Inglewood Transit Connector Raises
Concerns from the Public and Power Players
By Veronica Mackey
The proposed Inglewood Transit Connector, a 1.6-mile automated people mover, aimed at bridging
the transportation gap between the Metro K-Line and Inglewood’s new destination centers, was a hot topic at Tuesday’s Inglewood City Council Meeting.
The room was packed with constituents eager to speak on whether or not the City should move ahead and adopt a resolution appointing individuals to the ITC’s Climate
Resilience District Board. Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., Councilman Eloy Morales and Robert
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Rally and Press Conference Held to Demand End of Police Violence
On Tuesday, the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of Generations held a rally and press conference in front of LAPD Headquarters at 100 W. 1st Street in Los Angeles.
Community members, including family members of those killed by the LAPD demanded an end to police violence and the rejection of the militarization of policing through projects like “Cop City.”
The rally, organized by the Youth
Justice Coalition and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, is part of a national day of action taking place across more than 25 cities in the U.S. It is designed to bring together families, activists, and community organizations calling for justice and systemic change. Los Angeles continues to be at the forefront of the movement against police brutality, with its long history of police violence, from the beating of Rodney King to the killings of Ezell Ford, Wakeisha Wilson, and others.
Speakers included Helen Jones, mother of John Horton; Quintis Moore, father of Grechario Mack; Leticia
Barron, mother of Mauricio Barron; Christopher Okamoto’s mother Tammy Nash Perry; Melina Abdullah, Black Lives Matter Grassroots and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles; Tauheedah Shakur, Youth Justice Coalition; Joseph Williams, Director of Students Deserve; and Greg Akili, Black Lives Matter Grassroots and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles
October 22 has been a national day of action since 1996, highlighting the ongoing crisis of police violence across the U.S. The movement to #StopCopNation is a vehicle to advance a unified struggle for liberation and
against the expansion of fascism by building solidarity amongst movements for justice that are, at their roots, interconnected and interdependent. Stop Cop Nation is a call to action to raise awareness and stop construction of militarized police training centers across America.
At $90M, Atlanta’s planned ‘Cop City’ is expected to become one of the largest police training centers in the United States. The influx of these facilities parallels the emergence of the
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Inglewood Today News
Publisher’s Message
Councilwoman Gray’s Complaint Raises Concern Over How Women are Treated
By Willie Brown
As the City of Inglewood continues to build new infrastructure, it appears the foundation of our leadership is being severely fractured. Inglewood Today has learned that Inglewood City Councilwoman Gloria Gray has filed a formal complaint against Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. She is accusing him of creating a hostile work environment and engaging in behavior she describes as both intimidating and retaliatory.
The complaint, obtained exclusively by Inglewood Today, outlines a series of allegations that detail Mayor
Butts’ aggressive demeanor toward Gray, beginning shortly after she was elected as Councilwoman for District 1, in April of 2023. In the complaint, Gray accuses the mayor of engaging in unprofessional conduct, including uncontrollable yelling, public humiliation during council meetings, and the withholding of resources from her district.
Gray and Mayor Butts were once close allies, with a friendship that spans over a decade. She was one of his earliest supporters when he first ran for mayor. Over the course of their friendship, Butts often publicly praised Gray for her contributions to the City.
Now, according to Gray, the tone has shifted dramatically. Apparently, as the mayor has grown in popularity, so has his list of professional conflicts with women hired by the City.
“I am uncomfortable and stressed by his behavior,” Gray states in her letter. She recalls multiple incidents in which the mayor allegedly demeaned her during council meetings, dismissing her concerns and, on at least one occasion, berating her in front of city staff.
According to the
Inglewood Today
Announces Internships
Inglewood Today (https:// inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/research assistants. The 31-year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.
Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.
Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@inglewoodtoday. com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.
complaint, Gray alleges Mayor Butts has intentionally withheld support for District 1 initiatives, impacting the resources available to her constituents.
The councilwoman also notes several instances of intimidation, including a recent meeting where the mayor allegedly entered uninvited and began yelling uncontrollably, causing her undue stress. Gray’s concerns are further heightened by the mayor’s background as a former Police Chief, which she claims makes his physical presence and law enforcement training all the more intimidating in light of his hostile behavior.
“This was another traumatic demonstration of the mayor’s abusive behavior which has caused me undue stress,” Gray writes in her letter. She is now calling for an independent investigation, citing the need for a fair and thorough review of the mayor’s conduct.
