Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

On August 4, two Real Change News vendors were out selling copies of the weekly, independent newspaper when ICE appeared and took them. Real Change staff took swift action and launched the Real Change Legal Defense Fund to support vendors and their families, and unionized staff members. 

“This is not merely an unfortunate incident; it is a calculated act of cruelty and intimidation that goes against the very fabric of our mission and our city’s values,” Krystal Marx, executive director, said. “Real Change was founded on the belief that a better world is possible. We will use every tool we have— our newspaper, our voice, and our community— to fight back against this injustice and ensure the safety and dignity of everyone we serve.” 

In an Instagram post, Real Change noted how this is a targeted attack and “poses a chilling threat to the safety and well-being of all individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.” Real Change has not released any information about its two vendors at this time. 

Real Change’s Vendor Program facilitates entry to an immediate self-employment opportunity selling newspapers. The program supports over 400 people with work annually, and issues over $1 million to its vendors, who are oftentimes low-income or unhoused. 

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched its “Defend the Homeland Campaign” to encourage people to join ICE as it ramps up kidnappings. Within the campaign is a $50,000 bonus for recruits, student loan forgiveness, and more. But Trump also signed an executive order on July 24 titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” criminalizing homelessness and forcibly institutionalizing people. 

While the executive order states unhoused people living with substance use disorder or serious mental illness will be transferred to “long-term institutional settings,” it’s incredibly vague, allowing for greater interpretation and no criteria for detainments. 

Trump and his regime have also been attacking the free press for years and has normalized the violent rhetoric against reporters. While information leading up to the detainment of vendors is limited, vendors generally have a visible badge and are holding stacks of newspapers.

The newspaper recommends the community take action by donating to the Real Change Legal Defense Fund, contacting elected representatives, and signing up for action alerts.