| Councilmember Carlos Garcia Reflects on Chief Jeri Williams' Retirement | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2332 | | City Council District 8 | 5/3/2022 5:15:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2332/Newsroom_Council_Statement_08.jpg | | Councilmember Carlos Garcia Reflects on Chief Jeri Williams' Retirement | <div class="ExternalClass7BCF5043CD1F4A0C8802C488FDEB9FAC"><html>
<p>"Today’s announcement by Chief Jeri Williams marks a shift for our city. I want to acknowledge that Chief Williams and her family are major pillars in our community. She has led a life of public service and represented South Phoenix with dignity during her tenure.</p>
<p>It is no secret that the Phoenix Police Department has much work to do. While being very well-resourced, the department is still facing major challenges, including a Department of Justice investigation, and police union leadership that continues to not listen to the needs of the community and their own members.</p>
<p>City leadership is at a critical juncture to make the changes necessary to shift us in the right direction where we can redefine and create better public safety for all. I look forward to working alongside the community to make this possible."<br></p>
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| Vice Mayor Pastor and Councilmember Garcia Call on Mayor to Hold Meeting on MCAO Wrongdoings | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2299 | | City Council District 8 | 4/4/2022 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2299/Newsroom_Council_Statement_08.jpg | | Vice Mayor Pastor and Councilmember Garcia Call on Mayor to Hold Meeting on MCAO Wrongdoings | <div class="ExternalClassBE5DF466F1E2408AA443E8402DE7BBFF"><html>
<p>Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel resigned amid numerous scandals, but it should not stop Phoenix City Council from looking at our own role in wrongdoings in coordination with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.<br></p>
<p>We cannot sweep this under the rug and Adel’s resignation should point to the severity of the situation. The Phoenix City Council has a responsibility to hold a discussion on what happened with the cases of protestors who were wrongfully charged and to discuss the high-ranking city officials and representatives that have been implicated as well as what we must do next to ensure it does not happen again.<br></p>
<p>Since the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee has not held a forum for this discussion, we are calling on Mayor Kate Gallego to hold a policy meeting on this matter. We are looking to her leadership to address this by holding people accountable. <br></p>
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| Four Corners Community Meeting - 24th Street and Broadway | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2115 | | City Council District 8 | 10/21/2021 7:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/5AhRb9An90c | Four Corners Community Meeting - 24th Street and Broadway | <div class="ExternalClass5FC2D3F9A86842E38A3673FAA0D9179F"><html>
<h4><a href="/district8site/Documents/PPT%2024th%20Street%20and%20Broadway_10-19-21%20-%20combined.pptx" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to view the Power Point from the meeting. <br></h4><p><br></p><p><br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district8 | Video | district-8 | District 8 | Carlos | Garcia |
| D8 Open Door ERA Event with Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2098 | | City Council District 8 | 9/28/2021 6:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/VWNC4Ftdn2w | D8 Open Door ERA Event with Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia | <div class="ExternalClass181BF207529D4FA6BCA6A7B2B3938D48"><html>The City of Phoenix has millions of dollars available to help pay the rent and utility bills of Phoenix residents impacted by COVID-19. Vice Mayor Garcia along with Earl and Mary Rose Wilcox of the Grant Park Barrio Youth Program, sponsored an event at Grant Park where residents could talk directly to staff that run the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Residents were able to ask staff questions about getting financial help for rent and utilities as well as booking an official appointment to receive assistance.
