Finding inspiration to act today & beyond

The world has been getting me down in the dumps the last few days. I'm usually pretty good at powering through but this moment is testing me, along with all of us. I've been looking for inspiration in reading the history of organizers who surmounted incredible challenges and provided us with the fundamentals of community organizing. Reading about Septima Clark of the Highlander School who pioneered "Citizenship Schools" for Black Southerners as part of the Civil Rights movement, about Ella Baker, about Fred Ross and Cesar Chavez and the formation of the powerful CSO right here in Boyle Heights, has been an inspiration. The way they strategically combined grassroots organizing, electoral politics, and progressive policy — what the late great Senator Paul Wellstone termed the "three critical ingredients to democratic renewal and progressive change" was so powerful. At LA Forward, we're doing our best to learn from and draw from the legacy of these extraordinary organizers and strategists for social justice and political power. I can't say we've come anywhere close but we're trying our damndest.

I hope you'll join our community by learning, organizing and mobilizing with us this week.

TODAY it's crucial people in LA County call and email their County Supervisor (see more below). 

On WEDNESDAY, we have the chance to learn the basics of Community Organizing from a talented teacher.

On SUNDAY, we'll hear from one of my favorite elected officials, who is a leading champion for progressive policy right here in LA.

 

* Wednesday, May 13, 8 PM – Organizing 101 workshop

Organizing is a buzzword. But does it mean? And how is it different from activism or advocacy in other forms? Join this virtual to find out. You'll leave with a working understanding of what it is, what it takes, and your own sense of how you might fit into organizing work in Los Angeles.

Please RSVP at https://www.losangelesforward.org/calendar/2020/5/13/organizing-101

* Sunday, May 17, 3 PM – Monthly Meeting, feat. Councilmember Mike Bonin

For our May meeting, we’ll be joined by a special guest — LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin — who's been a champion for social justice and has been a leader in supporting our agenda on housing, climate, just economic recovery, and more. We’ll also share updates on all our campaigns and give you the opportunity to ask questions and get involved.

Please RSVP: https://www.losangelesforward.org/calendar/2020/5/17/may-monthly-meeting

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LA COUNTY ACTION ALERT for Monday, May 11

 

For two months, Healthy LA has been mobilizing thousands of people across LA City and LA County to take action via calls, emails, public comments, and social media which have resulted in the adoption of vital measures to protect tenants, homeowners, workers, small businesses, and unhoused people during this crisis.

TOMORROW, LA County Board of Supervisors is meeting at 10 AM to discuss and vote on more COVID19 relief measures. This is the first week they will be having live public comment! They need to hear from you!

We’ve put together this TAKE ACTION TOOLKIT that has everything you need to take action, including:

  • CALL YOUR SUPERVISOR and tell them you support the Healthy LA Platform (see script & numbers below)

  • SEND A PUBLIC EMAIL that will become part of the official record (see how-to-guide & samples below)

  • UPLIFT THESE ISSUES ON SOCIAL MEDIA and tag your Supervisor.

  • COMMIT TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT and have the Board of Supervisors hear your story live.

All the information you need is in this email and at http://healthyla.org/county/

 

CALL SCRIPT

"Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I'm a constituent in your district calling [Supervisor Name] because I support the Healthy LA platform and urge [Supervisor Name] to:

  • Support a requirement for financial institutions doing business with the County to tie mortgage relief to rent suspension through the duration of emergency and subsequent recovery period.

  • Support a motion to leverage state emergency funds for mortgage relief and rent forgiveness for undocumented immigrants.

  • Support permanent and retroactive worker retention and right of recall policies.

  • Support motions for anti-harassment and defend tenants' private right of action.

  • Extend the eviction moratorium period and rent freeze for all LA County tenants both commercial and residential.

  • Support a recovery plan that includes securing permanent housing for elderly homeless individuals.  

