City Councilor Klarissa Peña Sends Letter to Governor Newsom Encouraging Support of Repealing Anti-Cruising Laws
City Councilor Klarissa Peña has sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom encouraging his support and signature on AB 436. AB 436 proposes removing the authorization for a local government in California to adopt rules and regulations on cruising. Councilor Peña has partnered with the lowrider community on efforts related to cruising and car culture in Albuquerque and has worked with municipalities all over the country on similar efforts. In 2018, Councilor Peña sponsored and passed legislation, O-18-28, making Albuquerque the first municipality in the nation to repeal their anti-cruising law.
“Over the past 3 years, we have collaborated with the United Lowrider Coalition to provide them with technical support on how to repeal anti-cruising legislation at the municipal level, but we were excited to hear the Coalition was making a push to repeal anti-cruising legislation at the state-level. Now that AB 436 is on the table, we wanted to be sure to provide our support to get this bill across the finish line,” said Councilor Peña in her letter.
Councilor Peña has been convening a national network of communities aimed at supporting lowrider culture through a combination of lowrider-based youth programming and legislative action. Earlier this year, the Albuquerque City Council approved a policy brief, OC-23-26, that outlined a methodology for municipalities to repeal anti-cruising legislation and provides alternative strategies for celebrating their local lowrider communities and recognizing their role in supporting economic development.
In her letter asking for Governor Newsom’s support, Councilor Peña noted that by bridging the gap between local lowrider car clubs, law enforcement, our youth, and local officials, every community has an opportunity to elevate local cruising events and celebrations that support their local residents and their economies.