DISTRICT 4 Newsletters

Establishing Los Angeles as a Sanctuary City

Dear Friend,

Like so many of you, I came to this country as an immigrant when I was just six years old, holding my mother’s hand in the airport, as we sought a better life in America. And, like so many of you, I know how important it is to feel safe and welcome in the city you call home. 

In the wake of the election of a president who has vowed to enact mass deportations across the country, the City of Los Angeles took a critical step this week to protect our immigrant community. On Tuesday, Council unanimously voted to establish the City of Los Angeles as a Sanctuary City, thereby prohibiting any City resources, including property or personnel, from being utilized for any immigration enforcement. Borne from a motion I introduced with my colleagues Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez in 2023, this new ordinance permanently enshrines existing sanctuary policies into municipal law.

Policies that limit contact between LA’s law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement are not new. Since 1979, with the institution of Special Order 40, the LAPD has maintained a policy where they do not arrest people on the basis of their immigration status or take any actions to determine people’s immigration status. The LAPD also has not participated with ICE to enforce civil immigration law. Additionally, in 2017 former Mayor Garcetti issued Executive Directive 20, which bans any city resources from being used for immigration enforcement and prohibits federal immigration agents from obtaining access to city facilities – a law that is still in effect today. 

While these policies have effectively dictated the City’s current relationship with federal immigration agencies, they were not codified into the City’s Municipal Code. This means that at the flip of a switch – or an administration – these policies can be rescinded. Until now. 

LA’s new Sanctuary City Ordinance permanently enshrines sanctuary policies into municipal law and prohibits the use of City resources, including property and personnel, from being utilized for immigration enforcement or to cooperate with federal immigration agents engaged in immigration enforcement. The Ordinance also goes beyond our existing Sanctuary City Executive Directive in an important way: it prohibits the direct and indirect sharing of data with federal immigration authorities, an important gap to close in our city’s protections for immigrants. 

Evidence has shown over and over again that when there are heightened fears of immigration enforcement, immigrant communities are more reluctant to call for police assistance, even in cases of domestic violence and other emergencies. And, in the weeks since the election, we have heard from residents across the city who are living in very real fear. Now, our Sanctuary City Ordinance codifies the approach that LA has prioritized for almost half a century: ensuring that Angelenos can call for help when they need it without fear, regardless of their immigration status. 

In a city that is home to more than 1.35 million immigrants, where a majority of school children have at least one immigrant parent – including my own – this is common sense policy. I am deeply proud to join my colleagues in championing the values that our City was built on and declare Los Angeles a “Sanctuary City.”

Wishing you a joyful Thanksgiving holiday, 

I. Updates From City Hall — Strengthening Our Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, Reforming The City’s Street Widening Process, Honoring Chery Glaser, “Voice of LA”

II. In The District — Recognizing The Jazzanovas’ Contribution To Studio City, Celebrating Diwali With Our Indian Communities, Stepping In As “Principal For A Day” In Encino, Connecting With Friends And Pets At Our “Bark At Griffith Park” Event

III. Upcoming Events — Big Sunday’s Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event, Studio City Shop, Stroll & Play, Studio City Holiday Night Market

IV. Resources & Forums — Al Fresco Outdoor Dining Application Clinic, Empower LA Youth Conference

VI. Other Helpful Links 

STRENGTHENING OUR TENANT ANTI-HARASSMENT ORDINANCE

We celebrated a major victory this month with Council unanimously voting to adopt a stronger version of the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, advancing critical renter protections!

After months of advocacy, the updated language significantly expands the definition of harassment and mandates that tenants receive compensatory damages. This victory builds on the original 2021 ordinance, which was part of a broader package of renter protections enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, gaps in the initial language left some tenants without the full support and security they deserved.

To address these issues, I introduced a motion earlier this year to strengthen the ordinance and ensure tenants are better protected from persistent harassment by landlords. Council voted in September to adopt key amendments, including expanding definitions of harassment and requiring landlords to accept rental assistance payments from the City. The updated ordinance also now requires compensatory damages for tenants, a change that will encourage lawyers to take on these cases, knowing they can secure compensation for their efforts. 

As we continue to fight for stronger protections to help renters stay in their homes and communities, we want to thank everyone who helped get this critical ordinance across the finish line! 

REFORMING THE CITY’S STREET WIDENING PROCESS

Ever wondered why so many of our City’s streets are so wonky? Narrow at one end, wide in the middle, with seemingly no rhyme or reason? Not only does this make walking or biking maddening, it creates serious maintenance issues for the City. 

So, how did we get here? Since 1961, the Los Angeles Municipal Code and the Highway Dedication process has mandated street widening via dedications and required roadway widening improvements for any new multifamily and commercial developments. This policy has resulted in inconsistent spot widenings that provide minimal public benefit and make our neighborhood streets more dangerous and often inhospitable. 

