WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

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November 8, 2012

AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE RESIDENTS OF 2913 SOUTH FLOWER STREET

Dear Developers, City Officials and Members of the General Public,

This letter is meant to express one simple intention: we will not leave our community without a fight.

We are the residents of the neighborhood known as “University Park” and the building located at 2913 South Flower Street. What we would like for you to know about us is that we know what it is to be a community. With the length of time that we have lived in this building, between 15 and 35 years, we have managed to create friendship, security and trust amongst ourselves. Amongst us, we are never without a safe place to leave our children in time of emergency or a pair of hands that are ready to help. Among our children, we notice that the community which we have created together offers them more than just a sense of security but also healthy social development that includes mutual respect, companionship, and a strong self-esteem. Moreover, among the young students who, several years ago, began living among us, we see a good example for our children. We are part of the neighborhood and the neighborhood is a part of us. Everything we need is within a short distance: work, schools, and transportation. For these reasons we love our community and we will defend our right to live in it.

The changes and the development of the land are evident; our community is not the same as it was five years ago.  Today, what we see through our windows are new luxury buildings, a glorified train which will one day reach the sea, cranes and more cranes, little by little enveloping us. Recently, a group representing a local developer began knocking on our doors, offering us money to leave our homes. We recognize that the immense value that exists within these walls for us does not exist in the development plans of ICON, USC, Palmer, AEG, or even in the plans of the City. For this reason, we wish to make the following very clear: We demand people oriented development. We demand to be included in the development plans because WE WILL NOT BE MOVED.

In closing, we welcome development, and all the benefits that go with it- these benefits belong to us too- however, we do not welcome development that displaces families and destroys communities. We will not stand for it. We will defend our rights, our community, and our homes to the very end.  There is NO PRICE that is worth our stability – emotional, physical, economic and social. We repeat: WE WILL NOT BE BOUGHT.

“Tenants File Lawsuit Against Owners of Downtown Hotel”

Tenants File Lawsuit Against Owners of Downtown Hotel

By a MetNews Staff Writer
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Attorneys at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Steptoe & Johnson, LLP yesterday announced that they have filed a lawsuit against the owners of a downtown hotel on behalf of displaced tenants and the Los Angeles Community Action Network.

The attorneys claim the owners of the Huntington Hotel—Rodney Goldberg and Richard Stromberg—evicted a majority of the existing low-income tenants after they bought the building in September 2010. The long-troubled building at 752 S. Main St. has been the subject of similar litigation under prior ownership.

These tenants, the majority of whom were disabled, were evicted without proper service, usually not finding out about the eviction until the sheriff was at their door, or harassed into leaving with far less than the legally required relocation amount, the attorneys contend.

Named plaintiff Edward Mason, who is recovering from colon cancer, allegedly was harassed and threatened until he felt he had no choice but to leave. He was given only $3,500, even though he was legally entitled to over $18,000, he alleges.

The complaint also asserts that the Huntington in October began showing the renovated property to prospective tenants, telling them that rents went as high as $1100 even though rents cannot be increased above the level they were at while the building was in the Rent Escrow Account Program, which averaged about $500.

The lawsuit seeks to restrain the Huntington from leasing up until the legal rental amounts can be determined, and to permit displaced tenants who were wrongfully evicted back into their units.

Becky Dennison, co-director of Los Angeles Community Action Network, warned that the Huntinton’s 200 units “ will be lost to the low-income community if we don’t stop this now,” as “our members and longtime Huntington residents can’t afford the illegal rents.”

Barbara Schultz,  directing attorney of LAFLA’s Housing Unit said she was “shocked that despite our recession and its impact on our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, these actions continue to be taken  by landlords and owners.”

She vowed that her organization “will continue to fight to preserve affordable for poor and low-income tenants.”

General Dogon Unfairly Convicted and City Attorney Releases Lies

On Wednesday, July 6th, a jury found LA CAN Organizer General Dogon guilty of 9 of 11 trumped up misdemeanor charges that supposedly took place during approximately 6 seconds of a 20 minute, non-violent protest in City Council Chambers last May.  Although video evidence countered all charges, the jury decided against us – shocking but not surprising since the criminal justice system often has disastrous and unfair results for Black men.

