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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 5�TY Op t,4 C BERKELEY DAVIS IR NE LOS ANGELES 41ERGED RNERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SANTA WBAFA * S.ANTA CRUZ k•4 '/868' SCHOOL OF EDUCATION &INFORMATION STUDIES 1320 PORTOLA PLAZA LOS ANGELES,CA-90095 CENTER X MOORE HALL Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers, I write today in strong support of Item 910: The Public Art and Preservation Policy and Item 929: The Designation of the Artworks of Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma and Emigdio Vasquez as Historic Properties. As an educator who has dedicated my career to students in South Central Los Angeles and here in Santa Ana, I see public art as a living, breathing historical record. In my classroom, culturally-responsive curriculum is a necessity. My students connect deeply with content that validates their lived experiences. The murals of our city, particularly those by Cadiz and Vasquez, are powerful primary sources. They tell the stories of working-class immigrant perseverance and the tenacity that built this community, allowing my students to see their own family histories reflected in the public square. I do not come to this perspective solely as a teacher. I write to you as someone who has physically participated in preserving this legacy. As a Youth Artist Intern, I took part in the restoration of the VIVA Santa Ana mural in Downtown Santa Ana. That experience taught me that preservation is an act of love and labor. It is why I am proud to serve as your OC Parks Commissioner representing District 2, where I advocate tirelessly for preserving art across all our local and county park systems. We must ensure that the beauty and history housed in our public spaces are maintained for the next generation of dreamers and learners. The proposed Public Art and Preservation Policy (Item #10) provides the necessary framework to ensure that the murals and sculptures we save today are maintained with consistent standards, safety, and artistic integrity tomorrow. Furthermore, the urgency of designating the works of Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma and Emigdio Vasquez (Item #29) cannot be overstated. Historic designation is the legal shield that ensures we never lose another irreplaceable chapter of our collective past. We owe it to the artists who came before us, and the students who will inherit this city, to act decisively. I urge you to vote YES on both items. Sincerely, Ray Diaz, B.A. Politics I M.Ed. Candidate OC Parks Commissioner, District 2 Educator, Santa Ana& South Central LA