Hate Will Never Win in our City of Angels

Our community is in pain. Bigoted, hateful words and actions directed against Black, Jewish, LGBTQ and indigenous Angelenos have left us hurt, heartbroken. 

Last night I met with leaders from the Jewish community and Anti-Defamation League, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, to find strength in community, and to condemn the recent rise in anti-semitism both here in our city, and around the world. Just weeks before that, I met with faith and community leaders on Tongva land where the pueblo of Los Angeles was first founded, to acknowledge the pain of the leaked recordings from members of our City Council, and the need to remain vigilant, committed to protecting Angeleno communities against all forms of religious, ethnic and racial hate. 

Hate has always existed, of course, hiding in dark places and occasionally raising its ugly head. But that these sentiments found the light of day in 2022, in our City of Angels, for all the world to see … is devastating. It’s personal. And it does not reflect who we are. 

Los Angeles is a city of belonging, where we all feel at home, we all feel safe, and we honor our diversity and ability to work alongside each other to build our collective dreams. It is a city that was built by dreamers and doers from every corner of this earth who came here seeking a better, safer, and more secure future. That includes my own family.

My maternal grandparents fled persecution in Eastern Europe, and found peace and community in Los Angeles. My paternal grandfather, Salvador, crossed the Mexican border in his mother’s arms, and built a better future for our family right here in our City of Angels. 

It’s easy to lose sight of this strong foundation, and our shared values, in times like these.  

Instead,  

Let’s take this opportunity to live our values — loudly, and proudly — and remind ourselves, and the world, what Los Angeles is made of.

Let’s commit to rebuilding by examining the source of systemic failures and address them through changes to our system: charter reform, creating an independent redistricting process, and requiring our elected officials to adhere to a code of conduct before taking office. 

Let’s embark on a path of healing, by leading with love and kindness. We can show that hate — though it exists and hides in dark places — cannot thrive or grow once it’s exposed to light.

And let’s remember that Los Angeles is strong and we will get through these painful days. Until then, here is what we are called to do: confront our pain, hold our city’s hurt, march forward in our work to build a just city and to rebuild a broken spirit by committing today to act upon the love, kindness and strength that makes us a City of Angels.  

I’m so proud to be your Mayor, and to call this City home.

With strength and love,

Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor