City Council candidate took part in a variety of virtual events in July

Despite the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, City Council candidate Yasmine-Imani McMorrin has been using every opportunity to connect with the people of Culver City.

In July, McMorrin participated in an online Community Forum, hosted a Town Hall, held a Connect with Yasmine event, and even took part in a virtual BBQ. The forums were focused on primary concerns for Culver City residents, including housing, equity, and health, which are also among the top priorities driving McMorrin’s campaign.

“I am glad there are so many opportunities to discuss my plans for addressing the most vital issues with the people of Culver City,” said McMorrin.

Yasmine-Imani McMorrin attended the Culver City Democratic Club’s Virtual BBQ Candidate Forum on July 4th, where she emphasized her message of inclusion at this watershed moment in our nation’s history.

“My candidacy is based on inclusion,” McMorrin explained. “If elected, I will prioritize diversity and equity, and advocate for policies that promote the full acceptance of all people, in all aspects of community life. I will encourage a dialogue among stakeholders, and bring all sectors of the city together to address concerns.”

The candidate was also a part of a Stay In Your Home Community Forum for Culver City Renters & Supporters on July 11th, which explored ways to help residents remain in their homes during this time of economic instability.

“My housing platform includes plans to expand the eviction moratorium, and other tenant protections enacted during the COVID-19 emergency,” stated McMorrin. “I support zoning amendments that mandate affordable housing, and am advocating for the temporary 3% rent freeze enacted in August, 2019 to be made permanent.

“I will also move to decriminalize homelessness in the city, and instead, fund supportive services programs that address mental health and substance abuse issues, while providing temporary and permanent solutions for unhoused residents.”

McMorrin hosted a more intimate discussion on July 14th, one of her ongoing series of Connect with Yasmine events. The session featured special guest Portia Allen-Kyle, Civil Rights Attorney & Principal at FuturaBold, a management consulting firm. The two discussed a range of issues, including the Black Lives Matter movement, prioritizing equity in government, and persistent threats to civil rights.

The candidate’s Town Hall on Community Well-being July 26th included three speakers addressing different aspects of health policy – public health professional Gayle Haberman, small business owner Jamila McGill, and education consultant Miguel Angel Segura.

“Health, well-being, and safety are vitally important for the people of Culver City, for me, my campaign, and my goals for the City Council,” said McMorrin. “Whether it’s enhancing mobility, so everyone can safely access parks and natural areas, or encouraging clean air and water quality standards, resource sustainability, habitat preservation, climate mitigation, and environmental justice, I have made protecting the health and safety of our residents a cornerstone of my campaign. If elected, I will continue to push for closing the Inglewood Oil Field, and find a better use for its land, as well as supporting efforts to improve the water quality of La Ballona Creek, a precious watershed for our local environment.

“Public safety is also a major concern,” continued McMorrin. “At this time of civil unrest, our City Council should be open-minded when examining ways to re-imagine public safety as a spectrum of services that is not limited to policing. We should consider a reduction in the CCPD budget, and a reallocation of funds to social programs and services. I also support establishing a Community Police Oversight Board as part of an effort to implement more effective police accountability systems, and strengthening anti-racist and anti-bias training for public safety officers and all city employees.

“Our city’s COVID-19 response is also a critical public health issue. I will encourage policies supported by infectious disease specialists and public health officials in order to prioritize the health of our community members, and will work with all sectors of the community to implement COVID-19 safeguard policies, including the responsible relaxation of safeguards.

“Safe streets are an additional priority for my campaign,” added McMorrin. “The city must ensure safe access for everyone, including people of all ages, pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of mobility devices, including walkers and motorized or non-motorized wheelchairs.”

Yasmine-Imani McMorrin’s campaign has attracting enthusiastic support from Culver City voters, and has received early endorsements from Culver City Vice Mayor Alex Fisch, Council Members Daniel Lee and Meghan Sahli-Wells, Culver City School Board President Summer McBride, and School Board Member Dr. Kelly Kent.

The candidate currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Culver City General Plan Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Culver City Unified School District Equity Strategic Planning Committee. She was recently promoted to Interim Dean of Students and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at USC Gould School of Law, where she works to support students’ well-being during their law school journey, while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

For more information on the candidate, and to endorse, volunteer, or contribute to her campaign, please visit https://www.mcmorrinforculvercity.com.