The Movement Towards Mobility Justice in Los Angeles: Building a Framework Grounded in Popular Education & Community Knowledge

Abstract

Author(s): Juarez, Zully | Advisor(s): Roy, Ananya | Abstract: As a response to the shortcomings of Vision Zero, People for Mobility Justice (PMJ), an organization focused on addressing the transportation needs of communities of color, created the i5 Disi; Decolonize, Decongest, Decriminalize, Dignify and Dream, as an invitation to collectively define safe streets. This project uses a mixed-methods qualitative approach to address the following question: What are the ways mobility justice is defined under the threshold of the 5 Dis; Decolonization, Decongest, Decriminalize, Dignify, and Dream? Findings: Mobility justice exists between this growing body of literature and advocacy work that pays attention to racial geographies. From all the 5 Dis, Decriminalize was spoken about the most amongst all participants. Interviewees tied it to the policing of Black people and their movement in public space. Participants connected these discussions to historical legacies of slavery, state violence, redlining, police brutality, and enforcement, as well as highlighting platforms of resistance such as Black Lives Matters, and abolitionist movements. Recommendations: PMJ has the potential to strengthen abolitionist movements such as the Movement for Black Lives. There is room to build stronger relationships between mobility justice and environmental justice. PMJ can create employment opportunities for the Leimert Park participants to help facilitate workshops for their programs. PMJ can engage in conversation about the freedom to remain in place as a way to address power and policing as it relates to Decriminalize and Decolonize.