𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬: Santa Monica Workers Call for Affordable Homes on Former Airport Land

SANTA MONICA — On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a coalition of Santa Monica residents, workers, faith leaders, and students rallied on the steps of City Hall, urging the Santa Monica City Council to include deeply affordable housing in redevelopment plans for the nearly 200-acre Santa Monica Airport site, which is slated to close by the end of 2028.

The event, titled Home is Sacred, was organized by Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), the Cloverfield Commons Coalition, and UNITE HERE! Local 11. The demonstration brought forward a broad spectrum of voices advocating for a mixed-use vision that includes both limited-equity housing and substantial open space.

Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels and Father Nate Rugh opened the event by framing housing as a moral and spiritual imperative. “There’s got to be some room in over 200 acres for affordable housing,” said Rabbi Comess-Daniels. “There’s got to be room for people who work here to live here.”

Among the speakers were long-time hotel workers Maria Espinoza and Valerie Martin, both members of UNITE HERE! Local 11. Martin, a front desk worker at the Courtyard Hotel, described being born and raised in Santa Monica, yet unable to afford living in the community her family has called home since the 1960s. “We, the essential workers, are the ones that make this city run,” Martin said. “And yet we can’t afford to live here.”

The proposal known as Cloverfield Commons envisions a modestly scaled, mixed-income development on a portion of the airport land, including limited-equity co-op housing for local workers and displaced families, along with a public park. Advocates say the project aligns with Measure LC—a 2014 voter-approved initiative requiring the land be reserved for parks or open space unless otherwise approved by voters.

Hajar Muqtasid St. Clair, a community leader and member of the original Cloverfield Commons Visioning Committee, addressed the city’s historical displacement of Black and Latino families from the Belmar Triangle and the Pico neighborhood. “This is not charity. This is justice,” she said. “Let’s bring displaced families home—not with plaques, but with policy.”

Santa Monica Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya, also in attendance, urged the city to embrace change. “Buildings don’t make a community—people do,” she said. “It’s time to start finding opportunities to say yes.”

Youth voices also took the stage. Maya Luna Muñoz, a Santa Monica High School sophomore and third-generation resident, called affordable housing a human right. “This doesn’t just mean four walls and a roof. It means accessibility, stability, autonomy, and comfort,” she said. “This development will strengthen our community as a whole.”

Reneé Buchanan, a former Santa Monica Housing Commissioner who once experienced homelessness, spoke about the evolving priorities facing the city. “Ten years ago, building a great park where the airport now stands seemed like the best way to meet our community’s needs,” Buchanan said. “Today, however, the landscape has changed; and so must our vision also change.”

Speakers encouraged attendees to complete the City of Santa Monica’s online Survey 3A—available through April 27—and to engage with VES 4, the city's virtual planning session that outlines redevelopment options.

Denny Zane, founder of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, and Rev. Jim Conn, CLUE leader and former Santa Monica mayor, both spoke on the city’s long legacy of housing advocacy. They called this moment a pivotal chance to revive Santa Monica’s progressive roots and re-center housing as a public good.

Santa Monica Closeup was on the ground to document the demonstration and will continue tracking the council’s decision-making process as it moves toward selecting a final redevelopment plan by the end of 2025.

— For more information and to get involved, visit www.cloverfieldcommons.com
Santa Monica Closeup will continue coverage on housing, land use, and public policy affecting the city.
© SM©U | All rights reserved.

𝗚𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧: Santa Monica Environmentalist Links Gasoline to Trump Support

Santa Monica, Calif. – Longtime environmental advocate Paul Scott was spotted holding a bold sign at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Fourth Street in front of the ARCO gas station in Santa Monica. The sign read: “WHEN YOU BUY GAS YOU SUPPORT TRUMP.”

Scott, co-founder of Plug In America and a figure featured in the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?, said his goal is to draw attention to the connection between consumer gas purchases and political contributions from oil companies. Speaking during rush hour, Scott explained that oil industry profits—fueled by consumer gasoline purchases—have historically funded conservative political campaigns, including Donald Trump’s.

“I want to plant a seed of guilt,” Scott said. “When people buy gas, that money flows to oil companies, which in turn spend billions backing Trump and MAGA politicians.”

