Today there is a small crack in the wall of racial injustice that must come down.
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced last night that the City would cut the Los Angeles Police Department budget by $100-$150 million, responding to the demands of tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents who have protested and advocated this past week. By showing up together for Black lives, we have made this possible.
The coalition of community, civil rights and labor organizations understands that this is an important first step. LAPD has never been refused a budget request. But this is not the full victory and justice we seek.
The Mayor and the City Council must go much further before we can come close to claiming that justice has been served for thousands of Black people who have been harmed or killed by police violence in our city and the millions who have suffered from decades of disinvestment.
The Mayor’s announcement shows us all why we must keep pushing and why Angelenos must keep speaking out and showing up for Black lives. We must keep going until we tear down this wall completely.
WHO:
Alberto Retana, Community Coalition, President & CEO Charisse Bremond, Brotherhood Crusade, President and CEO April Verrett, SEIU 2015, President
David Turner, Brothers Sons Selves, Program Manager
Manuel Pastor, USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, Director Angelica Salas, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Executive Director
