About 20 immigrant rights activists bicycling from Seattle to San Diego will ride through the streets of Long Beach this Sunday, where local cycling advocates will guide them through the city’s own immigrant neighborhoods, including the Westside and Cambodia Town.
The so-called “dream riders” are part of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium and are raising awareness about its national Citizenship For All campaign with a 37-day Journey to Justice tour where they stop at different cities and talk with community groups.
1 day down, 36 more to go on our #Journey2Justice. We had a gr8 press conference launch in Seattle, and a nice man gave us free water on our way to Tacoma! Up next is a community forum with faith leaders on why our communities need #Citizenship4All. Then, OLYMPIA!!🚴♂️🚴♀️ pic.twitter.com/y73kTVxDml
— NAKASEC (@nakasec) August 2, 2018
The Long Beach stop is being organized by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and its Long Beach chapter Walk Bike Long Beach. Every month, the coalition holds “Sunday Funday” rides in different parts of the county and for the first time a ride will be held in Long Beach.
The dream riders’ stop in the Los Angeles area just happened to coincide with the coalition’s ride, said Walk Bike Long Beach co-chair Kevin Shin, and because the consortium and coalition share the same social justice values, they decided to connect.
“While we focus on one specific aspect, we are generally supportive,” Shin said.
Walk Bike Long Beach mainly focuses on equitable transportation options around the city. Many of the commuters who are most impacted by lack of walkable or bikeable streets are those who are also impacted by economic, racial and immigration issues, according to Shin.
The riders will be making stops at Admiral Kidd Park and the Japanese Cultural Center in West Long Beach, Cesar Chavez Park and Promenade Park Downtown, and the United Cambodian Community organization in Cambodia Town.
Shin said the stops will highlight some of the disparities in the city in terms of access to safe streets.
During the 13-mile ride, community organizations like the East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Sanctuary LB Campaign and Filipino Migrant Center, will also be on hand to talk about their work during certain stops. Participants will also get to try food in the area.
The ride will begin at the Willow Street Metro station, located at 2750 W. American Ave. A bike check will start at 9:30 a.m. with the ride itself starting at 10 a.m. The ride is expected to last about three hours. Organizers said this will be a “no-drop ride” with coalition ride marshals on hand.
For more information about the event click here. To see the route click here.