Dear Long Beach Community & District 2 Residents,

After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to pursue a City Council candidacy for District 2.

The choice to run for office didn’t solely originate from me but emerged from a community-driven initiative, fueled by the shared vision of community members, activists, and city leaders advocating for a lasting ceasefire and peace amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Engaging with a growing coalition in Long Beach and my district, I’ve actively participated in extensive conversations emphasizing the need for our city leaders to champion peace and oppose violence in Long Beach and beyond. Collaborating with community advocacy groups, union organizers, university professors, city staff, concerned neighbors, and various stakeholders, our unified effort aimed to secure representation on the City Council, ensuring our community’s interests were not just heard but acknowledged.

With substantial support from the Long Beach community, I formally filed for candidacy on the last eligible day. This act was my attempt to counter the prevailing sense of powerlessness that I, along with many others, have felt regarding the political process in recent months. In a mere two hours, we collected the required 30 signatures, accompanied by numerous messages from individuals I had never met, all expressing collective dissatisfaction with what seemed like a delayed response to the ceasefire plea and a shared desire for transformative leadership in our city.

While politics wasn’t initially something I aspired to, my love for Long Beach has led me to volunteer for nearly six years as a Commissioner, driven by a desire to contribute to the community I wanted to live in. My decision to run emerged from a collective yearning to feel represented and involved in the political process.

In the weeks since filing, I’ve been grateful to engage with city leaders, Mayor Richardson, and organizational leaders across sectors. I was encouraged by the efforts of the mayor and city council members who successfully advanced the proclamation in response to our ceasefire calls. However, the contentions around these efforts, the time and bureaucratic complexities involved in passing these initiatives, and the structures needed now to address and combat rising Islamophobia & antisemitism have led me to question the political arena as the best place for me to support meaningful change.

I’ve realized that running a campaign involves more than a mere desire for change; it demands extensive fundraising and compromises, which I’m not comfortable making. As a parent, I firmly believe that community importance lies in shaping the next generation of leaders, with city leadership being held accountable to shared values.

I hope the eventual winner is committed to working for the benefit of silenced and marginalized voices, using recent protests and actions as a clarion call to reiterate their dedication to justice and community well-being. Identifying and supporting programs for community unity, education, and mental health is crucial. I urge the city to unequivocally condemn all forms of hate and commit to combatting rising xenophobia, racism, and violence in our community.

I entered this race as a concerned community member, not a career politician, hoping our city could progress toward justice, equity, and the well-being of every voice. After reflection, I’ve realized that I want to focus on alternative avenues to contribute outside of electoral politics. In the next few months before the election, I plan to delve into and share information about the needs of our community and its residents.

I appreciate the support received and remain committed to advocating for justice, equity, and community well-being . Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Sara Zaidi