The Lumberjack student newspaper
Nathaniel Mcguigan, minister of communications for Humboldt’s chapter of Party of Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and Gloria La Riva, American socialist activist, leads workshop at HSU on proposition 10 for rent control. | Photo by Tony Wallin

Rent repeal

Party of socialism and liberation club host workshop on affordable housing proposition.
Translate

Party of socialism and liberation club host workshop on affordable housing proposition

Nathaniel McGuigan, a Humboldt State University senior in biology and minister of communications for the HSU Party of Socialism and Liberation branch, invited special guest Gloria La Riva to Humboldt State University on Sept. 21 to direct a workshop on Proposition 10.

“The party is growing and workshops like the one on Prop. 10 are for reaching out to community members,” McGuigan said.

McGuigan said the reason for the workshop was to bring awareness of social issues to the growing working class because it affects them the most.

Proposition 10 supports the Affordable Housing Act. According to the proposition, approval would restore the rights of communities in California to pass stronger rent control by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a law that has given landlords and developers unlimited power.

Gloria La Riva, once a presidential candidate for the Party of Socialism and Liberation, directed the workshop on the rent control measure. Room 206 of Nelson Hall became homebase for socialist discussion on activism and renters rights.

The workshop started five minutes late due to lack of attendance, but soon there were five sitting at the table’s rectangular set up which eventually filled to nine. Eight interested students and an eager La Riva, enough for a revolution.

“No working class people can pay what landlords are wanting to charge,” La Riva said.

In an hour and a half La Riva discussed the different laws pertaining landlords and renters that have been passed, personal experiences of travelling the world as an activist, and a brief history of rent control, not only in the United States but other countries as well. This isn’t your typical tedious history class though, it is filled with entertainment, compassion and challenges that don’t make normal media coverage.

La Riva said people in power like city officials and councils don’t want rent control to pass. When she was running against Diane Feinstein for mayor of San Francisco in the 80s, Feinstein was promising vacancy control, which is regulation of rent levels and evictions of tenants. Feinstein never fulfilled her promise, La Riva said that was because Feinstein’s husband is a landlord with lots of properties, something typical with people in office.

At some point a student asked La Riva why she was hopeful that this proposition would be successful when others in the past have failed.

“We have to keep fighting. We have to keep doing,” La Riva said.

The night went into heavy depth of socialism, the myths of socialism and what it means to be socialist. Under socialism everything is built by the workers, so everything that is done is for the collective of the community.

In a capitalist society, La Riva said, “There is only a handful of people at the top who own everything while everyone below builds everything and stays poor.”

At 7:30 the table opened up for free discussion to the students who were mostly political science majors. It was mainly McGuigan and english senior, Max Hosford, that took up the rhetoric regarding solutions.

“Once I decided Humboldt was going to be my new home, that’s when I started getting more serious about politics and researching these issues,” Hosford said.

Hosford offered recent books and political podcasts such as ‘revolutionary left radio’ for others to listen to that discuss the topics that were talked about at the workshop.

“Propagate, agitate, educate,” Mcguigan said on plans for the future. This includes their interest in the November election by focusing local and bringing awareness to issues like the removal of the McKinley statue and turning Arcata into a sanctuary city.

The flyers that McGuigan made advertising Proposition 10 brought awareness to political science senior, Owen Donnell. Donnell heard about the proposition but wasn’t really sure what it was. He knew if it was about rent control it would be beneficial.

“With how hard and unaffordable rent is, some reform is needed,” Donnell said.

Having members from the community become informed is why McGuigan wanted to have the workshop. McGuigan said being a part of PSL is solidification to his own consciousness.

The night ended after the discussion on solutions and everyone exchanged numbers. New ideas were shared and many were informed with new open ways to look at not only rent control but government parties.

“Everything is made from social production,” La Riva said, “but those that own everything are getting smaller and smaller.”

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination