Los Angeles, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, offer support to Ukrainian refugees and Ukrainians living in Los Angeles County, and take steps to divest from Russia.
“Over the last several days we have witnessed the incredible strength, bravery, and unwavering patriotism of the Ukrainian people,” said Supervisor Hahn, who authored the motion. “On behalf of the 10 million people of Los Angeles County, including the 26,000 Ukrainian-Americans who call LA County home, we not only condemn this unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression, we will send an even stronger message by divesting from Russia and from companies that do business with Russia. As hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians flee the violence, we offer our support for resettling refugees in the United States and stand ready to help.”
“The horrific offenses Russia is committing against Ukraine are appalling and intolerable,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Although we are located half a world away, our county has an opportunity to take action by divesting all its funds from Russian and its allies’ assets. We have to fight injustice with every tactic available to us. There is no question in my mind that this is the right and moral thing to do.”
The motion, which was authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and amended by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, does the following:
- Directs the County CEO to send a letter to Anatoly Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the United States relaying the County of Los Angeles’s position on the Russian War of Aggression against Ukraine and urging his government to immediately commence peace talks with the Ukrainian Government to prevent any more deaths of civilians on both sides;
- Directs the County CEO to send letters to President Joe Biden and the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation, asking the President to provide Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforcement Departure for Ukrainian Nationals and especially for family members of American Citizens or Permanent Residents of Ukrainian decent to allow them to relocate to the United States. In addition, asking the President and Congress to provide additional funding to the 9 non-profit groups tasked by the United States Department of State with resettling refugees in the United States;
- Direct the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Office of Immigrant Affairs in collaboration with the Office of Emergency Management to work to provide information to Los Angeles County residents seeking information and assistance for friends and family members;
- (Barger Amendment) Instruct the CEO to write a five-signature letter to LACERA (the group which manages the retirement funds for LA County employees) requesting that LACERA apply its announced Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) investment policies in support of divesting investments from Russia; also divestment of investments in other nations that are determined violate such LACERA ESG investment policies;
- (Barger Amendment) Instruct the CEO and County Counsel to report back in 14 days on the feasibility of prohibiting County contracts to companies doing business with Russia.