Latest Statements

May 2023

LACDP Chair's Statement on the Passing of Former LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez, released the following statement on the passing of former LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina:

 

"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.”

March 2023

LACDP Chair's Statement on the LAUSD Contract Negotiations

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez, released the following statement on the LAUSD contract negotiations:

 

"The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) proudly stands in solidarity with our longtime partners, SEIU Local 99 and UTLA, as they advocate for equitable wage increases, full-time employment, and respectful treatment for 30,000 SEIU Local 99 and 35,000 UTLA employees. It is unacceptable that one in three SEIU 99 members report being homeless or on the brink of homelessness while working at LAUSD, despite the state's highest per-pupil funding rate in California's history. We urge the ALL democratic LAUSD Board to support these frontline workers in their negotiations and address their needs."

February 2023

LACDP Chair's Statement on the State of the Union Address

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez, released the following statement on tonight's State of the Union Address:

 

"Tonight’s message could not be clearer. Joe Biden has our back, and Joe Biden will finish the job. The reality is that America continues to be more divided than ever, but under President Biden’s leadership, the outlook is more hopeful. Record low unemployment and investment in our infrastructure will get Angelenos into good-paying union jobs. Accessible health care, prescription drugs, and college education will propel Americans into a stronger future.

Congress must act to protect our communities from more gun violence, grant equal rights to the LGBTQ+ community, and back the middle class once and for all. No better leader exists today to continue to lead America through the darkness than President Joe Biden."

January 2023

LACDP Chair's Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis

LACDP Chair's Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA –-

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez, released the following statement on the murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee:

 

"The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) denounces the senseless murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police. This is yet another tragic reminder that there is still much work to be done in implicit bias training and in the ongoing discussions of public safety, community reinvestments, and the criminal justice system. We support the steps taken by Memphis police leadership by firing all of the police officers that were involved in Tyre’s death. However, we must do more including passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act as well as advocating for stronger accountability and reform on the state and local levels. 

Our hearts go out in love and strength to the Nichols family. We stand in solidarity and are committed to ensuring that the American promise and the Democratic Party’s platform of equity and justice for all is carried out here in Los Angeles County and throughout the rest of the entire country."

LACDP Chair's Statement on the Mass Shooting in Half Moon Bay

LACDP Chair's Statement on the Mass Shooting in Half Moon Bay

 

LOS ANGELES, CA –-

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair, Mark Gonzalez released the following statement on the tragic mass shooting in Half Moon Bay:

 

"No less than 48hrs ago, we were grieving the loss of life in our own backyard of Monterey Park. Now, we find ourselves mourning alongside our neighbors to the North in Half Moon Bay. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all tonight. It is sickening and disheartening that only 23 days into the New Year, we have had 38 mass shootings in America. Thirty- eight. Gun violence over the last 10 years has increased by 75%. This is NOT the America we dreamed of. A simple vote from Congress is the only ACTION needed to save countless lives. Show up and show leadership to save the lives of today and generations to come."

LACDP Recording Secretary's Statement on the Monterey Park Shooting

LACDP Recording Secretary's Statement on the Monterey Park Shooting

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA –-

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Recording Secretary Olivia Lee and long time resident of the San Gabriel Valley today released the following statement following the tragic shooting in Monterey Park:

 

"We are appalled by the horrific and senseless mass shootings in Monterey Park and Alhambra. Lunar New Year should have been a time of joyous celebration for families. Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the victims, their loved ones, and our communities in mourning the devastation of the tragic gun violence."

October 2022

Los Angeles Democratic Party Leaders release joint statement calling on the resignation of Los Angeles City Leaders

Los Angeles Democratic Party Leaders release joint statement calling on the resignation of Los Angeles City Leaders

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

With the release of leaked audio from a conversation between Los Angeles City Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin DeLeon, and Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez and Officers Patricia Sanders, Sergio Carrillo, Olivia Lee, Marcella Cortez and Jacob Haik released the following statement: 

"For decades, our communities have worked side by side to build a better, more progressive, and welcoming Los Angeles.  Through our collective work, we have witnessed and experienced hateful, divisive rhetoric directed towards us, our colleagues and our communities and focused our energy on ensuring that our Party and those we represent know that hate has no place in the work we do on behalf of our 3.1 million Democrats. 