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| Rent Relief Event Hosted by Vice Mayor Garcia and Mary Rose and Earl Wilcox | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2062 | | City Council District 8 | 9/15/2021 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2062/FINAL_ENG_Rent Assistance Event.png | | Rent Relief Event Hosted by Vice Mayor Garcia and Mary Rose and Earl Wilcox | <div class="ExternalClass5175C958C044449F90F0A57064F6C23B"><html>
<strong>When:</strong> Saturday, September 18th 11a.m. - 2 p.m.<br><br><strong>Where:</strong> Grant Park, 701 S 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 <br><br><strong>What:</strong> Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia and Mary Rose and Earl Wilcox are hosting an event for community members to receive information and resources about financial assistance to pay rent and utility bills. The event will also host legal aid for evictions, food boxes (until supplies last), and other community resources to support community still impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the event, community members will be able to speak directly to City of Phoenix Human Services staff to start the rent and utility relief application process. <br><br>The City of Phoenix has an Emergency Rental Assistance program that is available to Phoenix residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. For more information: Phoenix.gov/RentHelp.<br><a href="/district8site/Documents/FINAL%20PRINT%20FLYER_RENT%20RESOURCE.pdf" target="_blank"><p style="text-align:center;"><br>Click to download the event flyer<strong> </strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><img style="margin:5px;width:431px;height:280px;" src="/district8site/MediaAssets/FINAL_ENG_Rent%20Assistance%20Event.png" /><br><img style="margin:5px;width:431px;height:279px;" src="/district8site/MediaAssets/FINAL_SPA_Rent%20Assistance%20Event.png" /><br></strong></p></a>
<br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district8 | News | district-8 | District 8 | Carlos | Garcia |
| Vice Mayor Garcia’s Statement on Phoenix’s New City Manager Jeff Barton | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2055 | | City Council District 8 | 9/8/2021 11:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2055/Newsroom_Council_Statement_08.jpg | | Vice Mayor Garcia’s Statement on Phoenix’s New City Manager Jeff Barton | <div class="ExternalClass95D33BF15A3644F1B49B33932C08AFAA"><html>"Today, my colleagues and I officially selected Jeff Barton as the next City Manager in a historic vote. Jeff is the first Black person to be appointed as City Manager. He is the best choice to lead us into the city's next chapter. <br><br>Jeff has a long history at the City of Phoenix, starting as an Auditor and working his way up the last 22 years. He has most recently guided the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring Phoenicians have access to funds and resources needed to move forward.<br><br>Jeff is extremely passionate about serving our residents and keeping city operations running efficiently. I look forward to working with him to serve the residents of District 8."<br><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district8 | News | district-8 | District 8 | Carlos | Garcia |
| On Labor Day Weekend: Workers Demand Build Back Better for All | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2051 | | City Council District 8 | 9/6/2021 6:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2051/Newsroom_Council_Statement_08.jpg | | On Labor Day Weekend: Workers Demand Build Back Better for All | <div class="ExternalClass5B9CD1E36A4F4446B94194EDB46B7E25"><html>
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<td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;"><p style="text-align:center;"><em style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">A broad coalition of national and local progressive unions and organizations will host a town hall to demand access to jobs and protections from retaliation in the workplace for Black workers, women, immigrant workers, and other groups impacted by racism and discrimination </em><br></p>
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<strong>What</strong>: Build Back Better for All Phoenix Town Hall</p>
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<strong>Who</strong>: Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, Councilwoman Ansari, Councilwoman Guardado, AFL-CIO Arizona, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Unemployed Workers United, and Puente Human Rights Movement</p>
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<strong>When</strong>: Today, Monday, September 6th at 1pm</p>
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<strong>Where</strong>: 210 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034<em> </em></p>
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<strong>September 6th, Phoenix </strong> – Vice Mayor Garcia, AFL-CIO Arizona, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Unemployed Workers United, and Puente Human Rights Movement are hosting<strong> Build Back Better for All</strong> a town hall meeting to demand the White House and local electeds take bold action for all workers now. </p>
<p>First, they are asking the Biden-Harris administration to update and strengthen <strong>Executive Order 11246 </strong>- Equal Employment Opportunity. This Executive Order, still in effect, was enacted in 1965 under the Johnson administration but has not been updated since 2014 when President Obama amended it to prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Updating this executive order would expand access to Black workers and other workers facing employment discrimination and ensure that any infrastructure legislative package gives employment opportunities to the communities that have been denied access to good jobs due to systemic racism. </p>
<p>Second, the town hall seeks to highlight the urgent need for immigrant worker protections - including deportation forbearance and work authorization - to remove the threat of deportation for workers that have denounced abuse and unsafe work conditions. In the midst of a pandemic of workplace abuse, too many employers use threats of deportation when workers begin to organize, denounce abuses, unsafe conditions, and demand better working conditions. Members of the Better for All campaign, are asking the Biden-Harris administration to work with local and federal agencies to create an affirmative relief program that protects immigrant workers from immigration-based retaliation in the workplace. </p>
