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Gun violence may seem like an insurmountable problem. But there are ways to make guns less accessible and also to restrict access to assault weapons.
On Jan. 23, right after the Monterey Park shooting, Sens. Dianne Feinstein, (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced two bills to ban assault weapons.
Eyvin Hernandez was wrongfully detained in Venezuela last March. He is currently being held in a maximum-security military prison in Caracas, Venezuela. his family and colleagues are asking for President Bidens’ help to bring him back home.
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations released its annual LA County Hate Crime Report last month on December 7. As the new year begins, the high level of hate crimes portrayed in the report brings heavy concern about the state of the city. The report shows the number of hate crimes in LA County has reached the highest number in the last 19 years. Reported hate crimes in LA County grew 23% from 641 in 2020 to 786 in 2021. This is the largest number recorded since 2002. The Latino community was also a prime target in 2021. They were the second-largest group of victims.
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.
Rivera-Guzman migrated to South Central Los Angeles with her mother and siblings to escape the 12-year war that was occurring in El Salvador. Years later, with hard work and dedication, Guzman received a scholarship to attend the College of the Holy Cross located in Massachusetts, where her interest in politics began. Today, Guzman is the president of the board of directors for Latino Coalition of Los Angeles and continues to help communities thrive in LA.
Hate crimes rose in Los Angeles County to the highest level in 20 years but many still go unreported.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority introduced a new plan that would restructure LA Metro fares. The Latino community is the largest ethnic group, representing 58% of LA Metro riders, in comparison to Black/African Americans representing 14% of riders, followed by 12% who are white and Latino organizers say the increases will harm the community.
Gonzalez’ grandson, Angel Gonzalez, died earlier this year, on June 5th, along with his 23-year-old mother, Yesli Velazquez Gonzalez. Los Angeles Sheriff’s suspect Yesli’s boyfriend of a year and a half, Rigoberto Covarrubias, to be the primary suspect. The deaths have left her mom and his grandmother with a house filled with mementos and two empty chairs at the dinner table. Domestic violence affects one in three women in California and accounts for 20 percent of all violent crimes in the state.
The Los Angeles County United Against Hate Week ends on Nov. 19 and is intended to urge local communities, neighborhoods, and cities to reject hate and bigotry and promote inclusion. The annual event is part of LA vs. Hate – a project of the LA County Commission on Human Relations.
October is Bullying Prevention Month, dedicated to shining a light on the issue of bullying that occurs in many corners of the United States and the world. After its first success as a club in his brother’s school, Vitto Mendez explained how many Cool 2 Be Kind clubs/chapters formed throughout different schools in Los Angeles and other areas. The non-profit organization originated after the death of Daniel Mendez, a 16-year-old boy who took his own life in 2009 due to being bullied.
Carrillo said that the inspiration for Measure A was borne from the clamor for justice that came from the streets and their cries for a just process that have been ignored for long enough. “It is interesting how a law needs to be put together and eventually passed in the hopes that [the sheriff’s department] follows it, in the hopes that it gets their attention,” said Carrillo. “The hope is that the person in that position will take their position very seriously and understand and engage a community,” Carrillo said.
If there is a lesson to be learned from the recent racist controversy that has rocked Los Angeles, it is that we need new Latino leadership on the City Council. Nury Martinez has resigned. Ron Herrera, the leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, who also was part of the racist conversation, resigned. City Council Members Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon, who were part of the racist dialogue, have refused to resign. We need Latino leaders who want to build up our community and also support the diverse and working people of Los Angeles. We need leaders who won’t condone or stay silent when bigoted and racist comments are made.
