According to CBS Los Angeles, Karen Bass has been sworn in as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles during a historic ceremony at the Microsoft Theater.
The ceremony was originally supposed to take place outside City Hall, but because of the weather, it was moved inside.
Longtime friend and former California attorney general Kamala Harris, vice president, administered the ceremonial oath of office to Bass. The city clerk personally administered the official oath.
Ready to go to work, Bass declared that one of her first acts as mayor would be to declare a state of emergency over the city’s homeless problem.
She stated that she would proclaim a state of emergency on homelessness on her first day in office. She added that by doing this, she would “recognize the seriousness of our crisis and pave the way for us to maximize our ability to urgently get people inside, and do so for good.”
In her first year in office, she wants to house 17,000 people in order to “welcome housing to every area.”
We must construct housing in every area, she stated, adding that this is our mission. “We cannot keep packing more people into already crowded neighborhoods.”
Bass also discussed a further urgent matter she must deal with on her first day as mayor.
Naturally, we need to put an end to crimes in progress and hold offenders accountable, Bass said. “We will provide the additional officers that some neighborhoods have requested. However, the needs and requests of communities are as varied as our city.”
If we come together and focus on solutions rather than jurisdiction and on linking arms rather than pointing fingers, we will save lives in our city.
That is my mission as your mayor.
Los Angeles, you elected me to lead and that is exactly what I will do. pic.twitter.com/Tb0Ecf1h2r
— Karen Bass (@KarenBassLA) December 12, 2022
The inauguration was attended by dozens of well-known figures, including Governor Gavin Newsom.
In her statement, Bass stated that “making history with every one of you tonight is a tremendous event in my life and for Los Angeles.”
Stevie Wonder also gave performances of “Keeping our Love Alive” and “Living for the City.” Also performing were Chloe Bailey and Los Cafeteras.
Before serving six years as Los Angeles’ state Assembly representative and first African American speaker, Bass, 69, was a social worker and community organizer.
She served Los Angeles after being elected to Congress in 2010 before returning to her hometown and becoming the first Black female mayor.
It’s important for Angelenos to remember our origins and who we are, she added, adding that “times of inflection require introspection.”
She enters office during a period of unrest as the Los Angeles City Council struggles to perform business due to a scandal involving several prominent members that are racially tinged, but also during a hopeful period as the council will now include more women than Eve.
Speaking at the occasion, Council President Paul Krekorian suggested that Bass is the ideal leader for uniting Los Angeles.
Even while our city is facing previously unheard-of difficulties right now, he added, “I also believe that this is a time of previously unheard-of potential.”
Bass will succeed fellow Democrat Eric Garcetti, whose two terms as mayor of Los Angeles expired on Saturday. Due to resistance from some senators who claim to be concerned about sexual misconduct charges against a former Garcetti staff member, his nomination to become the United States ambassador has run into trouble.
After a competitive contest against billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who spent more than $100 million on his campaign, Bass was named mayor-elect in November.
