Tuesday, June 2, Los Angeles City Mayor Garcetti provided updates on the plan to keep the city safe during a time of unrest. Another curfew was set on Tuesday, for the protection of Los Angeles. Garcetti expressed his concerns behind the rage that clashes with the cause of a peaceful protest for the murder of George Floyd. Public officials share the unanimous view, there is a visible injustice that needs to be addressed. But there are “outside agitators” redirecting the attention away from the main cause for protesting.
Over 1,000 arrests have been made between Friday and Tuesday Morning. The main cause of arrest was for looting, vandalism, and property destruction. CNN called the curfews set in L.A. “historic and harshest in decades.” Across the city, there is a 12-hour boundary set in place, between 6pm to 6am Los Angeles is under high surveillance. Garcetti confirmed curfews will be set day by day, in hopes of the city deescalating.
Davion Pilgrim, a 16-year old student from Morning Side High school shared his story of recently being racially profiled and accused of gang affiliation by the police. He is an athlete and president of the youth department at Greater Zion Church in Compton. “Losing our lives to police officers is one of our biggest fears that we have in South L.A.” Pilgrim continued, “This is a hard time, but the good news is there is still time for unity. While I think we should keep protesting and demanding change, there’s no need to loot.” Pilgrim prays his children is set to go to college, live to see their 21st birthday, and beyond. The mayor followed Pilgrim’s statement by declaring, justice is earned, there needs to be work done that pushes for progress. Pilgrim promoted Conversations of understanding are needed, Garcetti followed Pilgrim’s statements by listing disparities seen within African American Communities.
Garcetti mentioned he has been talking with elected officials across the country, mapping out a strategy to grow from this moment; that includes looking at the city budget. He is looking to build a foundation to address issues that are heavily layered within the Black American communities for generations. Even within the local government, African American members have been vocal about the current condition and their position in public office. There is a level of paranoia that is induced by racial profiling that happens among Law enforcement. Garcetti advised for “Non-Black Angelenos” to hear these stories of discrimination and start having those conversations. The discrimination are visible and need to be addressed. There were questions of Chief Moore and the disconnect with the platform the mayor is standing on, Garcetti stated, “I’ve known this man’s heart for decades, he was the person brought in after the Rampart scandal, to clean up that station as the captain. When I heard him say what he said, I knew he did not mean that and know that he corrected it right away.”
The mayor referred to the Negro National Anthem to emphasized hope for the country to do better. He shared that he wants to protect all Angelenos. The mayor declared there should be a national hand on calming the uprisings that are happening across the country. 1,000 National Guards are stationed around Los Angeles, from West L.A. to the downtown area. The necessary work needed for changed is a shared responsibility, throughout county officials, budgeting, and increased opportunities within underserved communities. What is being seen in the streets across the nation, is the energy from generations of hurt and anguish forming in the physical world. The narrative behind human beings must change and share a space of unity. The growth starts from the root of political power, tonight the mayor pledged to plant seeds of opportunity, within the following days the mayor said he will look at aspects of L.A. government and see what movements can be made in the right direction.