The hateful comments aimed at an innocent child, the attempts to divide and destabilize Black and Brown communities for the sake of power, and the slurs hurled at our Asian-Pacific, Indigenous, Armenian and LGBTQ communities were not only appalling, but unbecoming of those who the people have trusted to lead. As we learn and hear more about the conversation that took place between four prominent Los Angeles leaders, we’re cognizant of not only the moment, but what is needed to move the City of Los Angeles forward. As leaders of the largest, local Democratic Party in the nation, we are trusted to stand up for our party’s values and principles of inclusiveness, protecting our communities, and building a better America. Our process sometimes requires us to listen to and vote as a Central Committee on the fate of our elected officials, but we understand the urgency of situation. Today, we’re calling on the resignation of Councilmembers Martinez, deLeon and Cedillo so that Los Angeles can begin not only a healing process, but use this moment to reevaluate and identify appropriate steps to put the power back with the people. 

Over the next few months, we plan on working with our leaders, organizations, labor unions, grassroots activists and more to ensure that all voices are heard when coming up with solutions. As President Biden has said, we need to heal the soul of America, and now is the time for us to heal the soul of Los Angeles." 

August 2022

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the second failed DA George Gascon recall attempt

August 15, 2022

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the second failed DA George Gascon recall attempt

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the news that the recall attempt failed to gather enough signatures for a second time to oust District Attorney George Gascon, Los Angeles Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez issued the following statement:

“Failed. That’s the reminder proponents and financial backers of the second attempt to oust District Attorney George Gascon will be reminded of every day. DA Gascon was elected running on overwhelmingly popular policies that allow for restorative justice, improving a failed criminal justice system that disproportionally targets Black, Brown and low-income communities, and holds criminals and those who abuse their power accountable. George has, and continues to, deliver on those campaign promises.

While it’s no secret that there is discontent with elected officials and the voters they serve across LA County, we also know that misinformation and fear-tactics fuel mistrust and anger in our institutions. The numbers don’t lie, and 195,783 invalid signatures is a clear signal that recalls are a waste of time and money. I’ve said it before - recall reform in our county and our state must be a priority. If not, taxpayers will be on the hook every time a recall is attempted and fails. Let this be a lesson to those who want to continue down this path - don’t.”

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June 2022

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade 

June 24, 2022

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the opinion release from United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, Los Angeles Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez issued the following statement:

"Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court rolling back decades of settled case law is devastating, disappointing and disgusting. The coordinated attack on women in this country has shown all of us just how personal freedom, choice, and life are actually valued by hypocritical Republicans and conservative judges. Make no mistake, this is the first of many efforts to roll back the extraordinary progress we have made in our nation, and conservative Republicans won’t stop until they have total control over our every day choices and lives - this is only the beginning. 

Los Angeles and our state will always be a safe haven for women, girls and their families who have to make difficult and personal decisions. Democrats will continue to work along side organizations like Planned Parenthood, leaders, businesses and more to protect women, their choices and their bodies - full stop. Remember this day when you cast your ballot this year and every year - Republicans are not pro-life, they are pro-control and we will do what it takes to protect our families and our communities from them.”

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LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the Los Angeles County Democratic Party endorsement of Congresswoman Karen Bass for Los Angeles City Mayor

June 14, 2022

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez's statement on the Los Angeles County Democratic Party endorsement of Congresswoman Karen Bass for Los Angeles City Mayor 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the reconsideration of endorsement vote of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party for Los Angeles City Mayor,  LACDP Chair Mark J. Gonzalez issued the following statement:

"Congresswoman Karen Bass is the only real Democrat running for Mayor of Los Angeles -- and the LA County Democratic Party is proud to endorse her. This is a choice between a man who has spent his life profiting from the labor of working Angelenos, and a woman who dedicated her career to protecting those working families. 

In her service, Rep. Bass has been a lifelong Democrat and leader in the city who has spent decades fighting for the principles of the Democratic Party advocating for worker's rights, women's rights, civil rights, and tackling inequality. Those are Democratic values, and they're Karen Bass' values. We look forward to getting her elected to City Hall."

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