 

You can find who your County Supervisor is at http://healthyla.org/county/

  • SD1 – Supervisor Hilda Solis: (213) 974-4111 - firstdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov - Twitter: @HildaSolis

  • SD 2 – Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas: (213) 974-2222 - markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov - Twitter: @mridleythomas

  • SD3 – Supervisor Sheila Kuehl: (213) 974-3333 - sheila@bos.lacounty.gov Twitter: @SheilaKuehl

  • SD4 – Supervisor Janice Hahn: (213) 974-4444 - fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov Twitter: @SupJaniceHahn

  • SD5 – Supervisor Kathryn Barger: (213) 974-5555 - kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov - Twitter: @kathrynbarger

 

SUBMITTING PUBLIC COMMENT

You can provide public comment live during the virtual Board of Supervisors meeting by calling (844) 291-6355 and entering the Participant Code 9823589. Please follow the prompts.

You can also submit official public comments via email to PublicComments@bos.lacounty.gov by May 12th. The Agenda Item Number and Meeting Date (5/12/20) must be included in the subject line. Your email will become part of the official public record.

Sample Public Comment on Tenant, Homeowner, & Small Business Protections (Items #3, 6, 7, 15):

My name is _________ and I strongly support the Healthy LA platform. I’m worried that this health crisis will become a long-term eviction and economic crisis. I’m urging you to defend my right to a healthy safe home. Extend the eviction moratorium and issue rent forgiveness for all tenants, and support motions for anti-harassment and tenants' private right of action. The small businesses in my neighborhood need protections too, and extending the moratorium to them is great. Further, extending the time they have to pay back their rent to 6 months is good, but 12 months or more is better. It will be hard for them to pay back rent, too. Thank you for your leadership on these issues.

Sample Public Comment on Recovery Plan for Unhoused (Item # 4)

My name is _________ and I strongly support the Healthy LA platform. Our unhoused neighbors are some of the most affected by this pandemic. Having a plan to keep those who have been housing from Project Roomkey, and then to house those who have not been housed during this crisis will be a crucial part of our recovery. Recovery has to include the voices of those with lived experience, and coalitions like Services Not Sweeps to implement an equitable recovery plan. We must use all tools at our disposal to house them, including identifying vacant land and properties that can be repurposed, putting those with lived experience on the task force for recovery, and utilizing hotels that have space but choose to not participate in Project Roomkey. I support a plan for recovery, but also want to make sure the County is doing everything in its power to protect these residents.

Sample Public Comment on Responsible Banking (Item # 7)

My name is _________ and I strongly support the Healthy LA platform. Everyone has been affected by the pandemic, and we have all been doing our part by staying home, cutting work hours, and wearing masks. Banks have a responsibility to do their part to help protect homeowners and tenants. I strongly support LA County using its position as a client of big banks and prioritize doing business with the ones that are making sure that homeowners are passing their mortgage relief to tenants. Everyone is hurting, and this is the least the banks can do. Thank you for encouraging banks to do better!

Sample Public Comment on Worker Protections (Item #51-B, 51-G, 51-H):

My name is ______ and I strongly support the entire Healthy LA platform. I work at ______ and know the impacts the COVID-19 crisis is having on LA County workers’ physical, mental, and economic well-being. I’m seeking your support for permanent and retroactive worker retention and right of recall policies for hospitality and building services workers. Since March, tens of thousands of Angelenos have lost their jobs in these industries; when these industries rehire, they should give these workers their jobs back. Thank you for your support and please adopt these ordinances on May 12th!

Many important items will be heard and you can read the AGENDA HERE and SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA HERE.

 

In solidarity,

David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward

A majority of our budget comes from our members’ monthly donations. In 2024, our goal is to raise 70% of our budget from dues-paying members. That will enable us to be 100% accountable to people like you. Your gift allows us to respond rapidly to emerging issues, to take on powerful interests, and spend as little time possible on fundraising so we can focus on the crucial work that needs to get done every day.