Leadership in 14th District

Re “Politics in a Civic Vacuum,” Opinion, Jan. 24: Apparently Gregory Rodriguez is uncomfortable with two things: the foreign-born Latinos who have joined the remaining Boyle Heights rabble and the growing power of organized labor. As a foreign-born Mexican who has lived and voted and has seen many battles in L.A.’s 14th City Council District, I can say to Rodriguez that the thousands of Latino union members in this district have in the last decade legalized their status, have become citizens and registered to vote, and overwhelmingly voted against Props. 187, 209 and the anti-labor 226. In 1998 they proudly joined the majority of Californians and said no to wedge politics and, most important, they helped stop the extreme right-wing power grab in the country.

The largest political street demonstrations held by Latinos in this country against intolerance and police brutality have been held in Boyle Heights, concerted by citizens and organizations of the 14th. Trade union members were 20,000-strong on the historic 1994 march against then-Gov. Pete Wilson and Prop. 187.

JAVIER RODRIGUEZ H.

El Sereno

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When I look out my door I see a community in need of strong leadership and not a community in need of opportunists. Rodriguez makes a strong point when he refers to carpetbaggers in the 14th District City Council race. It is a sad state of affairs when the mayor of Los Angeles and some of our elected officials decide to support individuals who do not reflect the pulse of the community. It is frightening to me that the system is open to a select few.

Each day I preach to my students at Wilson High School that they can make a difference. I put my money where my mouth is when I decided to run for the 14th District City Council seat, as a neighborhood kid who grew up to teach at his high school and eventually run for political office. I may be proved wrong by this system; however, a growing number of young people will be exposed to the system that they one day can change. Our future lies in the hands of those young people working on campaigns today. They will learn that the political door is not only open but that they must fight to keep it that way.

EZEQUIEL “ZEKE” QUEZADA

Los Angeles