City Hall

March, 26 2008 by Lennox.

Wednesday morning, March 4. We had to run to catch the train. Oddly exciting, running to catch a train. A quick walk from our downtown stop, we stood before the deserted 9am steps of Los Angeles City Hall.

Looking up at the impenetrable fortress from whence issue policies and city governance, my eyes lingered on the sign at the top of the stairs.

I was along for the ride, hanging out with my Pastor, to whom I sometimes refer as my friend Ryan. It’s good to be among friends. He said hello to Joe Hari, another friend, community organizer with LA Voice. We were here today to cooperate with Joe and his local division of PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing)

I saw Ryan add his signature to a list of those who give voice to the request for immediate attention to the Los Angeles Housing Crisis. Nothing new there. He’s always signing off on important matters of Peace and Justice.

So far, I’d been on a train ride and exchanged greetings with friends. And, from the outside, from the bottom of a massive defensive line of concrete steps, I’d also seen the walls and doors of City Hall. I decided to take a look at the fountain. I’ve always liked water.

I also like fire. The next time I saw my friend Ryan, there was fire in his eyes and passion in his voice. There was conviction in the air. Over one hundred people had gathered on the steps. I had to look through the crowd to see him. The crowd cheered as Ryan urged the adoption of a Three-Point-Plan to address the crisis in which thousands of workers who support the economy of the city, are forced to live outside of it for lack of affordable housing within its boundaries.

As the moderator of the Housing LA Press Conference, Ryan introduced and shared the podium with many compelling speakers, several of whom followed his lead by acknowledging that the housing crisis is a moral issue, a call to action for people of faith.

We didn’t have to run to catch the train back. Nice and easy. Talking about music and family. About how great it is to live in Los Angeles. Talking about old neighborhoods and the last time either of us tried to solve a rubik’s cube. Me and my friend Ryan, taking the train home from City Hall.

Posted in Picture, Peace & Justice Committee, LA Voice, Church | 2 Comments »