Newsletter
Summer 2004
Juanita Tate, Civil Rights Hero (1938-2004)
 Juanita Tate, a longtime community activist and founder of Concerned
Citizens of South-Central Los Angeles, passed away on July 5, 2004,
after suffering a stroke two days earlier. Juanita collapsed as
she was preparing to lead a tour of Concerned Citizens' revitalized
Mount Zion Towers, a residence for senior citizens.
Juanita Tate is our hero, our inspiration, and our long time client.
The City Project had the honor of representing her and Concerned Citizens
in the people's victories for state parks in the Cornfield, Taylor
Yard, and the Baldwin Hills. We represented her in the fight to
stop sewer odors that violate clean water laws.
We share the vision for schools with playing fields open to the
community, and for using parks, school yards, and soccer as organizing
tools to bring people together. We represented her in the campaign
to stop the LANCER incinerator—an early environmental justice
victory in the 1980's.
Juanita is survived by her two sons, the Rev. Eugene Williams
and Mark Williams, and her daughter Noreen McClendon, who is the
new Executive Director of Concerned Citizens. We will continue
the struggle for equal justice for all with her children and her
community.
Rev. Williams told the Los Angeles Times, "My mother
knew that her time was getting short. She was very passionate about
making sure we understood every aspect of how organizations run.
We are prepared. The only thing we weren't prepared for was not
being able to have her here."
The family requests that any donations be sent to Concerned Citizens
of South-Central Los Angeles, 4707 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles,
CA 90011.
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