In a blue dress, with three small children clinging to her, Victoria Garcia stood at the front of the San Fernando City Council, raised her right hand, and swore an oath for her new position as city councilmember.
When she finished, a standing ovation with cheers and “amens” erupted from the packed room of devout supporters.
Time will tell if the rapturous reaction at the April 15 council meeting grows even louder.
Though previously somewhat reserved about her support during the grassroots campaign, attendees revealed how Garcia has connected with the religious right, conservative groups and “parental rights” organizations.
During the March Primary, Garcia won a special election to fill the vacancy left by the passing of the late Councilmember Cindy Montañez last October. Garcia will hold the seat through the end of the term in November, after which it will be on the ballot again as a full-term position.
Public comment during the meeting became a celebration of Garcia’s success – congratulatory speeches intertwined with recited scripture verses, songs and dance performances. At times the room felt more like a lively church service than the typical pedestrian council meeting.
“I absolutely love … when our council chambers are full. Whether it’s people who agree or disagree with me, it’s always great to see ‘democracy at work,’” said Councilmember Joel Fajardo.
An Army for Christ
“Good evening to all of you here who are strong supporters, [and] believers of God,” said Benito “Benny” Bernal.
Bernal is a Republican candidate taking on Assemblywoman Luz Rivas for the 29th Congressional district seat currently held by Tony Cárdenas.
“You put your faith in God and you went behind Victoria Garcia, a candidate who loves and serves the God Almighty. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
In attendance alongside Bernal were other conservative political affiliates, including David Hernandez, founder and chairman of the Los Angeles Hispanic Republican Club (LAHRC), and representatives of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 2024 campaign.
In March, Hernandez attended the “Time to Stand!” conference in downtown LA alongside Manuk Grigoryan, co-founder of the “parental rights” group Leave Our Kids Alone (LOKA). The goal of the gathering was to push forward the “Protect Kids California Act” – legislation that limits transgender rights in schools.
“Victoria Garcia has been fighting this battle for parental rights and children’s innocence since day one,” said Grigoryan, who used the majority of his time to promote the anti-trans legislation.
Sprinkled throughout the crowd alongside LOKA were SFV Alliance members, a local community action group focused on “parental rights” who initiated the Drag Story Hour protest at the San Fernando Library last October.
These organizations and supporters frequently promote anti-vaccination and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policies.
“When you move against the body of Christ, you move against an army that is born for this particular time – and this is the body that is here today,” said Bernal, directing this remark toward the sitting city council members.
“Anybody who wishes to come against our children, our families, our parental rights, our religious freedoms – every one of you city council members, mayors, senators, assembly members, congressmen will be removed,” he threatened.
The crowd held up their hands and cheered in agreement.
Division on the Dias
During her campaign, Garcia was taken under the wing of Patty Lopez, a longstanding San Fernando resident who won a surprise Assembly seat in 2014.
“Victoria represents, in her time, what I [also] did,” said Lopez. “And others will come, who will do the same thing – because the government has completely disconnected from the residents and its families.”
Garcia’s win has been compared to Lopez’s since she surprisingly won the council seat over Sylvia Ballin, former San Fernando mayor and councilmember, and Sean Rivas, chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.
“Some use San Fernando like a stepping stone to other positions. That’s why when somebody tries to run in the City of San Fernando, we know who lives in this city and who is only using their political power as a step [to higher office],” said Lopez.
“When you try and silence our voices, this is what happens.”
Some of Lopez’s comments may have been pointed at Mayor Celeste Rodriguez, who grew up in San Fernando, but has been called a political climber by opponents because of her run for Assembly District 43. However, Garcia also made an Assembly bid and will be running against Rodriguez in November.
The two opposing candidates will share the dias for the remainder of the year.
“As I welcome a new council member, I do want to say that it’s been an honor to work with my other colleagues as well, who I have found to all be ethical and good people,” said Fajardo, making a point to defend his fellow councilmembers.
Despite being the first gay councilmember and mayor in San Fernando, Fajardo kept his comments measured in the wake of anti-queer undertones during the public comments.
“I miss Cindy Montañez every day. But I know if she were here, she would want us to all get along,” Fajardo added.
Rodriguez echoed Farjados’ sentiments, commenting that, “No one can fill Cindy Montañez’s space in the city and in our hearts.”
“She loved democracy and she loved our community … [and] always wanted us to work together in service to our community,” Rodriguez added. “In that spirit, I also want to welcome you [Garcia] to the city council.”
Though everyone delivered words of peace in service of the community, Garcia and the other council members made no efforts to take a group photo when she officially took office.
A couple of days after the meeting Garcia told the San Fernando Sun/el Sol – via email – that she felt “honored and humbled” by the community support.
“My favorite part of campaigning was meeting residents and hearing from them about their history in the City, their concerns, and their hopes for what they want to see our City become. I was also fortunate to meet many small business owners and learn about the struggles they are facing. I am excited to get to work for all.”
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