Posted inEnvironment

Latinos living in Los Angeles’s most lead-polluted neighborhoods demand change

Latino advocates and activists in Los Angeles blame California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for failing to remove lethal lead pollution in predominantly Latinx communities near the previous Exide Technologies, Inc. battery recycling factory in southeast Los Angeles, leaving locals angered and fearful. Efforts to clean the factory began in July 2017 after the DTSC announced its plan to remove lead pollutants from the area surrounding the abandoned plant located at Bandini Boulevard, Vernon. Almost six years later, many homes in the southeast LA community continue to have high levels of lead, which exceed the state health standards.

Posted inJustice

Valentine’s Day rally held to protect LA County’s incarcerated youth

On February 14, members of an active social justice coalition showed up in numbers at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting to demand “love” and “care” for the approximately 350 incarcerated youth in the detention camps and juvenile halls operated by the LA County Probation Department. The Los Angeles Youth Uprising (LAYUP) is a group of 16 or so social justice organizations working collaboratively to dismantle or reform the county’s juvenile justice system, which they classify as “racist” and would prefer that city leaders divert city resources toward holistic models of youth development.

Posted inEquity

CALÓ Q&A: Dr. Fernando Guerra, founder of Center for the Study of LA

Growing up in Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, Dr. Fernando Guerra was no stranger to understanding politics and issues that arise in the city. After high school, Dr. Guerra attended the University of Southern California, where he received his bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science. He furthered his education by earning his master’s degree and doctorate of philosophy in Political Science at the University of Michigan. Dr. Guerra is the founding director of LMU’s Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA), which opened in 1996 in reaction to 1992 LA/Rodney King uprisings. Riots. The undergraduate center focuses on public opinion research on LA. StudyLA has been researching groups in LA, such as Latinos, to further understand the issues they face in the city and to help effect social change.

Posted inRepresentation

ANA FLORES, founder of #WeAllGrow Latina, supporting Femme-Latines

#WeAllGrow Latina is a Los Angeles-based, lifestyle community of Latinas and Femme-Latines, who make up more than 2 million businesses in the United States, according to the National Women’s Business Council. Members of #WeAllGrow not only support and inspire one another, but uplift each other to create social and economic impact. “We are living as a community-driven platform that provides Latina and Femme-Latines with access to resources and relationships for professional growth,” said Flores, the founder and Co-CEO of #WeAllGrow.

Posted inRepresentation

Anaheim Marketplace hosted free weddings for 12 lucky couples

The Anaheim Marketplace was established in 1990 with only 20 stores. Today, it is the largest indoor swap meet in Orange County, with about 200 stores and vendors. The marketplace was designed to immerse the shoppers and vendors in a shopping experience that made them feel like they were walking through Mexico. The Anaheim Marketplace is the heart of the community and is popular among Latinos, in part for an event called “Bodas Comunitarias” or “Community Weddings.” 20 couples will be selected. To sign up, couples simply had to visit the Anaheim Marketplace by February 5.

Posted inImmigration

Alexandra Lozano, immigration lawyer helps Latinos in LA and beyond

At age 16, Lozano had an experience in Guatemala during a school field trip that drove her to become an immigration lawyer. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of her law firm, Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law PLLC, with offices in five states, including California, Washington and Texas. Recently, Lozano and her team of lawyers at the Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law PLLC offered free Spanish consultations on immigration issues for residents in southeast Los Angeles.

Posted inEnvironment

Tzunu, Energy Foundation host forum on SB 1137 and pollution

Four environmental justice experts discussed their views on January 19 in “Media Roundtable to discuss pressing California Environmental issues,” holding California oil industry polluters accountable and limiting pollution in communities of color and Senate Bill 1137. They were Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), author of the bill that is now law; nterim co-director of California Environmental Justice Alliance, Mabel Tsang; Amee Raval, policy and research director at the Asian Pacific Environmental Network; and Catherine Garoupa, executive director of the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition.

Posted inJustice

EYVIN HERNANDEZ, LA lawyer wrongfully detained in Venezuela

For the Hernandez family, there was one loved one missing at this year’s holiday table. Eyvin Hernandez, 44, a beloved son, father and brother, was wrongfully detained in Venezuela in March 2022. His return home is obstructed by the current legal situation he faces in the South American  country. Hernandez can face up to 16 years in prison after being charged with criminal association and conspiracy by the Venezuelan government. Today, Hernandez is being held in DGCIM, a maximum security military prison and one of the most notorious prisons in Cataratas, Venezuela.

Posted inNews

Fill out this survey by KPCC/LAist and help hold Mayor Bass accountable

KPCC/LAist promised during the election that they would not stop paying attention to voters’ concerns once the ballots were counted. Now they’re asking Angelenos to fill out a 5-minute survey to let them know what feels most urgent as Bass takes office. The responses will help KPCC/LAist set the agenda for their reporting in the year ahead and help them hold the new mayor and city council accountable to top concerns. They’ll also share the survey results widely, including with everyone who responded and with organizations such as CALÓ NEWS.