Media, Arts & a Just Society (MAJS) recently hosted (Every Day Is) Taco Tuesday, an event that brought together students, the LMU community, and the public to hear from some of Los Angeles’ leading journalists—reporters who not only cover immigration, detention, and community resilience, but who are deeply committed to truth seeking and sharing, accountability, and giving voice to the voiceless.
The event opened with a panel discussion, “The Battle of Los Angeles: Covering Immigration in a City Under Siege,” followed by a lively reception on the Drollinger Family Stage, complete with taco and ice cream trucks and a curated playlist by DJ and journalist Betto Arcos (NPR, KCRW).
Memo Torres, multimedia journalist for L.A. TACO, opened the event with remarks that traced both his personal and professional evolution. Representing the independent, community-driven newsroom that began by covering Los Angeles’ taco culture and has since become a respected voice in reporting on raids, protests, and politics, Torres reflected on his own journey from third-generation landscaper to chronicler of the city’s communities and stories. Most recently, his “Daily Memo” addresses urgent issues, including ICE sweeps, misinformation, and the resilience of communities under pressure.
“Get close to people,” Torres told the audience of more than 100 attendees. “If you want to truly understand, you must talk to people, figure out context, and get into the details. It’s important to get close and not be so removed and so objective.”
Torres was joined by Brittny Mejia (Los Angeles Times), Mandalit del Barco (NPR), and Yanira Lemus (Loyola Immigration Law Clinic). The panel was moderated by LMU professor Rubén Martínez, and the conversation explored topics central to journalism today—how to move beyond traditional notions of objectivity, build trust with communities, and navigate the personal and emotional toll of covering immigration.
Mejia, whose reporting on ICE roundups has been relentless and widely recognized, emphasized the importance of relationships in her work: “The relationship doesn’t end when I get the story I need,” she said. “You keep the conversation going and build trust. I treat people like human beings, not just as sources.”
Lemus added, “Being kind and patient is more important than ever. Right now, the target is the undocumented, but in the future, who knows? It’s important to pay attention.”
The event was an interdisciplinary collaboration between LMU’s Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and the College of Communication and Fine Arts, organized by Media, Arts & a Just Society and the Fletcher Jones Chair for Literature and Writing. It also served as part of this year’s Bellarmine Forum, organized by the Center for the Study of Los Angeles and supported by the Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies Department.
Reflecting on the event, Evelyn McDonnell, professor of journalism and director of MAJS, shared:
“This event starring some of the fiercest journalists in LA – nay, the world! – was one of the most impactful projects I’ve ever been involved in. In his first-ever keynote call to action, Memo Torres (LA Taco) talked about how community drives his reporting. Mandalit Del Barco (NPR), Brittny Mejia (LA Times), Yanira Lemus (Loyola Immigration Law Clinic) and my colleague Ruben Martinez offered their own insights on covering immigration in a city under siege. Plus, food trucks and music! It was a momentous day to be in community.”
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