In a showing of community support Los Angeles Sentinel Executive Publisher and Brotherhood Crusade Board Chairman Danny Bakewell Sr., brought together leaders from an array of community organizations in support of Council President Herb Wesson who has been a victim of hate crimes and terrorist threats by local attorney Wayne Spindler.

 

The coalition included the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, The Los Angeles NAACP, The Los Angeles Urban League, Beth Shirr Shalom Temple, the Islamic Shure Council, Unite Here, National Action Network and New Frontier Democratic Club as well as individuals from various aspects of the community.

 

On May 11, Spindler, a licensed attorney, was arrested, and later released on $75,000 bail by Los Angeles Police Department on charges associated with graphic drawings and comments passed to Wesson during a Rules, Elections, Intergovernmental Relations and Neighborhoods Meeting with a drawing of a man (presumed to be Mr. Wesson) being hung by a tree and a Ku Klux Klan member celebrating beside a burning cross.

 

Spindler has also targeted other members of the City Council, including the only sitting woman, Nury Martinez. At a recent council meeting where the committee recognized “Denim Day” in support of victims of rape, Spindler began to call Martinez a “cunt” and “bitch”, and said that “women deserve it”.

 

“[Mr. Spindler] creates an abusive, hostile and dangerous environment for community members who try to engage their City Council,” Martinez said.

 

He has also been known to target Councilman Paul Koretz, wearing anti-sematic attire, including a swastika and giving the German Nazi Hitler Salute.

 

Danny Bakewell, Sr. and community leaders are demanding the District Attorney’s office to launch a full investigation and prosecute Spindler, for hate crimes and terrorist threats, as well as an ethics review by the State Bar Association. “Not only are these attacks and threats harmful to Council President Wesson, his colleagues and his family” says Bakewell, “but an insult to the institution that is the Los Angeles City Council and the Office of the Council President…and we encourage the D.A.’s office to prosecute Mr. Spindler to the full extent the law will allow.”

 

The coalition is also asking that the California State Bar Association revoke Spindler’s license to practice law.  “The California State Bar has a very high ethics and morality standard and based upon Mr. Spindler’s word and action we believe he clearly does not meet the standard” stated Charisse Bremond-Weaver, president of the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade.

 

“These racist and hateful incidents offer several lessons. Firstly, aggressive racist hate speech should not be tolerated under the cover and claim of free speech and should be morally condemned and legally restrained. Secondly, this is not an isolated act or a unique attack by a rogue offender from an otherwise accepting society. Rather, it is a reflection and representation of a larger problem in American society—the continuing dangerous, deadly and pervasive practice of racism. And thirdly, it reminds us that the fight for a just, dignity-affirming  and difference-respecting society is not finished, that the struggle continues and that we cannot relax our vigilance or walk away from the battlefield until the struggle is actually won.” Stated Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair, Department of Africana Studies, CSU, Long Beach and executive director, the African American Cultural Center.

 

Spindler told KABC Channel 7 this week that his comments and drawings were misinterpreted. “The cross burning is the city burning down from corruption,” Spindler said. “The hood is City Hall coming after us for our money and the tree is me and everybody getting lynched as taxpayers.”

 

Bakewell Sr. said,  “Mr. Spindler’s is full of shit, but that’s what cowards do they run from the truth when confronted with the truth.  He thought that he could continuously threaten Council President Wesson and the other members of the Council with his negative racist and sexist remarks with no repercussions.  He has tried to paint this under the guise of free speech, but this is not free speech, this is “Hate Speech” and is clearly not protected by the 1st Amendment.  We are going to send a message to Mr. Spindler and those who operate under the same vail of racism that this is not okay. Making light of lynching’s, using swastikas or calling women “Cunts and Bitches” has no place in a public forum and we are demanding that the District Attorney’s office and the California State Bar deal with him accordingly.  This is a desecration and an insult to our families to our history and those who have come before us and sacrificed their lives in the name of doing what is right and we will not just sit quietly and accept this behavior as the norm”

 

Wesson got a restraining order last Friday requiring Spindler to remain at least 200 feet away from him, but it did not restrict Spindler from making public comments at any city council meeting. “ The council president felt threatened,  he wants to keep his family safe, his staff safe, and the public safe,” Vanessa Rodriguez Press Deputy for Wesson said.

 

Former State Assemblymember Mike Davis who now serves as president of New Frontier Democratic Club said in a statement “NFDC stands strongly in support of the city's first African American City Council President, Councilman Herb Wesson. We know he represents all of Los Angeles.  We hope Mr. Wayne Spindler will spend his time engaging in activities which help bring people together, not activities which are divisive. We look forward to inclusion of African Americans, Jewish Americas, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and others to join our Caucasian Americans in sharing leadership in Los Angeles and throughout this country.”  This appears to be the sentiment of most who have found Spindler’s tactics, words and actions to be completely out of line and an insult to communities of color everywhere.

