Mary Cummins Investigative Reporter Los Angeles, California

Sunday, March 29, 2026

No Kings Protest in Los Angeles California, City Hall, Grand Park by Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins No Kings protest Los Angeles LA City Hall 2026 #marycummins #losangeles

The No Kings protest in Los Angeles took place at LA City Hall and Gloria Molina Grand Park on March 28, 2026. There were a total of over 8,000,000 people at all of the No Kings protests throughout the nation. The protest was positive and peaceful when I was there from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. I took the bus because I knew the freeway on/off ramps would be closed and parking is always impossible.

The musical group Los Jornaleros del Norte @JornalerosDelNorte http://losjornalerosdelnorte.com/ were there performing their protest songs like Cumbia de la Migra and some crowd favorites like Llorar y Llorar. There were also mariachis, Dandidi the Harlequin of Liberty and an art exhibit about people killed in ICE custody or during ICE raids. Lots of street vendors and people asking you to sign petitions. Also present were CEOTAX.la, Black Lives Matter, the event organizers 50501, SEIU 2015 and a plane flying around City Hall with a banner that said "NOT A KING - HE'S YOUR DADDY!"

Dandidi the Harlequin of Libery, Mary Cummins. He's 6'6" which makes me look short at 5'8".

Mary Cummins No Kings protest Los Angeles LA City Hall 2026 #marycummins #losangeles

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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Sunday, October 5, 2025

Take 3 Film Festival at Plaza de Cultural y Artes by Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera

Take 3 Film Festival presented by East LA Film Festival, Panamanian International Film Festival/LA and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes was held October 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Event information. Hosted by Catrinas. Performances by Diablos Catrinas, Danza de las Ollas Chinelos, Cuerudos negritos y bandas de musica, Telasofa. Movie premier at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes next to Olvera Street El Pueblo. I was there for the short "Catrinas in the City of Angels" directed by Veronica Bradham aka @veronica.ohyeah76 @catrinas.inthecityofangels #diademuertos #catrinas #marycummins #mariarivera #losangeles #california #filmfestival #catrinsinthecityofangels #eastlafilmfestival #take3filmfestival #laplazadeculturayartes

I was lucky enough to meet Francesca la bailarina de los jornaleros del norte outside the event on Olvera street. Had to get a photo and tell her I'm her biggest fan. I've taken a few videos of her dancing at pro immigrant events.

Event information

Join a groundbreaking celebration! This milestone event unites two visionary festivals and a historic cultural institution under one banner, combining storytelling, heritage, and creativity:

East LA Film Festival’s 17th Annual Film Festival, founded by Juan Escobedo

The Panamanian International Film Festival/LA, founded by Carlos Carrasco

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a cornerstone of cultural preservation in Los Angeles

Together, these collaborators bring a bold new initiative that merges resources, talent, and films from around the world. This partnership showcases the leadership of Escobedo, Carrasco, and LA Plaza’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices, creating platforms for stories that inspire and unite audiences.

Join us for an extraordinary experience where local and global stories collide, celebrating the power of film to connect, spark dialogue, and build community. Enjoy screenings, entertainment, a panel, and more! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Catrinas in the City of Angels 

Director Veronica Bradham (8 min)

Della

Director Alessandro Gentile (20 min)

Death in Training

Director Miguel Angel Duran (14 min)

Fiat Lux 5000 

Director Daniel Eduvijes Carrera (13 min)

Freddy the Murse

Director Carlos Carrasco (11 min)

Giving Back the Fruits 

Director Hedy Torres (8 min)

Go Live

Director Michael J. Gonzales (13 min)

Grind

Director Mark Apicella (16 min)

Lil Chuco

Director Mario Hernandez (5 min)

Pictures of Shohei Ohtani

Director Juan Javier “Javo” Aguirre (6 min)

Press Play

Director Estor R. Suares (6 min)

Someday

Director Anna Reynoso (12 min)

Super Latina

Director Cristina Sasso (6 min)

Vampiñera

Director Miguel Angel Duran (8 min)

Vivir

Director Gerardo Maravilla (9 min)

Xinachtli

Director Andy James Garcia (5 min)

Zoot Suit Love Story

Directors George & Ricardo Ortega (3 min)

FOOD VENDOR

El Kikiriki Pollos Asados

Details

October 4, 2025

6:00 pm

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes

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Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Ear Piercing Guns and Needles Cause Same Damage to Ear by Mary Cummins

Piercing needles cause same damage as piercing cartridges guns.

