RYSE stands in solidarity with the displaced residents of the Southern California communities of Altadena-Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and San Fernando Valley. As the wildfires have entered a fourth day, more than 180,000 residents are under evacuation orders and all LA schools remain closed. As an organization that is committed to racial equity and social justice, we center and uplift the voices of our Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities of color who bear the brunt of environmental destruction and cuts to emergency response resources. We send our grief, care and love to our kin, movement partners, and to young people trying to practice as much physical, mental and emotional safety for themselves and others as possible. This calamity exacerbates the already existing inequities and injustices reflecting the crisis of Capitalism.
RYSE uplifts community and youth advocates’ calls to pressure LA City and County elected officials for the immediate evacuation of the 96 incarcerated youth that are still held at two juvenile detention centers. In addition, there are nearly 30 incarcerated youth fighting these CA fires tirelessly for over 48 hours with no sleep and will remain there to help fight until they are sent back to fire camp.
““We can no longer allow those who have lit the match of injustice to not be held accountable for the immense harm and destruction on the people and the land. We stand with our beloved kin and community in Los Angeles, especially those who the media will choose to forget. Those weathering this fire storm locked up in cages, those on the front lines in forced servitude, those whose lives will forever be altered by this devastating climate catastrophe.””
From Richmond to Los Angeles, we want to offer resources our communities have utilized in wildfire crises, and uplift crucial wildfire and disaster mutual aid resources and emergency preparedness tips. For wildfire safety resources, follow our partners with the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) and Communities United for a Better Environment who are actively organizing statewide for Environmental Justice.
Mutual Aid Resources
Mutual Aid LA Network - http://tiny.cc/malan-fire
Asian Pacific Environmental Network - https://apen.us/wildfirekitsLA
We Are California - https://wearecalifornia.org/resources/
Sources:
(Youth Justice Coalition L.A. - Advocates urge immediate action to evacuate incarcerated youth from high-risk fire zones - Caló News, Jan 08, 2025)
(Young Women’s Freedom Center Statement - “YWFC Demands LA Protects Incarcerated Youth from SoCal Fires”.)