Tag: karen bass

SoCal Locals Flee the Conflict in Gaza, Return to Safety

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After becoming stuck in the middle of the recent conflict in Gaza, two residents of Southern California were able to flee the area and are currently safe in neighboring countries. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass worked hard alongside many government officials to secure their safety.

One of the fortunate individuals is a Los Angeles City employee who was visiting his elderly mother in northern Gaza as the unrest led to violence and war, finding himself in an impossible situation. Faced with the escalating conflict, he received orders to evacuate and subsequently journeyed south to Rafah, where he found himself stranded at the border.

Mayor Karen Bass made it her mission to make sure the Los Angeles City employee was safe, exhibiting remarkable empathy and dedication. Throughout this terrifying ordeal, her office kept in constant contact with the employee’s son, providing updates on his condition. Mayor Bass announced that “it has been a source of tremendous turmoil and pain speaking with his son. I am relieved to announce today (Thursday) that the employee is now safe in a neighboring country, Egypt, and out of the war zone. We look forward to welcoming our colleague home.” She was clearly quite relieved to inform the public of the individual’s safety.

The Mayor expressed her gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this rescue possible. She personally thanked Senior Advisor to the President, Tom Perez, the Biden administration, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Rep. Julia Brownley for their continuous support to ensure the safe return of a fellow Californian.

When the attacks started, the second resident, a mother originally from Camarillo, was visiting family in Gaza and was also witness to the mayhem and devastation. Nabil Alshurafa, her son, told of his mother’s difficult journey to safety. She bravely attempted five times to cross into Egypt, exhibiting incredible fortitude in the face of difficulty. Relief welled up in the family when, at last, the phone call arrived to tell them she had made it out alive.

When reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster that the family endured, Alshurafa said, “She was crying when I spoke to her, and there was a sense of relief knowing she was able to escape. But at the same time, the excitement slowly went away when we started realizing that we still have a lot of family still in Gaza.”

While these two California residents are now safely out of Gaza, there remains uncertainty surrounding their travel plans to return to their homes. To ensure their safe return to their families and loved ones, the community and officials are actively working to facilitate their journey back.

The collaborative initiatives of Mayor Karen Bass, government representatives, and the tenacity of the families involved serve as a shining example of the devotion and commitment of people coming together to guarantee the security and welfare of those impacted by the turbulent events in Gaza. These inspiring tales serve as a reminder of the value of compassion and unity during difficult times as the world observes the region’s ongoing difficulties.

November 9, 2023
Los Angeles Mayor Suggests Opening a New Indian Consulate in Letter to Indian Ambassador

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In a significant move aimed at fostering stronger bilateral ties, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has reached out to Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to the US. In her letter, she underlined the importance of Los Angeles as a potential site for a new Indian consulate, citing the city’s sizeable Indian-American community and the substantial number of Indian visitors each year.

“I ask that you consider the City of Los Angeles for a new Indian Consulate,” Mayor Bass wrote. “It would be my honor to work with you to open and provide continued support for this important platform for engagement and exchange.” The mayor’s letter is not just a solitary request. It comes against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s revelation in June about India’s plans to open two additional consulates in the US. While Seattle is confirmed as one of the locations, the other is still up for grabs.

“Considering our vibrant Indian-American community and a steady flow of Indian visitors, Los Angeles makes a compelling case,” wrote Mayor Bass. She further emphasized that the relationship between India and Los Angeles, especially in tourism, has always been fruitful. “Los Angeles has invested in India with a dedicated Tourism Office that opened in 2019 and remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.”

As America’s second-largest city, Los Angeles isn’t just vying for the consulate based on its Indian-American populace. Mayor Bass’s letter highlighted the city’s strategic importance on national and global fronts. She stated, “Beyond our large Indian-American community, Los Angeles holds strategic significance. With the Western Hemisphere’s largest port complex, a bustling startup scene, and gearing up for grand events like the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the opportunities for deeper Indo-US collaboration here are immense.”