The fight is not over.  The sentencing hearing is next up and we are organizing and preparing now.

However, we also want to point out that the City Attorney is continuing to perpetrate the officers’ lies in their press release (one might question why they would do a press release on a misdemeanor trial to begin with – only supporting our theory that this case is a political and personal attack on Dogon, LA CAN and the Right to Housing Collective).  The City’s entire description of events (bolded by LA CAN in release printed below) is exactly the two assault charges that the jury DID NOT CONVICT on.  Dogon was found NOT GUILTY on two charges of assault on an officer – those charges were directly tied to these lies about digging nails into an officer and pinning an officer against a wall.  In fact, it was Dogon who was the victim of use of force.  The City’s lies and continued degradation of General Dogon, an amazing human rights organizer and human being, should not be tolerated by anyone.

Dogon’s personal statement reflecting on the trial is included at the bottom of this post. Stay tuned for updated information.

Press Release from the Los Angeles City Attorney:

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011 LOS ANGELES MAN CONVICTED OF CLASHING WITH OFFICERS IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOS ANGELES – Following a five day jury trial, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury yesterday found a Los Angeles man guilty on multiple criminal counts for his role in a disturbance in City Council Chambers last May. Deputy City Attorney Brad Rothenberg successfully prosecuted the case. Following less than an hour of deliberation, the jury found Steve Richardson guilty of eight counts of resisting arrest and one count of battery on a peace officer. Richardson was remanded into custody and sentencing has been scheduled for July 14 in Department 52 of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Richardson could face up to 9 years in county jail. On May 21, 2010, the City Council was meeting to take up the issue of a rent increase freeze. About 40 protesters refused to leave after Councilman Zine asked the sergeant-at-arms to clear the chamber.As officers were escorting the protesters out, Richardson started pushing civilians into police officers and charging against the officers.Officers then attempted to arrest the defendant when he started to resist, grabbing an officer’s hand and burying his nails into the officer’s hand. Richardson also swung his arms and body at officers, pinning one officer against a wall, ripping another officer’s uniform, and kicking an additional officer.Richardson continued fighting even after being cuffed and taken into custody.  Note: Red print added by LA CAN – all of these made-up events and lies were linked to the two charges that Dogon for which he was found NOT GUILTY.

A message from General Dogon, upon his release from jail on July 7th:

In regards to the May 21,2010 incident in city hall, I’d like to take this time to personally thank the LA CAN members, L A Right to Housing Collective members (especially Union de Vecinos), Hippie Kitchen, and all other comrades and supporters for their continued and outstanding support throughout this trial. Thank you for turning out to fight for a just and needed cause.  We know that anybody that stands up and speaks out against state oppression is a target of state oppression.  Me and the other two other LA CAN members that were arrested that day understood this fact.  Although the city dropped all charges against us in the beginning, they later re-filed 11 criminal charges against me only after I had torn up and threw back a violence prevention certificate that was given to me by the city.  It wasn’t worth the paper it was written on after the violence they used against us.

During the trial, the city presented their case which only consisted of only cops for witnesses.  Because every officer that took the stand in support of the city was caught up in lies and perjured themselves on the stand during questioning, we felt that all of the video that was supplied by the media and Right to Housing Collective members totally contradicted their statements so badly that we (my lawyer John Raphling and I) decided not to present a defense due to this fact. The city had the burden to prove their case in which we felt they did not do.  The video clearly showed that “IT IS WHAT IT IS.”  And that reality contradicted the statements of police over and over again. We know that there is a risk of putting on witnesses, as much as it is a risk to not put on witnesses.  John and I have made many legal decisions together – including the ones that got me free from a 25-to-life sentence a couple of years ago when LAPD targeted me because of my organizing.  We decided on this strategy and believe it was the best decision.

