While holding her mother’s hand, Karla Toledo softly smiles and chokes back tears. She listens to remarks about how federal mass deportation policies are harming Tucson’s immigrant families. She’s surrounded by supporters who have rallied for her since May 18, when masked immigration agents arrested their neighbor — who has lived in Arizona since she was a child.
Everyone is wearing red as a symbol of solidarity as they gather around Toledo like a bouquet of roses, another symbol of unity depicted on signs people are holding.
As her name is announced, she nervously moves in front of the crowd, takes the microphone and gives her testimony.
“What I went through, it’s not something new,” Toledo says, holding her head high under the setting desert sun. “It’s something very constant and right now what I’m going through is guilt because I’m here and there’s so many people in there still. People who are like me. They’re humans, we’re all humans and we shouldn’t be treated that way.”
Community members, immigrant rights advocates, veterans, local cyclists, city council leaders, loved ones and Toledo came together Friday. They’re speaking out against aggressive mass deportation policies, dangerous conditions inside detention centers, and the impact on Tucson families and immigrant communities.
They’re also standing for ways to support immigrants, from showing up, pushing back and even small things, like organizing a Spanish-language book drive for detainees — anything to give people their human dignity.
Toledo shares her experience of recently being detained by ICE and how she wants to help those still inside the detention center with a book drive.
“Even though I did not know in there what was going on out here, I want to thank everyone,” she says. “Everyone just stepped up and just showed what community is, and I love that about Tucson.”
Toledo’s arrest and detention has drawn local and national attention, as communities and political leaders fight the Trump administration’s deportation system that has ensnared U.S. citizens and people who have not committed serious crimes. People like Toledo, who is a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals federal program, commonly known as DACA.
DACA gives immigrants, also known as Dreamers, brought to the country as children, temporary legal status and permission to work in the United States.
The arrest of DACA recipients who had no criminal charges was rare under previous U.S. presidential administrations. It is among the hallmarks of the second Trump presidency and has introduced a new undercurrent of terror and uncertainty in immigrant communities, on top of the ongoing concerns amid a spike in street level arrests.
Following the arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement public affairs officer Monica Yoas said Toledo had assaulted an officer during her arrest on Monday. In response, Toledo’s attorney Mo Goldman said those allegations were fabricated.
“There is surveillance footage that shows Ms. Toledo did not assault a DHS officer,” he said.
Toledo was released on bail Friday May. 22. The 31-year-old community organizer and social media influencer is known for her work supporting local low-income and immigrant families.
Friday’s press conference was held outside near El Pueblo Neighborhood Center off Irvington Road.
Before speakers take the mic, people enjoy tacos, drinks and decorating their bikes with custom spokes cards — some with roses, others with butterflies and ones with the words: No ICE.
Volunteers with the Pima County Public Library Bookmobile give out books and some supporters deliver Spanish-language book donations to a collection table for immigrants still held in Arizona detention centers.
“We wanted to use the bicycle as a way to connect, as a way to organize, as a way to dream, as a way to think differently about our communities,” says Tucson Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz during the press conference.
“This ride, yes it’s about joy, it’s about community, it’s about dignity, but most importantly, it’s about showing the world that love for our neighbor is greater than fear of our neighbor,” she adds.
Speakers highlight how the collaborative efforts of small businesses, stakeholders, educators and residents represent the diverse needs for public safety in the community.
“Karla is not just a statistic of this administration. She is our friend. Our sister. She is our community member,” Santa Cruz says.
Melissa Cordero, deputy director of climate justice with Veterans Power America and Common Defense, stresses the affects of the current administration’s immigration orders on deported veterans and those active in the U.S. military service.
“It’s important for us to show up and take up space and to show our community that we are there for them, that they don’t have to go through this fight alone,” Cordero says. “And things like using a bike ride to do that just makes it all the better.”
After speakers share their messages, the crowd readies for a community solidarity cycling event they coined: La Rosa Ride.
Familias Unidas Ganando Accesibilidad (Families United Gaining Accessibility), known as FUGA, organized the ride. The grassroots coalition hosts monthly community bike events in the south side and west side of Tucson. The group advocates for local issues and more accessible infrastructure in the region.
While gathering in the parking lot, volunteers pass out free red FUGA T-shirts and help ensure everyone is ready for the ride by inflating tires or offering free Tugo Bike Share rentals to people without their own bikes.
Toledo has a court hearing at 8:30 am Wednesday, June 3, at the Tucson Federal Immigration Court, 300 W. Congress St.
Although La Rosa Ride is a celebration of Toledo’s return, it is also part of an ongoing call to end federal deportation policies harming immigrant and mixed-status families. Toledo is trying to stay positive and active within her community, and lean on their love and strength.
The sounds of bike gears, voices and music playing from speakers secured to bike baskets fill the street as the group rolls out of the El Pueblo Center parking lot for their sunset ride.
Reporter Yana Kunichoff contributed to this story
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