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. 34 - October 30, 2020

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• Los Angeles County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl have written a motion requesting a report on options to impeach or remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva. The Los Angeles Times explores what it considers the narrow, but not nonexistent, range of options, considering that county sheriff is an elected, not appointed, position. The motion will be heard by the board on November 10. Villanueva is up for reelection in 2022.

• As Angelenos across the city took to the streets to celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series win on Tuesday night, the LAPD and LASD ordered crowds to disperse in downtown LA, Echo Park, and East LA. The police used violent dispersal methods, including tackling and beating an LA Taco journalist with batons, and firing foam projectiles into crowds.

Housing Justice

• LA City Council spent hours debating Joe Buscaino’s motion to implement draconian “anti-camping” measures that would effectively criminalize being unhoused in Los Angeles. Thankfully, the vote was delayed until November 24 once it became clear that the motion would not pass. A substitute motion authored by Mike Bonin radically reframed the issue, reprioritizing increasing the number of shelter beds and improving the way they are allocated. Because of the delayed vote, this motion was also not heard.

• In March, families and individuals in need of shelter moved into several vacant homes owned by Caltrans. In the process of this occupation, they started Reclaiming Our Homes, which is supported by DSA. Now, as part of the City of LA’s transitional housing program, many will move into these homes legally. See their press release here.

Coronavirus and Relief Measures

• Los Angeles budget analysts released a report on Friday projecting a much greater pandemic-related shortfall in city revenue than had earlier been anticipated, with a potential outcome that the city’s reserve fund will be fully depleted. This has reignited the conversation over what cuts to services, or furloughs of city employees, will be implemented if the federal government doesn't step in with relief.
  

Elections

• Remember that you have DSA’s 2020 Voter Guide to check out if you have yet to cast your vote in Los Angeles County. Also, you can still cast a ballot in California even if you missed the voter registration deadline.

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