Latest Statements

August 2020

Response to Vice President Joe Biden officially becoming the Democratic Nominee for President

August 20, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark  J Gonzalez responds to
Vice President Joe Biden officially accepting the nomination as the Democratic Nominee for President

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to  Vice President Joe Biden accepting the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“For 47 years, Vice President Joe Biden has made America his extended family. He has put Americans first, fighting on behalf of working families, women, labor, our LGBTQI+ community and those fighting on the frontlines here and around the world. From the necessary economic recovery due to this pandemic, to ensuring a path forward reimagining public safety, Joe Biden has proven he is the right leader we need in these difficult times. Los Angeles Democrats are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder and make good trouble with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to build back America”

Response to Senator Harris's historic nomination for Vice-President

August 19, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to
Senator Kamala Harris officially being nominated as the Democratic Nominee for Vice President

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to Senator Kamala Harris accepting the Democratic nomination for Vice-President of the United States, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Tonight, history was once again made with our Senator, Kamala Harris, accepting the Democratic nomination for Vice President. Senator Harris’ story, from her immigrant parents, her historically black education, and her passion to work toward justice on behalf of her fellow citizens is the story of America - a story that is actually what’s great about our nation. Los Angeles Democrats are so proud of our fellow Angeleno, and looking forward to making sure she makes history again as our first Black and Asian-American woman to hold the second highest office in America”

 

Response to Senator Harris being selected as the Democratic Nominee for Vice President

August 12, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to
Senator Kamala Harris being named the Democratic Nominee for Vice President

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to Vice President Biden selecting Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“From Shirley Chisholm, to Carol Moseley Braun, to Hillary Clinton, Democratic women have been our party’s backbone. I’m thrilled that our US Senator, Kamala Harris, has been selected as our party’s nominee for Vice-President along side Joe Biden. The daughter of immigrants, Senator Harris’ long, distinguished career not only as a public servant fighting for justice, but her continuous fight for working families all across our country is exactly what our nation needs in this crucial time. Senator Harris is a member of the Los Angeles County Central Committee, and we could not be more proud and excited for her. We’re 84 days away from this election, and Los Angeles County Democrats are fired up and ready to do everything we can to make sure Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are elected this November.”

July 2020

Response to Sheriff Villanueva's recent attacks on Supervisor Solis

July 27, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to
Sheriff Villanueva's recent attacks on Supervisor Solis

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to recent comments made by Sheriff Villanueva, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“LA County residents are well aware of the fraught relationship between the LA County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff, and enough is enough. Comments made by Sheriff Villanueva during a recent broadcast towards Supervisor Hilda Solis were highly inappropriate, especially during a time where our leaders are expected to remain focused on the task at hand of keeping Angelenos safe.  I strongly urge Sheriff Villanueva to consider his statements and actions made that could deviate from that task or be misinterpreted. We’ve got a lot of work to to together, and Angelenos do not deserve this distraction"

Response to the passing of Democratic Icon, Rep. John Lewis

July 17, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to the passing of
Civil Rights Icon, Rep. John Lewis

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's passing of Georgia Congressman John Lewis, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"Our nation and our party is forever indebted to the leadership of Rep. John Lewis. A lion and and icon, he embodied the very best of America, pushed progressive ideals, and encouraged us to think and do better for ourselves and our fellow citizens. We will continue to honor his legacy by making "good trouble." May he rest in power."

June 2020

Response to the arrest of LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar

June 23, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to today's arrest of LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's arrest of Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar by the US Attorney, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"It’s simple: Councilmember Huizar must resign. Bribery, honest services fraud, extortion, money laundering and violating the RICO Act are things out of a Hollywood movie and have no place in the Chamber at Los Angeles City Hall. Council District 14 deserves actual representation, and that’s why voters elected Kevin De Leon in March. As a resident of CD14, I support Council President Martinez’s call to have Jose removed if he does not resign, and urge her to appoint Kevin as the caretaker of that seat until he is officially sworn in in December. As we’ve said before, LA Democrats will and do not tolerate corruption, abuses of power and illegal dealings from the White House, and certainly not from elected leader her in the city."

Response to SCOTUS’ rejection of Trump's latest attempt to repeal DACA

June 18, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to SCOTUS’ rejection of Trump's latest attempt to repeal DACA

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's SCOTUS decision to reject the Trump Administration's attempt to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"Relief. That’s what over 700,000 Dreamers across our country, including thousands here in LA County, are feeling today. Our country is great because Dreamers and their families make up members of our frontline healthcare workers. Our country is great because Dreamers and their families seek the value in American education. Our country is great because Dreamers and their families keep our communities safe and thriving.

I applaud today’s SCOTUS ruling rejecting the Trump Administration’s attempt to repeal DACA. While the decision was made partly on administrative grounds, it ensures that this policy lives to see another day. We must defeat this president, and republicans, in November to make sure that policies and programs like DACA are codified and Dreamers are protected. Los Angeles Democrats will never stop fighting for them, their families, and everything that actually makes America great."

