Latinos Discuss Possible Impacts of Secession

Though opposed to San Fernando Valley secession efforts, a group of Latino political activists met here Wednesday to discuss ways to safeguard Latino clout if the Valley is split into a separate city or school district.

At the meeting Wednesday night, the Valley chapter of the Mexican American Political Assn. discussed creating two Valley cities--and two Valley school districts--if the breakup becomes inevitable.

“We are extremely concerned about the political impact of secession on Latinos,” said Xaiver Flores, a group spokesman. Creating two Valley cities or school districts, he said, “is one option we will be looking at.”

Alan Clayton of the Los Angeles City / County Latino Redistricting Coalition presented draft concepts to create two cities and school districts in the Valley with roughly the same boundaries.

The Valley would be split approximately along the San Diego Freeway into east and west cities and school districts, giving Latinos an approximate 56% majority in the east and an approximate 21% minority in the west.

Clayton said his organization formally opposes Valley secession from the city of Los Angeles and so far is neutral on the issue of breaking up the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Valley VOTE, the group supporting Valley cityhood, welcomes all input into how the new city should look, said President Jeff Brain.

“Everything is to be considered,” Brain said. “We think it’s good that they are meeting to discuss the issue.”

Valley VOTE recently decided to study a school district breakup as well.