Inglewood Wants Mandela to Visit

Inglewood officials have asked that their city be included on Nelson Mandela’s itinerary during the South African anti-apartheid leader’s tour of the United States next month.

Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent and Councilman Daniel Tabor, both members of the Los Angeles organizing committee for Mandela’s visit, are attempting to arrange an address by the 71-year-old Mandela, who was freed by the government in February after spending 27 years as a political prisoner.

Several community members urged the city at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to rename a section of 90th Street to Mandela Boulevard and hold the ceremony when Mandela is in Los Angeles in late June. That suggestion will first have to go through the city’s Facilities Naming Committee, a group that recommends renaming suggestions to the council.