DeepSummary
The episode features an in-depth interview with Aura Vasquez, a candidate running for the Los Angeles City Council seat representing the 10th district. Vasquez shares her background as an Afro-Latina immigrant from Colombia, her work as a community organizer and environmental justice advocate, and her vision for the district.
Vasquez discusses her priorities if elected, including revitalizing main corridors with affordable housing and small businesses, addressing homelessness through a 'housing first' approach and community-based support, and promoting sustainability through water conservation and renewable energy initiatives. She also touches on her support for expanding the size of the City Council to better represent diverse communities.
Throughout the interview, Vasquez emphasizes her passion for bringing people together, empowering communities, and fighting for positive change in Los Angeles. She expresses hope and faith in the city's potential, driven by her desire to be a voice for those who feel unheard.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Aura Vasquez is running for the Los Angeles City Council seat in the 10th district, highlighting her background as an Afro-Latina immigrant and activist.
- Her priorities include revitalizing main corridors with affordable housing and small businesses, addressing homelessness through a 'housing first' approach, promoting sustainability and renewable energy, and expanding the size of the City Council.
- Vasquez emphasizes community empowerment, bringing people together, and being a voice for those who feel unheard in her district.
- She supports reallocating funds from police hiring towards alternative approaches to public safety and investing in community-based solutions.
- Vasquez expresses hope and faith in the potential for positive change in Los Angeles, driven by her determination to fight for the people and not let them down.
- Her background includes work as a community organizer, environmental justice advocate, and serving on the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
- She believes in addressing issues like plastic use, water conservation, and transitioning to renewable energy to combat climate change.
- Vasquez sees the diversity of her district as a strength and believes in better representation through an expanded City Council.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I believe that we need a voice that deeply cares about our community and that is invested and lift up the issues that are pressing in our community and put aside our own self interest.“ by Aura Vasquez
- “I don't believe that we should hire more police. I believe that we invest, rearrange budgets.“ by Aura Vasquez
- “We need to stop also using plastics urgently. We need to stop using plastics.“ by Aura Vasquez
- “I believe that we need to at least double the size of the city council.“ by Aura Vasquez
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Episode Information
What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
Mike Bonin
2/20/24
Since 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. Now, voters finally get to choose a permanent, voting representative on the council.There is a big and impressive field of candidates – and on this episode I talk with Aura Vasquez.
Aura Vasquez is an Afro-Latina Colombian immigrant, community leader, fearless environmental justice advocate, and renewable energy advisor. She served as a mayoral appointee to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners from 2017 to 2020. She has served as the Climate Justice Director for the Center for Popular Democracy. Prior to that, she advocated for state and federal immigrant rights with the PICO Network, fought for the the largest rooftop solar program in the country, and pushed for clean energy as an organizer with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. She was elected to the Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC) in 2012, where she became the only Latina and only non-Korean American on the board.
You can find out more about her at her campaign website: https://www.auraforthepeople.com/