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Mayor Eric Garcetti Will Speak At The Democratic National Convention Next Week
Hillary Clinton (R) talks with Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti (L) during a roundtable discussion at the University of Southern California on March 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Los Angeles City Hall will be well represented at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia next week, with Mayor Eric Garcetti scheduled to speak as part of the official program, and four City Councilmembers attending in various capacities. Garcetti was officially added to the speaking schedule for next week on Thursday, though it's not yet clear when he will address the convention. He endorsed Clinton back in November, and has participated in a number of campaign events since. His name was even briefly floated as a possible VP nominee, though we highly doubt that's why he is heading to Philly.
The L.A. Times reports that Garcetti will be among ten Californians speaking at the convention. The list also includes Governor Jerry Brown, Senator Barbara Boxer and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
At a news conference on Friday morning, Garcetti told reporters that he planned to address "the feeling of alienation that many Americans feel toward their government," according to City News Service.
"My message is that I think Americans right now feel shut out by government,'' told City News Service, in reference to his planned speech. "They feel like Washington won't vote on immigration reform, won't take up infrastructure to rebuild our crumbling streets, won't do the things that the majority of Americans would want.''
Four of Los Angeles' fifteen City Councilmembers will also be attending the convention. Councilmen David Ryu and Joe Buscaino will both serve as delegates at the convention. Ryu will serve as a whip for Hillary Clinton, promoting her message to other delegates. Ryu will also attend the DNC's Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus meeting, and meet with other AAPI elected officials from across the country, according to a spokesperson at his office. City News Service reports that Buscaino will serve as a superdelegate, backing Hillary Clinton. According to the Daily News, Buscaino endorsed Clinton in November 2015; Ryu also endorsed Clinton before the California primary.
Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents much of the San Fernando Valley, will be a member of the DNC Credentials Committee. This will be Blumenfield's tenth democratic convention; he has attended every one since 1980, according to his office. Blumenfield has long roots with the Clinton family, having worked for the Clinton/Gore campaign in 1996.
Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson will also be attending the convention.
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