Gloria’s allegations suggest that Butts has a pattern of disrespect and retaliation against women in the workplace. Her complaint comes at a time when the Mayor and the City of Inglewood are being sued by Melanie McDade, his former assistant and girlfriend, for $65 million. The case involves claims of wrongful termination and retaliation, McDade alleges, because of her breakup with Butts. Additionally, former Inglewood
City Treasurer, Wanda Brown, publicly clashed with the Mayor, citing disrespect and retaliation as reasons for her removal from certain duties.
While these previous incidents have been publicly reported, the pattern of accusations, particularly involving women in professional settings, casts a shadow over Inglewood’s leadership as the city is experiencing a historic economic transformation.
Gloria Gray’s formal complaint highlights growing concerns about the behavior of the city’s leadership and its treatment of women in the workplace. While the Councilwoman has made her allegations public, it remains unclear how other members of the Inglewood City Council view the complaint or whether they take a position on either side.
Inglewood Today has reached out to both City Manager Mark Weinberg and Mayor Butts for comment, but as of this writing, we have not received a response.
The outcome of this conflict remains uncertain, but the situation sheds light on the complexity of leadership in Inglewood and raises important questions about the dynamics between those in power and what Inglewood’s near future may hold.
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Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
LA Metro To Offer Free Rides On Election Day
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will offer free rides on all Metro buses, trains, Metro Bike Share and Metro Micro on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Metro will not collect fare from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 5. Metro encourages all eligible county residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote. By offering free rides on Election Day, Metro is doing its part to encourage voter turnout and make it easier for people to travel to and from local polling places.
Metro Bike Share
Additionally, Metro’s Bike Share Program will be providing free 30-minute rides on Election Day with the promo code 110524. Just select 1-Ride at any Metro Bike Share kiosk, online or in the Metro Bike Share app and enter the code at checkout to redeem the free ride. A credit or debit card is required. The promo code may be redeemed multiple times throughout the day. Electric Metro Bike fees are waived, and bike rides are just an additional $1.75 for each half hour after the first 30 minutes.
Metro Bike Share has created an
interactive map for users to easily locate in-person voting locations and ballot drop boxes for users to pedal to the polls on Election Day, available at https://bikeshare.metro.net/go-vote/. Metro encourages customers to share the hashtag #pedaltothepolls along with tagging photos @bikemetro on social media for a chance to be featured on Metro feeds.
Metro Micro Metro’s on-demand rideshare service Metro Micro will also be providing free rides on Election Day. Metro Micro provides short trips in eight zones across Los Angeles County. Use the coupon code Vote24
when booking your trip on the app, online, or through the call center at 323-GO-METRO (323-466-3876) and press option 5. This coupon code is only valid on Election Day.
Vote-By-Mail
Vote-By-Mail returns to nine Metro stations, thanks to the continuing partnership with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office (RR/CC). This effort will expand voting access for persons who use or live near Metro stations for the upcoming General Election in November.
As with previous elections, drop boxes are strategically placed in
clear view of CCTV cameras, and designed to deter tampering. Stations with VoteBy-Mail Drop Boxes include:
• Union Station (east portal)
• El Monte Bus Transit Center (plaza area)
• Harbor Gateway Transit Center (transit plaza area)
• Harbor Freeway C Line (park and ride area)
• Hollywood/Western B Line (plaza area)
• North Hollywood B Line (east plaza area)
• Norwalk C Line (east plaza area)
• Westlake/MacArthur Park B & D Lines (courtyard area)
• Wilshire/Vermont B & D Lines (courtyard area)
Additionally, Metro headquarters in Union Station will have a voting center on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
For more information, please visit https://thesource.metro.net/vote-bymail-at-selected-metro-stations.
Leaked Letter to Mayor Butts: Hollywood Park Rejects ITC Project, Casting Doubt On Project’s Future
Inglewood Today has obtained a leaked document sent to Mayor James Butts by Otto Maly of the Kroenke Group, speaking on behalf of major Hollywood Park businesses. In a 2-page letter, Maly respectfully rejects supporting the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project, citing several reasons for their decision, with unnecessary traffic congestion being their greatest concern. Maly also notes that Hollywood Park “remains” of this view, suggesting they may have never fully supported the project— despite being among its primary beneficiaries. This raises significant questions about the viability of the $2 billion project if the entities that the project aims to serve are hesitant to
Inglewood Today News
Inglewood Today News
Sports & Entertainment
Several Black Californians key to Olympics planning
From politicians and businesspeople to athletes and community leaders, a number of Black Californians are contributing to the thought leadership that is shaping the planning of LA28, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.
