With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Local Activists Protest Olympics Bid In Los Angeles
Photo courtesy of NOlympics L.A.
()
The possibility of an Olympics in Los Angeles appears to be almost guaranteed at this point. The IOC plans to vote on the 2028 and 2024 Olympics locations simultaneously, an economic report indicates the games likely will be economically sustainable, and it seems like every powerful person in Los Angeles is joining the Olympics board. As pervasive as support for the Olympics seems, it's not unanimous. A local activist coalition calling itself NOlympics Los Angeles has started working to undermine the Olympics' political power and point out what it regards as major threats to Los Angeles: displacement, police crackdowns, and diversions from L.A.'s major humanitarian crises.
The group was born out of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and its Housing and Homelessness Committee. Jonny Coleman, one of the chairs of NOlympics Los Angeles, told LAist the groups had "done a lot of work this year trying to form the Skid Row Neighborhood Council, working against Measure S and for Measure H, and a lot of people were worried about the Olympics but no one had the bandwidth [to confront the problem]." The possibility of the Olympics coming in 2028 instead of 2024 has opened an avenue for the group to resist the games' arrival in Los Angeles. Anne Orchier, another chair of NOlympics Los Angeles, explained to LAist how "All of the approvals and any of the decision-making and formal decision processes that have gone through the city and state governments are all specified for 2024. This is unprecedented, so our assumption is because these are all tied to 2024, these would have to be revisited."
A Loyola Marymount University poll from 2016 showed 88% approval for the games from Los Angeles citizens, but NOlympics LA believes it is inaccurate to place so much weight on a single poll. From their experience speaking with people in the city, most people come around to the idea "in about five minutes," according to Orchier. "The only people we haven't people been able to convince end up being sports executives or real estate developers, so they're clearly getting a monetary benefit from the games," she elaborated.
NOlympics LA has been working with a number of local partners, including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, the L.A. Tenants Union, Af3irm, and the Crenshaw Subway Coalition.
Support for LAist comes from
L.A. and Paris will meet with the International Olympics Committee in July to present their official plans for hosting the games.
This afternoon at Sycamore Grove Park in Mount Washington, the group is hosting NOlympic Day to build the community coalition against bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles. The event ends at 3 p.m.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
Best of LAist