The Southern Christian Leadership Conference will hold its 63rd Annual Convention in Atlanta where they will celebrate the achievement of the Los Angeles chapter’s fight to go to court to preserve voters rights.
SCLC President, Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. is specifically referencing an opinion by CA Attorney General Rob Bonta in the case of Los Angeles residents living in the city’s 10th District who are seeking to have the areas former councilman removed from the seat.
“The Attorney General Rob Bonta said in his June 22, 2022 opinion, “We conclude that substantial questions of law exist as to whether Council Herb Wesson’s appointment to the Los Angeles City Council was lawful. Further, the public interest will be served by allowing the proposed quo warranto action to proceed. Consequently, the application for leave to sue is granted.”
Dr. Steele
Dr. Steele affirmed how proud he is of the local chapter under the leadership of Pastor William D. Smart, Jr.having recently appeared on a Los Angeles based talk show to speak of the significance of the ruling.
“Well, first of all, I want to thank Reverend Smart, our local chapter president, for doing an outstanding job. He was working very closely with my chief of staff because I’m all over the place traveling. And he and I talked several times. But the fact is that nobody is taking sides with individuals or with any particular political party or whatever. We’re taking sides with what’s right, Tavis. That’s why I’m supporting. That’s why I would go all the way with this particular decision that the Attorney General made. We want our day in court in terms of what’s right.”
The case surrounds the city council’s decision to suspend Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas from his District 10 seat for allegations contained in a federal indictment for a campaign donation made to USC while he served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Ridley-Thomas is scheduled for trial in November.
He continues to raise funds for his legal defense and if you wish to give a monetary donation you may do so here.