“The 2028 Games present an incredible opportunity to unite our city and lift up every corner of Los Angeles,” said Bass during a historic event at Los Angeles City Hall on Sept. 13, when the Olympic and Paralympic flags were unveiled and installed.
“From creating jobs to supporting small businesses, we are committed to ensuring that these Games benefit all Angelenos — not just for the summer of 2028, but for decades to come,” Bass added.
On Aug. 11, Bass received the Olympic flag at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, making history by becoming the first ever Black woman Mayor to receive the Olympic flag at a closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Team USA Gymnast Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, joined Bass on stage, sharing that historic moment.
Nearly two months after the Olympic flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Los Angeles. Accompanied by IOC VicePresident Nicole Hoevertsz, head of the Coordination Commission for the LA28 Games, and IOC Members Anita DeFrantz and Hong Zhang, Bach was welcomed by Bass and
LA28 President Casey Wasserman. Bach toured several of the city’s newest world-class sporting venues, including the SoFi Stadium and the recently opened Intuit Dome, both located in Inglewood. At the stadiums, she was joined by two other Los Angeles County Black mayors, whose cities will be key to hosting LA28 events: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts and Long
Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. SoFi Stadium, known as the home of NFL teams the LA Rams and LA Chargers, will host swimming competitions during the LA28 Games, with a temporary pool set to make it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, boasting 38,000 seats.
We Should All Follow The Georgia Voter Turnout Example
By: Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
On the first day of voting in the state of Georgia, more than 344,000 people waited in lines for as long as it took to cast their votes in this November’s General Election. This first day of voting was greater than the number voting on the first day four years ago in Georgia. Former President Jimmy Carter, who turned 100 years old a couple of weeks ago, had a dream realized. He had expressed a hope that he would live long enough after turning100 years old, to cast his vote for Kamala Harris to become the first woman President of these united states. Nationwide over 6.6 million
people have already cast their ballots in early elections.
We must remember that the state of Georgia gave us democratic control of the U.S. Senate in sending both a Black and a Jewish person to the Senate in spite of Trump’s efforts to steal votes. Bringing the issue close to home, each of us must follow the examples of these early voters and not only vote as soon as possible, but also be in touch with friends and family in other cities and states to encourage all to vote. While voting, we must not forget those running for other positions like the Congress, the Senate and state and local elections. Every vote counts and your vote is among the “every vote counts”.
We should not forget the Propositions and local Measures on our ballots. Some of us are already showing signs of not wanting to hear the continuous call for voter registration and voting. But let’s remember that our very future hangs on this election in more ways than one.
Many of those voting for and supporting Donald Trump know that he is unfit to hold office as President of the United States. As former Congresswoman Liz Cheney states, “he should never be allowed near the Oval Office again.” But the vote for Trump is not about Trump. It’s about the vehicle he represents for moving the radical conservative
agenda to gain additional judges on the Supreme Court and in Federal Judgeships as a means to move America towards restoring policies and power to the rich and the few for generations to come. It’s about “they the people” and not the “We the people” that includes the diverse and working class people of this country. Let’s not lose our freedoms because of a failure to vote. It’s a matter of life and death, no matter where you live or whether or not you think your vote counts. Remember, a no vote is the same as a vote for those running against your interest.
Inglewood Today News
RAPID Survey Sheds Light on Financially Strapped Families
By Maya Mackey
The RAPID-California Voices Project has published its first survey that tracks needs and experiences of parents of young children in L.A. County. The data presented was gathered between November 2022 and May 2024.
Parents of children six and under expressed that affording the necessities of life has become a struggle. When asked about their overall economic well-being, 60% described their financial problems as being “major” or “extreme.”
school program, community center/ non-profit, or family member.
Organizations like Community Coalition in Vermont Square or your local YMCA offers free to low-cost care for your child that is safe, fun and develops the child emotionally and mentally so that they are equipped to conduct themselves successfully when they join grade school and beyond.
We often overlook the importance of raising emotionally intelligent and regulated kids but the data backs up the philosophy of mind, body, and
The report also focused on material hardship aka “the bare necessities of life.” Results showed that in May 2024, 71% of LA County parents reported struggling with acquiring at least one primary need for their child (childcare, diapers, food, housing or healthcare). Most parents reported the reason behind their material hardship is also due to financial hardship.
“My biggest concern is not being able to pay rent, and if I do pay it, I won’t have enough for food,” exclaims one Los Angeles parent.
