A Year of The Southlander Today, A Year of Resistance in Reporting
We’re turning one today!
After almost a year of building the first worker-led, independent investigative newsroom, The Southlander went live on May 13, 2025. A year ago today, a small but mighty team set out on this ambitious journalism project, and like many small newsrooms, we wear many hats. Given the daily conditions working-class people face and the legacy media’s underreporting of that reality, we felt the need to create an independent newsroom to report on those conditions, hold elected officials accountable, and expose the systemic failures to address the needs of the people.
A mini-documentary introducing the project. We launched with this last year. Credit: Morgan Keith
For one year, this independent LA-area newsroom has covered ICE raids, housing, labor struggles, protests, climate change, and the lived realities of working-class communities throughout the Southland. The team has also started to take shape as a robust investigative unit for the working class in Greater LA. Though we wish to publish more, we are immensely proud of what we have accomplished. The Southlander has amplified voices often shut out of mainstream outlets and documented the resilience of Los Angeles communities in the face of massive ICE raids.
- Through the Labyrinth - new 4-episode podcast mini-series hosted by Morgan Keith.
- Renovictions - Kevin Flores dug into a substantial remodel loophole used by landlords that is exacerbating the Long Beach housing crisis.
- May Day reflections by Abraham Márquez grounded what we saw in the streets during May Day with historical context.
- Mini-documentary featuring Narcisso Barranco and Martha Hernandez on the lasting impacts of being forcibly taken by federal agents.
- Interviews with journalist Abby Martin, community members impacted by ICE, immigrant defense attorneys, community organizers, and more
There is more to come, and we hope you continue to support us and spread the word.
Help us unleash The Southlander! Our team of talented journalists are itching to start publishing investigative reporting. Help us reach our goal of $2,000 in monthly subscriptions. Paid subscriptions start at only $5 a month and it only takes a few seconds to upgrade.
🔥 Southlander journalists around the web
Abraham Márquez wrote about Abby Martin’s newest documentary ‘Cuba After Castro.’ Martin becomes the first U.S. journalist to sit down with the first Cuban president born after the revolution.
Ben Camacho wrote about private prison giant CoreCivic’s commitment to the city of California City: protecting the city in court should they get sued for opening the immigration detention facility without the proper permits.
For any inquiries or to give feedback, please contact hello@thesouthlander.com. You can also find us on:
🦋 Bluesky: @thesouthlander.com
📸 IG: @thesouthlander
X: @SouthlanderLA