This week, Council adopted a set of recommendations to amend the City’s existing policies around automatic street widening to improve our pedestrian spaces and protect shade trees! The recommendations stem from a motion I introduced along with my colleague Bob Blumenfield and former Councilmember Mike Bonin, to reform the City’s current “spot widening” regulations.  The adopted recommendations will amend the City’s plan review processes to promote accessibility, follow best-practice street design, and ensure that public improvements implemented by development projects align with the City’s mobility and sustainability goals.

For too long, we have prioritized making our roadways wider, even if it didn’t make any sense, even if it shrank our sidewalks, even if it led to trees being cut down. We need to be focused on smart planning that creates safe streets and sustainable public infrastructure – and that is exactly what we voted for this week. 

HONORING CHERY GLASER, “VOICE OF LA”

For the past 17 years, Chery has truly been the voice of Los Angeles, and earlier this month we had the honor of recognizing her and her legacy in Council.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, hearing her intro on “Morning Edition” everyday felt like hearing the voice of a friend on the phone. She exudes a warmth and a comfort that has guided many of us through some very difficult times. She was often the first person we heard about a breaking news event from, and she held our hand through many ups and downs, building a rapport with her listeners and becoming one of the most trusted voices in news. 

Born in the heart of Council District 4 at the Griffith Park maternity ward, Chery started out as a traffic reporter at KFWB and moved quickly into the newsroom. She then went to Marketplace, where she spent the next 10 years starting her day at 1:30AM! In 2007, she got a call from KCRW asking her to come on board and join their live radio team. And as they say, the rest is history. 

She has spoken with everyone about everything, from former Presidents to everyday citizens, and she has earned some of the most prestigious awards in her industry, being named best local radio anchor by the LA Press Club and by the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Awards. And, she may be the only radio journalist in history to have inspired a local indie band to name themselves after her! 

Chery – you have demonstrated a boundless capacity for on-air warmth and journalistic integrity, and there is an entire generation of up-and-coming radio journalists who have been inspired by your incredible career.

RECOGNIZING THE JAZZANOVAS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO STUDIO CITY

Our Studio City Field Deputy recently visited the Studio City Jazzanovas, a local jazz band and project of the nonprofit Music Mends Minds, which creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. Since 2017, the Jazzanovas have demonstrated the healing power of music and its singular ability to bring people together and light up lives. 

Last month, they lent their talents to another worthy project: a Mobile Vote Center hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City! We know the power of music and community to inspire, and we are grateful to the Jazzanovas for using their talents to promote civic engagement. 

From our office to the Jazzanovas, thank you for bringing joy to voting, and to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City, thank you for opening your beautiful space to expand ballot access. I’d also like to extend special thanks to Rev Rick Hoyt-McDaniels, Chadie Faust, and Rachel Bennett Steury for helping make this event possible, and to band leader Bryan Johnson, and all the Jazzanovas members for your dedication to your craft.

If you’d like to see the Jazzanovas in person, you can find them every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City!

CELEBRATING DIWALI WITH OUR INDIAN COMMUNITIES 

As the first South Asian ever elected to the Los Angeles City Council, it was my absolute pleasure to lead a Council presentation recognizing my favorite holiday – Diwali! Joined by the Valley Indian Senior Association, the LA Indian Association, and Councilmembers John Lee and Tim McCosker, we brought the spirit of Diwali to City Hall, uplifting the vibrant Indian community that calls LA home. 

Like so many in this country, I am an immigrant. My family and I are Tamil and we’re originally from Kerala. It was my experience as a young immigrant – and as one of the only people of color in my classrooms – that shaped my decision later in life to focus on social justice in my work. Diwali embraces these very values and the belief that light overcomes darkness.  

Diwali is not just a time to celebrate with family and friends, but a moment to reflect on the values that unite us all—hope, triumph, and the power of light to overcome darkness. During this tumultuous time, we hold these values close to our hearts and we stand united in the celebration of community. 

STEPPING IN AS “PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY” IN ENCINO

A few weeks ago, I took a break from my usual activities to step in as “Principal for a Day” at the Academy for Enriched Sciences in Encino!

We started bright and early with a campus tour led by the Student Council, making sure to stop by the outdoor science, robotics, and inclusion art classrooms. The Academy utilizes an integrated STEM-focused curriculum to cultivate curiosity and exploration— two things that were on full display in all the creative class projects we saw and a seriously impressive knowledge of physics and mechanics.

We then joined some of the younger students for story time in the library. We read “Last Stop On Market Street” by Matt De La Pena, a story about a boy and his grandmother on their way to volunteer at a soup kitchen, and a favorite of my twins, Karna and Kaveri. 

We ended the day outside at the student garden, where we got to see all their growth come to life! I am truly in awe of these students – and their principal, what a day! – and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.

CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS AND PETS AT OUR “BARK AT GRIFFITH PARK” EVENT

We had a PAWsitively great time at our ‘Bark At Griffith Park’ dog adoption and pet services event last weekend! 