Scott emphasized that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial for political and environmental change. His goal, he said, is to reduce demand for internal combustion vehicles by urging progressive buyers to go electric—ultimately shrinking the market and forcing a shift in manufacturing.

He aims to continue his protest for four years, standing at the same corner for one hour each weekday to maximize visibility. “I get paid in thumbs up and friendly honks,” he added, noting that even negative reactions serve as confirmation that his message is being noticed.

Scott began this campaign in February and views it as an act of direct advocacy, using himself as a “live-action ad” to push for systemic change in transportation and political funding.

Hundreds March in Santa Monica | March for Humanity 2025 Immigration Rights Rally

Santa Monica, CA – March 22, 2025 — Several hundred people marched through the streets of Santa Monica on Saturday during the March for Humanity, a landmark event organized by the Mexican American Policy and Advocacy Alliance (MAPAA) in collaboration with regional allies, immigration advocates, and West Los Angeles leaders.

The event, which ran from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, began at Santa Monica College, proceeded down Pico Boulevard, cut through Tongva Park, and concluded at the Santa Monica Pier. The march brought together immigrant rights stakeholders, community leaders, and Westside influencers to call for dignity, safety, and respect for immigrant families.

The day featured a peaceful march, a rally with speakers and performances, and a resource fair offering support services and educational materials. Organizers described the event as a platform to amplify voices advocating for immigrant rights while fostering cross-cultural unity and understanding.

“We are at a critical moment for our people and our nation,” said Daniel Alonzo, MAPAA Co-Founder and originator of the March for Humanity. “The March for Humanity is more than an event—it’s a movement to reclaim the narrative around immigration and to build bridges of understanding and compassion across cultures. We are calling on all who believe in pursuing justice, restoring dignity, and reclaiming our humanity as people, as a Nation, and as a species.”

The march marked a significant moment for immigration advocacy on the Westside, with participants emphasizing the need for policy reform and renewed focus on compassion and equity in the national dialogue.

Tesla Boycott Protest in Santa Monica | Demonstrators Rally Against Elon Musk’s Business Practices

A large group of demonstrators gathered at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade on Saturday, March 15, 2025, to protest against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, accusing him of using his wealth and influence to dismantle the U.S. federal government. The protest, organized under the Tesla Takedown movement, called for a boycott of Tesla, urging people to sell their vehicles, divest from Tesla stock, and join the picket lines.

Throughout the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans condemning Musk’s influence and corporate greed. Their voices rang out with calls of “Stop attacking workers now,” “Up, up, up with the workers! Down, down, down with the billionaires,” and “No justice, no peace.” Others shouted, “Elon Musk is a thief,” “Money for jobs and education, not for greedy corporations,” and “All power to the people.” Protesters also decried systemic exploitation, chanting, “No more greedy exploitation” and “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA.”

Several speakers took the microphone, delivering impassioned speeches about the economic and political consequences of Musk’s actions. A representative from the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) addressed the crowd, warning against corporate and government corruption. “Are we going to stand by while Musk and his gang steal our jobs, abandon our children, and leave workers living paycheck to paycheck? No! The politicians have left us behind—we have to fight for ourselves, and we will win because the vast majority of people are with us,” the speaker declared.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with organizers emphasizing their commitment to nonviolent resistance and exercising their First Amendment right to protest. Authorities monitored the event, but no major incidents were reported.

The Santa Monica protest was part of a larger nationwide movement, with similar demonstrations occurring in other cities. Protesters aim to disrupt Tesla’s financial standing as a means of countering Musk’s growing political influence. Neither Elon Musk nor Tesla representatives have issued a formal response to the protest. However, recent statements from Musk and President Donald Trump have characterized the demonstrations as an attack on corporate innovation.

The Tesla Takedown movement remains steadfast in its calls for continued action, urging supporters to boycott Tesla, demand corporate accountability, and challenge economic inequality. Organizers say more demonstrations are planned in the coming weeks as the movement continues to grow.

STUDENTS WALK OUT: Santa Monica High Students Protest Trump Immigration Policies

SANTA MONICA—Hundreds of Santa Monica High School students staged a walkout on Thursday, February 6, 2025, marching to City Hall in protest of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The demonstration was part of a larger movement of student-led walkouts across Southern California, now in its fifth consecutive day.