With a high stakes election rapidly approaching, we the people must ensure we make our voices heard and demand the change we need to build and sustain families successfully. Prop 33 could bring back rent control. Measures A and 5 will generate funds via taxes and bonds to build more inclusive affordable housing. Prop 35 aims to raise the minimum wage. If you’re a parent who identifies with the struggles in the RAPID-California Voices Survey, consider voting yes on these propositions and give yourself a fighting chance at caring for your family with less struggle and strife.
Kamala Harris has said one of her top priorities is to help the middle class and create an extended $6,000 child tax credit to cover essential childcare costs like food and adult supervision. With the price of childcare centers steadily increasing, it may be time to lean on alternative means like your local church, after
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support it. This declaration delivers a critical blow to the momentum of the ITC project and raises serious questions about its future.
Maly continues in the letter by highlighting the success of the City’s shuttle program, operated by LAZ Parking, which helps thousands of riders each week navigate to and from SoFi Stadium. He also points out that Hollywood Park donated 4 acres of land to the City, a gesture that he describes as lucrative for the City. Building on this, Maly suggests revisiting the development of the “so-called Civic site” with a transit hub, further revealing that alternative solutions to the ITC have potentially been in discussions for quite some time.
Members of the community have echoed similar concerns since conversations began, suggesting that the ITC is attempting to solve a problem that shuttles can or may already address. At an ITC Open House in March 2023, one resident asked why shuttles couldn’t be used to transport patrons from the Metro K Line to SoFi Stadium. The resident proposed that the City could still develop the Florence and Market Street lot as a transit station, but focus on using it for ride-sharing and shuttle services into the district. “This would still create jobs and generate revenue for the City over time based on the partnerships we put in place. We just have to be creative, and that takes more than a handful of people thinking about this.”
funds come from? Maly reinforces this point in his letter, stating, “Given the more than $5 billion spent on SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, the NFL office, and 314 residential units... Hollywood Park has made game-changing investments in the City of Inglewood.” He concludes firmly, “We are not prepared to take any financial responsibility for longterm operations or maintenance of the ITC, nor do we believe fans not utilizing the ITC should be subject to additional fees to cover these costs.”
This statement echoes the concerns of residents, who are also asking where the funds for the ITC’s upkeep will come from. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, District 1 Councilwoman Gloria Gray addressed the need for greater transparency regarding the $32 million in maintenance costs and questioned who will bear this financial burden. She argued that many members of the public remain unaware of this fact and posed the question, “Is this the correct project to mitigate the traffic? It should be a full discussion, where the community has input.”
spirit. When our kids are cared for on an emotional level, they are more mentally sturdy, and grow up with a sense of resiliency, problem-solving skills and generally make better decisions than kids who are neglected or abused.
The American way of raising kids—sans a village—is killing us. Let’s use every tool in our arsenal to thrive - including voting for candidates and ordinances that give us a boost and seeking all means of support to care for our kids while we handle our business.
This underscores the broader argument against the ITC project. While Maly suggests that shuttles are an effective way to manage traffic capacity, the ITC would actually require the loss of one lane on Prairie Avenue, potentially worsening traffic congestion. This is a critical concern not just for Hollywood Park, but also for local businesses along the construction route and the community at large.
While traffic congestion is a major concern, the fact remains that even after the ITC is built, it will cost $32 million annually to maintain. The pressing question is: where will those
While the leaked letter from Hollywood Park provides insight from the project’s primary beneficiaries, it’s important to remember that the ITC has faced pushback and legitimate critique from the public since its inception. Hollywood Park is undeniably a valuable and welcomed asset to the Inglewood community, and its financial interests are an important aspect of the project’s critique, but they must not overshadow the equally, if not more valid, concerns of the local community.
In addition, there is growing unease among local business owners, particularly along Market Street, who fear that the ITC’s relocation plans could jeopardize their financial stability. They worry that construction will drive away regular patrons who may avoid the area to escape traffic inconveniences.
As we contemplate the future of this project, it’s clear that this revelation of non-support from Hollywood Park casts further doubt on the ITC’s viability. However, the community’s continued involvement in this discourse is a strong signal that Inglewood residents and small business owners are paying close attention. Engaging in healthy dialogue about how the City conducts business is a necessary part of navigating the incredible transformation Inglewood is undergoing. But in light of this new information, the ITC may stand as one of Mayor Butts’ and the City Council’s first project failures in an otherwise unprecedented major development run.
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Defund the Police movement, which—following the murder of George Floyd in 2020—saw thousands of people across the country mobilize to decry police violence against Black and Brown communities.
