- Edmundo Cuevas
- (916) 319-2052
Sacramento, CA – (September 20, 2024) – Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (AD-52, Los Angeles) issued the following statement regarding today’s decision by Governor Newsom to veto AB 1950, The Chavez Ravine Accountability Act. This bill sought to establish a framework for equitable compensation between the City of Los Angeles and Angelinos, who lived or were property owners in the communities of La Loma, Palo Verde, and Bishop, commonly known as Chavez Ravine, from 1950 to 1961 and were displaced forcefully and unjustly deprived of their residences due to governmental actions.
“Governor Newsom’s decision not to sign AB 1950, the ‘Chavez Ravine Accountability Act,’ is a disappointment for those seeking truth and reconciliation for the predominantly Mexican American families impacted from the sale of land and ultimately eminent domain used to remove them from the Palo Alto, La Loma, and Bishop communities amid the 1950s. This bill aimed to address the historical housing injustice these communities faced when labeled as ‘slums’ by the Los Angeles Housing Authority to make way for public housing projects that were promised and never built. Over 1,800 families were affected and lost generational wealth and community ties. AB 1950 sparked important discussions about the city’s role and the broken promise of housing made to these families.
Governor Newsom’s veto emphasized the need for local leaders to establish a task force for equitable compensation, rather than tasking the State with the responsibility. Despite having over 60 years to address and apologize for this historical housing injustice in Chavez Ravine, the City of Los Angeles has yet to take action. When local governments fail to act, the State must step in, which is what AB 1950 did. The original policy as written, had a city taskforce that was later changed in Senate negotiations to a state taskforce. For some, the bill was too broad and for others, the bill didn’t do enough. Despite negotiations, and ultimately the bill not being signed into law, it remains crucial to acknowledge and address the historical discriminatory housing practices of redlining faced by Latino and other vulnerable communities through material redress and public commemoration. This bill was a step towards accountability, the first time the issue was heard in the California State Legislature and the first time many learned about this dark history. The journey towards justice is far from complete.”
AB 1950 was a comprehensive approach to addressing the long-standing impacts of displacement on the Chavez Ravine community, aiming for both reparative measures and historical accountability. Despite receiving bipartisan support, Governor Newsom vetoed the measure citing that compensation recommendations for those displaced be made by stakeholders closest to the Chavez Ravine community. When it was first introduced, AB 1950 required the City of Los Angeles to create a task force to study the displacement and make recommendations, but it was later amended by the Senate Local Government Committee to establish the task force within the state.
Alfred Fraijo Jr., Founder and CEO of the SOMOS Group and supporters of AB 1950 issued the following statement:
"At the heart of any just society is the recognition and rectification of past wrongs. The families impacted by the injustice at what is now known as Chavez Ravine deserve nothing less than the accountability and acknowledgment for the harms they suffered. While AB1950 is not moving forward, the movement for justice is. We are disappointed by the Governor’s decision to veto this bill, but we remain inspired by the descendants and advocates who have fought this year, and for many years, seeking to right historic wrongs, and who remain hopeful like we do that justice will ultimately prevail. We are at a moment of reckoning in our country and know that to build a fairer society, we must confront and reconcile the historic harms that government has inflicted on communities such as Chavez Ravine.
We acknowledge and thank Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for their bold and unwavering courage sponsoring this bill, standing firm in the face of opposition, and carrying the mantle of justice for the impacted families of Chavez Ravine. Their stories cannot be silenced, and we will continue fighting for the accountability and justice they rightfully deserve.”
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About Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo:
Assemblywoman Carrillo was elected to serve in the State Assembly in December 2017. She represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes East Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and South Glendale. She serves on the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Emergency Management, Health, Labor and Employment, and the Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies. She also serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, Vice Chair of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, Commissioner for the California Film Commission, Commissioner for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, and Member of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board.