The Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), also known as “Cangress,” is a Los Angeles-based left-of-center organization that works with low-income and homeless people in parts of Los Angeles. It works to expand their access to social-welfare programs and it provides services to those residents.
LA CAN works with organizations such as Black Lives Matter Los Angeles to protest against the Los Angeles Police Department. It also works to increase social-welfare spending on the homeless and other low income people. LA CAN primarily works in the South Central and the Skid Row sections of Los Angeles.
Overview
The Los Angeles Community Action Network is a left-wing group that claims to represent the low income and homeless residents of Los Angeles, which it claims are mostly black and Hispanic.
The organization was founded in 1999 by 25 residents of Downtown L.A. The organization started out focused on civil rights and combating poverty. It later expanded its focus to women’s rights, housing issues, and healthy food access. 1
The organization’s initial focus was on Downtown L.A., with a specific focus on the Skid Row section. In 2007, LA CAN expanded its operations to South Central Los Angeles with a focus on housing and food access work. Currently, 25 percent of the organization’s membership lives in South Central L.A. 2
Work
The organization provides pro bono legal services through the law firm Jones Day. The law firm dedicates 10 of its associates to the pro bono work and the firm has provided pro bono services to homeless and other low income residents through the organization since 2010. 3
In 2013, LA CAN joined efforts with the Western Regional Advocacy Project, Hunger Action LA, and the LA Anti-Eviction Campaign to promote the “Homeless Bill of Rights” in California. The campaign called for allowing the homeless to sleep in public places, occupy a legally parked vehicle, eat in public, secure 24-hour access to “hygiene” facilities, and access legal counsel for an “infraction” violation. It was intended to be passed by the California state legislature. 4
In 2014, LA CAN filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Los Angeles Police Department after one of its members was arrested for blowing an air horn during a protest. LA CAN accused the LAPD of harassing the homeless in Skid Row. 5
In 2016, LA CAN lobbied the L.A. City Council to require farmers markets to take food stamps. The council agreed and passed legislation requiring the acceptance of food stamps. 6
In 2020, LA CAN joined Black Lives Matter Los Angeles in suing the city over the use of force during demonstrations. It accused the city of using excessive force against “peaceful demonstrators.” 7
Staff
Pete White is the executive director of LA CAN. He is one of the founders of the organization. 8
Financials
According to the 2018 Form 990, LA CAN took in a little over $1 million in revenue and spent $752,631. 9
The organization spent $695,673 on all of its various programs including community organizing, providing low-income people with organic produce, and pro bono legal services, among other services. 10
References
- “Our History”. 2020. LA CAN. Accessed October 16. https://cangress.org/our-history/.
- “Our History”. 2020. LA CAN. Accessed October 16. https://cangress.org/our-history/.
- “Working With Los Angeles Community Action Network, Jones Day Wins Appeal For Pro Bono Client”. 2012. Jones Day. https://www.jonesday.com/en/practices/experience/2010/03/working-with-los-angeles-community-action-network-jones-day-wins-appeal-for-pro-bono-client.
- “Los Angeles Community Action Network And Allies Launch Homeless Bill Of Rights Campaign – Partners For Dignity & Rights”. 2013. Partners For Dignity & Rights. https://dignityandrights.org/2013/11/los-angeles-community-action-network-and-allies-launch-homeless-bill-of-rights-campaign/.
- Reynolds, Matt. 2014. “Skid Row Advocates Want LAPD Reined In”. Courthouse News. https://www.courthousenews.com/skid-row-advocates-want-lapd-reined-in/.
- “Los Angeles Community Action Network”. 2014. KTLA. https://ktla.com/tag/los-angeles-community-action-network/.
- Rizzi, Corrado. 2020. “Black Lives Matter LA, Los Angeles Community Action Network Sue City Over Police Use Of Force During Protests”. Class Action. https://www.classaction.org/news/black-lives-matter-la-los-angeles-community-action-network-sue-city-over-police-use-of-force-during-protests.
- “Pete White – The Durfee Foundation”. 2020. The Durfee Foundation. Accessed October 16. https://durfee.org/awardee/pete-white/.
- Form 990. 2018. Ebook. Guidestar. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2018/020/661/2018-020661629-1068efe4-9.pdf?_ga=2.240937664.258768150.1602813153-1729401998.1573449492.
- Form 990. 2018. Ebook. Guidestar. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2018/020/661/2018-020661629-1068efe4-9.pdf?_ga=2.240937664.258768150.1602813153-1729401998.1573449492.