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Tag: political change

Opinions 
April 9, 2026 9:16 pm

OPINION: It’s your civic responsibility to find empowerment in political grief

By Celeste Cariker 924 Views Celeste Cariker, Civic Engagement, political change, Political grief

“We have no reason to trust anything above our individuality, no reason to hear any organization out or trust that any institution has good faith,” writes Celeste Cariker PZ ‘28. “But still, we have a responsibility to ourselves and the progress we want to see in this nation to be resilient in the face of disappointment, to compose ourselves for the sake of organization and lead lives of joy as a mode of resistance.”

Read more

Weekly Newsletter

Top Articles Today

  • Pomona closes Milk & Honey, walks back decision five days later
  • Diego Rios’ parents file civil rights suit against Claremont, CPD officers involved in homicide
  • After Coop Store backlash, 5C businesses to navigate AI’s growing role
  • OPINION: Life is a fedora: why I wear fedoras, and why you should too
  • OPINION: Where have all the political organizers gone?

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The parents of Diego Rios filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Sept. 16 against police corporal Benjamin Alba, officer Joshua Orona, the City of Claremont and 10 unnamed city employees. Alba and Orona killed Rios on Nov. 28, 2025, in a use-of-force incident during a traffic stop, as Rios was experiencing a mental health crisis. 

The Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide in February 2026.

The family’s lawyer, Arnoldo Casillas, announced the lawsuit at a press conference in South Pasadena on Sept. 17. An audience of family, friends, and supporters, which included several students from the Claremont Colleges, showed up to hear from Casillas and the Rios family about the lawsuit. 

“The coroner’s office determined that he died of, essentially, a heart attack, cardiovascular, and that it was temporal to their restraint,” Casillas said. “And the coroner’s office has determined that this was a homicide. This wasn’t an accident. This certainly, certainly wasn’t a suicide. This was homicide. The officers killed him.” 

Words by Madeleine Farr and Claire Welch | Photo by Claire Welch 

Read more at the link in our bio.
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The parents of Diego Rios filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Sept. 16 against police corporal Benjamin Alba, officer Joshua Orona, the City of Claremont and 10 unnamed city employees. Alba and Orona killed Rios on Nov. 28, 2025, in a use-of-force incident during a traffic stop, as Rios was experiencing a mental health crisis.  The Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide in February 2026. The family’s lawyer, Arnoldo Casillas, announced the lawsuit at a press conference in South Pasadena on Sept. 17. An audience of family, friends, and supporters, which included several students from the Claremont Colleges, showed up to hear from Casillas and the Rios family about the lawsuit.  “The coroner’s office determined that he died of, essentially, a heart attack, cardiovascular, and that it was temporal to their restraint,” Casillas said. “And the coroner’s office has determined that this was a homicide. This wasn’t an accident. This certainly, certainly wasn’t a suicide. This was homicide. The officers killed him.”  Words by Madeleine Farr and Claire Welch | Photo by Claire Welch  Read more at the link in our bio.
12 hours ago
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1/9
Lina McRoberts PO ’27 examines the afterlife and political inheritance of campus organizing in an attempt to tackle this question. 

“That inheritance matters only insofar as it can be made practical — passed through organizations, friendships, records, stories and the instruction by which one cohort teaches another how a struggle survives the passing of its witnesses,” McRoberts writes. “Pomona will keep what it learned from us. Whether we manage to preserve what we learned from one another is another matter.”

Student organizing isn’t gone, she argues, but has only assumed an altered form.

“The familiar story of decline thus begins by observing, correctly, that the campus has changed, and ends by mistaking an erosion of collective possibility for the erosion of political conviction itself,” McRoberts argues.

Words by Lina McRoberts | Graphic by Lina McRoberts
Read more at the link in our bio.
Lina McRoberts PO ’27 examines the afterlife and political inheritance of campus organizing in an attempt to tackle this question. 

“That inheritance matters only insofar as it can be made practical — passed through organizations, friendships, records, stories and the instruction by which one cohort teaches another how a struggle survives the passing of its witnesses,” McRoberts writes. “Pomona will keep what it learned from us. Whether we manage to preserve what we learned from one another is another matter.”

Student organizing isn’t gone, she argues, but has only assumed an altered form.

“The familiar story of decline thus begins by observing, correctly, that the campus has changed, and ends by mistaking an erosion of collective possibility for the erosion of political conviction itself,” McRoberts argues.

