Lessons from Paris - Why Los Angeles Must Take a Different Approach
Article 1 in a five part series: Safeguarding Our Communities: A Comprehensive Series on Mega-Events in Los Angeles
Lessons from Paris - Why Los Angeles Must Take a Different Approach by SecondGrace.LA | 05 December 2024
The recent Paris Olympics in 2024 serves as a cautionary tale and an opportunity for Los Angeles.
In Paris, more than 19,500 individuals were evicted from their informal living spaces, essential services were disrupted, and communities were divided due to aggressive policing. The approach of the French capital to "social cleansing" - carefully documented by grassroots organizations - reveals the detrimental consequences when mega-events prioritize their image over human dignity.
Los Angeles faces an even greater challenge. With around 75,000 homeless residents - approximately twenty times the documented homeless population in Paris - our city needs more comprehensive solutions to address the housing crisis. However, we also possess unique strengths that Paris did not have: decades of experience in community organizing, established networks of service providers, and the hard-earned wisdom of countless advocates who have been fighting for housing justice.
While the numbers only tell part of the story, the displacement in Paris not only removed people from visible spaces, but it also disrupted vital support systems, separated individuals from healthcare providers, and tore apart communities that had developed mutual aid systems. What is even more troubling is that many of these consequences persisted even after the Olympics had ended. Los Angeles must learn from these mistakes.
We are not just preparing for one event, but two major international sports competitions: the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. This presents both increased risks and expanded opportunities for transformative change. Consider the timeline: We have less than two years until the World Cup and four years until the Olympics. This means we must take action now to implement protections and establish new systems of community support. The decisions made in the next 12 months will largely determine whether these events become catalysts for displacement or opportunities for community empowerment.
What sets Los Angeles apart?
Firstly, we have a robust network of community organizations with experience in protecting vulnerable populations. Groups like the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), and numerous others have been fighting against displacement for decades. They understand the local context and have developed effective strategies for community protection. Secondly, we have existing funding mechanisms, such as Measures H & A, that can be utilized to create permanent solutions rather than temporary fixes. This provides a foundation for sustainable change that Paris lacked. Thirdly, we can draw upon the experience of the 1984 Olympics. While that event also had issues with displacement, it demonstrated that Los Angeles can host major international events while still protecting local communities to some extent. But perhaps most importantly, we have time - if we use it wisely. The Paris experience shows that last-minute solutions are not effective. We need to start implementing protections now and building systems of community support that will outlast the events themselves.
What needs to be done immediately:
1. The Los Angeles City Council must pass comprehensive anti-displacement ordinances that safeguard both housed and unhoused residents. These should include: - Imposing a moratorium on evictions in affected areas - Freezing rent increases - Providing anti-harassment protections - Ensuring the right to return
2. The city must establish and fund community oversight committees with real decision-making power. These committees should: - Have a majority representation from directly impacted communities - Include paid positions for community members - Have binding authority over event-related decisions that affect their neighborhoods - Receive adequate funding for staff and resources
3. We need to begin mapping and protecting existing service networks: - Identify critical service areas - Create protected access corridors - Develop backup locations for essential services - Establish mobile service delivery systems
4. Housing creation must begin immediately: - Start acquiring properties at risk - Convert existing buildings into permanent supportive housing - Ensure that all event-related construction includes permanent affordable housing - Create community land trusts in impacted areas The path forward requires more than just avoiding the mistakes made in Paris - it demands actively creating new models of community protection and empowerment.
In the following posts of this series, we will explore specific strategies for different neighborhoods in Los Angeles, outline mechanisms for community oversight, and detail concrete plans for service protection and improvement. The story of how Los Angeles handles these mega-events is yet to be written. However, one thing is certain: we cannot afford to wait any longer to start protecting our communities. The time for action is now.
As always…
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