Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell

Today was my final City Council meeting, and we turned it into a celebration of public service.

We've accomplished so much together, including setting Los Angeles on the path to 100% carbon-free, renewable energy by 2035, replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, leading the City in affordable housing production, reducing homelessness in our district by 23% in just the last two years, establishing a vision for the future of Hollywood Boulevard with the Walk of Fame Master Plan, improving the quality of life for seniors in our communities, building bridges and making it safer and easier for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross and access the Los Angeles River, keeping people housed and fed during a once-in-a-century pandemic, uplifting the rights and voices of the Trans community, and tackling countless public works and beautification projects all across the district. The list goes on and on!

I especially want to thank all of the people who have supported me throughout my journey in public service: my friends and family, and my incredibly talented staff, both past and present.

And thank YOU to the residents of CD13 for the privilege of serving on your behalf.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

On that note, it's a wrap! ❤️

Tonight, we observe World AIDS Day in remembrance of the millions of beautiful souls lost to this disease.

Part of my responsibility as an out gay man — and as someone who came of age during the AIDS crisis — is to always uplift and honor the memories of those we’ve lost — and to support those who continue to live with HIV and AIDS.

City Hall is lit tonight in their honor. I also had the privilege of speaking this evening at Congregation Kol Ami, a wonderful, inclusive house of worship that has always opened its doors and opened its heart to the most vulnerable in our community. ❤️

Los Angeles is filled with pride tonight as we celebrate the US Senate's historic vote to enshrine protections for same-sex and in*******al marriages into law. 

Out of the darkness of Colorado Springs, there is light today across our nation as we stand collectively against the forces of hate and intolerance.  

While there is still much work to do in the name of equality and justice, may tonight's light uplift all of us and shine a forward path. 🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

The holidays are in full swing in Hollywood, where we’re getting ready for the 90th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.

The festivities kick-off at 6pm at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive. Be safe and have fun!

A pillar of my time in office has been my support for our small, local businesses, which add so much to our local economy and are integral to the 13th District’s character.

Each year, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, I made it a tradition to visit and support many of them, purchasing holiday gifts for friends and loved ones.

On this , please remember to shop local and show our businesses some love!

📸Small Business Saturday, 2020

As you gather with friends and loved ones today, Team Mitch wishes you a restful and happy Thanksgiving.

It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the 13th District and its residents.

In thanks and gratitude,

Mitch

A festive morning announcing the return of the Hollywood Christmas Parade to Hollywood this Sunday, November 27.

Now in its 90th year, this beloved holiday tradition will feature floats, balloons, dancers, live music performances, dinosaurs, Santa Claus, and more - all to benefit Marine Toys for Tots.

For more information about the parade route, street closures and parking restrictions, please visit thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

With a heavy heart, we gathered this morning at Hollywood Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue to remember the life of Josh Markowitz, who was tragically killed last year by an impaired driver.

In Josh’s memory, we installed a Rainbow Halo, which memorializes the locations and victims of traffic collisions, while calling on each of us to do our part to end preventable traffic deaths in Los Angeles.

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we honor the lives that we’ve lost to hate, bigotry and anti-trans violence. This year alone, we’ve already lost 50 trans lives across our nation - the deadliest year on record.

Adding to our grief today is the horrific mass shooting that occurred last night at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, where once again the LGBTQ+ community was the target of violent, premeditated hate. At least five people were murdered at Club Q last night, along with 18 injured and countless lives forever altered.

I'm in awe of the courage of the club patrons who apprehended the murderer and prevented further tragedy.

I'm in awe of the enduring strength of the LGBTQ+ community, of which I'm so proud to be a part, for continuing to summon the collective bravery required to live loudly and proudly in the face of hate.

I'm in awe of the countless allies to the LGBTQ+ community, whose support and love and friendship is critical to our movement.

We will not go back into the shadows. We will not cower in fear. We will not let hate and bigotry win - not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, as we mourn the lives of those we've lost, we also pledge to keep their memories alive today and always. We will continue to demand justice and work relentlessly to achieve a more just and inclusive City.