Response to SCOTUS’ rejection of Trump’s Challenge to California’s Sanctuary Law

June 15, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to SCOTUS’ rejection of Trump’s Challenge to California’s Sanctuary Law

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's SCOTUS decision to reject the Trump Administration's challenge to SB54, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"Since Inauguration Day, Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions and Stephen Miller-like Republicans have made it their mission to  take their bigoted ideals to terrorize our nation’s immigrants and divide our nation. I applaud SCOTUS’ ruling rejecting the Trump Administration’s frivolous United Stares v California lawsuit against our State. Attorney General Becerra’s incredible defense of the SB54, led and championed by former Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin DeLeon, affirms that California, like all 49 other states, will continue to exercise it’s constitutional authority to decide how our law enforcement responds to immigrant rights and protections. While Jeff Sessions continues to campaign in Alabama on his decades of bigotry, the CAGOP, NRCC, Donald Trump and their party are not only going to have to prove their need for state  and local cooperation with federal agents in court, but also reckon with their actions for years to come. Los Angeles Democrats will continue to stand on the side of all Americans, including immigrants, all across our county and our state."

Response to today's SCOTUS Ruling on LGBTQ workplace protections under Title VII

June 15, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to today's SCOTUS Ruling on LGBTQ workplace protections under Title VII

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's landmark SCOTUS ruling on LGBTQ protections in the workplace, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"LGBTQ Americans all across our county and our nation continue to face unimaginable discrimination, despite all the progress we’ve made. Today’s SCOTUS Bostock v Clayton County, GA monumental ruling affirmed that workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity is not only wrong, but unlawful under Title VII protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Our nation must continue to fight for the rights and protections of LGBTQ Americans not only in the workplace, but in our schools, in our communities and in our homes. Our fight is not over, especially on the heels of the Trump Administration rolling back healthcare protections for transgender Americans. As we celebrate Pride Month and honor LGBTQ pioneers, Los Angeles County Democrats will continue to be at the forefront of that fight for justice and equal rights."

 

Response to the Trump Administration's continued attacks on Transgender Americans' healthcare protections

June 12, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to the

Trump Administration's continued attacks on Transgender Americans' healthcare protections

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to the Trump Administrations Health And Human Services ruling on Transgender Americans' healthcare protections, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"The facts are clear: Donald Trump and his administration do not care about human life. Their continued attacks on Black, Hispanic, Asian Americans, Women, and once again the LGBTQ community should be a stark reminder that this lawless president will not protect you. Today’s Health and Human Services ruling erasing federal healthcare protections for Transgender Americans on the 12th day of Pride Month, the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and in the middle of a pandemic is disgusting. This president has again given the green light for those who’s duty it is to protect life, license to discriminate on the basis of sex and gender identity. LA Democrats will continue to fight for the rights our transgender community, especially in a time where so many Black Transgender Americans are being killed, including Dominique Rem'mie Fells and Riah Milton just this week. The president and his administration should be ashamed - but we know they lack the morals."

 

Response to today's Vote-By-Mail Ruling out of Sutter County

June 12, 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to today's

Vote-By-Mail ruling out of Sutter County

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to today's vote-by-mail ruling out of Sutter County against Governor Newsom's executive order, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"As we continue to see a rise in coronavirus-related cases, voting by mail is not only critical to our safety, but essential to ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Today’s ruling out of Sutter County, suspending the Governor’s executive order, does not change that necessity.  Governor Newsom’s first priority is the safety and well-being of Californians, and Assemblymembers Gallagher, Kiley and the CAGOP have spent more time aligning with Donald Trump and his lies and playing politics, and less time working to provide a working solution on safely ensuring  millions of Californians can vote. LA Democrats look forward to supporting the legislative efforts in the Assembly and State Senate, and making sure to codify the vote-by-mail process as we head in to November."

Celebrating 50 Years of Pride

June 3, 2020

Celebrating 50 Years of Pride

 

Pride is usually a time for myself, the LGBTQ community and allies to come together to laugh, learn, celebrate and grow together.

Pride is usually a time where we reflect on the work of pioneers like Morris Kight, Bayard Rustin, Tak Yamamoto and June Lagmay, Jose Sarria, Jeanne Cordova and others who helped usher in a generation of activism and leadership. Over the years, representation within our ranks here at LACDP has grown, as we welcome more LGBTQ Angelenos within our leadership and in our new class of elected members than ever before. 

Pride is usually a time where we welcome Americans and those from all across the globe who have come to accept themselves into the "family," and to provide the support for those who continue to need it.

Pride is usually a time where, while waving rainbow flags, marching in a parade, and meeting new people, we can celebrate a moment of joy.    

For the past 50 years, Pride has been a constant reminder that the fight for equality is hard, but not impossible. As our country attempts to stay healthy in the middle of this pandemic, our nation has once again been confronted with the sins of racial injustices that have plagued our communities. Pride grew out of protests 50 years ago, and we're seeing our nation rise up once again and say ENOUGH.

This year, our fight is not only at the ballot box, but in continuing to support and uplift Black voices all across LA County, especially black transgender voices who are continuously forgotten in this fight for equal justice. 

I'm proud to stand alongside of you and LA County Democrats and all the work we do on behalf of LGBTQ Angelenos.

While we may not be able to be together this month like we have in the past - remember now is the time for focus, let's continue to meet the challenges head on, and take pride.