At noon, students poured through the school gates, carrying signs and chanting in opposition to deportations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. The protest was organized in response to concerns over family separations, migrant detentions, and policies that activists say disproportionately target marginalized communities.

Social media played a key role in mobilizing students, with posts encouraging participation in both off-campus marches and on-campus demonstrations. Some students occupied school hallways in a show of solidarity, while others joined the march through Santa Monica streets.

At City Hall, student speakers took turns addressing the crowd, amplifying their demands for justice.

“Seeking safety is a human right—no human being is illegal!” one protester declared to a chorus of cheers.

Another student emphasized the broader implications of the administration’s policies: “They are gutting our education, erasing our history, and stripping away our rights. If we don’t act now, what future will be left for us?”

Protesters also linked immigration policies to wider social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and economic inequality.

“Democracy is not set in stone—it’s a flame passed down from generation to generation. And we will not let that flame go out,” a student speaker urged.

The demonstration joined a wave of similar protests in Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and other cities, as young people continue to mobilize against policies they describe as “a system built on fear, racism, and power.”

The Santa Monica walkout is one of many unfolding across the nation, underscoring a growing movement of youth activism demanding systemic change.

Black Friday Boycott: Pro-Palestine Protesters Rally in Downtown Santa Monica

On Friday, November 29, 2024, protests broke out in Downtown Santa Monica during Black Friday, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Demonstrators gathered to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and urged a boycott of holiday shopping to draw attention to their cause. Protesters blocked traffic along Broadway Avenue near Santa Monica Place Mall, chanting slogans in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Chants such as "Free, free, Palestine" and "The people united will never be defeated" resonated through the streets as the group marched from Tongva Park to the downtown shopping district. The protests temporarily shut down traffic on Broadway between 2nd and 4th Streets as activists rallied in front of the bustling mall, calling for consumers to join the boycott and stand in solidarity with Palestine. Organizers emphasized the connection between consumer activism and global advocacy, urging participants to resist economic systems they believe perpetuate conflict. Similar demonstrations were reported in cities worldwide as part of a broader movement aligning with the start of the holiday shopping season to amplify calls for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Falun Gong Practitioners March in Santa Monica, Urging End to Persecution and Organ Harvesting in China

Santa Monica, October 20, 2024: Falun Gong practitioners marched along the Third Street Promenade, holding signs that read "Stop Persecution of Falun Gong in China" and "Falun Dafa is Good," in an effort to raise awareness about the persecution faced by Falun Gong adherents in China.

Palisades Park has become a weekly gathering spot for these practitioners, where they not only engage in their spiritual exercises but also use the opportunity to highlight the plight of Falun Gong believers. Their mission is to bring attention to the injustices carried out by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations, urging for global solidarity against human rights violations.

One of the core issues raised is the alarming practice of forced organ harvesting, particularly impacting Falun Gong adherents and other political prisoners in China. Reports of political prisoners being executed to meet organ demands have generated widespread concern and calls for international intervention.

Falun Gong, also known as "Falun Dafa," is a spiritual discipline with roots in Buddhist traditions, emphasizing truth, compassion, and tolerance. For those interested in learning more about its teachings, FalunDafa.org provides a wealth of information on its philosophy, exercises, and the inspiring stories of practitioners.

 

Activists March for Plant-Based Treaty at Santa Monica Pier, Demand Global Climate Action

 

Santa Monica, CA – On Saturday, September 14, 2024, demonstrators gathered at the Santa Monica Pier to rally in support of the Plant-Based Treaty, urging immediate climate action. Marchers carried banners reading "I Endorse the Plant-Based" and "Eat Plants, Plant Trees" as they chanted, "What do we want? Climate action! When do we want it? Now!" echoing their demand for urgent steps to address environmental degradation.

The Plant-Based Treaty movement is calling for an international agreement to complement the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, specifically targeting food systems to halt deforestation, promote plant-based diets, and restore ecosystems. Organizers emphasized the treaty’s core principles: halting land use changes for animal agriculture, transitioning to sustainable plant-based systems, and actively restoring ecosystems.

The rally sought to build momentum by encouraging individuals, businesses, and local governments to endorse the treaty and advocate for its adoption in global climate negotiations. As the chants of "Stand up, fight back!" rang through the pier, supporters aimed to send a clear message: the time for climate action is now.