January 14th, 2025

Media Ignores Devastation to Black Los Angeles Fire Victims

The December 12th Movement stands in solidarity with the more than 500 Black families displaced by the catastrophic Eaton Fire in Altadena and parts of Pasadena, in Los Angeles County, California. The Eaton fire has stretched beyond 14,000 acres and is only 33% contained, threatening more homes in its path. While media outlets gush over the loss of estates owned by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Mandy Moore, the destruction of an entire working class Black community is met with deafening silence. This disaster is not just about flames—it’s about systemic neglect, environmental injustice, and a government that prioritizes spectacle over solutions.

The media has once again chosen to mislead the public, criminalizing survivors by manufacturing panic over so-called “looters” rather than highlighting the true looting: a government that has siphoned critical funding from firefighting services to militarize the LAPD. Fires like the Eaton Fire are no act of nature—they are the direct result of unchecked climate change and a crisis of governance in Los Angeles that has abandoned vulnerable communities to fend for themselves. Due to the Eaton Fire, Altadena and Pasadena’s water supply is now contaminated and no longer safe to use for the community left standing in the wake of this disaster.

Altadena has been a historic haven for Black homeownership, boasting an 81.5% Black homeownership rate—nearly double the national average. Over generations, Black families in Altadena have fought and won battles against redlining, gentrification, and other systemic efforts to uproot them. Yet now, these working class families face the devastating possibility of losing everything—not just the land their homes once occupied, but also the legacy fought for during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.

The December 12th Movement is issuing a national call to action:

Demand Accountability: We call on Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass to ensure that displaced Black families retain ownership of their land. This includes providing direct financial relief for rebuilding, enforcing anti-gentrification protections, and preventing developers from exploiting this tragedy.
Shift the Narrative: Media outlets must stop criminalizing Black survivors and start reporting the truth about the systemic failures behind this disaster. Coverage must prioritize the displacement of working-class Black families over the spectacle of celebrity losses.
Support Black Altadena Families: We urge individuals nationwide to donate directly to GoFundMe campaigns supporting these families and to amplify their voices on social media.

This is not just a fire; it is an extinguishing of Black prosperity and stability. If we allow Altadena’s Black community to be erased, we set a dangerous precedent for Black communities across the nation. Now is the time for collective action. Stand with Altadena. Stand for justice.

The December 12th Movement Demands Justice for Black Altadena Families Displaced by Eaton Fire

Click to Access List of GoFundMe Campaigns for Displaced Black Families