Los Angeles, CA – Carlos Montes formally announced his intention to run for the District 14 seat in Los Angeles City Council at a campaign kickoff event held at his campaign office on Nov. 8. Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Montes spoke to the need for progressive activism in City Hall to address the many issues facing the people of Los Angeles. Montes’ announcement was met with cheers of “Sí, se puede!” from members of the crowd, which included teachers, labor leaders and students.

Montes has spent decades fighting for progressive causes on the ground floor. Throughout the 1960s, he was a focal figure of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, helping to cofound the Brown Berets and organize the 1968 East LA Chicano Blowouts. He has been actively involved in anti-war activism since the early 2000s, which made him the target of an FBI raid in 2011.

Most recently, he has fought to shut down the Exide Technologies battery recycling plant in Vernon, which has poisoned the surrounding community with lead for over 40 years. He has also been active in protesting the Los Angeles Police Department’s use of checkpoints to intimidate and harass undocumented members of LA communities, particularly on the Eastside. Montes currently serves as President of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council.

Elections for LA City Council will be held on March 3, 2015. Montes will run against incumbent Jose Huizar and former LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina.

District 14 is comprised of all, or part, of the following neighborhoods: Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Garvanza, Monterey Hills, Hermon and parts of downtown.

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