Trek Organizers Stage Rally Backing Affirmative Action
Part of the way through their statewide march against a ballot initiative that would outlaw affirmative action programs in state and local governments, young protesters staged rallies Monday in San Fernando and Sun Valley.
The 10-week trek, called by organizers the March for Social and Economic Justice, began June 13 in Sacramento with a core group of nine marchers who are being joined by others as they reach cities along the way. The group swelled to about 30 in the San Fernando Valley.
The marchers plan to wind up in San Diego on Aug. 12 with what they hope will be a large crowd of protesters at the Republican National Convention.
The goal is to “inform people on the initiative and affirmative action, register them to vote and give information to [noncitizens] about the process of becoming citizens,” said Filiberto Gonzales, 22, of Northridge, one of the event’s organizers.
Today, the marchers will hold a rally at the Van Nuys Civic Center as they spend the week in Los Angeles before moving on to San Diego.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