Driving the point home, Mayor Bass underscored the cosmopolitan nature of Los Angeles. In her letter, the mayor noted that LA’s success extends beyond the glamour of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. She highlighted the city’s impact on the biotech, aerospace, and green technology industries. This, she emphasized, makes the potential for collaboration with India boundless.

Bass’ letter also deftly pointed out that Los Angeles is no stranger to international diplomacy. “Twelve G20 countries have consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and an additional five G20 countries have consulates solely in Los Angeles,” she elaborated in her letter.

As the letter rounds in diplomatic circles, it’s clear that Mayor Bass is not merely proposing a new consulate. She’s envisioning a bridge of enhanced engagement, cooperation, and mutual growth between two major democracies. With already established Indian consulates in cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, adding Los Angeles could be a strategic masterstroke in bolstering Indo-US relations.

Ambassador Sandhu, in concert with critical decision-makers in India, now holds the reins to this pivotal decision. Evaluating Mayor Bass’s articulate plea, they’ll weigh the tangible benefits against a broader strategic landscape. If they give the green light to a consulate in Los Angeles, it wouldn’t merely serve as a procedural hub. Instead, it would echo the ever-strengthening ties between Los Angeles and India, reflecting a dynamic and enduring partnership.

October 10, 2023
Lawsuit Targets Los Angeles Over Bass’ Emergency Authority and Homeless Situation

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A lawsuit was filed Monday, September 25th, against the City of Los Angeles over Mayor Karen Bass’ emergency authority over the homelessness crisis. Fix The City, a non-profit organization advocating for responsible urban planning and governance, filed the lawsuit.

Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness in December 2022, just after being elected. Homelessness has long been a problem in Los Angeles, with rates rising even higher over the past few years. Bass reworked her declaration in July 2023 to authorize her to confiscate property and use it for temporary housing. The statement also allows the suspension of competitive bidding on contracts that last less than a year and issues orders and directives to end the homelessness crisis.

Fix the City’s lawsuit challenges the mayor’s use of emergency powers. The organization claimed the mayor’s declaration allowed her to “overstep her authority by wielding emergency powers that stretch beyond their intended scope.” Their information continued, “The mayor can unilaterally execute contracts, suspect competitive bidding laws, issue new rules, orders, and regulations that take effect immediately, and commandeer property — all without any due process, any requirement of public hearings or public involvement of any kind including the city’s neighborhood councils.”

Fix the City acknowledged that homelessness is a problem in Los Angeles but asserted that it should be addressed through legal and transparent channels. They cited the 2015 declared shelter crisis as an example of using proper channels to address homelessness. Their statement read, “We take no issue with the declaration of a crisis of homelessness provided that such a declaration does not deprive the public of its rights.”

This is not the first time Fix the City has been involved in lawsuits against the City of Los Angeles. The organization has a history of filing suits for laws and developments surrounding creating affordable housing and public transportation. Los Angeles has attempted to solve the lack of affordable housing and limited access to public transportation over the past decade. Fix the City has previously filed lawsuits against L.A. City’s mobility plan, L.A.’s Transit Oriented Communities Affordable Housing Incentives, housing developments in Hollywood and Koreatown, and attempted to block updates to L.A.’s Hollywood Community Plan. These developments aim to solve the homelessness emergency and ease traffic congestion in Los Angeles.

Public transportation and homelessness in Los Angeles go hand-in-hand. The City is currently nearly impossible to navigate without a car, making it almost impossible to keep a job without owning a car. Housing prices have skyrocketed within the past few years, and many Los Angeles residents struggle to pay rent and keep up with car payments and maintenance. Access to better and more reliable public transportation would be transformative for the City and its residents.

Bass’ office has not yet commented on the filing of the lawsuit. According to the Los Angeles Times, Clara Kruger, a mayoral spokesperson, said, “The complaint was just filed, and we will take time to review it.”

October 3, 2023