Los Angeles is facing urgent challenges, but our leaders seem fixated on hosting the 2028 Olympics at all costs. Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have made it clear that this global event matters more to them than addressing the immediate needs of our communities.

Over the past two weeks, devastating fires have swept through the Palisades and other parts of LA, leaving destruction in their wake. Families are struggling to rebuild, yet instead of prioritizing recovery efforts, our leaders are pouring resources into preparations for the Olympics—resources that should be spent protecting lives and homes.

Hosting the Olympics will not only divert attention from urgent issues but also create significant long-term consequences for our city:

 1. Housing Crisis Worsened: The Olympics historically lead to mass evictions and skyrocketing rents. With LA already facing a severe housing crisis, hosting the games could push countless residents out of their homes to make room for short-term rentals and luxury developments.

 2. Environmental Damage: Construction for Olympic venues and infrastructure often destroys natural habitats, increases pollution, and strains water and energy resources. LA’s already fragile environment cannot bear this additional burden.

 3. Strained Public Services: The influx of visitors will overburden public transportation, emergency services, and healthcare systems, leaving Angelenos with reduced access to essential services.

 4. Ballooning Costs: Olympic budgets almost always exceed initial estimates, leaving host cities in financial ruin. The billions of dollars spent on the games will leave LA taxpayers footing the bill for decades, even as our city’s infrastructure and social programs go underfunded.

 5. Security Overreach: Hosting the Olympics brings heavy-handed security measures that can lead to increased surveillance and policing, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.

 6. Incomplete Infrastructure Projects: With no public transit from LAX beyond a bus and no plans in place to build more, rushed Olympic deadlines could result in poorly executed projects that fail to serve residents after the event.

This isn’t just about money—it’s about lives, homes, and the future of Los Angeles. Hosting the Olympics won’t solve our housing crisis, repair the damage from recent fires, or address our crumbling infrastructure. Instead, it will deepen existing problems and leave our city in worse shape.

We, the people of Los Angeles, demand our leaders put politics and prestige aside. Let’s focus on protecting our city and prioritizing the well-being of its residents. Sign this petition to cancel the 2028 Olympics and demand real action for LA’s future.