In partnership with LA Animal Services, we brought together pet services providers from across the city to offer not just free dog adoptions, but also helpful services like free microchipping– right in the heart of Griffith Park. From grooming and training tips to medical appointments and pet health information, neighbors and their canine friends were provided with all the tools needed to stay happy and healthy. 

The highlight of the day was seeing one lucky pup find their new forever home and seven pets be able to find their way back home with new microchips! I predict it’s only a matter of time before a puppy finds its way to my home! 

Thank you to our community partners Healthy Spot, Paws4life, Hollywood Dog Obedience Club, LAAS, Better Together Forever, and Los Feliz Neighborhood Council for joining us. 

BIG SUNDAY’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING STUFFING EVENT | NOVEMBER 27 | MORE INFO

This year, Big Sunday’s goal is to fill 4000 (!) bags full of delicious Thanksgiving food for grateful people. The bags are given away the day before Thanksgiving, so people have it in time for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll be feeding 16,000 people from more than 100 different nonprofits and schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

And, of course, it will take a village to make it all happen, both on the day, and in the weeks leading up to it. The actual event is the day before Thanksgiving and more than 2000 people, of all ages and from all walks of life, will gather to fill the bags, all while enjoying some great bluegrass music, a delicious community breakfast, and, as always, the company of one another. One of our favorite parts of the event is that many people filling the bags are receiving them, too. For everyone, it’s a day to give as well as receive!

  • DATE: Wednesday, November 27
  • TIME: 9AM to 12PM
  • LOCATION: Radford Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

Click HERE to volunteer! 

STUDIO CITY SHOP, STROLL & PLAY | DECEMBER 7 

Join us for a festive day in Studio City to support local businesses along Ventura Blvd! Expect discounts, giveaways, and kid friendly crafts along the way. Bring your family, explore unique finds, and celebrate the season together!

  • DATE: Saturday, December 7
  • TIME: 11AM – 4PM
  • LOCATION: Ventura Blvd from Carpenter to Coldwater

STUDIO CITY HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET | DECEMBER 12 

Join us to celebrate the holiday season and community spirit with a festive fun-filled evening for all ages! Shop for unique gifts, eat delicious food from eateries along Ventura Place support local businesses and more! 

  • DATE: Thursday, December 12
  • TIME: 5PM – 9PM
  • LOCATION: Ventura Place

AL FRESCO OUTDOOR DINING APPLICATION CLINIC | DEC 10 | MORE INFO

The Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development is pleased to invite you to attend an in-person application clinic to apply for the permanent Al Fresco Outdoor Dining program. This in-person events will allow existing and prospective Al Fresco outdoor dining operators the opportunity to consult with City staff in real-time on any questions and inquiries, troubleshoot any technical issues with their applications, and to discuss any remaining steps to obtain a permanent Al Fresco Outdoor Dining permit. Spanish translation services will be available.

  • DATE: Tuesday, December 10
  • TIME: 2PM – 5PM
  • LOCATION: Central Public Library, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90071
  • REGISTER: A pre-registration link and information for language assistance for the Downtown library Al Fresco Application support event will be released soon.

If you have any general questions about the Al Fresco program, would like to learn more information and find resources, please visit our website: https://buildla.lacity.org/alfresco.

EMPOWER LA YOUTH CONFERENCE | MORE INFO

EmpowerLA is excited to announce that applications for the 2025 EmpowerLA Youth Conference are now open! 

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 8:00 am-4:00 pm, EmpowerLA will host 100 young people between the ages of 14-17 from across Los Angeles at Los Angeles City Hall to participate in a one-day event focused on civic engagement, leadership development, and local government. Conference attendees will dive into the role the Neighborhood Council system plays in grassroots local democracy, attend learning sessions on ways to be civically engaged in the community, network with like-minded young leaders, engage with City leaders, and so much more! 

Click HERE to apply! Applications close Friday, December 20th at 11:59 p.m.

Our Office:

Services + Resources

  • Food Pantry Locator — Get connected to food resources near you. 
  • StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes. 
  • MyLA311 — Submit a request for services including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup.
  • LA-HOP Homeless Outreach Portal — Assist or self-input an outreach request from the LA Homeless Services Authority to unhoused residents.
  • LA City Sanitation — Submit a service request for metal/household appliance disposal.
  • MyChildCarePlan — Free resource website for childcare providers and families listing every licensed provider in California.
  • Adopt or Foster A Shelter Pet— Find pets for adoption and a list of local shelters.
  • Gas Assistance Fund – The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) offers a one-time grant to help customers pay their natural gas bills.
  • Ready Your LA Business Workbook – City of LA’s FREE workbook to help business owners prepare their business for any emergency. Available in English and Spanish.

Alerts

  • NotifyLA — Sign up to receive urgent notifications about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message. 
  • LAFD Alerts – Sign up for alerts on fires and evacuations in your area.
  • LADWP Outage Info — Sign up for outage alerts in your area.
  • StreetsLA Street Sweeping — Register for notifications about sweeping in your neighborhoods.