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ONE PERSON’S POV - For years, Council District 9 has fought to protect its economic anchors and cultural landmarks from being stripped away. During the city’s most recent redistricting process in 2021–2022, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson led a failed effort to move Exposition Park, one of South Los Angeles’ greatest assets, out of Council District 9 and into his own. This proposal would have robbed District 9 of a vital economic engine that brings jobs, tourism, and opportunity to one of the poorest areas in Los Angeles.
Now, after years of showing little concern for District 9’s needs, Harris-Dawson suddenly wants to involve himself in our future by backing his political ally Elmer Roldan for the District 9 seat. In my view, his renewed attention isn’t about strengthening our neighborhoods; it’s about political control and personal alliances.
When Harris-Dawson had the opportunity to stand with District 9 and uplift a community that has historically been underserved, he instead chose to try to take away its resources. His amendment to seize Exposition Park was so misguided that it was overwhelmingly rejected by an 11–3 vote of the City Council. That vote made one thing clear: Harris-Dawson’s priorities were never with the people of District 9.
Council District 9 doesn’t need politicians who use our neighborhoods as pawns in their political games. We need leaders who have always stood with our community, not those who only show up when it benefits their allies.
Council District 9 belongs to the residents who built it — not to politicians who once tried to dismantle it.
(Socorro Sanchez is a lifelong resident of Council District 9 and a former member of the Voices 90037 Neighborhood Council. She spoke out during the city’s redistricting process to protect Exposition Park — a place close to her family’s story, where her children attend school and her mother participates at the Ahmanson Senior Center.) [email protected]
