The L.A. Urban Policy Roundtable has launched a campaign to ensure historic Black Altadena is equally included in the rebuilding process after the Eaton Fire.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson announced the group's 'Renaissance Black Altadena' Wednesday in front of his cousin's burned-down home, expressing that the community is 'deeply concerned' for potential 'double standards' in recovery aid.
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"We are going to be monitoring insurance companies to make sure that there's a fair, equitable, and timely payment of rebuild assistance," Hutchinson said.
He said they also plan to monitor local and federal agencies to ensure they do what is right.
"The recovery efforts, aid, assistance, and support must not only go to Pacific Palisades; we want to make sure West Altadena, too."
Hutchinson says he doesn't want to see the historic Black Altadena west of Lake Avenue disappear after the rebuilding and recovery are completed.
Rev. Clifford Franklin, whose daughter lost her home, his was severely damaged, says he got a call while his home was still smoldering that made it feel as though making the community disappear might be the goal for some.
"I didn't want to hear it. All I said was, can you let the smoke settle first? And hung up the phone," the Reverend said. "I've had several [calls] since then; I've had periodicals attached to what's left of my fence, cards underneath the mats. There's a great sense of 'we're coming to get it.'"
He says the developers should be helping people rebuild, not taking properties away for profit.
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