Happy Holidays, Los Angeles!
The holiday season reminds me of how fortunate I am to call Los Angeles home. The vibrant mosaic of diversity, which defines our City, highlights our individual uniqueness, while simultaneously bringing us together as one community.
In fact, even when one of our neighboring communities faces difficult times, the City of Angels comes together to offer support. I'm sending a heartfelt thank you to the courageous Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighters, who are valiantly battling the Franklin Fire in Malibu. My thoughts are with everyone impacted by these fires, especially my beloved alma mater, Pepperdine University. To the students, faculty, and staff—this semester may have felt long, but you are in the home stretch now. The City stands with you and sends strength and encouragement during this challenging time.
Speaking of the City, congratulations to Mayor Karen Bass, as she celebrates her second year in office! This season brings so much to celebrate—staff holiday parties, the end of school semesters, and the joy of the holidays. At the same time, we acknowledge the challenges and difficulties this time also brings to many.
Here at LA Civil Rights, we recognize that the work we do isn’t something we have to do—it’s something we get to do. And as we celebrate milestones like college application season and the many accomplishments across our City, we remain deeply committed to continuing the work that makes Los Angeles shine even brighter.
We wouldn’t be able to accomplish even half of the work we do as a department without our incredible partners. Take a moment to explore the amazing collaborations we’ve been fortunate to share over the years by checking out our previous annual reports. Available at LAisForEveryone.com.
We wish you all a merry and bright holiday season!
Keep the faith and keep the fight,
Capri Maddox, Esq.
Executive Director
LA Civil Rights Department
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Welcoming the New Councilmembers | |
Image Description: Photo of councilmembers Adrin Nazarian, Ysabel Jurado, and Heather Hutt | |
Last week, incumbent councilmembers Nithya Raman (CD 4), Imelda Padilla (CD 6), and Marqueece Harris-Dawson (CD 8) were sworn in, and the newest members of the LA City Council officially began their terms as elected representatives for their districts. This year, we welcomed new members former Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (CD 2), Ysabel Jurado (CD 14), and incumbent Councilwoman Heather Hutt (CD 10) began her first full term after her appointment.
Councilwoman Heather Hutt will serve Council District 10, but was originally appointed back in 2022, making this term her first official elected position. She is the first woman and first Black woman elected to represent District 10. We want to congratulate Councilwoman Hutt on this historic win!
Councilmember Adrin Nazarian will be serving Council District 2, but he's not new to the City Council scene. He previously served as an Aide for Councilmember Paul Krekorian, and was a former Assemblyman. We look forward to working with Councilmember Nazarian in the future!
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado will be serving Council District 14. While she may be a new name to City Council, she's part of the LA Civil Rights family, she was a commissioner our Human Relations Commission, and we are honored to watch her political journey continue! Councilmember Jurado is the first woman, and first openly queer person to be elected into this position for CD 14. She is also the first Filipino American to sit on the City Council. Congratulations Councilmember Ysabel Jurado on this historic win!
We look forward to working with all the new and returning City Councilmembers to create an #LAForAll!
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Image Description: Photo honoring Human Rights Day with LACR Logo in yellow | |
December 10th marked the annual recognition of Human Rights Day, a moment to commemorate the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR aligns closely with our #LAForAll anti-hate campaign, equity-based programming, and Civil Rights Enforcement services. It serves as a step towards fostering not only an #LAForAll but also a better world for everyone.
Last week, we recognized Humanity in Action and highlighted their ongoing efforts to promote dignity, humanity, and freedom for all. On Tuesday, we joined Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. (CD 9) in honoring Human Rights Day and celebrating two remarkable individuals: Tigist Ferede and Meseret Mebratie. These honorees have dedicated their lives to humanitarian causes, with a special focus on underserved communities in Los Angeles and Ethiopia.
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Video Description: City Council video of Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr. honoring Human Rights Day and humanitarian honorees Tigist Ferede and Meseret Mebratie | |
In addition, we joined our partner agency at LA County, the Commission on Human Relations, for a press conference to release the 2023 Hate Crimes Report. This critical report analyzes hate crime data across LA County, focusing on race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, and disability. Alarmingly, the report highlights record-high numbers of incidents. It also underscores a troubling rise in crimes tied to anti-immigrant slurs, Middle East conflicts, and White supremacist ideologies. Reports like these reaffirm the urgency of our shared mission: to combat hate and build a united, inclusive community.
At LA Civil Rights, we know that advancing equity and justice takes collective action. One way we are fostering safe and supportive environments is by ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. Last week, we hosted our first Share Your Voice: Virtual Post-Election Community Gathering. This event provided Angelenos with a supportive space to express their concerns about the potential rise in hate crimes, share personal experiences, and connect in the spirit of community healing.
Together, we continue to strive toward a future where every Angeleno feels safe, valued, and respected.
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Image Description: LA Civil Rights Indigenous History Month logo sitting against colorful tapestry |
Last month, the California Natural Resources Agency announced it will remove a derogatory word referring to Indigenous women from more than 30 statewide geographic features. The announcement comes after Governor Newsom's 2022 approval of legislation requiring the removal of the racist and sexist term.
This state policy aligns with LA Civil Rights' local efforts in November to support City leaders' exploration of a land acknowledgment policy affirming the history and heritage of Indigenous Angelenos.
Our complete report, the "Cultural and Historic Regional Components Necessary for the Los Angeles City Council's Consideration of a Land Acknowledgment Policy," is available now online.
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Image Description: Flyer for the LA Civil Rights Enforcement Unit and contact information, more details below |
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination in a private-sector commerce, education, employment, or housing setting, filing a claim is as simple as 1, 2, 3 and is cost-free:
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Scan the QR code or visit LACivilRightsClaim.com
- Call us at 213-978-1845
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Email CRE@lacity.org
Thanks to the recent approval of CA Senate Bill 1340, LA Civil Rights has even more ways to protect workers. Now, LA Civil Rights Investigators can handle any work discrimination complaints.
Once a claim is filed, one of our staff members will respond within 1-3 business days.
For more information, visit our LAisForEveryone.com.
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Image Description: Photo of the Emergency Management Department's newsletter |
The holidays are a time filled with hustle and bustle and it's important to prioritize your safety and well-being during this busy season.
The Emergency Management Department is reminding us of some very important New Year resolutions, including updating your emergency kit to include essentials for cold weather, such as blankets and jackets. It's also a good idea to have a kit ready for your furry friends. Don't forget to sign up for Notify LA alerts to receive updates from the City's emergency alert system. The information can help you stay better prepared in case of an emergency and may even save your life or the lives of your loved ones.
During the holiday season, there’s often an increase in cybersecurity crimes. Protect yourself by practicing safe online habits, such as using strong passwords, opting for credit cards instead of debit cards, and shopping only on trusted websites. Click here for more online safety tips.
And as many of us enjoy the cozy glow of holiday lights it's important to follow LAFD Fire Safety tips. If you have a live Christmas tree, keep an eye on it to prevent it from drying out, and discard it to avoid the risk of fire. Be sure to water your tree daily, keep it at least 3 feet away from heat sources, and ensure it doesn’t block any exits. For those celebrating Hanukkah, it’s crucial to practice safe menorah lighting. Make sure the menorah is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from flammable items, and never leave it unattended while lit. For more holiday safety tips click here.
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Image Description: Holiday calendar grid filled with festive stamps | | |
LA Civil Rights Department
www.LAisforEveryone.com
201 N. Los Angeles St., Suite 6
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 978-1845
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