Sheriff Alex Villanueva

COMMENTARY: “Grateful After the November Mid-Term Results

To further resist the threat of authoritarianism, we must lift up young leaders who will be democracy’s champions for this and future generations. People For the American Way’s Young Elected Officials Network is celebrating the election of young leaders as new members of Congress from across the country: Greg Casar from Austin, Texas; Emilia Sykes from Akron, Ohio; Maxwell Frost from Orlando, Fla.; Summer Lee from Braddock, Pa.; Robert Garcia from Long Beach, Calif.; Sydney Kamlager from Los Angeles, Calif; and Jasmine Crockett from Dallas, Texas. Dozens more were elected to local and state offices, building a crucial leadership pipeline.

L.A. County Looks to Enforce COVID Vaccine Mandate in Sheriff’s Department

With Sheriff Alex Villanueva declining to enforce the county’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate among his deputies, the Board of Supervisors today will consider a proposal that would give the county personnel director overriding authority to discipline any employees who fail to comply with the requirement.

Rhambo Earns Recommendation of LA Co. Dem Party Endorsement CMTE in Sheriff’s Race

In a powerful demonstration of his extensive grassroots support from L.A. County Democrats in the race for Los Angeles County Sheriff,  LAX Police Chief Cecil Rhambo was formally notified by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) that he earned a recommendation for endorsement from the Screening and Early Endorsement Recommendation (SEER) Committee.

L.A. County Wants Vanessa Bryant to Undergo Mental Health Exam in Photos Suit

Attorneys for Los Angeles County are asking a federal judge to order the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant to undergo a psychiatric exam before trial in her invasion of privacy lawsuit alleging that sheriff’s deputies shared unauthorized photos taken at the site of the
helicopter crash that killed the athlete, his daughter and seven others, according to court papers obtained today.

Los Angeles County Appoints Its First Black CEO

Fesia Davenport was formally confirmed today as Los Angeles County’s first Black chief executive officer, one of a host of diverse senior appointments made by the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Hilda Solis, who currently chairs the board, welcomed the new executives in a series of statements.

Rep. Waters to Request Federal Investigation into Andres Guardado’s Death

  Rep. Maxine Waters said today she will formally request U.S. Attorney General William Barr investigate the killing of 18-year-old Andres Guardado by a sheriff’s deputy near Gardena as a civil rights violation.

   “Enough is enough,” Waters said in the announcement, a day after multiple sheriff’s department officials declined to answer questions during the Los Angeles County coroner’s office inquest into Guardado’s death. The officials cited advice from attorneys.

Helicopter Company Sued in Fatal Kobe Bryant Crash Denies Responsibility

One of two helicopter companies being sued by the widow of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant stemming from the crash in January that killed her husband and 13-year-old daughter, along with seven others, denied any responsibility for the accident in a statement issued today.

Vanessa Bryant’s amended Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed Friday alleges Richard Webb, the owner of founder of Santa Ana-based OC Helicopters LLC, suggested the route for the ill-fated flight and should have aborted it.

Attorneys: Dijon Kizzee Fatally Shot by Deputies While Lying on Ground

Again blasting the sheriff’s department’s contention that a 29-year-old man was fatally shot while pointing a gun at deputies in Westmont, attorneys for the man’s family said today an independent autopsy shows he was shot repeatedly while “writhing on the ground in pain.”

Los Angeles Urban League Letter to The Editor – Another Police Killing

On Monday, August 31, 2020, two Los Angeles County Sherriff deputies shot and killed Dijon Kizzee, a 29-year-old African American man from Lancaster, CA, visiting friends and family in the Westmont neighborhood of Los Angeles.  Shortly after Mr. Kizzee was pronounced dead, community activists gathered at the sight of the shooting. They marched to the local Sheriff’s station to protest the unnecessary murder of another Black man by those pledged to protect and serve. Protesters are rightfully outraged, and the family deserves answers and transparency. 

Community Marches on Sheriff’s Station to Issue Demands in the Name of #RyanTwyman

On Sunday, June 28, almost a thousand people gathered at Southwest College. Rhythms played by master drummers and chants of “Justice for Ryan,” called the crowd together as libations were poured and prayers were offered. People gathered in t-shirts donning the hashtags, #JusticeForRyanTwyman and #ItCouldHaveBeenMe. There was a huge banner with Ryan’s name and cardboard cutouts of his face. Mike Twyman, Ryan’s uncle, served as opening speaker, reminding people of who Ryan was, “a good father, a son, a special young man.”