La Verne celebrates train station opening while Pomona demonstrator protests ICE
La Verne, CA— As train testing continues to run parallel across Downtown La Verne for the Foothill extension project, the Los Angeles Metro aims to open transit for passengers on Sept. 19.
The city of La Verne and city of Pomona came together to celebrate the La Verne/Fairplex station completion on June 21, between White Avenue and E Street. There were multiple booths which informed attendees of programs offered by the Metro as well as refreshments catered by Nambah Coffee.
“This project will bring housing, which we are really excited for,” Tim Hepburn, Mayor of La Verne, said. “This is the cleanest method of transportation that we have.”
Metro infrastructure art is scattered across stations to foster community engagement and the La Verne station displays a three-piece installation, "Connectivity," by Blue Mcright.
Mcright said her installations represent La Verne’s history of water as it relates to the citrus industry that was and still is heavily a part of the city’s culture. The installations exhibit three orchard ladder-like frames, with zig-zags stacking perpendicular to the frame, symbolizing water flowing down a mountain’s stream, while paying tribute to the city’s agricultural history.
“Water is one of my main subject matters as an artist,” Mcright said. “So I became very interested in La Verne’s history of water.
Photo by Foothill Gold Line
She explained how a Metropolitan Water District treatment plant, located on Wheeler Avenue, collects water from the Colorado River and treats it in order for it to be distributed around that part of Los Angeles County.
Mcright described how there is a tile mural on the treatment plant in La Verne, with a zig-zag pattern, which is an ancient symbol of water. She said she decided to incorporate the zig-zags into her art pieces for the station.
All three of Mcright's installations are the same however, they are all pointing towards the three main areas of community use from the station. One points towards the University of La Verne, another points towards Downtown La Verne and the last one points to the Pomona Fairplex.
“That's one of the reasons it's called ‘Connectivitity’,” Mcright said. “It also connects you to the past, to architecture and water. It has many ripples going out.”
A vintage postcard from Patt Morrison’s collection displays the abundance of what was California's citrus industry.
The booths available educated attendees on programs like ‘On the Move’ for seniors and more safety vigilance for K-12 students.
The ‘On the Move’ program helps familiarize senior citizens on the use of public transportation through group field trips and educational tours. Many museums and other public events have a senior discount that many are unaware of. This allows those unable to use a car to still enjoy their community and what it has to offer.
Hepburn and other council members of La Verne, as well as surrounding cities, made recognitions to those involved such as the construction company Kewitt-Parsons Joint Venture and the Los Angeles Metro workforce.
The city’s construction to put La Verne more on the map will continue with future plans to build a bridge over Arrow Highway to join the station with the Pomona Fairplex for easier accessibility.
In partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the city of La Verne will build a 32 foot tall and 1500 feet long bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross above the busy Arrow Highway. The construction will begin before the station’s official opening in September.
Born and raised La Verne residents, Emma Davis and Marley Davis, attended the station’s opening and said their father is very passionate about public transportation so they know the importance.
“The train will help us get more connected to L.A. and help out the commuter students,’ Emma David said.
“Im really excited because I have had a lot of people tell me they love La Verne but never had a reason to come,” Marley Davis said. “So I think if a train is taking you to the center of it, why not come.”
While it does not stop there, The Metro A Line intends to further extend east to Montclair. The project expectancy is 2029 or 2030
Illustration by Foothill Gold Line
At XSTSY MEDIA, we like to cover topics traditional news outlets refrain from exploring. At the La Verne station opening, an Anti-ICE protester demonstrated as soon as council members began on stage. He stood right outside of the event, still in proximity to hear him well.
Below I inserted a few articles written by bigger media companies that did not mention the demonstration that disrupted a majority of the event:
With his shirt, both front and back, being a blown-up picture of Kamala Harris’ face, the anonymous Pomona resident rolled up a handmade “Fuck Trump” sign to scream repeatedly “Keep wetbacks out of La Verne.”
I was confused about his message as his “Fuck Trump” sign, Kamala Harris shirt and use of protest chant did not align.
Many residents and city employees tried to stop him from his profanities but he stood his ground and utilized his first amendment right.
Local police stood by to keep him from further entering the event and I made my way over to talk with him.
He continued to yell his chant and after I told him I was a freelance journalist, he told me I was not the ‘right color.’ I was also very puzzled after that statement he made. I continued to try and get him to explain the message he was conveying but he started speaking German to me.
Luckily, I studied in Berlin and can get around with a few phrases. After saying “Ich bin studentin” which translates to “I am a student” (It was the only thing that came to my head at that moment), he softened and told me to keep him anonymous.
He went on to say there are no people of color in La Verne or at this event. After fact checking by scanning the station, there were plenty of people of color attending. The protester said amidst immigration officers arresting undocumented citizens in Pomona and near Claremont, the city is ignoring a large issue and instead celebrating a profitable project.
Sarah Van Buskirk can be reached at bysarahvanbuskirk@gmail.com.
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