Last week, when Pres. Donald Trump sent federal troops into Los Angeles and escalated ICE raids across Southern California, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) didn’t stay silent. As chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, she led more than 30 lawmakers in a Capitol press conference denouncing what she called “unconstitutional actions.”
“Mr. President, stop provoking fear and violence in L.A. County,” McKinnor said. “We are not your political punching bag. We are a strong people — we are good people, and we will not be bullied.”
She urged calm, adding, “Remain peaceful. Peace is our power.”
Despite statements like these — and others from Black elected officials across the state — a narrative persists that Black leaders have been quiet. But California’s Black lawmakers are speaking out forcefully, even if media coverage hasn’t kept pace.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), co-chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), has been one of the most vocal critics of ICE operations. “I wasn’t just watching videos on the timeline. I was out in the streets,” Bryan said at a June 10 Capitol press conference organized by the Latino, Black, and Diversity caucuses. “They’re showing up at our elementary schools, and they’re taking children. They’re harassing our community members.”
Bryan, who represents parts of South Los Angeles and Culver City, called out ICE activity at car washes in his district and condemned the use of federal force against protesters. “Los Angeles is the home of Black and Brown solidarity,” he said. “If you attack one vulnerable community in Los Angeles, you have attacked all communities in Los Angeles, and we stand up together.”