Vote Yes on Prop. 50; stop the raids, protect our families
Editor’s note: This article is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of The SELA Sun. It has been edited for length and formatting.
Bell Gardens residents, as your councilmember, I urge you to make your voice heard and vote YES on Proposition 50.
Your vote matters more than ever. In this election, we have the power to decide what kind of country we want to live in—one built on fear and division, or one grounded in compassion, justice, and community. Before you do anything else, take a moment to make sure your voice counts:
Check your voter registration.
Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
Across Southeast Los Angeles, families are living with fear every single day. Parents are afraid to take their kids to school. Workers are afraid to drive to their jobs. Entire neighborhoods live under the constant threat of ICE raids. That’s not freedom. That’s not who we are.
If Republicans retake control of Congress, those raids and deportations will intensify. We’ve seen this before: families torn apart, communities targeted, and lives upended. A Republican-controlled House would mean more funding for ICE, more attacks on immigrant rights, and deeper cuts to healthcare and education.
That’s what’s at stake this November.
Prop. 50 gives Californians a way to fight back. It’s how we can help Democrats retake control of Congress and put an end to these cruel and inhumane policies. Prop. 50 is California’s defense against red states that are rigging congressional maps to steal power before a single vote is cast. It ensures our state has the tools to fight back and protect fair representation in Washington.
But beyond the politics, this is about people: our neighbors, our coworkers, our loved ones. Every parent who fears being separated from their child, every essential worker who keeps our cities running while living in the shadows, every student who dreams of a better future. This vote is for them.
Voting YES on Prop. 50 means choosing humanity over hate. It means saying that California will not be bullied or silenced by extremists who thrive on division. It means protecting the values that make our communities strong: dignity, equality, and compassion.
On Nov. 4, make your plan to vote early. Check your registration, fill out your ballot and tell your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can stop the terror and bring justice and humanity back to our government.
Let’s stand together. Let’s protect our families, our neighbors, and our future.
Vote YES on Prop. 50.
Jorgel Chavez was one of the youngest elected officials in Los Angeles County history when he was first elected to the Bell Gardens City Council in 2020. He was reelected in 2024 and has served as mayor twice. He holds both a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration from USC and is currently a Political/Community Organizer for SEIU United Service Workers West. He remains steadfast in advocating for social, environmental, educational, and economic justice for all residents.