Hillary Clinton for President 

“We can’t risk a Donald Trump presidency” is Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s slogan. “In 2016, we won’t just choose our next president. America will choose a direction for our country on issues from gun violence prevention to women’s rights to building an economy that helps the middle class get ahead—and stay ahead,” she says on her campaign website.  The wife of Former President Bill Clinton, she has served as secretary of state, senator from New York, first lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, activist, and volunteer.  In addition to the issues mentioned above, Clinton plans to tackle healthcare, education, immigration reform and civil rights issues.

 

 

 

 

Kamala Harris for U.S. Senate 

Currently serving as the 32nd Attorney General of the state of California, Kamala Harris believes more of her work could be done via the United States Senate Seat to be vacated by longtime incumbent Barbara Boxer in 2017. The Sentinel agrees. As AG, Harris has already tackled the majors, like gun control, the state’s housing crisis, education and violent crime. As of now, Harris is the frontrunner for the seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxine Waters for 35th Congressional District 

Longtime political heavyweight Maxine Waters has been representing the 35th Congressional District since 2013. The former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus has played key roles in improving things like housing, education, her district’s economic climate and issues surrounding criminal justice. Her list of achievements is long, and includes the co-founding of organizations like Community Build, the Black Women’s Forum and the creation of the Maxine Waters Preparation Center in Watts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Bass for 37th Congressional District 

As leader of the 37th Congressional District for six years, Karen Bass has been involved in human rights issues, social security and criminal justice reform. Her district includes Culver City, the City of Los Angeles neighborhoods of Mid-City, West Los Angeles, Century City, Palms, Mar Vista, Sawtelle, Beverlywood, Cheviot Hills, Pico-Robertson, the city's South Los Angeles neighborhoods of Exposition Park, University Park, Vermont Knolls, West Adams, Leimert Park, Jefferson Park, Vermont Square, Ladera Heights, Hyde Park, Crenshaw, View Park-Windsor Hills, and Baldwin Hills. Constituents in those neighborhoods have long known that Bass has been focused on making where they live safe and viable. She has been instrumental in making improvements to the foster care system and is the founder of the Community Coalition, a South L.A. neighborhood organization focused on mitigating the effects of poverty and violence.

 

 

 

 

 

Isadore Hall for 44th Congressional District 

For decades, said Congressional candidate Isadore Hall, “I have served communities throughout this region with one objective: work together to achieve our common goals. We all want great schools for our children, safe neighborhoods to raise our families and the ability to make an honest wage for honest work. That has been my focus while serving on the Compton School Board, the Compton City Council, the State Assembly, and the State Senate, and it will be my focus representing the people of the great 44th Congressional district…” The Sentinel continues to support Hall as he tackles everything from the economy and jobs to quality healthcare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supervisor Mark Ridley for re-election Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for District 2 

Supervisor Mark Ridley has represented the second district’s interests on a variety of fronts since he was overwhelmingly elected in November 2008 and reelected in June 2012. His focus has been on transportation, job creation, retention and local hiring. In the area of health policy, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has overseen the construction of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, as well as a network of cutting-edge health care facilities throughout the district; he has facilitated the use of technology and encouraged an integrated approach to wellness that includes mental health care and a prominent role for school-based clinics. His advocacy has helped secure an equitable share of funding for public-private partnership health clinics in underserved areas. He presently serves as Chair Pro Tem of the Board of Supervisors, Chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and President of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission.

 

 

 

Janice Hahn for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors District 4

 

It seems that everyone from elected leaders like representatives Karen Bass and Judy Chu, to labor organizations like Service Employees International, is coming out to support Janice Hahn in her bid for Los Angeles County’s 4th Supervisorial seat. The Sentinel is joining them, having trusted Hahn, not just for her family’s political legacy in Los Angeles County, but for her passion for “getting things done” in whatever regions she has represented.

 

“L.A. County is my home,” Hahn said. “With so much brinkmanship in Washington, I am confident that I can get more done for our region back here at home, serving in local government. From Whittier to Artesia, Manhattan Beach to Marina del Rey, Long Beach to Hacienda Heights, and from Torrance to Norwalk, San Pedro and more, I am running for Los Angeles County Supervisor to continue the Hahn family legacy of delivering results for local neighborhoods…”

 

 

 

Jackie Lacey for L.A. County District Attorney

 

Four years ago, Jackie Lacey made history when she became the first African American and the first woman to garner the title of Los Angeles County’s district attorney. Her top priority is keeping the streets of Los Angeles County safe from violent and dangerous criminals. She is committed to “safeguarding our children from human sex traffickers, our seniors from financial elder abuse and our communities from environmental crimes that threaten our health and our livelihood,” she said.

