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Statement on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May 1, 2020


LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez and Recording Secretary Olivia T Lee
released the following recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage month
LOS ANGELES, CA --  Marking the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez  and Recording Secretary Olivia T Lee, released the following statement: 

“For many around the world, Los Angeles serves as a shining model of a modern, globalized, and multi-cultural society - all of which would not be possible without the contributions of our Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community. Although their rich cultures, traditions, religions, languages, and histories cannot be reduced to mere generalities, what they do share are the ideals of every American alike; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. From South Bay, to the San Gabriel Valley, Koreatown to Long Beach, Los Angeles County is (according to KCET) "the capital of Asian America". This month we celebrate their achievements, history, and more during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 

With an immigrant experience dating back all the way to the 1800's, it is important to remember and learn from the challenges overcome by the AAPI community. From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to Japanese internment during the Second World War, their perseverance and transcendence to overcome these atrocities continues to give us a sense of hope - that together we can overcome anything. 

Today, AAPI’s continue to strengthen the fabric of American society both in their local communities and across the globe. Los Angeles is home to the first statewide AAPI elected official, first AAPI national president of the Screen Actors Guild, first openly-gay AAPI elected official in the county, the first Burmese American elected official in the country, and features the first AAPI majority legislative district in the continental U.S. In spite of this, the racism and xenophobia first experienced by Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants over 150 years ago has not entirely ceased in our society. Donald Trump’s egregious handling of this crisis and insistence to refer to COVID-19 by anything other than "coronavirus," underscores a somber reminder of the prejudice and discrimination that Asian and Pacific Islander Americans continue to face in our country. As Democrats, we are committed to leading and uniting our nation safely through this challenging time, and we are proud of the work of our clubs, like the Stonewall Democratic Club, who have passed resolutions taking a stand against this discrimination.

With the election of new Democratic Central Committee members, we are proud to welcome more AAPI members than ever before, and we are looking forward to working with our leaders to bring attention to one of our most culturally diverse groups in our nation. This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we stand with all Los Angeles Democrats in celebrating the achievements, service, and hard work our AAPI community in ensuring a more diverse Los Angeles. Let us remind ourselves that when we face our challenges together, we are not only stronger, but more whole. In the words of Japanese-American civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyana, a native of San Pedro, California, “we are all a part of one another.”"

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"Our deepest condolences go out to the family of former Supervisor Gloria Molina. Los Angeles County mourns the loss of a political trailblazer for the Chicana/o community. Supervisor Molina continuously shattered glass ceilings, demonstrating to all Latina/o’s and generations to come that they, too, can have a seat at the table. Tonight, on this Mother’s Day, we keep the Molina family in our prayers and thank her for her commitment and service to our golden state. May she rest in power.”

 

Los Angeles County Democratic Party Moves Annual Major Fundraising Event from Universal Studios in Solidarity with the WGA

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) has released the following statement in support of the WGA strike:

"The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) relocates its major annual fundraiser, the JFK Awards, with over 500 attendees from Universal Studios Hollywood in strong solidarity with the Writers Guild of America - West. The Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, the largest central committee in the nation representing over 3.1 million registered Democrats, is moving its scheduled annual fundraising event from Universal Studios Hollywood to the Loews Hollywood Hotel, a union hotel.

Mark Gonzalez, Chair of the party, stated, “We stand in strong solidarity with our sisters, brothers, and siblings from the Writers Guild of America - West, which is on strike against all major studios, including NBCUniversal. Democrats across the country have joined writers on the picket line.”  The LACDP joins President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and many others in labor, community, and business are sending strong statements of support for the striking writers and all those in entertainment unions across the board for a fair wage and contract now.”

Meredith Stiehm, President of Writers Guild West, stated, “On behalf of the over 11,500 Guild members, we thank the Los Angeles County Democratic Party for standing with us. Media Giants like Comcast are lowering the standards for working writers. They must return to the table and negotiate a fair contract.”

The Comcast Corporation owns Universal Studios Hollywood as part of Comcast’s NBCUniversal business. The NBCUniversal business also operates multiple entities that employ WGAW members under the Guild’s industrywide collective bargaining agreement."

 

April 2023

LACDP Chair's Statement after the Arraignment of Former President Donald Trump

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez, released the following statement after the arraignment of former President Donald Trump:

"The allegations of 34 felony charges brought against former President Trump today are troubling and disturbing. But what we are seeing unfold on the national stage is the pursuit of justice to hold him accountable for his actions. This is not a matter of political spin or partisan bias but a matter of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that no one is above it. As this process continues, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to justice, accountability, and transparency.”

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