What does protest look like in 2026?
In this episode, independent journalist Darisse Smith speaks with Peter, the founder of Coqui—a crowdsourced, live-map community alert app designed to help people stay informed about ICE and police presence in their neighborhoods in real time.
Peter explains how Coqui works similarly to Waze, but instead of traffic or potholes, users can report nearby ICE activity, upload photos, confirm reports through community verification, and communicate locally—without confrontation and while remaining anonymous.
Together, we discuss:
Whether sharing information can itself be a form of protest
How fear affects undocumented and documented immigrants alike
Why situational awareness matters for everyday life—work, school, pharmacies, and small businesses
Claims that apps like this endanger law enforcement, and what the evidence actually shows
Free speech, anonymity, and the role of technology in modern civic action
Immigration data, crime statistics, and how media narratives shape public perception
This conversation is not about encouraging confrontation. It’s about visibility, humanity, and choice—and what it means to live in a country where some people are afraid to move freely in their own communities.
As always, this episode challenges listeners to seek multiple sources, question messaging, and examine how power and policy affect real lives.
If it affects your life, it’s worth examining.
#Immigration
#ICE
#CivilLiberties
#FreeSpeech
#Technology
#CommunitySafety
#CurrentEvents
#Politics
