Major Council Meeting Tonight
Hi all,
Hey Subscriber First Name,
It was a gut-wrenching weekend witnessing ICE terrorize people across the region including right here in Culver City. We have seen disturbing reports of at least 200 detainees from across the County, ripped form their families, imprisoned with no way to be contacted.
Trump apparently told LA officials that there would be 30 days of ICE raids, but it’s unknown how long they will actually last.
He deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to lay the groundwork for more military interventions, an escalation without precedence from the past 60 years.
His agenda is clear: terrorize communities and incite violence on his own citizens to be able to say that L.A. is a war zone. This is textbook authoritarianism and yet it still feels impossible to digest.
Here’s what I know right now: Culver City Police Department has committed to following the rules of our 2017 sanctuary city ordinance and not cooperate with immigration officials. That being said, police are not interfering with any immigration operations.
Our community is the only true source of safety for our immigrant neighbors right now.
So, if you see ICE in your neighborhood, document it and report it. Call the LA Rapid Response Network at: 1888-624-4752.
I want to remind you to do what you need to stay safe and take care of your mental health during these extraordinary times. Don’t forget to go outside, get enough sleep, and take dedicated time off your screens to spend time your loved ones if you can.
We will keep standing up for our immigrant neighbors and fighting for a city that keeps all of us safe.
Setting aside the terrifying events of the past weekend, there is an extremely important Council meeting tonight at 7PM, perhaps the most consequential of this term so far.
We will be voting on whether to approve next year’s budget which includes historic investments in affordable housing and an overhaul of our budget process.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to engage with the local government— this is it.
Among many things, we will be deciding whether to approve a budget which includes a $16M loan to build Jubilo Village, 93 homes for low-income families and the city’s second 100% affordable housing project in over 30 years.
This budget will also include the $250,000 we set aside to revamp our budget process to give the public (you) a seat at the table. Check out my op-ed about why that’s so important.
The budget is Item PH-3, and I encourage you to show up to City Council and make your voice heard.
Here are some grassroots (not billionaire-funded) community groups organizing actions around the budget. I’ll share those below.
Our Culver: The City Needs to Hear from You on the Budget
Culver City for More Homes: Support Jubilo Village
As always, you can watch in person at Council Chambers (9770 Culver Blvd) or remotely via Zoom.
You can request to speak here or send in your comment by emailing city.council@culvercity.org.
Hope to see (or hear) you there!
Around Town
LAX Metro Transit Center Opens!
In much more positive news, the breathtaking new LAX Metro Transit Center Station opened this past Friday and wow what a monumental achievement for the LA region!
With bike lockers complete with showers, separated bus bays, and easy access to the K and C lines, this station fully embraces the future of mobility in our cities.
It was a joy to celebrate with leaders from all over, including Metro staff and Board members, and Culver City’s amazing transportation team.
This is the result of decades of hard work and the investment of generations of Angelenos through Prop A, Measure C, Measure R, and Measure M.
It’s amazing what we can create when we work together and dream big!
Dancing the Night Away at the Senior Prom!
During dark times, it’s vital we find the light wherever we can. The Senior Prom was a blast— the dancing was non-stop and the royal duo (seen above) really knew how to break it down. We’re so lucky to have a vibrant senior community and a Parks, Rec, and Community Services Department that puts on such joyous events. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!