Local Briefs 2

Gascon Recall Petition Approved

5/20: Controversial progressive reformer George Gascon was elected to be the Los Angeles County District Attorney in the November 4, 2020 election. 180 days later, the earliest date possible, concerned residents were gathering signatures on a petition

The Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder announced today that the recall petition has been approved in form. Backers will need to gather 579,000 signatures by registered voters in LA County, before the November 1, 2021 deadline. If they succeed, a recall would be held early in 2022.

Victims of Violent Crime for the Recall of District Attorney Gascon, which has been organizing the recall effort, said it would formally kick-off the petition drive in the coming days with a press conference at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.

“George Gascon got elected by disguising a radical, dangerous, and pro-criminal agenda as ‘criminal justice reform,’ but that’s not what he is doing,” Desiree Andrade, organizer and spokesperson for the Recall George Gascon campaign, said in a press release. “What he failed to mention was that he would cater to the most heinous offenders in our society at the expense of victims and let cold-blooded killers back onto our streets.

Aero Theater Reopens

5/19: American Cinematheque, the nonprofit cultural, arts and film preservation group, announced that the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica will reopen on June 10th. It closed on March 19th, the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"After over a year away from our beloved cinemas, the American Cinematheque is thrilled to welcome its members and film lovers back to the Aero, and we are so excited to offer great screenings and programming through our new location in Los Feliz," writes American Cinematheque Executive Director Ken Scherer.

An advance screening of Lin-Manuel Miranda's "The Heights" will premier at the Aero on June 11. Also in June, shows will include 70mm screenings of classics "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Vertigo," "Lawrence of Arabia" and “Tenet."

YMCA Partially Reopens

Located on Santa Monica Blvd just north of 7th Street, the SM YMCA has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic began. There is a glimmer of hope that it may soon reopen.

“On May 3 the Y resumed from the exclusively remote operations to the in-person and hybrid services,” write Lidia Margarian, YMCA Chronic Disease Prevention Director. “The Y reopened the facility to the adult members consistent with LA County Public Health protocols for safe reopening to 10% of capacity.”

Margarian hinted that the Y may partially reopen by the end of this month.

“I would like to reconnect and invite you to join me on Wednesday, May 26 from 9:00am - 9:45am. I have some exciting news to share with you about our Chronic Disease Prevention program and grant funds as well as our current virtual services provided to our communities.”

Margarian notes that the Y “has been providing the Youth Distance Learning and the Child Care Development Center programs. The Y also welcomed the American Red Cross to schedule several blood drives at the YMCA.”

She adds that a Diabetes prevention program online, and exercise classes were conducted on Zoom throughout the Pandemic.