South L.A. Charter Public Schools And Local Community Members Organize To Address Safety Issues

  • Posted May 20, 2022
South L.A. Charter Public Schools And Local Community Members Organize To Address Safety Issues

MEDIA ADVISORY

Los Angeles, CA — May 20, 2022 — With the support of over 1,000 petition community signatures, KIPP Empower Academy (grades TK-4), KIPP Academy of Opportunity (grades 5-8) and local community partners are organizing public events to bring awareness to ongoing and unacceptable safety issues that have been reported to local authorities for years but persist on S. Figueroa St. and W. Manchester Ave., ranging from shootings to prostitution to drug use and robberies related to the Palms Motel, located at 8480 Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90003.

“Our community matters! Our community members deserve to be heard. We will not tolerate any actions that cause our families and neighbors to fear for their safety,” said Angella Martinez, CEO of KIPP SoCal Public Schools.

CHANGE IS NEEDED. UPCOMING ADVOCACY EVENTS

In partnership with the community to help make South L.A. safe, there are a series of public events this May/June to bring awareness and help legally declare the Palms Motel as a nuisance property. 

Advocacy Event #1: Community Clean-Up Day

Saturday, May 21 from 11AM-1PM 

Join us at KIPP Empower Academy, 8466 S. Figueroa St., LA, CA 90003, for a neighborhood clean-up day! We will be doing clean-up (trash pick-up, etc.) of a few key blocks in the city. Lunch will be provided post clean-up. RSVP Today! 

Advocacy Event #2: Community Service Project

Wednesday, May 25 from 5:00-6:30PM 

Join us at KIPP Empower Academy, 8466 S. Figueroa St., LA, CA 90003, to assemble toiletry packets for women who have experienced trafficking and create signs for the upcoming June peaceful rally. Dinner will be provided. RSVP Today!

Advocacy Event #3: Speak Up, Speak Out at the “I am Her” Event

Saturday, June 4 from 1-2:30PM

Join us, in partnership with Cool Ass Black Woman, Deputy City Attorney Michelle West, Advocate Kristina Fitz, and Leonard Rivas from Volunteers of America, at the Beehive, 1000 E. 60th St., LA, CA 90001, for a community panel promoting awareness of safety challenges related to prostitution on S. Figueroa St. as well as the broader issues of sex trafficking in South L.A. (This event is for adults, parents, and students in grades 8+ only!) RSVP Today!

Advocacy Event #4: Rally at City Hall

Tuesday, June 7 from 7:30-11AM

Join us at City Hall before the Tuesday L.A. City Council meeting for a rally to voice South L.A. safety concerns. We will meet at KIPP Empower Academy, 8466 S. Figueroa St, LA, CA 90003, and take buses to and from City Hall. Breakfast will be provided. RSVP Today!

About KIPP SoCal Public Schools: 

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 23 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, grades TK-8, within 19 Local Education Agencies. KIPP SoCal’s award-winning schools educate more than 9,800 students with a whole child approach to learning and support 8,000 students and alumni to and through college. KIPP SoCal Public Schools have won three National Blue Ribbon School awards, nine California Distinguished School awards, nine U.S. News & World Report “Best Schools” across the country awards, and 11 Top LA County Public School awards.

Learn more at www.kippsocal.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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KIPP SoCal Media Relations
press@kippsocal.org