Hello Nicole,

On this day in 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom.

"This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves," read part of General Order No. 3, declared over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

That moment of liberation became known as Juneteenth, a celebration that grew from Texas to the entire nation. In 2021, it was made a federal holiday following years of advocacy from Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee and other community activists.

Juneteenth is one of the most American of holidays. It celebrates freedom from oppression and the equality of all people. It marks a moment in our history where we let freedom ring, and moved closer to the aspirations laid out at our nation's founding.

We still have so much work to do. Inequity and systemic racism still shape too much of our world. We have yet to deliver true equality and repair for those who suffered the legacy of enslavement.

But I have hope. I find it in the reparations movements happening across the country, including right here in Los Angeles. I find it in our Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgment of Institutional Racism (REPAIR), the first time our city has established a model for addressing institutional racism. Most of all, I find it in the community organizations who have never given up on building a brighter and more equitable world.

I find hope in our collective fight. Together, we will reach a Los Angeles for All.

Keep the faith and keep the fight,

- Capri Maddox

Executive Director

Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department

TAKE THE SURVEY: Black Experience in LA

Take the African American Experience in Los Angeles Survey! Our LA City Reparations Advisory Commission and its academic partner have begun a citywide study into the Black experience in Los Angeles - and they need your help!

This public survey will help researchers at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) develop their research into the historical and contemporary experiences of Black Los Angeles, reflected in this online history map.

"I urge all African Americans who are, or at some time were, residents of the City of Los Angeles, to take this survey to help our Commission shape and scope of reparations in Los Angeles," said Chair of the Reparations Advisory Commission Ambassador Michael Lawson, who also serves as President & CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. "The results of this survey, combined with rigorous academic and historical research, will inform the scope and nature of reparations in our city."

If you would like to get involved or help us raise awareness about the Commission, email LACR-reparations@lacity.org.

Report Discrimination to LA Civil Rights

Have you faced discrimination in Los Angeles? We're here to help!

Our Discrimination Enforcement Unit is now taking cases and providing justice at no charge to those who have experienced discrimination in the City of Los Angeles - and we're spreading the word! We've recently launched English and Spanish ads for our Discrimination Enforcement services on television as well as FM and AM radio. We also have flyers (like the one above) rolling out to community spaces across our city. Thank you Spectrum Reach, KBLA 1580, Jose 97.1, Viva 103.1 and all our partners for helping us keep the community informed!

If you have experienced discrimination in private sector commerce, education, employment, and housing, file a complaint. If you'd like to learn more about your rights and resources against discrimination, click here.

Rising Up Against Anti-Semitism

Following a rise in antisemitic hate, including the shooting of two Jewish men leaving religious services in Los Angeles' Midcity neighborhood, LA Civil Rights teamed up with Councilwoman Katy Yaroslovsky to blanket the neighborhood with LA for All banners in Hebrew and English. The banners declare that “LA is for Everyone” in Hebrew and urge anyone who has seen or experienced hate to report it. 

Reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County increased 23% from 641 to 786 in 2021, including a 7% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes.

“Anti-Jewish hate is on the rise, but we are rising as well,” said Executive Director Capri Maddox. “We are standing firm across ethnicity, language and faith to say that hate has no home in Los Angeles, and antisemitism will not be tolerated. LA Civil Rights is grateful to partner with Councilwoman Yaroslovsky on this effort to build an LA for All.”