In the News

Los Angeles officials, including Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles), whose district includes Koreatown, also supported the resolution, saying he's "committed to ensuring this community receives the support and recognition it deserves."

"I’m proud to celebrate the rich heritage and lasting impact of Korean Americans in Assembly District 54 and throughout California," González said.

In a strongly worded statement, Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles) called the shooting a "public execution."

"ICE does not give a single s— who you are, how long you've lived here, or how hard you've worked. They are coming for ALL of us. They are armed with fear, force, and zero accountability," he wrote. "I unequivocally condemn the actions of federal agents in Minneapolis. The fatal shooting of Renee was a public execution, NOT self-defense."

Student identification cards issued at California public secondary schools and institutions of higher education after July 1 will include the phone number for The Trevor Project, a crisis and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people age 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death for 14- to 25-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"In today's political climate, LGBTQ+ students face significant levels of bullying, harassment, and discrimination — negatively impacting their mental health and

"We initially were under the understanding that, oh, they're only targeting folks who were not citizens," González said, "And then actually over time you learn they don't give a shit who you are, they're attacking you no matter what, with no due process."

In Assembly District 54, which encompasses Boyle Heights and the cities of Vernon, Commerce and Montebello, the LA County Department of Public Social Services estimates 120,000 households are currently eligible to receive benefits. California also fast-tracked $80 million to assist food banks.

"Families can't live on partial. Families can't live on hunger to be put on hold," said District 54 Assemblymember Mark González at the press conference. "California is stepping up to do what Washington will not, and that is feed our people."

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law aimed at cracking down on the underground market fueling the surge in copper wire theft that has left many communities, including Boyle Heights, in the dark.

AB 476, authored by State Assemblymember Mark González and signed on Monday, is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. 

Little resistance to the bill: Assemblymember Mark González, who represents areas of L.A. that include downtown and Boyle Heights, introduced the bill in 2025. It had passed the state Assembly and Senate floors unanimously before landing on Newsom's desk. Reaction from Gonzalez: In an Oct. 13 news release, González thanked the governor for signing the bill and said it will lead to California "turning the lights back on." He added that the bill removes "any incentive to steal copper wire or critical public infrastructure," referring to the idea that increased regulation of recyclers will leave

What’s the status of the bill: Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, who represents downtown L.A. and Boyle Heights — among the neighborhoods most affected by copper wire theft — introduced the bill in February. It passed the state Assembly and Senate floors unanimously. Now, it’s up to Newsom.

Local officials in Los Angeles are urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would help curb copper wire theft across the state.

At a news conference in downtown LA on Monday, Assemblymember Mark González was joined by LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna and other officials calling on Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 476 (AB 476) Metal Theft.

Local and state leaders gathered under the 6th Street Bridge on Monday to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 476, a bill aimed at curbing copper wire theft across California.

Authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, the bill seeks to address a growing issue that has affected a vital part of infrastructure, particularly in communities like Boyle Heights, where copper wire theft has left the 6th Street Bridge dark for nearly two years.