In the face of an onslaught of attacks on civil rights and civil liberties and social justice programs, are you feeling demoralized, or helpless, or isolated?

If so, you are not alone. In this episode, we talk with Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, about his personal and political search for the courage to stand up, and about the strength he finds in solidarity.

LINKS

Inclusive Action for the City

Rudy's essay in Nonprofit Quarterly

Info on the May Day events across the country

LA Forward Spring Into Action Event - May 3

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Last weekend, a crowd 36,000 strong flocked to downtown Los Angeles, filling Gloria Molina Grand Park, surrounding Los Angeles City Hall, and stretching a half mile down Spring Street.

From all around Southern California they came to hear and to cheer Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and to amplify the message that America needs a government that fights for its people, and not its billionaires.

This stop on the Fighting Oligarchy tour was the largest Sanders or AOC rally, ever, anywhere.

We’ll recap, play some highlights, and contextualize the momentous event on this episode of WNLA.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Los Angeles County is creating its own Department of Homeless Services – and pulling hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of dollars out of LAHSA – the joint city-county homelessness services agency.

Is it a big and long overdue step to maximize taxpayer investments in solving homelessness? Or is it a rushed and divisive move that threatens recent progress in bringing our unhoused neighbors indoors?

We’ll discuss that with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and with Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield – on this episode of What’s Next, Los Angeles?

Some Great Links

This week's LA Podcast with me, Alissa Walker, Hayes Davenport and special guest co-host . . . Carla Hall, who just left her gig as the last member of the editorial board at the LA Times.

LA Times: County supervisors create new homeless agency, despite warnings from L.A. mayor

LAist: Head of LA homeless services resigns days after county votes to pull $350M from troubled agency

LA Public Press: Unhoused LA residents react to LAHSA’s unraveling

LA Times: Feds to look into potential fraud and corruption in Southern California homeless funds

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.