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Social justice is a never-ending task, so it is important to have representatives who care about the needs and rights of all communities, since people have the right to food, housing, medical care, fair wages and a dignified life regardless of their race or culture, said Ofelia Bello, candidate for the East Palo Alto City Council.
"I am passionate about social justice work, being part of positive changes, but at a local level," said Bello in an interview with Manuel Ortiz, during the radio program PenÃnsula 360 Press and Hecho en California with Marcos Gutiérrez.
Ofelia Bello is running for a seat on the East Palo Alto City Council, as she has worked hand in hand with several organizations for a long time supporting the community, and she herself states that she "feels that she has something to offer to the community to continue with everyone's efforts."
The member of Young People United for Community Action (YUCA) is also the daughter of two Mexicans, her mother from Guerrero and her father from Michoacán, and it was from them that she learned to always help people regardless of their origins, race or culture.
A fundamental part of his life has been his mother, who has shown him kindness and social commitment without expecting anything in return.
"My mother is my greatest example, she always helps people we know, friends, family, neighbors, people close to us of all races and ethnicities; she seeks to support them and I have always said that I inherited this vocation from my mother."
The social activist explained that it is important to go out and vote, "let's remember that someone outside is making important decisions for the community, people who sit on the boards of directors, on the Municipal Council, and those who do have the right to vote are letting other people make decisions for each one of them, and while electoral politics is not the only way to make changes in the community, it is something that has great value."
On the other hand, he commented that Last Saturday, August 31, she supported groups of tenants from East Palo Alto who were asking for their right to decent housing to be respected. Fortunately, they obtained the attention of the owners of the houses to make improvements or adjust payments in light of the poor conditions of the properties.
There are about 60 units spread across three buildings. Ofelia Bello explained that they began knocking on doors and explaining the tenants' rights and then people began to unite and take action.
In this regard, a letter has been submitted with a list of demands for administrative improvements, including requests for improved communication, dissemination of information not only in English, and some physical improvements. The letter explains that the tenants want to negotiate in good faith to resolve the problems in a particular way.
Most of the tenants are Hispanic and have a minimal command of English, which causes the documents to be confusing and unclear. In addition, the tenants have suffered harassment and discrimination for wanting to demand their rights, a situation that Bello lamented, while stating that having a more complete and united group helps combat insecurity and the fear of speaking up.
"It's wonderful to see people come together, and not necessarily just Latinos or Mexicans, for something we all have in common, which is our home. It's something sacred, because everyone deserves a decent, safe home in good sanitary conditions, regardless of culture or race," she said.
If elected, she said, her main focus will be on decent housing rights and defending tenants' rights to prevent people from becoming homeless.
For Ofelia, housing is a primary issue in East Palo Alto and tenants' rights must be defended. "They have the right to demand that these improvements be made and this is usually presented to the City Council, to the Rent Stabilization Working Group, speaking of East Palo Alto, and if these improvements are not made, one possibility is that their rent will be reduced or that they will be reimbursed for the amount invested by each tenant," she concluded.
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