By Michael Lozano, Voicewaves Long Beach
It is the biggest meeting of Long Beach activists of the year. It was the 2015 People’s State of the City, attended by over 450 people Wednesday, organizers reported.
The 4th annual event, sponsored by more than a dozen organizations, under the coalition Long Beach Rising, tackled the seven top issues affecting Long Beach, including poverty, jobs, housing, education, the environment, community safety, and immigrant rights.
“The People’s State of the City is about the people. It’s about sharing what they feel about their community and what they think can make it better,” said Councilmember Roberto Uranga, who spoke at the event.
More notable focus was put on the plight of port truck drivers as well as local hotel workers, who, organizers said, face sexual harassment and arduous labor, often working long hours.
“Every single day, a hotel housekeeper is at risk whenever she goes to work. And that’s not right,” said Nikole Cababa to the audience.
The father of Claudia Sanchez, a local hotel worker now in a coma after working a 14-hour shift, spoke at the event. His brief speech, which asked for prayers for his daughter, brought tears to many.
The event was held purposefully at Stephens Middle School, located near where 15-year-old Keshawn Brooks was fatally stabbed on his way home from school earlier this year. Organizers found it appropriate to discuss community safety.
“Is the violence just happening in our neighborhood or is the violence being perpetuated by all of these external forces that are pushing down us?” said event speaker, Ernesto Rocha.
Attendees went away with learning more about the issues affecting their city. “It makes me want to look into who we elect as our leaders in the community,” said Beatriz Ortiz, whose son attends school in Long Beach.
“Get involved in your community. You are part of the solution,” Cababa said.
Above, watch clips from the event.
Original source: https://voicewaves.org/2015/05/peoples-state-of-the-city-brought-top-issues-to-light/
Free “Conscious Cinema” Summer Film Series Lifts Up Historic Social Justice Lessons and Opportunities for Positive Change through Black-Centered Stories Told on the Screen – Long Beach Community is Invited to Participate in Movie Screenings and Intergenerational Dialogue across City to Deepen Understanding and Awareness around Civil Rights Issues from the Past to the Present
Long Beach Forward Strategic Plan 2024-2027 Request for Proposals (RFP)
We believe race and income shouldn’t determine anyone’s future in Long Beach. In our community, everyone should be safe, connected, and healthy.
Be part of creating a healthy Long Beach with low-income communities of color. Let’s build community knowledge, leadership, and power!
425 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
Donate to help ensure race and income do not determine one’s future in Long Beach!
Long Beach Forward is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Tax ID# 87-4396256
