Long Beach’s State of the City took on a new virtual form this year: a speech from Mayor Robert Garcia focused on the trials of 2020— the pandemic, economic recovery and racial injustice.
“Few have been untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve nearly all known someone who has been ill or has died,” he said. “For me, personally and professionally, this has been the most difficult year of my life.”
Garcia’s mother and stepfather died of the virus in 2020. Thus far, 484 Long Beach residents have died as a result of COVID-19.
He pointed out that four times as many people have died from the virus as the number lost during the historic 1933 earthquake.
“This is a pivotal moment for our city and our country—one of those rare times in history —that can define us as a people,” he said.
He described the pandemic as “the greatest challenge of our generation.”
Throughout the year, the City moved to soften the blow for residents and businesses. In addition to mass testing, the City Council implemented relief programs for tenants, businesses and artists.
They enacted an eviction moratorium, passed anti-tenant harassment laws and prohibited late fees and termination of Section 8 housing. Last month, the council approved a Hero Pay Initiative that ensures an additional $4 an hour for grocery store workers.
As the pandemic continues to decimate industry and jobs, Garcia assured residents that he expected a robust stimulus package to be adopted by Congress in the coming months.
“The decisions to close businesses in order to save lives have been heartbreaking and devastating to workers and small business owners,” he said. “As we get this virus under control, our top priority must be economic relief and recovery.”
If the City does receive stimulus funds, the City Council has already set aside at least $10 million for restaurants, gyms and personal services. Garcia said he plans to introduce additional stimulus plans for other businesses.
At the address, he proposed “the single largest tenant assistance program” in the city’s history, which could provide $15 million in tenant assistance to help renters get caught up with rent and avert mass evictions.
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Garcia also addressed the racial reckoning that occured after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police last summer.
“In response to the brutal killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans by police, millions of people stood up and said ‘enough,’” he said. “Black lives matter. They matter to this city. And they matter to me.”
This past summer, the City conducted listening sessions and created a Racial Reconciliation Initiative that outlines over 100 initiatives to address structural racism within the City.
Next week, Garcia will formally ask the Public Safety Committee to begin the work of reforming the Citizen’s Police Complaint Commission.
The commission attracted criticism documented by outlets like Forthe and the Long Beach Post for the commission’s lack of independence and oversight power.
“Words alone won’t address racial injustice,” he said. “But there’s no question the arc of justice in this country is bending towards equity.”
He ended the address by denouncing the events that occurred this week at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
“That was an attempted coup on our democracy and an attack on our country,” he said. “As an immigrant, who fought to gain citizenship, I was horrified at what we witnessed as a nation. We are an imperfect country, but we must strive towards truth and justice.”
You can watch the full 2021 State of the City address here.