Cover Stories Marqueece Harris-Dawson: “The People’s Candidate”
By Kenneth D. Miller
Assistant Managing Editor
The Los Angeles Sentinel endorses Marqueece Harris-Dawson for Los Angeles City Council in the 8th District. He has emerged as the “people’s candidate” for the seat as he rallies over one hundred volunteers each week at his campaign headquarters, has won endorsements from leaders in all walks of life, and amassed the largest number of donations from residents in his district.
"I set out to run a campaign that involved the thousands of residents that I have worked with over the last 20 years to win changes in our schools and neighborhoods,” said Harris-Dawson. “I am proud to say my campaign is being driven by the residents of the district.”
Election Day is March 3rd. It is crucial that everyone exercise their right to vote, a right that, as the powerful new movie “Selma” portrays, was won only through protracted and hard fought struggle.
The LA Sentinel joins an impressive list of people and organizations that have endorsed Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President and CEO of Community Coalition. U.S Rep. Karen Bass; State Senator Holly Mitchell; nine sitting L.A. city councilmembers, including Council President Herb Wesson; Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray; Bishop Charles E. Blake; John Mack; L.A. County Young Democrats and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City have endorsed Harris-Dawson for city council.
A History of Accomplishment
Harris-Dawson learned the value of public service and the responsibilities of leadership from his father William Dawson, a minister, his mother Cheryl Dawson, a community leader and his grandfather, a small business owner. Like many others, his family migrated from the South and set down roots in South Los Angeles after World War II.
Harris-Dawson studied politics and leadership at Morehouse College and then joined the staff of Community Coalition, a community-based organization in South Los Angeles founded by Congressmember Karen Bass in 1990. His record at Community Coalition has been impressive.
“I have known Marqueece for more than ten years and he taught me that everyday people can change their community,” said Debra Lee, a South LA resident. Lee met Harris-Dawson during a campaign that won $80 million dollars for caregivers who care for their relative’s children and reduced County foster care rolls by over 20,000 children.
He led one of the organization’s first education campaigns where he won $153 million to repair public schools in South Los Angeles.
“The district planned to spend money to build swimming pools at wealthier schools, while Fremont High School had one working bathroom for 5000 students,” said Harris-Dawson. “We knew our kids were being disregarded because they were Black and Brown and from poor neighborhoods. We fought back and we won.”
Winning Resources for South Los Angeles
Harris-Dawson’s record of winning South L.A.’s fair share of services and resources distinguishes him from other candidates in the race. Most notable has been his success in holding the City accountable for code enforcement at businesses that operate as hubs for drug sales and prostitution in the district.
“We have made it our business to make it very difficult for businesses to profit from addiction and poverty in our community,” said Harris-Dawson. “We have taken the City to task for its failure to hold South L.A. businesses to the same standards that businesses in other parts of the City are required to meet.”
His willingness to challenge the political establishment is matched only by his ability to bring unlikely partners together to address neighborhood safety.
Harris-Dawson led efforts to bring former gang members, law enforcement and city departments together to reduce crime in the neighborhood surrounding Martin L. King Jr. Park on Western Ave, a park overrun with crime. The community partnership brought “Summer Night Lights”, a citywide gang violence reduction program, ongoing programming and city services to the park.
“We know that when you infuse programming at parks for seniors, families and young people, you will see a decline in violent crime,” said Harris-Dawson. “A one-time beautification project is not enough. We have fought to permanently shift public funding to youth programs, drug treatment and mental health services to get at the root causes of crime.”
He has left a footprint in the neighborhood. For the last three years, Community Coalition has sponsored an outdoor concert and community fair that connects nearly 2000 families to services. Then there is “Fresh Fridays”, a fresh organic produce stand, at Century Market, previously a target of the organization’s nuisance abatement work. But his impact is best demonstrated by the number of residents he has trained in community organizing. These resident leaders routinely testify at hearings to keep restrictions on nuisance businesses along Western Ave.
L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer credits Harris-Dawson for helping to re-launch the Neighborhood Prosecutor’s program in South L.A. and reduce the number of nuisance businesses and illegal marijuana dispensaries in the area.
"His leadership and common-sense approach to improving the quality of life in local neighborhoods will benefit residents throughout the City of Los Angeles”, said City Attorney Feuer.
Challenges of the 8th District
The next city councilmember representing the 8th City Council District will need to build cooperation throughout the City to serve a district that has been plagued by crime and the chronic unemployment. The 8th District stretches from Baldwin Hills to Watts to the east and includes the Vermont Knolls, King Estates and Hyde Park communities. Councilmember Bernard Parks, who has represented the district on council for 12 years, leaves the district at a crossroads.
The construction of the Crenshaw line creates the potential for economic growth in the district; but many worry residents currently living in the district will not benefit from the budding economic development projects. Residents also complain of the open sex trafficking of young girls and boys along Western Avenue that has gone unchecked by law enforcement. Simultaneously, community –police relations in the district appear to be deteriorating with a number of police shootings of unarmed Black youth and men.
The District will need a strong voice in City Hall to tackle the problems of the district.
Many believe Marqueece Harris-Dawson has proven himself to be the effective leader the 8th District needs to return the district to a prosperous and thriving community. Indeed, he exhibits a confidence and optimism that inspires residents to believe change is possible in the district.
“It is remarkable to see the number of volunteers who are former youth and grandparents who fought side by side with Marqueece to improve their schools and neighborhoods,” said Congressmember Karen Bass. “Their investment in his campaign is a testament to the impact he has had in South L.A. and the promise of what he can accomplish for the 8th district.”