Words by Lina McRoberts | Graphic by Lina McRoberts
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Lina McRoberts PO ’27 examines the afterlife and political inheritance of campus organizing in an attempt to tackle this question.  “That inheritance matters only insofar as it can be made practical — passed through organizations, friendships, records, stories and the instruction by which one cohort teaches another how a struggle survives the passing of its witnesses,” McRoberts writes. “Pomona will keep what it learned from us. Whether we manage to preserve what we learned from one another is another matter.” Student organizing isn’t gone, she argues, but has only assumed an altered form. “The familiar story of decline thus begins by observing, correctly, that the campus has changed, and ends by mistaking an erosion of collective possibility for the erosion of political conviction itself,” McRoberts argues. Words by Lina McRoberts | Graphic by Lina McRoberts Read more at the link in our bio.
16 hours ago
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2/9
On July 16, the Coop Store at Pomona College sparked controversy with two promotional Instagram posts created using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Although the posts disappeared within roughly a day, their brief appearance ignited discussion about AI use on college campuses beyond the classroom. 

Since July, TSL has contacted student and faculty managers and employees responsible for dining and retail operations across the consortium to gauge whether and how AI already fits into campus businesses. Responses were mixed. Some took a definitive stance against AI; other managers said that while they haven’t formally embraced it, they wouldn’t rule out future use. 

Perceptions of generative AI across the 5Cs remain complicated, begging questions about its use not only in classrooms but elsewhere on campus. Discussions within campus organizations offer an early glimpse of how 5C businesses may navigate AI’s growing role and how differently those decisions may unfold across the Claremont Colleges.

Words by Otto Fritton and Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy of The Coop Store
Read more at the link in our bio.
On July 16, the Coop Store at Pomona College sparked controversy with two promotional Instagram posts created using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Although the posts disappeared within roughly a day, their brief appearance ignited discussion about AI use on college campuses beyond the classroom. 

Since July, TSL has contacted student and faculty managers and employees responsible for dining and retail operations across the consortium to gauge whether and how AI already fits into campus businesses. Responses were mixed. Some took a definitive stance against AI; other managers said that while they haven’t formally embraced it, they wouldn’t rule out future use. 

Perceptions of generative AI across the 5Cs remain complicated, begging questions about its use not only in classrooms but elsewhere on campus. Discussions within campus organizations offer an early glimpse of how 5C businesses may navigate AI’s growing role and how differently those decisions may unfold across the Claremont Colleges.

Words by Otto Fritton and Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy of The Coop Store
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
On July 16, the Coop Store at Pomona College sparked controversy with two promotional Instagram posts created using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Although the posts disappeared within roughly a day, their brief appearance ignited discussion about AI use on college campuses beyond the classroom.  Since July, TSL has contacted student and faculty managers and employees responsible for dining and retail operations across the consortium to gauge whether and how AI already fits into campus businesses. Responses were mixed. Some took a definitive stance against AI; other managers said that while they haven’t formally embraced it, they wouldn’t rule out future use.  Perceptions of generative AI across the 5Cs remain complicated, begging questions about its use not only in classrooms but elsewhere on campus. Discussions within campus organizations offer an early glimpse of how 5C businesses may navigate AI’s growing role and how differently those decisions may unfold across the Claremont Colleges. Words by Otto Fritton and Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy of The Coop Store Read more at the link in our bio.
2 days ago
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3/9
Pomona College Dining Services informed Milk & Honey’s student managers that it would close the student-run bubble tea program on Sept. 10. Five days later, assistant vice president of facilities and campus services Robert Robinson reversed the planned closure in an email sent to TSL at 8:05 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Robinson said discussions would continue “in the coming weeks and months,” and did not specify when Milk & Honey will reopen or how it will be funded. At press time, Pomona had not contacted Milk & Honey to notify them of the college’s decision; a Pomona College spokesperson notified ASPC of the decision at 8:22 p.m.

Dining Services General Manager Jose Martinez told student managers that the planned closure was due to a drop in revenue at Café 47, out of which Milk & Honey operates.

The closure came shortly after UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents Milk & Honey as well as Pomona College dining workers and Café 47 and Coop Fountain student workers, began contract renewal negotiations with Pomona on Sept. 8. Local 11 disputed the changes to Milk & Honey in an email to Martinez.