Obviously, the jury didn’t see anything the way we saw it and lived it.  Yesterday, July  6, the jury found me guilty of 9 of the 11 counts. Although we don’t agree with this verdict, there is still a lot of work to be done.  The next court date is July 14 (although it will likely be postponed a couple of weeks) and we plan to pump up the heat.  We‘ll be calling on folks to continue this fight together.  Once again I’d  like to thank everyone for their continued support during this time……………all power to the people.

general dogon

Communities across L.A. converge at Mayor’s State of the City

Communities from across Los Angeles converged at Jefferson High School on Wednesday, April 13, to make demands for an “LA People’s Budget.”

Since the Mayor’s State of the City Address is an “invite only” event, with most low-income residents shut out, social justice organizations gathered outside the venue and hold an Alternative State of the City.

Although the City claims it must cut libraries, parks, employment services, general services, youth prevention programs and more, public funding can almost always be found for large developers AND the LAPD, which accounts for more than half the City’s budget.

The crowd demanded  that the Mayor adjust his budget to address the needs of low income residents and communities of color, which include affordable housing preservation and production, community-based youth intervention and youth centers, education reform focused on the right to education not student suppression, fair and just immigration policies and practices, public transportation, and other human rights priorities.

Community Connection 39 HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Click HERE to view the February-March Community Connection.

Rent Freeze for Main Street!

Freeze Our Rents Right Now

-Los Angeles, CA

Angelenos, withering under the weight of a depression with no end in sight, are calling for the Los Angeles City Council to give them a break. The break they are demanding comes in the form of a “rent freeze” slated to last for the next 12 months. It is fact that the lion’s share of Los Angeles residents are indeed renters. Plus, in light of the housing bubble collapse, many more Angelenos have been thrust into marginal housing; an already over-burdened social service system; and the ranks of homelessness.

As cuts to crucially needed services continue to send the quality of life for poor residents straight down the toilet, banks and businesses continue to get bailed out. Adding insult to injury  in many instances banks have assumed the role of landlord in foreclosed multi-unit properties. There are numerous reports stating that banks are not making repairs, violating health and safety code standards, and attempting to drive people from their units. Why? Because it is easier to get rid of an empty building, that’s why!

Many of these institutions are direct, or indirect beneficiaries, of the bailout.

A Little History

The City-sponsored “Economic Study of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and the Los Angeles Housing Market” (RSO Study) was released in June 2009. This study includes recommendations relative to the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), including calling for the elimination of the 3% “floor” on rental increases allowed by the RSO based on the Consumer Price Index and elimination of the additional 1% rent increase allowed for each utility (gas or electricity) where it’s included in the rent. The study showed that the utility increases allowed in the RSO bears no relationship to the actual cost to landlords, thus providing landlords with a significant windfall at tenants’ expense.

The current CPI rate for 2010 is -.62 %, which means that renters will face unjustified rent increase of 3%, due to the “floor” beginning July 1, 2010, unless the rent increase moratorium is passed.

The City of West Hollywood currently has a 0% allowable rent increase. In San Francisco rent increases are now 0.1%,  in Oakland it is 0.7%, in Santa Monica it is a 1% increase, and in Berkeley it is a 0.1% allowable rent increase.  Why does Los Angeles continue to stand out and to have a 3% minimum increase on the books?

On May 5, 2010, in a 3-1 vote in our favor, we were able to convince the Community & Economic Development Committee that a moratorium is warranted. As with all political struggle our original 12-month demand was reduced to 4 months–of course this was without our knowledge or support. While this falls short of our ultimate 12-month moratorium we are clear that we will continue to fight hard for a vote on Friday that reflects the community’s. Moreover, we will not stop fighting for the Human Right to Housing until all of our demands are met.

If you are a tenant living in Los Angeles we urge you to come and join the growing ranks of tenants fighting for the rent-freeze and the universal right to housing.

Details:

LA City Hall , 200 N. Main, Los Angeles, CA

Friday, May 7^th 10:00am – conference to be held immediately after the vote

Media Advisory: TENANTS OVERWHELM LA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                                                            MEDIA CONTACT(S):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pete White (213) 434-1594                                                                                                                                                                         Elizabeth Blaney (323)816-4961

TENANTS OVERWHELM LA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Community Organizations and tenants continue to build momentum to secure the Human Right to Housing in light of the recent United Nations report that finds Los Angeles in violation of human rights standards.

