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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.
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Issue No. 82 - October 22, 2021
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- The Los Angeles City Council voted 11–3 to suspend Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, who faces federal charges of corruption. Ridley-Thomas entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday, with trial set for December. The Board of Supervisors voted to approve an independent audit of the contracts mentioned in Ridley-Thomas’ indictment, among others. Indictment here. Ridley-Thomas’ district is currently without representation.
- The Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission voted to approve their finalized draft map, despite “potentially significant flaws.” It will now be sent on to City Council. Council President Nury Martinez weighed in for the first time today, criticizing the proposed map’s “drastic changes.” The council can revise the map and seems likely to. Per activist Rob Quan, public pressure has been instrumental so far and can help ensure that the next changes are for the better.
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- The City Council voted 12–2 to approve bans of sitting, lying, and sleeping at 54 locations across three council districts, as recent revisions to municipal code 41.18 now allow. Though the revisions are meant to be accompanied by expanded outreach, the outreach plan has yet to be finalized or staffed. Councilmembers Mike Bonin and Nithya Raman voted in opposition.
- Knock LA covers the role that various Brentwood homeowners cabals have played in privatization of land use at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus, which has prevented unhoused veterans from receiving services. This week the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs vowed to find housing for the unhoused residents of Veterans Row, an encampment of roughly 30 tents just outside the campus.
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- Capital and Main updates the story of the Crenshaw Mall, the South LA cultural landmark that was inexplicably sold to outside developers despite a higher bid from community-based investment group Downtown Crenshaw. Next steps include potential lawsuits.
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- Sunday, a tentative deal was struck between IATSE and the AMPTP, a day before a strike would have been triggered. However, that deal still needs to be voted on by membership. Labor Notes explains the mechanics of that election, and spotlights the significant dissatisfaction with the proposed deal among IATSE members.
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Police Violence and Community Resistance
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- Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his undersheriff, Tim Murakami, unlawfully defied subpoenas that would require them to testify before the LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission about deputy gangs within the Sheriff’s Department.
- In recognition of National Anti-Police Brutality Day, a coalition of activists including BLM-LA, LA CAN, and Streetwatch LA are rallying outside LAPD headquarters from 4–7pm today.
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- On Tuesday Governor Gavin Newsom expanded the California drought emergency from 50 counties to statewide, but did not implement any water conservation mandates. Newsom did authorize water regulators to ban wasteful water use, such as spraying down public sidewalks.
- An independent study has found that the 2018 Woolsey Fire caused radioactive contamination to migrate from Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former nuclear research lab, into neighboring communities. The new study contradicts the initial report from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
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