The Cal Berkeley Democrats held a banquet to connect students with local politics and celebrate members at Anna Head Alumnae Hall last Friday.
About 70 attendees bought tickets to the event, where local politicians, including Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii, Councilmembers Cecilia Lunaparra and Mark Humbert, and District 7 candidate Syrak Micael spoke.
Lunaparra, a former president of Cal Dems, said events such as the banquet connect students to local politics, making a direct impact on students’ lives.
“I announced this week that I’m not running for reelection,” Lunaparra said at the event. “I ultimately know that this seat and this work that (I’m) so proud of is ultimately not about me or about any individual person. It is a movement, it is a collective and it is a community. I’m so thankful for all the support, organizing and kindness of Cal Dems and all those student boards who are passionate about improving our city.”
At the event, Humbert told The Daily Californian he plans to seek reelection. During the event, Humbert also stated that his future plans include his work on redesigning Zachary’s Corner, the crosswalk on the southwest corner of Clark Kerr Campus.
Ishii noted the importance of joy and a supportive community amid the national political climate.She mentioned the value of being visible and accessible to her constituents through events like the banquet.
“We’re taking a look and seeing: How are immigrant communities being impacted? What are ways that we can come together and unite and make sure that we’re coordinated, so that if and when ICE comes, we will be prepared here as a city?” Ishii said at the event.
Other speakers included BUSD school board Vice President Jen Corn, Rent Stabilization Board Chair Soli Alpert and Susannah Delano, the executive director at Close the Gap California, a nonprofit that works to elect qualified female candidates to the state legislature.
At the end of the night, Cal Dems announced its member of the year and organization of the year. The awards went to UC Berkeley freshman Chloe Stevelman and Students for Abundance at Berkeley, respectively.
Micael, who was endorsed that day by Cal Dems to inherit Lunaparra’s District 7 seat, was the event’s final speaker. Hours before the banquet, he held his campaign launch party near Sproul Plaza.
“It’s progressive politics,” Micael said. “These radical ideas young people think of, dream and innovate for, cause we’re fighting for the future. And I want to make sure that … the voice of our future is … certain.”