Weekly Email 10/16-10/23/23

This Week’s BLMLA Actions/Events (10/16/23-10/23/23):

  • MONDAY, 10/16/2023 4:30PM – Demand Justice for #AnthonyMcClain at the Pasadena City Council Meeting on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/161482446 – Call in to the Pasadena City Council meeting and demand the City Council fire the police officers who murdered #AnthonyMcClain. Please submit speaker cards prior to the public comment period at the link here. To participate by phone, call 1-669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 161 482 446.

  • TUESDAY, 10/17/2023 9:30AM – Los Angeles City Council Meeting at City Hall, 200 N. Main St., 3rd Floor – Join the coalition of organizations, including BLMLA and People’s City Council, and Angelenos demanding that racist, violent, disgraced City Councilman Kevin de León NOT RUN FOR REELECTION and STEP DOWN IMMEDIATELY. Fill out a public comment card upon arrival and speak to “General Public Comment.”

  • TUESDAY, 10/17/2023 at 6:30PM – Torrance City Council Meeting for #ChristopherDeAndreMitchell IN PERSON at Torrance City Hall 3031 Torrance Blvd. – Let’s continue demanding the Council deliver justice in the name of #ChristopherDeAndreMitchell by establishing a civilian oversight commission of the Torrance Police Department.

  • WEDNESDAY, 10/18/2023 at 4PM – #EndPoliceAssociations Rally at 1313 W. 8th St. –  Bring your voices, energy, and commitment to building a just and free world, where police associations no longer have control over public safety policy. Wear a mask! Snacks and water provided. This week, we will continue to demand that both #MooreMustGo and #KDLMustGo and be led in a drum call by Project Knucklehead. Streamed live on Instagram at @blmlosangeles.

  • SATURDAY, 10/21/2023 8-10AM – This Is Not a Drill! on KBLA Talk 1580AM or facebook.com/BLMLA – Let’s set the record straight on all things #BlackLivesMatter, including the (BLM) Global Network Foundation’s attempt to get legal fees from Black Lives Matter Grassroots and their threats against media outlets that expose them. Sharon Kyle, editor of the LA Progressive, will join the conversation, as will KBLA’s own Dominique DiPrima. Our own Melina Abdullah hosts. Download the app or listen on 1580AM in Los Angeles, kbla1580.com worldwide. Taking your calls at 800-920-1580.

  • SATURDAY, 10/21/2023 10AM-7PM – Taste of Soul 2023 Family Festival on Crenshaw Blvd. Between Stocker and Obama – It is the time of year when all of the Black folks in LA come together in the Crenshaw District to enjoy a spirit of community, free concerts and delicious food. Stop by the BLMLA booth and meet members of our team, including the BLM Youth Vanguard while you’re there! 

Recap:

  1. Last week, BLMLA renewed our call for Kevin de León to resign. Monday, October 9th was the one year anniversary of the leaked audio tape of the racist meeting that exposed KDL for the racist he is. Dozens gave him a wake up call at his Eagle Rock home, demanding that he step down. Monday evening, our own Dr. Melina Abdullah joined the two-hour panel facilitated by Tavis Smiley on KBLA. Missed it? Listen here.

  2. On Tuesday, we filled the seats at City Council along with People's City Council, White People for Black Lives, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and the community. City Council is complicit with KDL’s racism as long as they allow him to introduce motions and carry on business as usual. Ultimately, our folks were ejected from the room. We plan to be back every week to demand that KDL steps down.

  3. At last Wednesday’s #EndPoliceAssociations rally, Week 139, we talked about the importance of showing solidarity with Palestine as we continue to fight back against the many injustices we face at home. The family of #VanessaMarquez was present, calling for the Latinx community to join the Black community in fighting White supremacy.  

  4. Last Saturday’s This Is Not A Drill featured an important dialogue on “Why Palestine Should Matter To Black People '' with Baba Hank Jones of the Black Panther Party and Thandiwe Abdullah of Black Lives Matter Youth Vanguard. Our #MoreThanAHashtag conversation was with Warren Randle, father of #JalenRandle, who was murdered by Houston cop Shane Privette on April 27, 2022. Dr. Melina Abdullah hosted, with Kim Holmes in the co-host chair. Missed it? Watch here.

Megan Castillo