CDT Statement on LA Anti-Black Racism Scandal

From Ludovic Blain, Executive Director of the California Donor Table. Over the last 17 years, CDT has raised, directed and distributed $48M dollars to community and political organizations that organize, educate, and turn out voters of color across California. This includes more than $4 million invested in Los Angeles progressive organizing and political campaigns over the past 3 years. These power-building investments have helped to shape a California where there is shared economic success and a healthy democracy where elected officials are held accountable and represent the values of the communities they serve.

“The words and actions of Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, show that corrupt and corrosive anti-Black, anti-indigenous, homophobic leadership can also come from racially and gender diverse leaders. The reality is that to achieve a multi-racial, progressive future that builds power and results in material change for all, we need leaders that not only reflect the diversity of our communities but who are unyielding and undeniably committed to rooting out cultural and structural racism.

Over the last several days, we have heard from community organizations and leaders in Los Angeles. We join their calls for Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo to resign immediately. We must root out racism in governing throughout California, as a model for the country.

But we also think it is important to be clear-eyed about what this moment calls for.

• For Democratic donors: diversifying leadership is necessary but insufficient. We must support candidates who walk the talk on racial justice and social change, who lead with representative governance as their north star, and will push to root out white supremacy steeped in our systems.
• For Angelenos who continue to lose faith in the system in the toxic political environment of Los Angeles: we affirm that progressive politicians with integrity do exist, like Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, District Attorney George Gascón and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, and those not yet seated like LA City Councilmember-elect Eunisses Hernandez. They are making a difference in the lives of Angelenos, which is why we have and will continue to support their campaigns. That is also why we are prioritizing candidates like Karen Bass for LA Mayor and Hugo Soto-Martinez and Erin Darling to join the LA City Council.
• To the LA City Council: Politicians can choose their own policies but should not choose their own constituents. Redistricting reform, as a part of a broad set of Democracy reforms, should be the first matter of business on the agenda.

CDT will continue to invest, to raise and redistribute funds to community organizers in organizations and as candidates who make California a healthy, just place to live with shared economic success and a democracy that works for all our people.”