We need to be ready.
Over the weekend, while we were celebrating our community through Utah Pride and small neighborhood celebrations, the federal government unlawfully deployed California's national guard to LA County to quell lawful protests against ICE enforcement. Right now, military troops are enroute to LA to be used against our own people for exercising their First Amendment rights. Everything about the federal government's response is unlawful. Governor Newsom has filed litigation, but in this moment, it appears the president is set on inflaming a peaceful protest and using the military to dramatically increase the likelihood of bloodshed in LA.
You may be thinking ‘What does an ICE protest and military deployment in LA have to do with a local election in Salt Lake?’ But local leadership decisions to litigate with every lawful response available, fighting against militarized law enforcement, listening to the voices of those whose family are no longer here because of the federal government, and then doing something locally about our jails, our local law enforcement, and our prosecution tactics all fall within the County Council’s purview. If you think LA cannot happen here, in Salt Lake County, think about everything you know about this president. Restraint is not his personality.
As this rapid election comes to a close, almost as soon as it has begun, I hope you will vote for me. By now you know where my heart is, what my dedication and experience is to provide leadership in times of normalcy to address the urgent needs of the unhoused, and revitalization of District 1. Fighting for your future, for your rights, is in my DNA. We need leadership that is ready for the unknown and ready to stand up and use their voice to stridently fight for what District 1 stands for. When you vote tomorrow, please, vote for me.