[Read BRU event blog] [read LACAN guest blog] [See event slideshow]

BRU's rally at Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration yesterday received extensive media coverage. Along with our allies from the South Asian Network, and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, we were calling on the mayor to reduce his prioritization of police funding over social services.

TV News:

Youtube video clips of media coverage now available: 

• NBC 4
   
• KTLA 5
  
• Telemundo 52 - including a full "En Contexto" interview with BRU Organizer Esperanza Martinez
  [Spanish language]
   
• KRCA 62

Newspapers:

• Los Angeles Times: "Scores of demonstrators from the Bus Riders Union chanted for Villaraigosa to buy more buses instead of spending money to hire additional police."
• Daily News: "'We think that the push for more police, at the cost of social services for the city, is a bad (plan) for right now,' said Michael Criollo [sic] of the Bus Riders Union. 'In the long term, the city won't be able to afford that. It's going to sacrifice a lot of critical services for low-income communities of color.'"
• La Opinión: "En las inmediaciones del Ayuntamiento, activistas protestaron contra la desatención de los servicios públicos y los derechos civiles por parte de la Alcaldía. 'La ciudad debe moverse hacia una nueva dirección por el respecto a los derechos humanos', dijo Manuel Criollo, dirigente del Sindicato de Pasajeros (BRU). Portando una manta donde se leía: 'Alcalde, defienda servicios, no más policías', los manifestantes caminaron sobre la esquina de las calles Spring y Primera, y luego se apostaron en la calle Main."

Blogs with Photos:

• LA Photo
• Mayor Sam's Sister City
• greenRELAY