Thorn West would like to platform its own interviews with local activists, agitators, etc. Suggestions, and volunteers, welcome as always. Email [email protected]!\
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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. 111 - June 3, 2022
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- California’s reparations task force released an extensive report detailing the state’s history of slavery and racism, and that history's lingering effects. The report also recommended several methods by which reparations could be made to Black Californians. Full report here. On page 19 are the preliminary recommendations that are expected to be expounded upon in a second report in 2023, following multiple community listening sessions.
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- Voting in the statewide primary election closes June 7. You can register to vote same-day at your local polling place. DSA-LA is making a big weekend push to get out the vote for endorsed candidates Eunisses Hernandez (CD1), Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (AD65), and Hugo Soto-Martinez (CD13). And of course, the DSA voting guide is here.
- Los Angeles County is on a trajectory to cross the threshold to a “high” COVID-19 community transition level within a few weeks, which would mean the current outbreak has begun to put stress on hospitals.
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Los Angeles City Council voted 13–2 to request a law be drafted banning encampments within 500 feet of any school or daycare facility in the city. Last year’s revision to 41.18 provided a mechanism through which a 500’ enforcement zone could be requested; it would now be automatic. The motion was not agendized for discussion, in violation of the Brown Act. It also did not pass through the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, and instead was brought directly to the floor by Council President Nury Martinez, with the direct involvement of newly appointed school Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
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Police Violence and Community Resistance
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- Struggling to meet signature requirements, backers of the effort to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón have poured money into directly mailing recall petitions countywide.
- A UCLA study of ten years of autopsy records found that more than half of the people who died in LA. County jails and had their deaths classified as “natural” showed evidence of physical harm.
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- New water restrictions limiting outdoor watering to twice a week went into effect across Los Angeles on June 1. The new regulation, first of its kind, is a response to unprecedented drought conditions.
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