Who We Are
Founded in May of 2020, La Canada BLM is a group of La Canada residents and community members dedicated to protecting Black lives and creating a better La Canada Flintridge for all.
Attached below is a paper titled "Does the LASD belong in La Canada" that was inspired by our understanding of safety as a fundamental right and belief that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is unwilling or unable to secure this right for our community. We have laid out this argument in the attached 15 pages along with a petition demanding action from our city council.
Our Mission
Uplift And Inspire
Our movement was born out of our strong sense of attachment and appreciation for our community here in La Canada. As long-standing community members we seek to educate and empower our neighbors and supporters to combat racism in our city and beyond. We started this movement because we realized that the voices and actions of the larger racial justice movements in Los Angeles were not being heard in our community. We hope to continue using our platform to amplify the voices of those who have come before us and those who have been doing this work for generations.
Abolish
While redesigning our public safety system will require years of work, we are committed to replacing the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) in our community with a public safety system that adequately addresses the needs of residents. The actions of the LASD are inexcusable. We need to take a stand against the acts of evil committed against the residents of LA County at the hands of the LASD by committing to building a suitable replacement and subsequently terminating our contract with the LASD when their services are no longer necessary. We have compiled the research that has led us to conclude that the LASD must be abolished in a report titled “Does the LASD Belong in La Canada” linked above.
Build Community
Our commitment to bettering our community is at the core of our work at La Canada BLM. We are guided and inspired by the needs of local residents and seek to provide resources to help spur public engagement. Our main focus is to support one another in designing a public safety system that is truly just and equitable. While this goal may seem very specific, public support comes in many different forms and we are committed to helping community members of any age and qualification get involved. Whether it's organizing a protest, meeting with our city officials, creating a school club, or simply asking questions about our work, we are here and more than willing to provide you with any support you need! Redesigning our public safety system depends on your support.
