Let me get right to the point — there is a lot happening this week with LA Forward — a teach-in on effective local advocacy TODAY at 3 PM, a chance to help us create a comprehensive local civics guide tomorrow (Monday), an anti-racist reading and discussion group (Tuesday), and much more.
Sunday (6/12), 3 - 4:30 PM - Teach-in - How To Make Change in Your Local Community
As part of our LA Civics 101 series, we’re hosting a session on the basics of the smallest bodies of government. In the City of LA, those are Neighborhood Councils. We’re fortunate to be joined by two NC leaders — Eryn Block, Palms NC President and Lauren Buisson, Echo Park NC CIO — who will share their experiences with this imperfect system and talk about how progressives can work to leverage it for justice.
We'll also have a conversation with Culver City Councilmember Daniel Lee who will share what his experience getting elected as a staunch progressive to lead a small city and how regular people can be effective in fighting for social justice locally —from big picture strategy to little things like giving effective public comment.
We’ll also share updates on all our campaigns and give you the opportunity to ask questions and get involved.
Echo Park NC CIO Lauren Buisson
Palms NC President Eryn Block
Culver City Councilmember Daniel Lee
Monday (6/13) at 9 AM - Help LA Forward create a comprehensive local civics guide
Voting begins Monday at 9 AM for the "LA2050 Grants Challenge" and we are going to need all your votes. We're a finalist for our LA 101 project to create a comprehensive guide to local government and politics in partnership with our friends at Inclusive Action for the City. We'd be grateful if you would a note in your calendar to vote on Monday and comitt to asking 3 friends to vote for us too. You'll be able to vote from June 13 to 20 online. If you visit LA101Guide.org, you'll be directed to the right place.
And after you vote for us in the CONNECT category, we hope you'll vote for our friends in other categories: SAJE (NoRent.org) in LIVE, Las Fotos Project in CREATE, and Public Matters/LA Walks in PLAY.
Thanks for helping us (LA Forward) help you to help us (the 10 million people of Los Angeles)!
Tuesday (6/14) at 8 PM - Join in a discussion of the book, Stamped from the Beginning, about white supremacism in America
In this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-Black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history.
---
Neighborhood Organizing Kicks Off
Last week we launched our initiative to organize neighborhood communities for justice this past week with virtual gatherings in every part of the city. From the Westside to the Northeast, the Valley to South LA and beyond, we're giving people a chance to get to form relationships and begin strategizing how to join and create campaigns for systemic change. In Rebecca's words, “I loved getting to know my neighbors and hearing that we share many of the same interests and concerns. Many of us are passionate about solving the Westside’s housing crisis so I’m looking forward to meeting again to learn how we can take actionable steps within our area of LA.”
Relational organizing is powerful — a way to connect with people genuinely, to surface common values and interests, and to build effective and enduring teams. We were excited to see hundreds of people participate and we're looking forward to more of you joining in. Reply to this email if you're interested in getting involved!
Renters Assistance Program
Tens of millions of Americans aren't able to pay their rent or mortgages. It's outrageous and Congress needs to act to cancel rent and mortgage payments. You can send that message here. State and local governments should be doing the same thing, but they haven't yet.
What the LA City Council did instead was create a $100 million fund to cover rent for Angelenos who've lost their income. This fund will only cover a small fraction of the need, BUT if you're eligible and in need, you should apply. Immigration status does not matter.
Applications will be open for four days, beginning on Monday. You can apply at https://hcidla.lacity.org/
Those eligible to receive temporary subsidies will be selected randomly once the application process closes Friday, July 17. (Yes, this is outrageously frustrating.) Rather than disperse payments to renters, money will be paid out directly to landlords.
All eligible are encouraged to apply and be persistent in the face of any technical delays. We encourage you to share your experience with this process with City Council President Nury Martinez on Twitter or Instagram @CD6Nury
What We're Reading and Listening To:
"On A Wing and A Mayor" from LA Podcast
"The Left Is Remaking the World" by Amna A. Akbar
"You shouldn't need a car to get tested for Covid-19" by Evenlyn Blumenberg and Madeline Brozen
"Which Side Are We On: Can Labor Support #BlackLivesMatter and Police Unions?" by David Unger
"Our Minds Aren’t Equipped for This Kind of Reopening" by Tess Wilkinson-Ryan
In solidarity,
David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward