By Esther Lian, 2025 CLA Intern
As part of our mock campaign, my team and I attended El Monte’s biweekly City Council meeting — not as passive observers, but as learners determined to understand and honor the heart of AD-49. We knew that this district is home to a vibrant and deeply rooted Hispanic community, and we wanted our campaign to reflect not just their numbers, but their voices, hopes, and struggles.
The council meeting was nothing short of electric — and at times, exhausting. For over five hours, residents filled the chamber with passionate testimony. During public comment, speaker after speaker stepped up to the podium, voices steady or trembling, calling out what they saw as broken promises from their leaders. There were demands for electoral transparency, pleas for leaders who would put people over politics, and urgent calls to safeguard neighbors from the fear and trauma of ICE raids.
What struck me most wasn’t just the frustration in the room, but the fierce love for community that pulsed through every word. It was a reminder that politics here is not abstract — it is personal, it is lived, and it matters deeply to the people in those seats. This deep, frustrated love for their city left a mark on us. It has not only moved us, but has shaped the very heart of our campaign — reminding us that real leadership begins with listening and standing alongside the people we serve.
Another event I attended was the City of Rosemead’s launch of their new microtransit program, Rosemead Go. Standing there, I saw more than just shuttle vans — I saw a promise of connection. Affordable, accessible transportation can be the difference between a neighbor making their medical appointment, attending a community program, or showing up to have their voice heard at the ballot box. The fact that Rosemead Go offers services in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese speaks to the beautiful diversity of our district — and to the needs of our Asian American community in particular.
As someone who calls this district home, I am thrilled to see concrete steps being taken to close the gap between our most vulnerable neighbors and the resources that keep them healthy, active, and civically engaged. I hope to be an advocate for such programs that meet the community where they are at.