San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Lowrider group gets in gear politically
Over the past year, a lowrider group in National City has commanded the media’s attention in its quest to repeal anti-cruising laws.
The United Lowrider Coalition has had cameras, tape recorders and microphones surround them as they’ve made their case for why cruising should be legalized in the city that has prohibited the pastime since 1992.
On Thursday, they turned microphones and cameras on candidates running for City Council in November.
They wanted to “hear where the candidates stand on the issues that concern the community,” Coalition Co-chair Marisa Rosales told attendees.
Can you guess one of the questions candidates had to answer? Without a doubt, the hopefuls were asked to share their position on a full repeal of the no-cruising ordinance. The three mayoral candidates attended the event but only two were present to answer when the question was asked.
Ron Morrison, a longtime council member who has previously served as mayor, said he is “very supportive” of the lowrider culture, but when it comes to cruising in large numbers, cruising should be treated as a permitted event “so that we can make sure that we have the resources, the services and the safety involved like we do for a concert (or) a carnival.”
Jose Rodriguez, who is serving his first term as a council member, said he “absolutely support(s) repealing the no cruising ordinance” because allowing it as a city sends a message to those in the lowrider community that they are “accepted and welcomed … The lowrider issue is just the tip of the iceberg. We need to make sure that the government works on behalf of all of us.”
Alejandra Sotelo-solis is serving her first term as mayor and has sat on the dais over the last 10 years.
On cruising, Sotelo-solis has said she supports the lowrider culture but has not publicly shared her stance on the ordinance. She said conversations are still ongoing “and still part of my open-door policy, as well as making sure that we have funding sources and public safety resources to keep our community safe.”
Ditas Yamane, a city planning commissioner, is running for the newly established District 3 seat. She didn’t specifically say whether she favored a full repeal of the ban, but said that “as a Filipino-american,” she is very proud of her culture and wants those in the lowrider community to also “be proud of your heritage and your culture … and I will support that.”
Marissa Acierto, a community organizer and college educator running for District 3, said she supports the work of the Coalition “but as far as fiscal responsibility, we need to make sure we have money in the city to make (cruising) happen.”
Luz Molina, running unopposed for District 1, was unable to attend.
Jovita Arellano, the co-chair of the Coalition, said the forum was another way to show the city and public that the lowrider community is engaged civically. The Coalition is flexing its political muscles to share that message statewide while National City contemplates the local anti-cruise ban.
In the meantime, they have joined other lowrider groups in Sacramento and San Jose in celebrating the repeal of bans in those cities. The United Lowriders were also a source of inspiration for California lawmakers who unanimously approved a resolution in August that encourages cities to end the bans and embrace the culture.