceful throughout. No police presence, and there were no visible confrontations.

Pomona has long been shaped by immigration policy in ways that are felt directly by families, schools, and neighborhoods. For many of the students present, the issue was not abstract or ideological but rooted in personal and family experience. The absence of formal structure gave the protest an organic quality, less a rally than a collective decision to be seen.

A review of public district communications did not show any official statements from Pomona Unified School District or individual high schools regarding the student gathering as of publication. While school districts and city officials had not issued public statements, the gathering reflects a broader pattern of youth political activity taking place nationwide in early 2026. The students who gathered in Pomona placed themselves visibly within that national moment.

Julian Lucas is a darkroom photographer, writer, and a bookseller, though photography remains his primary language. He is the founder of Mirrored Society Book Shop, publisher of The Pomonan, and creator of Book-Store and Print Pomona Art Book Fair. And yes he will charge you 2.5 Million for event photography.

The Pomonan
Published 12/12/2023 | 3:10 Pm PST

POMONA, CA – The City of Pomona is pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Gutierrez as the Acting City Manager, effective immediately. Gutierrez has spent over 20 years in public service and has been an instrumental part of the City’s leadership team for the last five years. She brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to enhancing the community’s quality of life.

Anita Gutierrez has been an exemplary public servant, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the City of Pomona since 2018. Her journey with the City began as the Planning Manager and then Director of Development Services, where she successfully directed and oversaw various Divisions, including Building and Safety, Planning, and Code Enforcement. In this role, Anita managed pivotal Commissions, including Planning, Cultural Arts, and Historic Preservation.

In her latest role as Assistant City Manager, Anita exhibited exceptional leadership, overseeing her Development Services and Public Works Departments with utmost competence and commitment With over two decades of experience in the local, state, and federal government sectors, Anita has an impressive track record of leading teams and communities in transformative work, development, and growth. Her expertise extends across numerous areas within Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire, addressing complex planning, real estate development, land use, regulatory challenges, policy development, and implementation.

Exemplifying Pomona’s core values, Anita’s leadership style is defined by collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, and resourcefulness. She is recognized for her ability to facilitate cooperation among stakeholders with diverse interests, including neighborhood representatives, the development community, and other agency partners. Anita’s dedication to refining Pomona’s development review process, elevating internal review systems, and enhancing external customer service has solidified her reputation for attentive listening, fairness, practicality, and a keen ability to find effective solutions.

Anita holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master’s in Planning from the University of Southern California (USC). She will complete a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC in May 2024. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and an active member in the League of California Cities. She is deeply rooted in Southern California, where she has dedicated her career to serving the public and helping the community collectively shape their living environment.

The City of Pomona is confident that Anita’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to the community will be invaluable as she assumes the role of Acting City Manager. Her leadership and dedication to enhancing the City’s prosperity and well-being are commendable, and we look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in her new role. “We are fortunate to have Anita stepping in to lead our City team. Her leadership is a pillar of stability for the City. With an unwavering commitment to communication, thoughtful decision-making, and the overall well-being of our City organization and community, we are confident that the City is now under the guidance of an exceptionally capable leader,” said Mayor Tim Sandoval.

“I am deeply passionate about public service, and I am grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate my leadership abilities in service to our city,” Gutierrez said. “The Pomona team is like no other, and I am thankful to be a part of this exceptionally dynamic and dedicated organization.

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Pomona Students Gather in Protest as Part of Nationwide Action Against ICE

Anita D. Gutierrez Takes on New Role as Acting City Manager for the City of Pomona