Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Councilman Mike Bonin: 'We Need To Pay Attention To The Violence Of Systemic Racism'
()
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
We asked Los Angeles Councilman Mike Bonin, whose 11th district covers portions of West L.A. including Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Playa Del Rey, Mar Vista, Venice and Westchester, for his thoughts on what happened yesterday and last night in the city. He told us:
Well, there's a number of things that happened yesterday. There were the peaceful protesters that were out in the street demanding justice, demanding an end to racism and violence against black men and an end to systemic racism embedded into so many systems in a country: health care and education, finance, housing.
And then there were these acts of violence, and the acts of violence were repugnant. And we need to have a period of inquiry and reckoning to find out who was behind it.
"I'm seeing lots of footage of black people trying to tell white people to behave and stop vandalism and stop looting," he said. "I'm hearing reports of cops who had rocks or bottles thrown at them. And then I'm hearing a lot of reports from protesters who say they were peaceably assembling, and then they got pepper-sprayed or then they got tear gassed or then they got hit with rubber bullets."
Support for LAist comes from
Asked about the presence of the National Guard on L.A.'s streets, Bonin said: "Any time there are troops in the streets of Los Angeles, that's a problem, and that's a failure of so many different things. I think that we need to get people calm, and I'm hoping today will be that day of calm."
"My very, very strong belief is that almost all of the people who were out on the streets yesterday -- and I know many of them were there peacefully and peaceably -- did absolutely nothing wrong, and there were some instigators and there were some troublemakers, and that's who Los Angeles needs to be guarding people from, not the majority of people who were out there."
The bottom line, he told us:
"As we are focused on what happened last night, as we're focused on the acts of violence that usurped and tried to discredit legitimate protest, we need to pay as much attention to the violence that is causing people like George Floyd to die. We need to pay attention to the violence of systemic racism."
And he said we also need "to pay attention to the violence being fomented from the White House right now, calling for protesters to be sicced with vicious dogs and calling for a MAGA night at the White House. We need to be paying attention to all of those strains of violence."
MORE ON LA PROTESTS
- How LA Is Reckoning With The George Floyd Protests
- 'The World Is Messed Up:' In Crenshaw Reflections On George Floyd's Death, The Pandemic, And Pain
- Mis Ángeles: George Floyd Should Be Home With His Family Right Now
- George Floyd's Death Is One Of Many Reasons Activists Are Pushing For A 'People's Budget' In LA
- At Least 1 Injured At DTLA Rally Protesting Police Killing Of George Floyd
- Protesters Gather Outside LAPD Headquarters For 2nd Day Of Demonstrations Over Death Of George Floyd
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts. -
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
-
The budget gap has led to a tuition hike, along with spending cuts and fewer course offerings. At the same time, generative AI already has transformed higher ed — including post-grad job prospects.
-
The construction work is part of a $143.7 million plan to rehabilitate pavement between Van Nuys and Westwood along the Sepulveda Pass.
Best of LAist