Community Organizations from across Los Angeles Call on Mayor Villaraigosa and other City Leaders to Support Healthy Communities in this Year's Budget!

The Los Angeles Coalition against State Violence announced their demands at a press conference held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 to reduce and restrict the LAPD budget allocation and instead focus resources on prevention efforts, public transportation, affordable housing and other human rights in the City of Los Angeles.

A platform for building healthy and sustainable communities was unveiled, and if implemented, would in fact lessen the need for more police. Against the backdrop of a new police headquarters that cost the City almost a half-billion dollars, community leaders called attention to the unprecedented allocation of local resources to expand the police force and build new facilities for them over the past four years. Additionally, the City has paid tens of millions in taxpayer money to settle lawsuits for police murder, brutality, and misconduct. In February 2009 alone, the City agreed to pay $30 million because of the abusive practices of the LAPD.

This investment came at the expense of the people's immediate need for housing, employment, education and other resources that create truly healthy and safe communities for all Angelinos. The over-investment in law enforcement also significantly contributed to a severe budget crisis for the coming year.

More Police is Not a Progressive Vision for L.A. and is Not Financially Responsible!

Over thirty community members and organizers came out to support our progressive plan to make our communities healthier and more sustainable through the investment of social services and the reduction of police and prison expansion. Los Angeles Coalition Against State Violence called on Mayor Villaragiosa to be an ally to stop the attacks on youth, homeless people, immigrants and the environment, not to expand them!

After our press conference, members of the coalition headed over to City Hall where representatives gave public testimony at City Council and met with representatives of several Councilmembers, including Councilmember Ed Reyes and Tony Cárdenas.

We will be organizing more delegation visits, community meetings, and rallies throughout April and May. For more information about the coalition and how to get involved please contact Damon Azali-Rojas at 213-387-2800. 

The Los Angeles Coalition against State Violence includes:

Coalition for Justice against Police Murder, 310-621-2435
Community Coalition, 323-750-9087
Homies Unidos, 213-383-7484
Labor/ Community Strategy Center, 213-387-2800
Los Angeles Community Action Network, 213-228-0024
South Asian Network, 562-403-0488
Youth Justice Coalition, 323-235-4243