A coalition of concerned citizens plans to gather at the Marina del Rey jetty at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 3rd, to protest Marina del Rey fireworks set for 9 PM on Saturday, July 4th. They are asking Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors in Marina del Rey to halt the display over nearby wildlife habitat.
July 3 at the Marina del Rey jetty
The protest is tied to a specific time and place, not a general objection. Residents want the fireworks stopped before they go off over an area they say overlaps with nesting seasons for the California Least Tern, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Least Bell’s Vireo, and the nearby Western Snowy Plover.
Christina Ku, an attorney, said, "Baby birds have fallen from the nests at the first fireworks blasts and, if spotted by community members, have been cared for at wildlife rescue centers - many don’t survive,". Jane Velez-Mitchell, a local resident and UnchainedTV president, said, "These fireworks are like dropping a bomb on ground zero for Southern California wildlife,". Jonathan Coffin is also part of the coverage of the planned protest.
Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
The dispute centers on the adjacent Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and the Endangered Bird Habitat for the California Least Tern. Residents say the July 4 Fireworks would affect nesting wildlife there, and they are also calling on Meghan Hertel to use her authority to move away from fireworks shows in the area.
Posted signs already warn residents not to let their dogs onto the beach between April 15th and September 30th because it is near the Endangered Bird Habitat for the California Least Tern. That restriction gives a sense of how sensitive the area is before any fireworks are set off.
Downtown LA protest on June 22nd
The July 3 gathering follows a protest on June 22nd outside the LA County Supervisor’s Offices in downtown LA, where Jessalyn Waldron told protesters, "We hear you,". Residents said that dialogue with local officials had not led to the outcome they want, which is cancellation before the July 4 event.
The planned July 3 news conference is the immediate next step. If county leaders do not act before Saturday night, the fireworks are expected to proceed over the same habitat residents are trying to protect.
