In June of 2025, Santa Ana became an occupied city. The National Guard rolled in, turning our streets into militarized zones with tanks and rifles. Peaceful protestors were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Downtown businesses, already struggling to recover from years of COVID’s economic hardship and disruptive OC Streetcar construction, were forced to shut down once again. Some were left empty as residents stayed home in fear, while others couldn’t open because employees were too afraid to come to work. The National Guard’s presence didn’t bring safety to our community — it brought chaos, fear, economic downturn, and lasting harm that still lingers months later.

Now, what happened here is happening across the country. President Donald Trump has sent the National Guard to cities like

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