Words by Bianca Mirica | Photo courtesy of Milk & Honey 

Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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Pomona College Dining Services informed Milk & Honey’s student managers that it would close the student-run bubble tea program on Sept. 10. Five days later, assistant vice president of facilities and campus services Robert Robinson reversed the planned closure in an email sent to TSL at 8:05 p.m. on Sept. 15. Robinson said discussions would continue “in the coming weeks and months,” and did not specify when Milk & Honey will reopen or how it will be funded. At press time, Pomona had not contacted Milk & Honey to notify them of the college’s decision; a Pomona College spokesperson notified ASPC of the decision at 8:22 p.m. Dining Services General Manager Jose Martinez told student managers that the planned closure was due to a drop in revenue at Café 47, out of which Milk & Honey operates. The closure came shortly after UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents Milk & Honey as well as Pomona College dining workers and Café 47 and Coop Fountain student workers, began contract renewal negotiations with Pomona on Sept. 8. Local 11 disputed the changes to Milk & Honey in an email to Martinez. Words by Bianca Mirica | Photo courtesy of Milk & Honey  Read more at the link in our bio.
2 days ago
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4/9
Claire Welch SC ’27, Madeleine Farr PZ ’27 and Nadia Hsu PO ’27 are taking the reins as TSL’s editorial board this semester.

The three have big plans to revitalize key parts of the newspaper: they launched new journalism ethics workshops, prioritized training for TSL staff by pushing the regular publication cycle back by one week and brought back a pre-COVID-19 tradition of publishing an “Issue 0.”

“It’s really cool to see it all coming together,” Welch said. “We’re really hopeful that a lot of the changes that we’re making will have ripple effects in the future.”

Words by Kahani Malhotra | Photo by Isabella Leyton
Read more at the link in our bio.
Claire Welch SC ’27, Madeleine Farr PZ ’27 and Nadia Hsu PO ’27 are taking the reins as TSL’s editorial board this semester.

The three have big plans to revitalize key parts of the newspaper: they launched new journalism ethics workshops, prioritized training for TSL staff by pushing the regular publication cycle back by one week and brought back a pre-COVID-19 tradition of publishing an “Issue 0.”

“It’s really cool to see it all coming together,” Welch said. “We’re really hopeful that a lot of the changes that we’re making will have ripple effects in the future.”

Words by Kahani Malhotra | Photo by Isabella Leyton
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Claire Welch SC ’27, Madeleine Farr PZ ’27 and Nadia Hsu PO ’27 are taking the reins as TSL’s editorial board this semester. The three have big plans to revitalize key parts of the newspaper: they launched new journalism ethics workshops, prioritized training for TSL staff by pushing the regular publication cycle back by one week and brought back a pre-COVID-19 tradition of publishing an “Issue 0.” “It’s really cool to see it all coming together,” Welch said. “We’re really hopeful that a lot of the changes that we’re making will have ripple effects in the future.” Words by Kahani Malhotra | Photo by Isabella Leyton Read more at the link in our bio.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
The Pomona College class of 2026’s final celebration the night of their graduation ended in confrontations with Campus Safety and, eventually, the Claremont Police Department (CPD). 

Recent graduates gathered together the night of May 17, hours before they would have to move out of campus the next morning. Citing a noise complaint, Campus Safety and Residence Life Coordinator Kimani Francois attempted to shut the party down. Officers followed the group from Pomona to Harvey Mudd College and ultimately called the CPD on students.

“It was disappointing,” Emma Trieweiler PO ’26 said of how the evening transpired. “It’s the last time we know we’ll see these people [on] this campus we love and have grown in for four years, and they’re doing everything in their power to stop us and arrest us.”

What multiple students and HRL student employees described as an excessive and abnormal response prompted Madeleine Farr PZ ’27 and Nadia Hsu PO ’27 to investigate protocols surrounding HRL and Campus Safety’s relationship to the CPD. 

Words by Nadia Hsu and Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy Emma Trieweiler 
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
The Pomona College class of 2026’s final celebration the night of their graduation ended in confrontations with Campus Safety and, eventually, the Claremont Police Department (CPD). Recent graduates gathered together the night of May 17, hours before they would have to move out of campus the next morning. Citing a noise complaint, Campus Safety and Residence Life Coordinator Kimani Francois attempted to shut the party down. Officers followed the group from Pomona to Harvey Mudd College and ultimately called the CPD on students. “It was disappointing,” Emma Trieweiler PO ’26 said of how the evening transpired. “It’s the last time we know we’ll see these people [on] this campus we love and have grown in for four years, and they’re doing everything in their power to stop us and arrest us.” What multiple students and HRL student employees described as an excessive and abnormal response prompted Madeleine Farr PZ ’27 and Nadia Hsu PO ’27 to investigate protocols surrounding HRL and Campus Safety’s relationship to the CPD. Words by Nadia Hsu and Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy Emma Trieweiler Read more at the link in our bio.
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a gas leak at the Claremont McKenna College Sports Bowl in the afternoon on Aug. 27, prompting a temporary road closure on Claremont Boulevard between Foothill Boulevard and 6th Street.