Independent Presidential Candidate, Dr. Cornel West said in an Instagram video on Monday: “We’ve got to fight militarism in all of its various forms. It could be in Gaza, it could be in Haiti, in Sudan, (or) the Congo. It could be in 86 sites in the American empire.”
This rally comes amid growing concerns about LAPD’s budget, which consumes roughly 50% of the city’s General Fund, while vital community services like housing and mental health care are underfunded. Families, advocates, and community leaders will demand the end of excessive police spending and the redirection of funds to critical social services.
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Chavez (listed as the HUD Program Manager on the City’s website) were named as candidates who would serve on the board. The ITC is expected to ease traffic congestion around destination centers such as SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park, Intuit Dome, YouTube Theatre and the Kia Forum.
A dozen people lined up to give their opinions on the matter.
“We want to know what the selection criteria is. You wouldn’t just hire someone to take care of your lawn if you hadn’t seen their work,” one woman said. She asked that the item be pulled from the agenda until more information was made available to the public.
Most speakers wanted to delay the action, while a few argued that the project would bring thousands of new jobs to the city, and it is time to move forward.
Mayor Butts listened patiently, thanking each person who made a comment. In the end, however, the mayor, Councilmen Morales and Alex Padilla voted to adopt the resolution. Councilwoman Gloria Gray voted against moving forward.
“It’s a $2 billion project,” she said. “We understand the traffic issues. But this project is so important to the residents that they really want to learn more about it. I would like this council and mayor to consider pulling the item. I am making a motion to pull DR-1.” Morales disagreed: “I am acting on it because we are forming a board. The CRDB will remain in place. Today, we are moving forward to establish this board. I understand the comments. Information on some of the items-you’ll see in the future--will answer a lot of your questions. A lot has been talked about but it’s part of the process. Everyone here will study it very closely.”
“We had this on the agenda last week and it got pulled,” Padilla chimed in. “We make our decisions, what
Organizations against police brutality are calling for:
•Justice for those killed by LAPD and LASD, including John Horton, Ezell Ford, and others.
•Rejection of the proposed appointment of LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell
•Rejection of militarized police 86 training centers like Cop” City in Atlanta, Georgia.
we believe is best for the residents. There have been over 200 meetings, town hall meetings where this CRDB has been discussed at length. We’ve had this discussion here on the dais. There is no--in my opinion--no lack of transparency.”
“It has been going on around 5 years now. This is not anything that was done behind the scenes. The information is available on the web. Your council person has access to every document that has been generated,” Butts added.
In July, friction arose between Mayor Butts and Congresswoman Maxine Waters when she pulled federal funding from the ITC--to the tune of $200 million. In a letter, she wrote that “the project is not designed to benefit the local community.” She added, “Suttle busses could most likely accomplish the same goal at a fraction of the cost, but have not been seriously considered as an alternative.”
Waters is not the only one with issues regarding the people mover. Hollywood Park also has reservations. In a letter dated September 24, 2024, and addressed to Mayor Butts, Otto Maly, President of Kroenke Holdings, expressed concerns about potential traffic congestion and business disruption.
“With the upcoming international events scheduled to arrive in Inglewood over the next few years, including the Super Bowl, the World Cup, NBA All-Star Game and the Olympics, the proposal to partially close Prairie Avenue and Manchester for at least 36 months for construction, the loss of access at our driveways, the ripping up of our communication and utility infrastructure along
•Investment in community-based alternatives to policing, including housing, mental health services, and youth programs.
•Removing police from schools and creating police-free zones in vulnerable communities.
•Prosecution of officers involved in police killings and excessive force.
For more information about the Youth Justice Coalition, contact
Prairie, and the lane reduction, all mean local businesses as well as guests attending the events will be significantly impacted.”
The future of the ITC, at this point, is showing serious drawbacks from major
Help
Emilio Zapién at emilio@youth4justice. org or (323) 616-8016. Connect with Nati Knobler of Black Lives Matter Grassroots at nati@blmgrassroots.org or (916) 937-3074.
For over 19 years, the Youth Justice Coalition has been building an abolitionist youth, family and incarcerated people’s movement to end mass incarceration, deportation, and police terror.
Black Lives MatterLos Angeles was founded July 13, 2013 following acquittal of the murderer of #TrayvonMartin. Eleven years later, BLMLA, and the larger organization, Black Lives Matter Grassroots remains committed to the work to end state sanctioned violence against Black people.
players. Inglewood Today will take a closer look at how this major project would impact traffic, local business, residents and visitors positively and negatively in the coming weeks.
Inglewood
