Frequent Asked Questions

Braids Not Raids is deeply rooted in the same flame. It operates as an independent Northern California extension and collaborative chapter inspired by the foundational Ponte Your Moños project created in Southern California by Angie Portillo and Dulce Flores. Alex founded this chapter to bring that exact model up north, ensuring that communities across Sacramento, Davis, and the region have a dedicated space for healing, resistance, and financial solidarity.

Historically, yes. Chicana and Indigenous bodies, aesthetics, and identities have always been policed and targeted for erasure. From the Adelitas (women soldiers) of the Mexican Revolution to the Chicano Movement of the '60s and '70s, style, hair, and presentation have been vital tools to reclaim agency and occupy space. When our community faces hostile anti-immigrant policies, choosing to stand out in full cultural beauty becomes a radical form of visual resistance.

Founded by UC Davis alumna Alex Zavala, the initiative uses the ancestral, cultural practice of traditional ribbon hair braiding (trenzas) to intertwine Indigenous and Chicana pride with direct political resistance. By filling spaces with bright colors, interwoven lace, and communal care, Braids Not Raids creates a maximalist, highly visible act of sanctuary that chooses community over criminalization and care over fear.

The collective is run completely independently by a small team of three women. It was founded by Alex Zavala, who is joined by coorganizers Gabriella Cruz and Cynthia Moreno. Gabriella and Cynthia originally stepped up to volunteer at the No Kings protest in Sacramento and have since become the dedicated core team managing and executing every aspect of the movement.

Internal transparency is fundamental to mutual aid. 100% of the financial contributions raised at the pop-ups go directly into community-led mutual aid funds. These funds support undocumented or mixed-status immigrant families navigating the heavy financial burdens, legal fees, and displacement caused by immigration enforcement and ICE actions.

All upcoming community event flyers are dropped right here on the Events Calendar and live locations are actively updated on social media. Follow the journey to see where the braiding tables will be next!

Yes, entirely. The pop-ups are intentionally designed to be zones of love and safety, countering the anxiety caused by regional enforcement. The team does not track, log, or require any personal identifying information or documentation status to participate. Anyone can safely come to listen to music, get braided, vent, and connect with a community that has their back.

Because the collective operates entirely independently without any institutional backing, all collaborations are purely grassroots. The team loves bringing Braids Not Raids directly to campus clubs, local small businesses, and community gatherings. Reach out via email or send an instagram DM to coordinate with Alex, Gabriella, and Cynthia.