Legal defense program supporters fill city council meeting

Supporters for a legal defense program sat in on a Long Beach City Council meeting to hear the outcome of the council’s vote for their 2026 fiscal year budget on Sept. 9.

The Long Beach Justice Fund is a legal defense program that offers assistance to low-income immigrants in Long Beach who are at risk of deportation. 

Supporters of the fund voiced their opinions before the announcement of the budget, asking for $2.2 million.

Long Beach Residents Empowered (LiBRE), an organization of Long Beach residents advocating for affordable housing and renter protections to prevent displacement and homelessness in Long Beach, were in attendance in support of the Tenant Right to Counsel Program, settlement funds, and the Justice Fund.

Long Beach has donated money in the past, but supporters of the fund asked for 2.2 million dollars to be contributed in light of recent immigration raids. 

“What do we do in the face of this world turned upside-down, what can Long Beach do?” veteran teacher of over 25 years Ann Burdette said. 

^{Ann Burdette vouches for the Justice Fund to the Long Beach City Council at Long Beach City Hall on Sept. 9. Burdette is a veteran teacher concerned about recent unlawful ICE arrests, and felt them to be unconstitutional. (Jacyn King)}

Burdette urged the council to look at the fourth and sixth amendments while holding a small copy of the U.S. Constitution and to allocate $2.2 million for the Justice Fund.

The Long Beach Justice Fund was eventually financed at $1.9 million, $300,000 less than community members were asking for.

Although the funding was lower than what supporters had sought, the decision drew praise from advocates.

Brandie Davidson, a community organizer with LiBRE and third generation Long Beach resident, said it marked a step forward.

“It’s not exactly what we asked for, but it’s something. It does show good faith from the council. It’s a barter, we got something and I’m happy with it,” Davison said.

The Long Beach Justice Fund’s services are provided by the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, who identify Long Beach residents in need of legal assistance regarding deportation and unlawful convictions.