Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, what is your response?

 After months of organizing rallies in South LA, giving public testimony at MTA Board members and getting South LA bus riders to call and urge Supervisor Ridley-Thomas to support the Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan, the BRU was ready to visit the Supervisor on his home turf - the County Board Supervisors weekly meeting. On Tuesday September 1st, BRU members and organizers sat for 4 hours for the opportunity to address Supervisor Ridely-Thomas during the public comments section of the County Board of Supervisors Meeting, to present the MTA's appalling bus performance [1]results [2] from a 2,300 person survey conducted by BRU members and organizers. BRU members urged him to adopt the BRU Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan as a basis for the 20% of Measure R funds that were dedicated to improvement in the bus transit system.  As unemployment rates continue to rise to historic highs [3], global warming continues unabated, LA's polluted air continues to threaten public health, members spoke of the importance, given Supervisor Ridley-Thomas' history of fighting for Civil Rights, his leadership inside the MTA board.  Below are excerpts of the testimonies delivered by BRU members, Greg Freeman and Crystal McMillan.

Gregory Freeman: "Will you introduce a motion at the MTA Board to adopt our plan as the bus system improvement plan?"

"We come to you Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, because during your campaign you spoke of your commitment to the bus system. You are known for the work that you have done around Civil Rights, and transportation has always been a critical issue for our community so we are here to ask you to challenge the current direction the MTA is headed which leaves the bus system behind.

Waiting 30 minutes for a bus on Sunday when people are trying to get to church or spend time with family is ridiculous...people shouldn't have to sweat just to spend time with their new grandbaby. I don't think this is asking too much, the 20% of Measure R is already there, all we need is your political leadership to make sure it doesn't get raided. Supervisor Ridley Thomas - will you introduce a motion at the MTA Board to adopt our plan as the bus system improvement plan?"

Crystal Mcmillan: "When I lost my job, my income was cut. Fare increases aren't just an inconvenience; they directly impact my daily life."

"We are here today because Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has said that he wants to improve public transit and be an advocate for the community. The Black and Latino communities of South Los Angeles are losing jobs, people are losing their homes, and we are turning back the clock on all the gains of the Civil Rights movement. This is about much more than just the people who ride the bus.

The LRTP directly influences the choices that people in the community will make about health care, education and jobs that help bring money back into local neighborhoods. We have the Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan, and in spite of the hard economic times, we have the money promised by the Measure R funds. We finally have the tools to expand and improve the transit service in Los Angeles. We can get people out of their cars. When we do that, we ease traffic and improve air quality, and those are benefits that everyone in Los Angeles will share.

We haven't set ourselves an impossible task. We aren't tilting at windmills. We are talking about ground level, concrete improvements that can be in place in matter of months. And it won't take years to see the results. It won't take bankrupting our city to make a difference."

Will you stand up for Civil Rights?

Shortly after BRU members spoke, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas approached BRU Lead Organizer Esperanza Martinez, who asked for a one on one meeting to discuss the our vision for the future of transportation in LA. He responded that his staff will arrange a meeting. Now, it's up to us to ensure the support for the Clean Air and Economic Justice plan continues to build and that this meeting happens. Call the BRU to find out how to get involved in this struggle - 213-387-2800