The Thorn West is a state and local news roundup compiled by members of DSA-LA. Our goal is to provide a weekly update on the latest developments in state and local politics, and to track the issues that are most important to our membership.

Issue No. 32 - October 16, 2020

Housing Justice

• Curbed (now a part of New York Magazine) interviewed Theo Henderson, an unhoused resident of Los Angeles who, through his podcast We the Unhoused, has become a powerful voice for his community. “It’s really hard to open [people’s] eyes to something they have intentionally hardened themselves against, and that’s what Theo does” says fellow unhoused activist Halcyon Selfmade.

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission formalized its demand for Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign, arguing that “Sheriff Villanueva enables a culture within the Sheriff’s Department of deputy impunity, disregards the constitutional rights of Los Angeles County residents, disdains other elected officials and disrespects the will of voters who support robust civilian oversight.” The commission can voice collective demands and increase public pressure, but has no legal authority to force Villanueva out of office.

Climate

• Yesterday, public comment was scathing at the bankruptcy hearing that would allow Exide Technologies to walk away from one of the worst environmental disasters in California history — which took place in the industrial city of Vernon. Dozens of callers, many of them citizens of the predominantly Latinx residential communities that neighbor Vernon, queued up to blast the decision. “We will be asked to live in our contaminated homes forever and to suffer for generations,” said one caller. “What gives you the right to let them walk away financially?” Nevertheless, today the bankruptcy settlement was approved.

Local Politics

• Newly elected Councilmember Kevin de León was sworn into office this week, two months early. He takes the seat formerly held by José Huizar, who is now facing corruption charges that compelled him to vacate his seat. As a state senator, de León represented the city of Vernon and was instrumental in protecting the scandal-plagued city from disincorporation.

• Governor Newsom’s May budget called for billions of dollars in cuts to services, but also included plans to reverse those cuts if federal aid came through before October 15. Here’s where California stands now that we know that, in the near term, federal aid is not coming.

Elections

• An interview conducted by The Guardian with both George Gascón and Jackie Lacey is extremely useful in clarifying important distinctions (as well as similarities) between the two candidates for Los Angeles district attorney.

• Proposition 21 would allow counties and cities in California to implement rent control in certain circumstances, easing restrictions put in place by the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. In this debate hosted by KPFA, Rene Moya, housing advocate and campaign director for Proposition 21, makes the case for #yeson21.

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