WHAT: Hundreds of tenants overwhelm city council chambers to demand that the Mayor and LA City Council make housing for everyone that needs it a top priority. Tenants will present their housing declaration outlining their vision of safe, clean, and truly affordable, housing. They will also deliver public testimony, demand a special public hearing on the state of housing in Los Angeles, and rally outside city hall making their voices heard.

WHEN: March 30, 2010

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles City Hall

City Council Chambers, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA

WHY: Earlier this month, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Raquel Rolnik, released her report and recommendations to the United Nations on the state of housing in the United States. In it she states:

“ Housing is not simply about bricks and mortar, nor is it simply a financial asset. Housing includes a sense of community, trust and bonds built between neighbours over time; the schools which educate the children; and the businesses which support the local economy and provide needed goods and services. The subprime mortgage crisis has increased an already large gap between the supply and demand of affordable housing, and the economic crisis which followed has led to increased unemployment and an even greater need for affordable housing.”

Despite the report findings that highlighted Los Angeles’ housing violations the City continues to prioritize sustaining the police force while simultaneously cutting services for those most in need.  Additionally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is constructing legislation to eliminate its public housing stock across the country.

Los Angeles tenant Claudia Gomez states, “with homelessness increasing, now is the time for the city to strengthen its housing policies to protect more tenants and provide housing stability for all its residents. Many of our recommendations can be done at no additional cost to the city.”

WHO: A broad coalition of housing rights organizations which include: Los Angeles Housing Preservation Alliance, Bus Riders Union, Coalition LA, Coalition for Economic Survival, Comunidad Presente, Esperanza Community Housing, Homeless Health Care LA, Hippie Kitchen, Inquilinos Unidos, LA CAN, LACEHH, POWER, SAJE, Union de Vecinos, and our legal supporters.

Specific Media Opportunities: Public testimonies, outside rally.  Spanish speakers will be available.

Community Connection #35 — Hot Off the Press!

It’s that time again, Community Connection time. If you’re tired of the same old mainstream media mis-truths, myths, and mis-information simply join the growing Community Connection readership. You can now find the Community Connection in various locations on the web including;  http://www.street-papers.org/or just return here.

community connect 35 final complete [click the link to read CC #35]

United Nations Releases Report on Adequate Housing

Special Rapporteur Report on U S Mission [click link to view report]

On February 12, 2010 the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing released the findings of the first official United States mission focused on housing.  This long awaited report brings the housing issues faced by many poor Americans to the international scene and breaths new life into the struggles to fix those problems.

Grassroots organizations from across the country came together to ensure that the civil society portion of the mission accurately depicted local realities. Local City-Chairs, convened by the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative [NESRI], were responsible for bringing together grassroots housing organizations, housing experts, lawyers fighting for housing rights, and most importantly impacted residents to illustrate  the depths of the problem. Originally brought together by the mission at hand the groups have since organized themselves into a more permanent organization. There are multiple joint activities in the works as well as a push to correct national policies that are the harbingers of local harm.

Local City Co-Chairs:

New York, NY – Rob Robinson, Picture the Homeless

Wilkes Barre, PA – Frank Sindaco, Northeast Pennsylvania Organizing Center

Chicago, IL –   JR Fleming, Coalition to Protect Public Housing

New Orleans, LA – Sam Jackson, Mayday New Orleans

Pine Ridge, SD – Bill Means, Oglala Tribal Community

Los Angeles, CA – Becky Dennison, Los Angeles Community Action Network

Washington, DC – Debra Frazier, Family and Friends of Arthur Capers and Carrollsburg and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Stay tuned because there is truly more to come!

Getting Ready for Action in San Francisco

Lets get ready to rumble! Join LA CAN and our West Coast allies as we converge on the Federal Building in San Francisco, CA. Our demand, making housing and not the criminalization of poverty the national priority.

To get involved contact LA CAN at (213) 228-0024 and ask for Pete White, or simply go to wraphome.org to get the latest action updates.

Agonize or organize in 2010 that is the question.