Just 13 minutes after TCCS announced that the fire department had fixed the gas leak, they notified the community that CGU was on lockdown, directing those on campus to steer clear of the area.

This is breaking news and will be updated as the story develops.

Words by Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy of Claremont Graduate University 

Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
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The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a gas leak at the Claremont McKenna College Sports Bowl in the afternoon on Aug. 27, prompting a temporary road closure on Claremont Boulevard between Foothill Boulevard and 6th Street. Just 13 minutes after TCCS announced that the fire department had fixed the gas leak, they notified the community that CGU was on lockdown, directing those on campus to steer clear of the area. This is breaking news and will be updated as the story develops. Words by Madeleine Farr | Photo courtesy of Claremont Graduate University Read the full story at the link in our bio.
3 weeks ago
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7/9
Check out the links in bio to learn more about each position, and to fill out your application today.🗞️

Working at TSL is a fantastic opportunity to build professional skills and gain real-world working experience, all while helping produce an award-winning publication. We’re focused on creating a fun, rewarding newsroom environment, and would love to have you on board — we welcome everyone from the consortium. Every role receives training, and everyone is constantly learning on the job. If you’re wondering whether you have enough experience for a position that interests you, please apply! Applications for staff positions will close September 4.

For more information or to ask any questions, send us an email at editor@tsl.news. Graphic art by TSL’s Creative Director Floria Auerbach SC ‘27. 🖌️
•
Follow
Check out the links in bio to learn more about each position, and to fill out your application today.🗞️ Working at TSL is a fantastic opportunity to build professional skills and gain real-world working experience, all while helping produce an award-winning publication. We’re focused on creating a fun, rewarding newsroom environment, and would love to have you on board — we welcome everyone from the consortium. Every role receives training, and everyone is constantly learning on the job. If you’re wondering whether you have enough experience for a position that interests you, please apply! Applications for staff positions will close September 4. For more information or to ask any questions, send us an email at editor@tsl.news. Graphic art by TSL’s Creative Director Floria Auerbach SC ‘27. 🖌️
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Nicholas Steinman CM ‘28 doesn’t like sports — but the local impacts of the World Cup have upended his preferred pastime of Los Angeles municipal politics. Steinman dives into the impact the World Cup has had on the local economy, and larger political discourse around the past, present and future of his hometown. 

From reopened dining spots to strikes to the LA Metro, the World Cup brought much more to LA than matches and stadium renames. 

“The World Cup has cast an enormous spotlight on the United States’ social and political contradictions and drawn even more attention to the whims of the Trump administration,” Steinman writes. “The spotlight placed on LA has allowed the city to showcase an aspirational vision of its future, promoting public transit, businesses and urbanism to cultivate an identity as an interconnected, cosmopolitan world city rather than a mid-century suburban entertainment hub.” 

Words by Nicholas Steinman | Photo by Nicholas Steinman
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
Nicholas Steinman CM ‘28 doesn’t like sports — but the local impacts of the World Cup have upended his preferred pastime of Los Angeles municipal politics. Steinman dives into the impact the World Cup has had on the local economy, and larger political discourse around the past, present and future of his hometown. 

From reopened dining spots to strikes to the LA Metro, the World Cup brought much more to LA than matches and stadium renames. 

“The World Cup has cast an enormous spotlight on the United States’ social and political contradictions and drawn even more attention to the whims of the Trump administration,” Steinman writes. “The spotlight placed on LA has allowed the city to showcase an aspirational vision of its future, promoting public transit, businesses and urbanism to cultivate an identity as an interconnected, cosmopolitan world city rather than a mid-century suburban entertainment hub.” 

Words by Nicholas Steinman | Photo by Nicholas Steinman
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Nicholas Steinman CM ‘28 doesn’t like sports — but the local impacts of the World Cup have upended his preferred pastime of Los Angeles municipal politics. Steinman dives into the impact the World Cup has had on the local economy, and larger political discourse around the past, present and future of his hometown. From reopened dining spots to strikes to the LA Metro, the World Cup brought much more to LA than matches and stadium renames. “The World Cup has cast an enormous spotlight on the United States’ social and political contradictions and drawn even more attention to the whims of the Trump administration,” Steinman writes. “The spotlight placed on LA has allowed the city to showcase an aspirational vision of its future, promoting public transit, businesses and urbanism to cultivate an identity as an interconnected, cosmopolitan world city rather than a mid-century suburban entertainment hub.” Words by Nicholas Steinman | Photo by Nicholas Steinman Read the full story at the link in our bio.
2 months ago
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9/9
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