Congresswoman Simon Celebrates Swearing-In with Community Celebration in Oakland

January 23, 2025
Press Release
Congresswoman Simon being sworn in
Oakland, CA – This weekend, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) held a community swearing-in celebration at the historic Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, California, welcoming constituents from all corners of the district and local elected officials, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Congresswoman Simon was sworn in on a Quran and Bible, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee performed the ceremonial swearing-in. The livestream of the full celebration can be found here.
 
During her speech, Congresswoman Simon said:
“I’m a servant more than anything else in my dear and beautiful Oakland, the gorgeous and wonderful 12th District, made up of seven beautiful cities. I want to be clear that you all brought me to Washington to hold up this here district in the highest regard, as did [Congressman] Ron Dellums, as did [Congresswoman] Barbara Lee, with an integrity and a civility that you deserve…
“To pay honor to the Elaine Browns, the Angela Davises, the Huey Newtons, to honor and respect the Chinese railroad workers, who literally created a tapestry bringing the West together – I will walk with faith and dignity…
“I’m ready to not only to fight, but to work and to love and to celebrate. This city, this region deserves all that we have…I will do right by you, I will live in this legacy, understanding that this privilege of being the Congresswoman from California’s 12th District is an honor that must be taken with the most designed humility, the design of love. Let us walk together, knowing and understanding that we can win, even in the face of tyranny. We have been here before, and for some it is all they’ve ever known. But I guarantee you, I guarantee - there is light on the other side. Go with love.”
 
The community swearing-in celebration also included performances and ceremonies from the best of the Bay Area including:
  • GOAPELE
  • DJ Fuze, a member of the Digital Underground
  • The Oakland Military Institute
  • Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice
  • Turf Inc.
  • Jennifer Johns
  • East Bay Toishan Association Lion Dancers
  • Brotherhood of Elders Network
  • Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
  • National Coalition of 100 Black Women
  • 100 Black Men of the Bay Area
  • Kimberly Ellis
 
This weekend, Congresswoman Simon also celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day in California’s 12th Congressional District, attending a Day of Service event in Oakland, a rally in Oakland, and a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy in Piedmont.
Congresswoman Simon represents California’s 12th Congressional District, which includes the following seven cities: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and parts of San Leandro.
 
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