Azonelli’s Guerilla Activism and Fight Against Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
By Noah Kubacki
Azonelli is a family man during the day, and a independent activist at night. He uses street art to advocate for immigrant liberties and challenges discriminations. Azonelli is a guerilla activist, meaning he is independently advocating for his beliefs without the support of an organization. He is a one man operative that designs posters, prints media, and pastes his artwork throughout Los Angeles. The process behind producing one of these posters takes time and precision. One poster is comprised of multiple separate sheets of paper printed, later pasted together forming one image. The content of these posters is portrait photographs Azonelli takes of imigrant protestors. Demonstrators are asked to make a face at the camera, this makes the photos often very lively and distinguished. The purpose of having the subject give a funny expression is to humanize the person in front of the camera. Under the image is the phrase, “FORGIVE THEM, BUT DON’T TRUST THEM.”
Once the posters are produced, they are wheat pasted on a public wall. But how does one know where to put a poster? “[It’s] just intuition. It’s kind of cool. You drive around a little bit. See the city. I’m learning as I’m doing it. I’m not an expert.” Azonelli said, “I plan a little bit, but not too much. Take it more like an adventure.” This spontaneity has resulted in posters being placed throughout many different areas in Los Angeles such as Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, Hollywood and parts of the San Fernando Valley. With every new installation, Azonelli’s message becomes more exposed to the public. “I just wanted to be a voice for my friends. You know? A lot of my friends are in fear right now so I just felt that I had to do it.” In addition, Azonelli has a unique connection to this project “My dad got deported over a decade ago. It’s personal to me.” The public has shown a mix of reactions to the artwork. “I got some of them taken down right away. [...] I did it in the hood and you know, the gangs, everybody kinda like respected it. Nobody really wrote over it, or anything like that. That was cool. [In another area] Some people wrote some very racist [stuff]; took out the faces.” he explained “I kind of let it live its life. If it’s a short life, then that’s what it is. If it’s a month, then that’s cool too. I have to remember not to take it too personal.”
Azonelli’s message comes at a cost, risking getting fines or criminal charges. Los Angeles Police Department could cite vandalism, trespassing, graffiti and litter. Azonelli is aware of this risk.“ I have a lot more to lose than definitely what I might gain.” Nonetheless, his work continues, “I think it’s necessary to speak up. A lot of people are afraid right now [with] everything that’s going on. I hate to see people not wanting to go out. Afraid that if they go to work they might get deported.” To avoid being caught, Azonelli hides his identity with a surgical mask and hoodie. Leaving only his eyes visible. Another precaution he takes is by installing posters at night. Azonelli plans on continuing his advocacy long term. “I definitely don’t see it as short term. Once you start doing it’s hard to stop. It’s really addictive.”
The balance between his family life and his activism seems to blend. Azonelli’s trunk is filled with supplies for discrete nighttime missions, while only a couple feet away a baby seat lay attached to the back seat. It is a display of the duality Azonelli experiences. During the day he is a loving father, while at night he drives around playing EDM looking for a new urban canvas to display his message.
Azonelli’s work comes at a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric is becoming more popular. According to a poll conducted by Pew Research Center titled, Share of Americans saying undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay has declined in recent years, shows an increase of respondents saying undocumented migrants should not have a way to stay in the country legally if certain requirements are met. Of the 9,201 panelists that responded to the survey, there was an increase in respondents answering that undocumented immigrants should not be allowed to stay in the country. Polling at 27% of respondents represented this viewpoint in 2019. That opinion has increased in popularity, rising to 35% of respondents in 2024. Additionally, I.C.E has been increasing the number of deportations. Sometimes, without due process. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was illegally deported from the United States without a trial on March 15, 2025. The Trump Administration classified the deportation as an “administrative error.” The Supreme Court responded by ordering the Trump Administration to return Garcia to the states. Over social media the White House refused to follow that ruling, arguing that Garcia is “Never Coming Back”.
Azonelli is one of many independent activists around the country making their opinion heard. Through the wheatpasted posters produced, Azonelli promotes his message, “Somebody has to do it. And then maybe more people will follow. We have to speak up.”
