Long Beach Rising! is a civic engagement coalition of local organizations promoting civic participation, alliance building, voter engagement, and community organizing amongst communities historically marginalized from the political process.
Member organizations include: Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach, California Conference for Equality and Justice, California Faculty Association – Long Beach Chapter, Don’t Waste Long Beach, Filipino Migrant Center, Housing Long Beach, Justice for Port Truck Drivers, Khmer Girls in Action, Latinos in Action California, The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, Long Beach Area Peace Network, Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community, The Long Beach Gray Panthers, Long Beach Time Exchange, and Unite Here Local 11.
For more information about Long Beach Rising, contact Marlene Montañez at mmontanez@laane.org.
The People’s State of the City 2018
The people won’t be denied, and the people won’t back down. The 2018 People’s State of the City returns to the historic sanctuary at First Congregational Church on March 1st to bring students, parents, and other working people in Long Beach together for equitable schools, stable workplaces, healthy communities, and the chance to change the rules for the future of our city.
The People’s State of the City is one of the largest community organized events in the city and attracts over 500 people to hear about the current challenges facing working people in the city and ways to get involved in positive social change. The event features an outdoor community fair beginning at 5:00pm and an indoor program starting at 6:30pm. Free food, child watch, and interpretation in Spanish and Khmer are provided to all guests.
RSVP to the People’s State of the City on Facebook and join the conversation using #PSOTC2018. Missed last year’s People’s State of the City? Check out the news coverage, videos, and photos from last year on our archive page.
Getting to the People’s State of the City
- By Bike: If you plan to bike to the People’s State of the City, a free bike valet will be hosted by Healthy Active Streets. At the bike valet, attendees will be able to park their bikes in a secure bike corral staffed by volunteers who will also repair bikes until the end of the PSOTC program.
- By Transit: First Congregational Church is a five-minute walk away from the Downtown Long Beach Station and Transit Gallery on 1st Street between Pacific and Pine, served by the Metro Blue Line and a most Long Beach Transit routes.
- By Car: Free parking will be available at the Long Beach City Hall parking structure. The parking structure can be entered off eastbound Broadway at 332 E Broadway.
Volunteer with Long Beach Rising
Help with outreach! Long Beach Rising is now accepting volunteers to help with direct outreach in neighborhoods around Downtown Long Beach. As a volunteer, individuals will have the opportunity to connect with other Long Beach residents over social justice issues and learn how to do direct outreach in the community including door-knocking and phone banking. Volunteers will also earn time credits through the Long Beach Time Exchange (if you are not a member, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more and apply). To register as a volunteer and select the days you are available, sign-up online. For questions or more information, please email andrew@bhclongbeach.org or call 562-436-4800.
Help us on the day of! Volunteers are needed on the day of the event from 3:00pm until 8:30pm to help set-up, staff information booths, direct traffic and people, and clean-up. To sign-up, email ariel@bhclongbeach.org or call 562-436-4800.
Media Coverage of #PSOTC2018
- Long Beach Post: People’s State of the City Calls for ‘Action Now’ from Local Policy Makers As Election Day Nears
- Grunion Gazette: Progressive Groups Pound Council at People’s State of the City
- Signal Tribune: Seventh Annual People’s State of the City address highlights social and economic challenges, calls for community engagement
- VoiceWaves: Long Beach People’s State of the City 2018
- The Daily 49er: People’s State of the City to showcase city problems from residents’ perspectives
- The Daily 49er: Long Beach residents take a stand for their city
Long Beach Rising! Leadership Program
Educate, organize, and build coalitions to win!
Together with Long Beach residents, workers, teachers, and students, we are working to transform Long Beach into a more progressive city that will enact policies to support workers and their families. Long Beach Rising! advocates for civic participation, voter engagement, and community organizing in historically underrepresented communities. We focus on issues including jobs, housing, education, immigrant rights, environmental justice, and neighborhood safety.
The Long Beach Rising! Leadership Program is a 4-day training where participants will learn more about the opportunities for positive social change in Long Beach and how to organize their community. All community members are encouraged to participate regardless of experience and background! 2018 training dates will be announced in Summer 2018.
Applications for the 2018 program will be available in the Fall. For questions, contact Marlene Montañez at mmontanez@laane.org or (213) 479-8200.
Archive: People’s State of the City
Missed the previous People’s State of the City events? View our archives below:
- People’s State of the City 2017 (First Congregational Church)
- People’s State of the City 2016 (Franklin Middle School)
- People’s State of the City 2015 (Stephens Middle School)