We've all seen the misleading videos of a piercing gun or Studex device versus a piercing needle. They show someone pushing a dull soft tipped regular earring through rubber versus a piercing needle. The tips of piercing earrings are super sharp and pointed like a needle. They go through the skin very easily and quickly just like a needle. No fool would just shove a dull soft regular earring through their ear. That would be very difficult and effing hurt. Paid piercers like to show these misleading videos to scare people into using a professional paid piercer so they can make money. Don't get me wrong. There are many reasons why you may want to use a professional piercer but the type of piercing device isn't the main issue.

Scroll down for independent scientific research which proves that piercing guns and needles cause the same amount of damage to the ear. They tested this on cadavers and looked at the damage under a microscope. You basically are just shoving a sharp needle through your ear. Doesn't matter how you do it. Shoving anything through flesh and/or cartilage will cause damage.

Piercing guns, Studex and the many other similar devices are approved by the US FDA for safety and sterility. Piercing studios like Claire's who use Studex are approved by the FDA and local Health Departments. Using piercing guns is totally legal and safe IF you know what you're doing. Same goes for using needles. You can get a horrible piercing from a piercing gun or needle if the operator doesn't know what they're doing. I've gotten a bad piercing at Claire's and at a highly recommended piercing studio because they didn't actually pierce the spot they drew on my ear. They also got it at a bad angle because they moved while piercing. On the other hand I've used Studex and a needle to pierce myself at home with 100% perfect results. I pierced my lobes, tragus, helix and nose with Studex. It's quick and painless. You just need to make sure you have it lined up perfectly before you do it and you hold the cartridge and your ear perfectly still while using it. I've also used a needle at home and it hurts more than a cartridge gun. It also takes longer.

Let me clear up some lies, wives tales, fallacies, propaganda told by paid piercers.

1. "Piercing guns can't be sterilized. You will get an infection." FALSE.

The piercing gun just holds the sterile cartridge. Most don't even use the gun. They only use the disposable sterile cartridge which is sealed just like a piercing needle, see photo below. Studex cartridges are FDA approved to be sterile. You prep the ear by wiping it with a sterile alcohol wipe first. You should wear gloves. Proper after care will keep you from getting an infection after the piercing be in by a gun or needle. You still can clean and sterilize a piercing gun holder if you want. It's just the cartridge holder. The earrings are also sterile. They come in sterile packages. Piercing studio studs don't come in sterilized packages.

This is a Studex piercing gun made of surgical grade stainless steel. You can sterilize it if you like. It just holds the cartridge. I've only used the cartridge myself. No need for this holder. Claire's doesn't use the holder. They only use the cartridges. Some piercers lie and say it's made of plastic which can't be sterilized. It's all metal and can be sterilized. There is no need to use it because the cartridges work fine by themselves.

2. "Piercing guns crush the ear with their force." FALSE.

The guns and cartridges don't crush the ear! If they did, no one would use them because it'd effing hurt. There is a stop so the cartridges don't just clamp all the way down on your ear. The needle only goes far enough through your ear to clamp down on the earring backing then it stops. The earring backing, needle length, spring and cartridge prevent it from clamping down all the way and crushing your ear like pliers. It's impossible to crush you ear with a cartridge. Piercers are out there lying and saying they cause "blunt force trauma." False.

I suggest people who want to use something like Studex to buy an extra one to practice with. They are reloadable, reusable but I suggest it only for practice. They are only sterile for one use. Once you use the cartridge, put the plastic pieces that break in two back together and put the piercing earring back in the gun. Then you can use it again and again for practice. Get one and pierce an orange peel skin the thickness of your ear. You can also pierce a piece of paper, rubber, fake ear...whatever. You can clearly see it doesn't crush anything. You can also practice so you're used to the feel and sound of the cartridge when it releases the earring. If you are doing it yourself on your lobe or nostril, you can use one hand. If you're doing it on your tragus, use both hands for full control so you won't move.

If you look at piercing studios, many use the guns on little kids even though they use needles on adults. CM Hurt a well respected piercing studio is one of them. They do this because it's quick and pain free. Kids are more likely to move and pull away. Kids don't sit still. I use them because they're quick and painless. I've had both types of piercings so I definitely know. Using a needle which is slower hurts! Guns are instant and painless. That said some needle piercers do it very quickly so you don't feel much. Again, the skill of the piercer is important.

