Los Angeles, CA – While BLMLA does not endorse candidates, we oppose politicians whose political stances, policies, and actions have been harmful to the Black community. Our “Bye” campaigns are legendary and have been pivotal in the fall of police chiefs, sheriffs, city councilmembers, city attorneys, district attorneys, mayors, and political aspirants. To be clear, as vehemently as we opposed many of the priorities and positions carried by the outgoing mayor, we never placed a “Bye” hashtag in front of her name. However, we understand what it means that Karen Bass was voted out despite the many millions of dollars spent by the Los Angeles Police Protective League (a rabidly racist and fascist force), Republicans and right-wingers to oppose Nithya Raman. Angelenos rejected the woman who they saw as the establishment candidate.
While BLMLA welcomes the new leadership in the Mayor’s office. We also recognize that the change that is needed to liberate our people will not come by simply voting. We must continue to hold our elected officials accountable and push them towards progress. BLMLA is hopeful that our new mayor will keep to her campaign promises, beginning with firing LAPD Chief McDonnell immediately. We know that it is ultimately our responsibility to hold her to those promises and push her beyond those commitmentss toward more radical change.
This past Sunday, BLMLA held a community brainstorm, developing an initial agenda for Black Los Angeles. Mayor-elect Raman has committed to meet with us to discuss these priorities sometime before her swearing-in on December 14th.
That agenda includes:
Immediately fire LAPD Chief McDonnell and appoint a community-centered Police Commission.
Block the mass surveillance of Angelenos; reject contracts with Flock, Axon, or any other surveillance corporation.
Work with the City’s Reparations Commission to publish their report and begin implementing recommendations.
Allocate robust funding for violence intervention, prevention, and community-based public safety.
Participate in the (BLMLA-led) People’s Budget work and incorporate it into the City’s budgeting process.
Support the City Controller in his audit efforts and work to make best use of public funds.
Work with the City Attorney to protect free speech and protest rights.
Develop a plan for universal housing for Angelenos, with explicit protections for Black residents, who are being displaced and left unhoused.
Use City resources to protect the people from ICE.
Invest in parks, tree planting, and other environmental measures and neighborhood protections, especially in South Central, the Crenshaw District, Watts, and East LA.
Invest in Black economic justice and businesses.
Fully fund youth development.
Initiate and support community-led land use.
Implement city-wide mutual aid programs, including food programs and universal basic income, beginning in Black communities that are under greatest threat.
We are encouraged by the prospect of a cooperative relationship with the new mayor. And, we cannot allow others to chart our course. We must have our own agenda: one that protects our lives, builds our communities, and secures our futures. We will not wait for any politician to prioritize our community’s needs. We must make them a priority. We voted; now we organize.
