On December 12, 2016, San Diego City Council members were sworn into office. Along with the previous members, three new members took the oath. Alliance San Diego, along with over a dozen other local organizations, welcome them and shared the following statement with the City Council:

Christian Ramirez sits with KPBS' Tarryn Mento to discuss introduced legislation that would provide legal services for immigrants and refugees facing deportation. 

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SAN DIEGO -- Alliance San Diego’s Executive Director Andrea Guerrero and Associate Director Christopher Rice-Wilson were recognized for their social justice work in San Diego during the 13th Annual Voices for Justice breakfast.

The event took place on December 7 at the San Diego Convention Center, and was hosted by the Interfaith Center for Worker Justice. This annual breakfast uplifts the voices of workers and honors individuals who endeavor to improve the lives of all San Diegans.

Guerrero and Wilson were recognized for their commitment to social justice, and for working tirelessly for a San Diego where all people can achieve their full potential in an environment of harmony, safety, equality, and justice.

Wilson called on social justice activists, faith leaders, labor workers and elected officials to work together towards building a better community and not just building infrastructure and generating business.

“New streets will not provide an escape route for those living under police brutality and racial profiling. We have to do better,” he said.

Other community leaders were also recognized for their work. They included David Garcias, President of the Service Employees International Union Local 221; Johnny Simpson of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569; Frank Urtasun, Regional Vice President of Sempra Services; Summer Stephan, Chief Deputy District Attorney; and Reverend A. Wayne Riggs, Acting Executive Director of the Interface Center for Worker Justice of San Diego County.

In San Diego, they’re all around us.

Refugees who’ve become legal residents. Immigrants who were brought here illegally as children. People who’ve served time in prison and are out on parole. Regular old high school students.

They all share something that unites them: They can’t vote.

We spoke to several San Diegans who cannot legally vote in Tuesday’s election about how they grapple with paying taxes and investing in their community without having a say in how their city and country are run.

Read the full story here.