LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Today, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted to pass a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis on supporting Assembly Bill (AB) 776: Route 210 authored by California State Assemblymember Chris Holden.

“It is only through action that we can help to break the cycle of harm Native American communities have faced for centuries,” said Supervisor Solis. “To that end, supporting critical pieces of legislation such as AB 776 will allow us to continue to advance truth, healing, and reconciliation. Undoing the systemic erasure Tribes have experienced is a priority of mine, and I vow to continue to be an advocate.”

On October 13, 2020, the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion directing the Chief Executive Office, in partnership with the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission (LANAIC) and the Department of Public Works, to collaborate with the California State Legislature and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) for the removal of the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway designation of the Interstate-10 (I-10) freeway and any signage in relation.

On February 13, 2023, Assemblymember Holden introduced AB 776 which aims to build upon the aforementioned work by amending the Streets and Highway Code Section 510 to have Route 210 known and designated as the Southern California Native American Freeway or by the name developed by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The bill would also require Caltrans to erect signs and appropriate markers along Route 210 to recognize tribal lands.

“I am pleased that the Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Solis’ motion to support AB 776: Route 210. The LANAIC looks forward to developing a plan to ensure that LA County is apprised of the status of the measure as it progresses through the California State Legislature. The renaming of Route 210 to the Southern California Native American Highway is another opportunity to uplift the Native American community and increase our visibility,” said LANAIC Chairperson Cheri Thomas (Quinault/Yurok).

The motion approved today directs the Chief Executive Office, through the Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Branch, to support AB 776. In addition, it asks the LANAIC to develop a plan to ensure that everyone in LA County learns about the approved highway signage once the measure is enacted.

To read the full motion, click here.

To read “We Are Still Here,” A Report on Past, Present, and Ongoing Harms Against Local Tribes, click here. This report has driven Supervisor Solis’ latest actions in supporting Native American community members.

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