 

“Lacey has worked with business leaders on how best to protect consumers from computer network intrusions that jeopardize our bank accounts and credit ratings. She also remains committed to prosecuting government officials who violate the public’s trust,” according to her campaign website.

 

 

 

Steve Bradford for 35th Senate District 

Steve Bradford is the first African American elected to the Gardena City Council, a position he held for 12 years. He worked towards job and economic growth, along with a balanced budget for the city. In 2009, he won the seat for the 51st Assembly District in a Special Election, was reelected in 2010, and reelected again, but this time to the newly created 62nd District in 2012. As Chair of the Committee on Utilities & Commerce, Bradford authored legislation to promote renewable, clean energy and to protect and enhance local neighborhood security. He also spearheaded numerous pieces of legislation ranging from public safety and civil rights with AB 651 (Expungement) and AB 2634 (Civil Rights). 

 

Phlunte’ Riddle for 25th Senate District 

Phlunte’ Riddle is an educator, businesswoman, public safety executive, community leader and resident of Pasadena. She has spent her life serving the community, actively listening to their concerns, advocating for those in need, and bringing people together to find resolutions to problems. Riddle broke barriers and honed her leadership skills in the nearly 29 years she spent rising through the ranks of the Pasadena Police Department. She was the first woman to be permanently assigned as a gang/street narcotics officer, the first African American female sergeant and lieutenant. Some of the numerous jobs she had on the force include patrol officer, detective, and community liaison. As a lieutenant, she was the Public Information Officer & Adjutant to the Chief of Police. Riddle was a change agent for the police department to help manage a contemporary culture. During her tenure on the police force, she helped increase diversity in the workplace. She also worked to modernize the department’s policies and made sure that officers had ongoing and updated training with the best technology available. She currently serves as a commissioner for the Pasadena Center Operating Company Board, which oversees the management of the Pasadena Convention Center. Riddle has been an active member of the United Nations Association - Pasadena Chapter, a former board member of Foothill Family Services, and a coordinator for the Abundant Harvest Festival in Altadena. A strong advocate on women’s issues, Phlunte’ also served in the role of interim Executive Director of the Pasadena Chapter of the YWCA.

 

 

 

Autumn Burke for re-election for California’s 62nd State Assembly District 

First elected in 2014, Autumn R. Burke represents the 62nd District in the California State Assembly. Her economically and ethnically diverse district is home to several of the region's most popular beaches, Los Angeles International Airport, and the Los Angeles Forum. During her tenure, Burke has worked to help provide pathways to green technology and energy efficiency for neighborhoods big and small. She's brought attention to policy to expand access to health care, education and solid jobs for all. She is a member of Count Me In for Women, an organization that promotes the growth of women-owned businesses. She's also a board member of the Yvonne Burke Foundation, which provides scholarships for young people in Los Angeles County to attend colleges and universities as well as career training programs. A longtime supporter of the Compton Jr. Posse, Burke helps give at-risk youth alternatives to street life through creative programs that foster a greater sense of belonging.

 

 

 

Assemblymember Cheryl Brown for re-election to 47th District 

The Sentinel supports Assemblymember Cheryl Brown for reelection to the 47th District. Brown was elected in November 2012 and her district includes the cities of Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy. Brown is a journalist and founder of California Black Media. She is also a champion of small business, having been a small business owner herself for over 30 years. 

 

 

 

Chris Holden for State Assembly in 41st district 

Chris Holden has dedicated his career to finding solutions that create and protect jobs, preserve vital services and strengthen the economic vitality of the San Gabriel Valley. He entered public service as a member of the Pasadena City Council, and in 1997 was elected Pasadena’s Mayor. Under his leadership, the city created its first living wage ordinance, to ensure that workers could earn decent pay for their hard work and contribute to the local economy. He also ­managed deregulation of the city’s public utility in a way that preserved local jobs while keeping rates lower than in the private marketplace. In 2012, Holden was elected to serve the Foothill Communities in the State Assembly. He has authored and led the passage of several bills, including legislation to make the state’s small business loan guarantee program more accessible, and expanding innovation hubs throughout the state to spur business start-ups focused on emerging technologies. Holden was also instrumental in expanding the Metro Gold Line connecting the region to Los Angeles, which is creating jobs and promoting business activity. He also created the task force that led to the creation of Paseo Colorado and reconnected the historic civic center and new convention center, a key project that has helped small businesses and contributed in the revitalization of downtown Pasadena.

 

 

 

Sebastian Ridley Thomas for re-election for California’s 54th State Assembly District 

Sebastian Ridley Thomas was elected to the State Assembly in December 2013 with the task of increasing access to high-quality public education; supporting and promoting the inclusion of minority businesses in private and public sector contracting and procurement; and promoting professional development and achievement for women. Since his election, he has built a reputation as an innovative problem solver introducing legislation to improve the quality of life for the South Los Angeles community including extending the operation of the Baldwin Hills Conservancy to protect and increase access to open recreational space in the community. Ridley-Thomas has authored legislation to protect workers and consumers, stimulate infrastructure improvements, increase opportunities for small businesses, advance clean energy, increase transparency, fairness, and accessibility in our elections, and expand access to medical, dental, and mental health care.

