Black religious leaders also voice support and pledge to encourage members to vote in upcoming elections

Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC), the third most powerful leader in the United States House of Representatives, urged Angelenos to back Karen Bass for mayor of Los Angeles on May 3, during a event hosted by Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. at the LA Sentinel.

During a prayer breakfast and press conference with pastors from the city’s largest African-American churches, Clyburn spoke about the national significance of electing leaders like Bass and its positive impact. about black American campaigns across the country.

“I want you all to let people know what Karen Bass as mayor will mean to them, their families and their communities. I think if you manage to be successful, you’ll demonstrate to communities across the country that they can’t outspend us,” he said.

Clyburn encouraged ministers to alert their congregations to expect to receive mail-in ballots from Monday May 9. Also, even though June 7 is election day, ballots can be filled out and mailed in before that date.

Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. describes Karen Bass as someone who will fight on behalf of the people and the community. At right is Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.. (Ian Foxx/LA Sentinel)

“I learned growing up that we need to be intertwined as a community. My dad (who was a pastor) had three books in his pulpit,” Clyburn recalled.

“One was the Bible, one was a hymn and the third was a book he composed of every registered voter in our constituency. He made it a point to contact everyone on the book every election day. It would be a sin if all your parishioners got the vote and you didn’t preach about it. Let’s do that !”

Noting her personal relationship with Bass, Clyburn added: “When I had the chance to work with Karen Bass, I saw in her someone who is dedicated to making the greatness of this country accessible to all citizens, but also affordable for citizens. Of all the housing in the world, it doesn’t matter how many units you build in LA, if people can’t afford it, don’t build it. That is the purpose of his candidacy, and I am happy to be here today and to do what I can.

Congressman Jim Clyburn is urging ministers to back Bass for mayor. (Ian Foxx/THE Sentinel)

Next, Bakewell introduced Bass, who rose to outline the main areas she will focus on becoming mayor. Noting that LA is at an “inflection point”, the candidate listed the top issues most citizens are concerned about – “homelessness, crime and deep income inequality”.

Addressing homelessness, Bass said: ‘LA has become so unaffordable that people are living on the streets. We observe places where we grew up that due to gentrification adult children cannot afford to live there and have to move out of town.

Bass also mentioned the campaign spending of his closest challenger, Rick Caruso, which totaled $23 million on advertising — more than any other mayoral candidate in the city’s history.

“The good news is he spent all that money – I didn’t spend a penny – and all he did was catch me. You would have thought he would have run over with a truck now. I’m sure it frustrated him,” she said.

To illustrate her point, she noted that the Police Protective League, the union to which LAPD officers belong, just bought a $500,000 media buyout to support Caruso’s campaign and attack Bass with false messages about her platform, as she wants to withdraw funding from the police.

“You’ll see these hits coming in an effort to drive my numbers down, but you’ll start seeing mail and TV ads from me in the coming week,” Bass said, adding that she was grateful. for support and prayers. pastors.

Among the clergy present were Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of AME; Reverend Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, president of the Western Baptist State Convention; and the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard, deputy director of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Civic Engagement.

Reverend KW Tulloss, standing, explains why he endorses Bass. (Ian Foxx/THE Sentinel)

“We push souls to the polls and souls to the mailbox. We understand what is at stake. Everything is at stake and we believe, at this time, that Karen Bass is the ideal woman for the position of mayor of Los Angeles today and [we] looking forward to making history on june 7thand. The religious community is behind it,” said Reverend KW Tulloss, president of the Los Angeles Baptist Ministers Conference and

Southern California.

Expressing similar comments, Pastor Doug Nelson of the True Baptist Church said, “We have seen the past works of Karen Bass. We have seen the good work she has done in our communities. We’ve seen the schools she built and the liquor store chase. Because of the work she has done, we have proof that she will be an excellent mayor. We send our members to the mailbox because God has called Karen to mayor of Los Angeles!

Others present were Pastor J. Edgar Boyd of First AME -LA, Pastor RA Williams of McCoy Memorial Baptist, Pastor Ken Walden of Holman United Methodist Church, Pastor Edward Anderson of McCarty Memorial Christian Church, Pastor Joyce Reece Kitchen by Emmanuel-Turner AME. Church and Bishop Marvis Davis of the First Baptist Church in Venice.

Reverend J. Edgar Boyd and Bishop Clement Fugh (Ian Foxx/LA Sentinel)

Also in attendance were board members Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Herb Wesson, Ward EDC executive director Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, and West Angeles CDC executive director Belinda Allen.

Writer Devyn Bakewell contributed to this story.