By: Kat Littfin

Editorial Editor

On Mar. 13, Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga recognized the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition (LGARC) as a Presidential Community Hero in District 5. The group has been responsible for several mobilization efforts throughout the town in light of recent national events and has been active in the community since its inception.

Los Gatos citizens founded the coalition in 2020, when LGHS students held an anti-racism protest in June of that year. Since then, the group has regularly advocated for “graduates from [Los Gatos] schools to possess a functional understanding of systemic racism in history, literature, and our daily lives.” According to the website, they also strive for “a larger role for unarmed and specialized social workers in public safety and a smaller role for armed police officers.” To achieve this mission, the LGARC has advocated for affordable housing and police reform at town council meetings, published works in their publication, The Salon, and recently launched a rental assistance program aimed to prevent evictions of community members unable to afford rising rent costs.

This year, the coalition has been primarily focused on addressing the heightened presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in nearby communities. Throughout January and February, the organization hosted events like a Know-Your-Rights training in partnership with the Rapid Response Network to prepare for encounters with ICE agents. They had activities like whistle packing and creating posters and presented information on how to aid local efforts against ICE encroachment. Furthermore, the group hosted silent vigils outside of the Los Gatos Library on several Saturday mornings throughout the beginning of the year to stand in solidarity with those killed and detained by federal enforcement officials. This work is what earned the organization recognition from the County; as Supervisor Abe-Koga stated in an Instagram post, “The LGARC raises awareness of inequities in the Bay Area and mobilizes folks to fight for concrete and anti-racist change.”

Alongside efforts by the LGARC, other organizations in Los Gatos have also been involved in working against the increasing ICE presence. The Los Gatos Town Council’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission has started a “Handwriting the Constitution” project that has been endorsed by the council. The description of the project reads, “It would be part of a series of participatory art events, bringing together Los Gatos residents to transcribe the entire U.S. Constitution by hand onto foam boards with ink pens,” according to the Mercury News.

Between the LGARC and other efforts by community members, there are many ways to become politically active in our town. 

(Sources: Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition, Mercury News)