 

 

 

Reggie Jones Sawyer for re-election for California’s 59th State Assembly District 

Reggie Jones Sawyer was elected to the State Legislature in November 2012 and re-elected in 2014. Assemblyman Jones-Sawyer has worked hard to help invest more in local neighborhood schools while making higher education more affordable and accessible, advanced job creation policies, pushed for protections for immigrants – like driver’s licenses for individuals who pass all required exams and tests as well as healthcare for immigrant children- advocated for smart environmental protections that promote clean energy and green jobs, supported more safeguards for working families and their rights, and he’s spearheaded forward-thinking policies that both promote public safety but also enhance justice in our criminal justice system to make it more fair and transparent for all communities. He has authored or co-authored legislation that has directly benefited all residents in the 59th District and the state overall.  Legislation such as: AB 672 that provides re-entry assistance – like housing and job training - for persons that have been wrongfully convicted and consequently released from state prison; AB 266 that provides proper regulatory oversight of the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, storage distribution and sale of medical marijuana; and AB1012 that prohibits school districts from assigning any student to a course period without educational content, a.k.a., Fake Classes bills.

 

 

 

Mike Gipson for re-election for California’s 64th State Assembly District 

Mike A. Gipson, first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2014, represents the 64th Assembly District that includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington. Serving on the Carson City Council from 2005 to 2014, Assemblymember Gipson was selected by his peers to serve as the Mayor Pro Tem. While on the City Council, Gipson was at the helm of several successful endeavours targeting at-risk youth. He established the Midnight Basketball program, which was a highly successful at removing children from the streets during summer nights. Gipson also started two program conferences to mentor at risk youth: S.O.S (Saving our Sons) and R.O.S.E. (Reaching Out to our Sisters Everywhere). These organizations have provided mentorship and job training for hundreds of children over the years. 

Hillary Clinton met with African American Civic and Community leaders on Friday, May 5, 2016, at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park where she was introduced to wildly, enthusiastic chants of Hillary, Hillary!

 

Clinton thanked “two dynamic members of Congress, Representatives Maxine Waters and Karen Bass, both D-California for their passionate and committed work as members of Congress during what can best be described as tumultuous years of partisan politics.  Representative Waters lauded Mrs. Clinton as one “who walks the walk and talks the talk and has the ability to take the licks and keep on ticking.”  Representative Bass cautioned those in attendance to be aware of the “coded language” coming from the Republican Presidential candidate amid cheers that Californians are “ready to go” in the upcoming primary and general election.

 

Mrs. Clinton spoke of her heartfelt commonality with Representative Bass as it relates to “what happens to children in foster care.”  “What I am trying to do in my presidential campaign and what I will do as president is to lead a concerted effort to break every barrier that stands in the way of people living up to their God-given potential.  That has been my North Star ever since I went to work for the Children’s Defense Fund right out of law school.” 

 

Clinton did not shy away from discussing the current political climate.  “Most people are getting a wake-up call about this election,” Clinton said and “a house divided cannot stand.” Clinton affirmed her commitment to raising the minimum wage.  She criticized her Republican opponent for saying that “wages are too high in America,” even though as Clinton pointed out “most Americans haven’t had a raise in 15 years.”  “We have got to raise the minimum wage and guarantee equal pay for women in America, these are extremely important issues.”

 

Clinton also discussed mental health, and gun control, issues that she said are important not only to her campaign but would be a focal point of her presidency. “I’m running to build on the progress that President Obama has made, and I am very proud of that progress.  I am very concerned about systemic racism that exists and what it means for people who are competing for jobs and promotions, and for our children who deserve to get an education that will put them on the path to a brighter future,” said Clinton.

 

Reporters were escorted out of the room during a question-and-answer session between the leaders and Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton thanked Herb Wesson, President of the Los Angeles City Council and the other leaders who were present for their support throughout the years. Clinton spoke of her understanding of the Presidency saying that I have no illusions about the presidency because I’ve seen it up close.”

 

“I know we have work to do, but we must do it together.  We have to bring people to the table and roll up our sleeves.  It is not enough to diagnosis the problem.  I am interested in results.”  Clinton said that she will “go anywhere, meet with anyone at anytime to find common ground.”  To the delight of the audience, Clinton recounted how she has “worked with practically every Republican” she has served with.  “Now I have to tell you that when I’m working with them, they actually say really nice things about me.”  After the event, Mrs. Clinton moved on to a Cinco de Mayo visit in East Los Angeles.

  

PHOTOS BY VALERIE GOODLOE