Meet Sacramento’s ‘Squad’: Four Women Fighting For Progressive Issues And Police Reform This Election
The city’s version is made up of Katie Valenzuela, Tamika L’Ecluse, Mai Vang and Zima Creason, who came together during the June demonstrations in solidarity with George Floyd. Now, the four electeds are demanding police reform and accountability. But they also hope to become a force that will bring greater progressive change.
The nickname started after they came forward with an initiative — called Sac Take the Pledge — urging officials to stop accepting campaign donations from law enforcement groups.
“We didn’t give ourselves that name, but we were given that name by the community because we represent in that way,” said Creason, a member of the San Juan Unified School District board. “We want to be brave and have the hard conversations.”
They’re already organizing against Measure A, the city’s “Strong Mayor” ballot measure, and are also working to get fellow “Squad” member Mai Vang elected to City Council. And the group says they’re just getting started.
Critics argue that the progressive movement is still small, and that their promises may be bigger than what they can deliver.
“It’s easy to say that in a campaign, but when they get in [to office] and they have the obligation of serving their community, they realize some of those positions they’ve advocated for in a campaign CONTINUE READING: Meet Sacramento’s ‘Squad’: Four Women Fighting For Progressive Issues And Police Reform This Election - capradio.org