Councilman Garcetti's Weekly Newsletter

[The information below was provided by the Office of Councilman Eric Garcetti.]

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS

The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion by Los Angeles City Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Jose Huizar to implement a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.

"Plastic bags clog our landfills, clog drainage systems, and litter neighborhoods. This ban will help us keep our communities healthy and clean," said Councilmember Eric Garcetti.

The Garcetti-Huizar motion, which clarified a law originally proposed by Councilmember Paul Koretz, gives large retailers six months and small retailers 12 months to stop using plastic shopping bags.  After 12 months, all retailers would be required to charge a 10-cent fee for paper bags.  After the program has been implemented for two years, the Bureau of Sanitation will report to the council on the program's results and make recommendations to strengthen and expand it.

Prior to the Council debate on the motion, Garcetti joined environmental advocates to rally support for the proposal.  

The motion that was approved this week directed the City Attorney's Office to draft an ordinance that will come back to the City Council for final approval.

GARCETTI KICKS OFF "OSCARS OUTDOORS" MOVIE SERIES IN HOLLYWOOD

L.A. City Councilmember Eric Garcettijoined the Hollywood community to kick off the Oscars Outdoors summer movie series with a screening of "Field of Dreams."  

The outdoor screening series will occur over 10 weekends beginning June 15 and hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the site of its new  7.5-acre campus straddling Homewood Aveune along Vine Street in Hollywood. 

Movie tickets will be $5 to the general public and $3 to students and Academy members.  Food trucks will be at each event.

For more information, including a schedule of upcoming movies, please click here.

GARCETTI HELPS RAISE AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN-DAY SLAVERY

Councilmember Garcetti joined the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) at its 14th annual gala to support the organization's efforts to provide services to victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

"It's hard to imagine that in our city of great dreams there's an epidemic that challenges the basic human rights of thousands of people in our very own neighborhoods," said Garcetti, who served as the event emcee along with his wife Amy Elaine Wakeland.  (Garcetti is pictured above with CAST clients.)

The annual event recognizes outstanding partners in the fight to eradicate modern-day slavery.  This year’s honorees were the TV show NCIS LA, human trafficking victim Angela, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.   

CAST was established in 1998 in the wake of the El Monte sweatshop case in which 72 Thai garment workers were kept for eight years in slavery and debt bondage.  In addition to providing comprehensive long-term services to human trafficking and modern-day slavery survivors, CAST works to make lasting systemic change through public policy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• On Saturday, May 26, join Councilmember Garcetti for a neighborhood walk through Glassell Park.  Volunteers are needed to go door-to-door to speak with constituents about their concerns and suggestions for the neighborhood.  Please meet at 9:30 a.m. at  Councilmember Garcetti’s Glassell Park  Satellite Office (3750 Verdugo Road).  For more information, please contact Councilmember Garcetti’s Glassell Park Satellite Office at 323-478-9002.
• On Saturday, May 26, help Glassell Park Elementary School students and families build the campus's new garden.  The garden build will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the campus in partnership with Enrich LA’s “A Garden in Every School” program.  For more information, please contact 323-223-2277.

• MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  On Friday, June 1, join Christopher Street West/LA Pride and the LGBT Heritage Month Host Committee for an opening ceremony and reception in celebration of the LGBT community.  Hosted by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the celebration will begin in Council Chambers at 10 a.m. and will include food, music, and special guests.  Please RSVP to sp-rsvp@lacity.org.
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