<p>In 2011, DHS and DOL, and other federal agencies approved an MOU to ensure that immigration enforcement activities would not undermine workers' rights. Years later, the lack of a transparent process or guidance from the agencies, combined with the heightened threat of ICE targeting immigrant workers, has left many workers involved in labor disputes at risk of deportation. Failing to protect immigrant workers asserting their workplace rights will leave millions in limbo and stripped from protections as the country moves into a new phase for our national infrastructure. </p>
<p>Third, workers are demanding better protections from the city of Phoenix especially as it relates to wages and worker protections during and after the pandemic. </p>
<p>The Better for All town halls starting on September 4th are taking place in Phoenix, AZ, Houston, TX, Nashville, TN, Denver, CO and will continue throughout the month in the Southern states of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Las Vegas, NV, and Los Angeles, CA. Workers and advocates want to see action from both federal and local leaders to address the issues systematically plaguing frontline workers. </p>
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<em>Members of the Better For All campaign came together in 2021 with a shared goal to advance all workers' rights by centering the needs of Black and Immigrant workers and highlighting specific actions President Biden and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh can take to improve working conditions and accessibility to good union jobs. </em>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district8 | News | district-8 | District 8 | Carlos | Garcia |
| Vice Mayor Garcia’s Statement on Ballard Spahr’s Investigations into Phoenix Police’s Challenge Coin and Criminal Street Gang Charges Filed Against “ACAB” | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-8/2023 | | City Council District 8 | 8/12/2021 7:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2023/Newsroom_Council_Statement_08.jpg | | Vice Mayor Garcia’s Statement on Ballard Spahr’s Investigations into Phoenix Police’s Challenge Coin and Criminal Street Gang Charges Filed Against “ACAB” | <div class="ExternalClassD30E2F07D32042288F4C6F8D18ACB98E"><html>
<p>“Last February, myself, alongside my colleagues Councilwoman Pastor and Councilwoman Guardado, called for an independent investigation of the Phoenix Police Department. In response, we were given the Ballard Spahr investigations released today. The contents of these reports are not a surprise. The members of our community that elected us to serve have repeatedly told us exactly what these reports confirm. In response, other colleagues on this council have shut down, ignored, and ridiculed the real experiences of our residents. The injustices outlined in these reports have and will continue to destroy people's lives if we don't take serious and swift action to rectify these egregious harms. I call on my colleagues and city staff to take these immediate action steps:<br></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Leadership and all those connected to these reports should be held accountable. We must fire Officer McBride and all other officers involved. Every officer that declined to participate in the investigations must also be reprimanded. What the City Manager and Chief of Police have done today is not enough.<br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Every officer involved in these reports and those who refused to participate in these investigations must be placed on a public list and never hold someone's liberty in their hands again.<br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>The City Attorney must notify the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO) of all officers involved in these reports, including those that refused to cooperate and who witnessed what occurred. MCAO attorneys have a duty to then review these reports, audit all court cases, and disclose potential officer integrity issues.<br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>The Downtown Operations Unit, Tactical Response Unit, Gang Enforcement Unit, and Special Investigations Detail must be immediately disbanded. There is an established pattern that these units and their officers engage in unconstitutional and unjust actions that harm the public they are supposed to serve. <br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>It is clear the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association contains barriers that consistently help our officers evade accountability. The next MOU must go through a public negotiation process and city staff has a duty to renegotiate the components named in these reports that are a barrier to timely and thorough investigations. <br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>The Department of Justice must take immediate action in response to these reports. We cannot wait a year for another investigation that tells us what we already know. <br></li></ul><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Finally, I demand that a special meeting is called by the city on Tuesday August 24th to address these reports and take these immediate action steps.<br><br></li></ul><p>We cannot allow this to become another report that collects dust on a shelf while we sit back and watch lives continue to be ruined. The Department of Justice affirmed that we as a city should not hesitate to take any actions now to address the systemic issues in our police department that impede justice and accountability. There are no more excuses."<br><br><b><a href="/district8site/Documents/District8Letter.pdf" target="_blank">View a letter from the Vice Mayor, Councilwoman Pastor and Councilwoman Guardado from February 26th requesting these investigations be made public. </a></b></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district8 | News | district-8 | District 8 | Carlos | Garcia |
