Omar Cook 12/16/25 Omar Cook 12/16/25

Karen Bass Kicks Off 2026 Mayoral Re-Election Bid Surrounded by Community Leaders

Mayor Karen Bass kicks off her 2026 re-election campaign with a powerful rally in downtown Los Angeles, uniting community leaders, advocates, and youth around her vision for a safer, more affordable, and stronger city! We discuss it here!

By: Omar Cook

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially kicked off her re-election campaign for 2026 on Saturday, December 13, with a rally at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Culinary Arts event space, bringing together advocates, community leaders, youth leaders, and city officials in a show of support for her tenure and vision for the city.

Attending the event firsthand, it was empowering to witness the energy and unity in the room. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown kept the crowd engaged and lively, while youth leaders who have thrived under Bass’s leadership spoke about the impact of her policies on their lives. Several City Council members, including Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Curren Price, Heather Hutt, and Adrin Nazarian, were present, alongside state legislators, demonstrating the broad coalition supporting her re-election.

247 Live Culture CEO Omar Cook Attends Karen Bass Re-Election Kick-off Event in Downtown Los Angeles

Bass took the stage with gratitude and enthusiasm, reflecting on the outpouring of community support. “This is just overwhelming. I have to tell you my heart is so full,” she said. “They say we can’t come together. Labor can’t come together with business, and business can’t come together with community, and the faith community can’t come together. But we all come together always.” She emphasized that the relationships in the room were built on shared values of justice, not just political strategy.

Her remarks touched on the challenges Los Angeles continues to face, from the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in January to ongoing homelessness and housing affordability crises. She reaffirmed her commitment to safety, accessibility, and opportunity, highlighting initiatives such as Executive Order No. 1, the Inside Safe program, downtown Al Fresco business initiatives, and efforts to boost union jobs. Bass also noted progress in crime reduction and the city’s move toward zero emissions.

Bobby Rush and Omar Cook — Former Congressman and Black Panther Leader and 247 Live Culture CEO Omar Cook Show Support For Mayor Karen Bass at Her Re-election Kick-off Event

Bass has been a vocal advocate against ICE raids in Los Angeles and has challenged the federal government on immigration enforcement, showing her willingness to confront national leaders in defense of city residents. Her focus on making Los Angeles safer and more affordable remained a central theme of her campaign launch.

Reflecting on the year behind her and the work ahead, Bass stated, “Until every Palisadian is back home. I will not rest until L.A. is affordable, until one paycheck is enough and families don’t have to double up or triple up. And I will not rest until there are no Angelenos on our streets.”

Mayor Karen Bass Kicks Off Her Re-election Campaign

With hundreds in attendance, Bass’s kickoff event set a tone of unity, progress, and community empowerment. While her path to re-election will come with challenges, her ability to mobilize support across city officials, activists, and residents underscores her strong position as the incumbent. Bass’s joy and gratitude for the turnout were palpable, signaling a campaign fueled by both experience and connection to the people of Los Angeles.

The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election will be held on June 2, with a runoff scheduled for November 3 if no candidate receives a majority. So far, three challengers—Austin Beutner, Rae Huang, and Asaad Alnajjar—have launched campaigns, with former rival Rick Caruso’s plans yet to be confirmed.

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Meet Omar Cook | Founder & CEO of 247 Live Culture

Meet Omar Cook, Founder & CEO of 247 Live Culture!

Email: Omar@247LiveCulture.com

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Omar Cook 10/21/25 Omar Cook 10/21/25

United for Change: LA Leaders Stand With Immigrant Communities

By: Omar Cook

This week, I had the honor of standing alongside Mayor Karen Bass, Congressman Robert Garcia, and a diverse group of community leaders, faith-based organizations, and immigrant rights advocates at Los Angeles City Hall. We gathered to address one of the most alarming violations of civil rights our city has witnessed in recent years — the brutal ICE raids that have left more than 170 people, including American citizens, detained, beaten, and denied legal counsel.

Being in that room — surrounded by people of every background and culture — was both enlightening and deeply empowering. I saw firsthand what true unity looks like: leaders, activists, and everyday citizens standing shoulder to shoulder, raising their voices for justice and humanity. For me, it was my first time attending a press conference of this magnitude, and I knew immediately that I was in the right place — standing with people who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice.

As an African American, I was reminded that our fight for civil rights has always been about more than one community — it’s about protecting the humanity of all people. History has shown us that if one group is targeted and we turn a blind eye, it’s only a matter of time before others are next. What’s happening to our Latino and immigrant brothers and sisters today is inhumane and unacceptable. No human being deserves to be attacked or denied their rights by the very authorities sworn to protect them.

At the press conference, I listened to painful stories of those impacted by the raids and how people were never given the chance to identify themselves before being detained. These are not just statistics. These are families, workers, and neighbors — people who contribute to the fabric of our city every single day.

Mayor Karen Bass addressed the press with strength, grace, and conviction, making it clear that this is not simply an immigration issue — this is an American issue. “When citizens and legal residents can be detained without warrants, denied due process, and treated with violence by their own government, every one of us should be outraged,” she said. “Because if they can come for one of us, they can come for all of us.”

She announced that Congressman Garcia, in his role on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, will launch an immediate congressional investigation into the unconstitutional actions of ICE. Both the House and Senate are now committed to working together to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice for every person impacted by these raids.

Mayor Bass made three key points and reaffirmed what Los Angeles stands for — unity, equality, and the defense of human rights:
- We will defend the rights of every Angeleno — citizen or immigrant.
- We will fight unlawful and abusive behavior by federal authorities.
- We will never normalize raids that strip people of their humanity.

As I stood there listening, one thought kept echoing in my mind: we don’t need a title to do our part to help others. Every one of us can show compassion, speak up, and stand together for justice. Love and unity must become our new normal — not division, not silence.

This moment was more than a press conference. It was a call to action. A reminder that we are stronger when we stand together — as Angelenos, as Americans, and most importantly, as human beings.