May 23 2008
South LA Groups Demand Investigation Into Contributions To MTA Board Member
GUEST: Damien Goodmon, Coordinator, Citizens Campaign to Fix the Expo Rail Line
South LA community organizations have uncovered apparently illegal campaign contributions from a contractor to an MTA board member. Former LA police chief Bernard Parks who sits on the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has accepted almost $20,000 from Tutor-Saliba, and smaller donations from other contractors to fund his election campaign for LA County Supervisor. The organizations who are calling for an investigation into these contributions include Save Leimert, Expo Communities United, and Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Homeowners’ Coalition. They represent a growing chorus of voices that oppose the construction of a light rail project saying that it impacts communities of color disproportionately compared to the majority white communities in other areas. Part of the criticism is that the light rail is designed to be similar to an existing rail, the Blue Line. Ninety people have been killed in over 800 accidents at the Blue Line, making it the most dangerous light rail system in the nation.
For more information, visit www.fixexpo.org or call 323-761-6435.
One Response to “South LA Groups Demand Investigation Into Contributions To MTA Board Member”
How many people have been killed in autos in a like period? Cars have ruined our cities already. But I see the point & it’s true–no poor person is ever justly compensated for damages done. If the train tracks run through your house, too bad.