3. "Piercing guns cause more damage and trauma than needles. They prevent healing." FALSE.

I explained this above. The research is below. Guns produce same damage as needles. You're putting a sharp piece of metal through your ear. You are causing damage. That's the point of piercing. There is no other way to make a hole and put an earring in. Maybe one day they'll invent an instant laser piercer.

For those who think the problem is the earring needle tip here is a piercing cartridge with a regular piercing needle instead of a needle tipped earring. What's the argument now? It's the same needle.

4. "Piercing guns have no precision." FALSE.

This goes back to the operator. You can get a bad piercing from a gun or a needle. You need to know what you're doing or use someone who knows what they are doing. Placement and angle are important. So is actually using the gun or needle to pierce it where you drew the dot. Some piercers move when they are piercing. This is why I do my own piercings though I had a pro do my daith.

Should you use a professional piercer? Sometimes it's a very good idea to use a professional piercer to pierce your ears or other body parts with a gun or a needle. I personally believe guns should only be used with lobes, nostrils and maybe helix, tragus if someone is experienced. You can't position a gun well enough to do some other piercings. You definitely can't use it with a daith, conch, contra conch, industrial, rook, snug or orbital. I'd definitely suggest using a professional for nipples, genitals and of course dermals.

If you are new to ear piercings, have odd ear anatomy, I'd use a piercing studio. They can design and curate multiple piercings for the best placement and overall effect with your anatomy. If you just want to get first or second lobes, a place like Claire's would be good enough if you get an experienced operator.

Research which proves guns and needles cause same damage to the ear.

"Ear piercing techniques and their effect on cartilage, a histologic study

M P van Wijk 1, J A Kummer, M Kon

Affiliations Expand

PMID: 17684004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2007.01.077

Abstract

Background: The popularity of high ear piercing has led to an increased incidence of perichondritis. Damage to the relatively avascular cartilage will make the ear prone to infection. The literature suggests that a piercing gun, mainly used by jewellers to pierce the lobule, may give excessive cartilaginous damage. Therefore some authors favour the piercing needle, as used in piercing studios. But until now, no comparative histological studies have been performed.

Purpose of study: To evaluate the extent of damage to ear cartilage using different piercing techniques.

Methods: Twenty-two fresh human cadaver ears were pierced using two spring loaded piercing guns (Caflon and Blomdahl), one hand force system (Studex) and a piercing needle (16G i.v. catheter). Extent of damage to the perichondrium and cartilage was quantified using a transverse section along the pin tract and compared between the different methods.

Results: The pattern of injury was similar in all techniques, showing perichondrium stripped from the cartilage around the pin tract, with most damage present on the exit site (mean length of 0.43 mm). Cartilage fractures and loose fragments were present over a mean length of 0.21 mm. No significant difference in the amount of injury between the different techniques was observed.

Conclusions: In contradiction with assumptions in the literature, all piercing methods give the same extent of damage to cartilage and perichondrium. Each method is expected to have the same risk for perichondritis, thus in the prevention of post-piercing perichondritis focus should be on other factors such as hygiene and after-care."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17684004/

Another link https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1748681507003348

Another article https://caressltd.com/blogs/news/needles-vs-ear-piercing-instrument-piercings-the-big-debate?srsltid=AfmBOorHUp_k3fAKt8lZ-LEYeDWytdeAvY0ZfNvz3ly7aTW9AQ7TkFf5

References:

References (9)

C.G. Fisher et al.
Risk factors for cartilage infections of the ear
Am J Prev Med
(2005)
T.C. Simplot et al.
Comparison between cartilage and soft tissue ear piercing complications
Am J Otolaryngol
(1998)
K. Janssen et al.
Three patients with complications following piercing of the auricular cartilage
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd
(2004)
A. Margulis et al.
Ear reconstruction after auricular chondritis secondary to ear piercing
Plast Reconstr Surg
(2003)

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Saturday, September 27, 2025

Today's Deportations and Mexican Repatriation from 1930's by Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera

Deportation, Mexican Repatriation, Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera, color

My grandmother was born in Mexico City in 1899. She came to the US in 1902 with her father and brothers. She became a US citizen in 1922 and married a natural born US citizen in 1928. My Nana told me about the Mexican repatriation of the 1930's. Some of her relatives who were also US citizens were sent to Mexico including their children who were born in the US.

Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera, Mexican American, US citizen, Mexico, California, Repatriation, Deportation

The repatriations frightened my grandmother. She had light olive skin, dark eyes and dark hair. She started using an old time fade cream to lighten her skin. She wore light face makeup, light gloves and light hosiery. She wore hats and used umbrellas so she wouldn't tan. She learned English at the same time she learned Spanish, French and German as a child so she didn't have an accent. Still she didn't speak Spanish outside of the house. She always only wore 100% American fashion and styles. She made sure everyone called her Mrs. Mary Cummins and never Maria Rivera. I believe it's also the reason she married a super white blonde guy with white blue eyes which is why I'm so light. She valued light color because of the discrimination against people with darker skin, hair and eyes. She feared darker relatives being taken away.

My Nana carried all those fears and behaviors from Repatriation until the day she died at the age of 91. I was told not to speak Spanish outside of the house because she didn't want people to think I was a Mexican. She told me to stop dying my blonde hair darker. The only time I'd wear Mexican clothing was when we were in Mexico visiting relatives for the holidays. Then we could relax, speak Spanish, eat Mexican food and wear Mexican clothing.

What's happening today is another repatriation. Many US citizens are being deported. Others are leaving on their own just from the fear of being deported. The government is looking for any tiny mistake on citizenship applications to boot people out of the US. Some have lived here since they were babies. Some are married to US born citizens. Some of their children were born in the US.

During the 1930's repatriation politicians told the public that Mexicans were taking white citizen's jobs. That was the reason why Mexicans, Mexican Americans should be kicked out of the country. The real cause of the difficult economic times was of course the Great Depression. When they deported the Mexicans, Mexican Americans, the economy got even worse.

The deportations today are just like the Mexican repatriation of the 1930's. We are destroying people, their families and causing major economic hardships in the US. We're losing major consumers of US goods. US Latinos including undocumented workers purchase over 4 trillion dollars worth of US goods. They also make up most of the workforce in construction, hospitality, home care and agriculture industries. US citizens own these businesses. They're now going out of business. More US citizens are losing their jobs.

After the 1930's repatriation tanked the US economy and WWII the US had to start the Bracero program to bring Mexican workers back to the US as laborers. Will we be doing the same after these recent deportations destroy our economy? People keep getting brainwashed by corrupt politicians. We never seem to learn from history. My grandmother raised me as my mother. This is why I speak up for immigrant rights and have participated in the marches and demonstrations.

Someone just wrote an article about birthright citizenship and included a quote about my grandmother and repatriation. https://19thnews.org/2026/03/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-14th-amendment/

My Nana and I at Pt Loma Fort Rosecrans Military Cemetery in San Diego, California

#Deportation #repatriation #mexico #mexican #MariaRivera #marycummins

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Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Disappeared Los Desaparecidos Art Installation in Los Angeles, California by Mary Cummins

THE DISAPPEARED. Graphic artist Pauline Mateos created the art installation with the names and faces of people who have been detained or deported during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. The Unveiling of Los Desaparecidos September 1, 2025 at the Metropolitan Detention Center. The installation is a 100 ft wall of portraits of those disappeared by the Trump Fascist Regime. Snatched from Home Depots, taco stands, car washes — for working to survive. @refusefascismla @mary_cummins #thedisappeared #abolishICE #marycummins #mariarivera #losangeles #california #ICE #borderpatrol #LosDesaparecidos

While I was at The Disappeared Los Desaparecidos exhibit I also visited Ice out of LA, Occupy Ice and Run Against Ice. I didn’t make it to the sit-in at LA City Hall at 4:00. @refusefascismla @mary_cummins #thedisappeared #abolishICE #marycummins #mariarivera #losangeles #california #ICE #borderpatrol #LosDesaparecidos @run_against_ice #occupyice @abolishla

Videos. Main installation short video youtube.com/watch?v=Iiqqi1nUh4c&feature=youtu.be

Attorney Jaime Gutierrez speaker youtube.com/watch?v=PrFjRUzDTRs&feature=youtu.be

Pauline Mateos artist youtube.com/watch?v=9W7DmADAo5M&feature=youtu.be

Immigration attorney Alfonso Morales https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfxmCCD7Wzg

