Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles (BLMLA) stands in strong support of the Black-led, community-driven approach to buy and control the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Mall through Downtown Crenshaw.

The collective approach to Black community ownership is grounded in the principles of cooperative economics, self-determination, and democracy, all principles deeply held by Black Lives Matter and fundamental to Black liberation. The Black community that has participated in Downtown Crenshaw’s organizing efforts for more than a year envisions the Crenshaw Mall as a safe and sustainable hub for Black cooperative economics, community-building, creativity, and freedom. BLMLA stands with Downtown Crenshaw in its steadfast efforts to protect historic Black Los Angeles from gentrifying forces that seek to capitalize off and profit from the Black community.

Downtown Crenshaw has submitted a viable bid for this community-driven effort to purchase the mall and utilize the property for the collective benefit of the Black community. Alongside Downtown Crenshaw, BLMLA calls on decision-makers to also take a stand and award the mall to this innovative, promising, and visionary effort and reject any offer that comes from gentrifying forces.