Dozens gathered at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Monday, July 13, for a vigil in memory of Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero, who were killed by federal immigration agents. | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Monday’s vigil at Santa Barbara Courthouse | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Michael Montenegro | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Monday’s vigil at Santa Barbara Courthouse | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
“We have to demand justice for those lives. We are not angry enough. But I can only meet everyone with love because we are human.” William Morales | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
San Marcos student wiping away tears | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Chelsea Lancaster | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Monday’s vigil at Santa Barbara Courthouse | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
“You have to show up. I’m saying that to me. It is hard… you get turned inside out. It is our duty to fight and we have nothing to lose but our chains.” Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval, Professor of Chicano/Chicana Studies at UCSB | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
“We should not just be united when there’s a tragedy. Don’t forget to check up on your neighbors. Let’s be in community.” Mayra Gomez-Labrada | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Monday’s vigil at Santa Barbara Courthouse | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
William Morales lighting the candles to honor ICE victims | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Michael Montenegro led a breathing exercise | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Group breathing exercise | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom 
Monday’s vigil at Santa Barbara Courthouse | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom
On Monday evening, July 13, Michael Montenegro of Chicano Culture de S.B. hosted a community vigil for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero, whose lives were taken during encounters with federal immigration agents this week. Approximately 35 people gathered at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, where Montenegro opened the evening with an emotional message.
“I don’t have many words,” he said through tears. “A lot of us are just hurting. A lot of us are just doing our best.”
Montenegro said he intended the gathering to be a space to grieve, pray, support one another, and honor the lives of Salgado Araujo and Guerrero.
He began by leading attendees through a breathing exercise before inviting people to speak from the heart. One by one, community members stepped up to the microphone to express grief, outrage, and resolve to continue fighting racism. Several reflected that the recent victims of immigration enforcement could easily have been their own fathers or other family members.
A San Marcos High School student questioned the shortfalls of posting stories on social media alone rather than taking more concrete action, asking, “Why aren’t there more people here?”
Chelsea Lancaster of S.B. Resiste described herself as the product of a mother from Mexico City and white father, saying that her lighter skin has afforded her the “complexion for the protection.” She spoke about what she sees as the country’s long history of white supremacy and challenged attendees to acknowledge and confront it. “What I’m doing for the people that look like me,” she said, “I’m asking, ‘Why the fuck are you showing up when Renee Good and Alex Pretti get murdered, and where are you now?’”
Previous community vigils were held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Stearns Wharf following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Both events drew large crowds, with the Stearns Wharf gathering attracting hundreds of attendees, including many elected officials and celebrity couple Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
After everyone who wished to speak had the opportunity, a few moments of silence were taken for Salgado Araujo and Guerrero and their families left behind. Montenegro closed the rally with a group clapping exercise and remarks emphasizing unity and not feeling alone. “Don’t you all feel better now?” he asked.
Many responded with nods and hugs to one another before departing at dusk.