Amina Gonzalez Refuse fascism youtube.com/watch?v=C_QGsOZ8gLc&feature=youtu.be

I was going to another event after this hence the outfit

Press release

31 August 2025 * For immediate release *

213.878.5625

PressLA@RefuseFascism.org

RefuseFascism.org

@RefuseFascism

Interviews available

Photo Op

Monday: Unveiling 100′ of portraits of The Disappeared + Hear from Family Members and Other Voices of Resistance

The time has come for…THE FALL of the TRUMP FASCIST REGIME…

Delivered on Labor Day 2025 – Indictment for the removal of the regime

WHAT: SEE visual installation of a new 100-foot-wide wall of portraits – a sliver of the thousands and thousands who have been kidnapped by the Trump Fascist Regime.

HEAR from family members of Los Desaparecidos / The Disappeared art installation, and other voices of resistance.

WHERE: Federal Detention Center (615 N. Alameda St., LA) where people have been grabbed from Home Depots, car washes, flower and taco stands for the crime of laboring to make a living and a better life for their families.

WHEN: Monday, September 1st, 11 AM – 12 Noon

WHO: Family members:

– Erika Perez, daughter of Maria Valeriano Perez

– Kimberly Noriega, niece of Ambrocio Lozano

– Andrea Gomez, daughter of Gilbert Gomez

Other voices of resistance:

– Jaime Gutierrez, civil rights attorney

– Alfonso Morales, Immigration Attorney and Lynwood School Board Member

– Professor Yasmin Cardona

– Pauline Mateos, Graphic Designer / Multidisciplinary artist

– Reverend Oliver Buie

– Michelle Xai, Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity

– Amina Gonzales, RefuseFascism.org

RefuseFascism-LA will unveil a new art installation at the Metropolitan Detention Center on September 1st from 11 AM – 12 Noon, and family members of The Disappeared, plus other voices of resistance will speak.

With over 1/4 million people already deported, many without due process and over 70% with no criminal record and with Border Czar Tom Homan promising to “ramp up” deportations after Labor Day in sanctuary cities. This isn’t about policy – this is fascism. It’s state sanctioned violence with masked federal agents, backed by U.S. soldiers – terrorizing communities forcing people to stay locked in their homes for months, afraid to go to work or school. We have protested, we have marched, we have defended our neighbors from ICE…but the terror has not stopped, and in fact it is escalating. This is an existential threat to humanity and it has to get directed to the source of this terror – the Trump Fascist Regime: The Whole Trump Fascist Regime Must Be Driven From Power!

As RefuseFascism.org’s call “The time has come for…THE FALL of the TRUMP FASCIST REGIME…” states:

“Fascism is not a looming threat. It is upon us now. Humanity’s only hope is for the decent people of this country to rise in our millions. We cannot wait for future and rigged elections. We must drive the Trump Fascist Regime from power.

“Beginning November 5, the one-year anniversary of Trump’s election, flood DC in nonviolent protest. Surround the White House. Surround the Capitol. Surround the illegitimate fascist-packed Supreme Court. Come back again and again. Across the country, refuse to comply. Every person of conscience, millions of us together, grind the machinery of the fascist regime to a halt. Don’t stop until Trump is removed.”

In The Name of Humanity – We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America

THE FASCIST TRUMP REGIME MUST GO NOW!

We will be taking Los Desaparecidos/The Disappeared art installation to Washington, DC for “The time has come for…THE FALL of the TRUMP FASCIST REGIME – Beginning November 5, 2025.”

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Sunday, March 29, 2026

No Kings Protest in Los Angeles California, City Hall, Grand Park by Mary Cummins

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Take 3 Film Festival at Plaza de Cultural y Artes by Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Ear Piercing Guns and Needles Cause Same Damage to Ear by Mary Cummins

References (9)

Risk factors for cartilage infections of the ear

Am J Prev Med

Comparison between cartilage and soft tissue ear piercing complications

Am J Otolaryngol

Three patients with complications following piercing of the auricular cartilage

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd

Ear reconstruction after auricular chondritis secondary to ear piercing

Plast Reconstr Surg

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Today's Deportations and Mexican Repatriation from 1930's by Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Disappeared Los Desaparecidos Art Installation in Los Angeles, California by Mary Cummins

CoCreate Los Angeles September 9, 2026 at Los Angeles Convention Center by Mary Cummins

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