Growing up in Anaheim, I experienced firsthand the deep-rooted inequalities plaguing our community. As a child, I had no access to youth centers or places of engagement, and I lived in neighborhoods that were neglected while the streets near the Disneyland Resort were continually maintained. In December of 2019, my family was displaced by a greedy landlord who evicted us to raise the rent, fueling the gentrification that has been pushing long-time residents out of their homes. The search for new housing was overwhelming, hindered by barriers set by landlords and the scarcity of affordable options.
It was quite difficult for me to find a community of young people who have lived similar experiences. But last year, I attended Chispa’s Anaheim Young People’s Town Hall, which was a transformative experience. This event brought together young residents of Anaheim and surrounding areas to engage in meaningful discussions on systemic issues impacting our community. It created a powerful sense of community and ignited a movement among young residents to become more civically engaged. Through this collective effort, we realized that our engagement is crucial to combat corruption, hold indifferent leaders accountable, address housing insecurities, and address many other issues that directly impact our lives. As young Anaheim residents, it is vital that we unite and mobilize to tackle the issues that affect us directly, ensuring our voices are heard, and our communities thrive.
Anaheim is more than just Disneyland and tourism. It is a community with families, parks, schools, and neighborhoods that deserve dignity and respect. Earlier this year, the Anaheim City Council approved the Disneyland Forward Expansion Project. This massive 40 year expansion agreement was rushed, lacked transparency, and failed to consider the legitimate concerns brought forth by Anaheim residents. These concerns ranged from the privatization of 3 public roads to the potential displacement of families in the surrounding area. The Anaheim City Council unanimously passed the project, perhaps it was because their campaigns are funded more by special interests, like Save Our Anaheim Resort (SOAR), than Anaheim residents. In the context of this issue, it was critical for young people in Anaheim to stand against this expedited plan.
However, it’s not just local issues that affect our community; global issues also resonate deeply with us. Anaheim has a rich Palestinian heritage, and in recent months, young brothers and sisters have united to fight for the liberation of all Palestinians. This struggle for freedom is not isolated—it represents the liberation of all peoples. The Palestinian genocide has mobilized many in our community, inspiring a new generation of leaders determined to stand against oppression. These leaders were born out of a necessity to fight for justice, and it is imperative that we continue their legacy. By doing so, we honor their courage and ensure that our fight against all forms of injustice—whether local or global—remains strong and transformative.
We must follow the lead of young Palestinian organizers fighting for liberation in their own communities. The future of Anaheim rests in the hands of young people. It is up to us to create a community that will serve the best interests of Anaheim residents, not corrupt special interests that deepen the pockets of politicians. Young activists have been at the forefront of social, economic, and environmental movements. We are at a pivotal moment to mobilize one another, challenge the status quo, and collectively forge a vision for the future. Attending the Anaheim Young People’s Town Hall last year ignited a fire within me to stand up for my community and speak out on the issues that matter most to me. I extend an invitation to all Anaheim youth between the ages of 15-35 to join me at the 2nd annual Anaheim Young People’s Town Hall hosted by Chispa on Saturday, June 29th from 10am-3pm at the Ponderosa Family Resource Center. Collectively, we can begin to organize young people in the present and build a foundation for future advocacy and community leadership.
Johanna Perez Herrera is an Anaheim resident, UCLA alumna, and passionate advocate for youth engagement and community justice. They are actively involved with Chispa and are dedicated to addressing systemic inequalities and fostering civic participation among young people in Anaheim.
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