LOS ANGELES (Echosphere News) — Amid rising immigration tensions in the U.S., Iris Delgado's Huntington Park Run Club has become a source of strength and community resilience. Founded two years ago in a predominantly Latino neighborhood of Los Angeles, the club was initially aimed at promoting fitness along with safety, such as advocating for the installation of bike lanes and crosswalks.
However, as the Trump administration's immigration raids intensified, the club’s mission evolved to a greater purpose: fostering safety among community members. Delgado’s motto of mutual safety now resonates deeply within the community, where the fear of immigration enforcement has permeated daily life.
Every meetup features a bike marshal who patrols on an electric bike, ensuring that all runners are accounted for and safe. As the community grapples with constant threats of raids, the club has taken proactive steps by distributing flyers and cards detailing rights to local residents and businesses.
Delgado shares the chilling proximity of these raids, such as the nearby Home Depot that has seen multiple immigration enforcement actions, inciting fear even during significant events like graduation ceremonies.
Despite the climate of anxiety, the Run Club persists—its members see each run as both a protest against oppression and a movement towards community solidarity. Evelyn Romo, a member, notes, 'Continuing to take up space even in the form of running in these streets is a form of protest, is a form of resistance.'
The club has never missed a scheduled run, emphasizing the importance of a safe space for decompression amid external pressures. Delgado, who runs with a diverse group ranging from youth to older adults, emphasizes their shared commitment to community safety.
With about a third of Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents being foreign-born—and many living in fear under the current immigration policies—the Run Club has not only focused on fitness but has also championed community engagement. They have raised approximately $8,000 to assist day laborers, providing aid to those increasingly vulnerable under threatening enforcement policies.
Through training sessions about safely documenting immigration activity and informing each other of potential raids, the club has transformed fear into a proactive community response. 'Our main community value is to keep each other safe and look out for each other,' Delgado stated, solidifying the club's role as both a fitness group and a source of vital community support amidst adversity.
