Mayor Darrell Steinberg calls for repeal of Sacramento's anti-cruising ordinance

Friends—


Today, I am publicly calling for the prompt and full repeal of the anti cruising ordinance passed by the City Council in the 1980s. It should be repealed first and then replaced by an ordinance strengthening the prohibition against so-called sideshows and reckless driving. We will work with the police chief and the community to both do the right thing and assure public safety

Cruising and the lowrider community are important parts of our city culture and history.

Lowriding began in the 1940s among Mexican-Americans and is a celebration of Chicano art, culture, and community. Localities all over the state now celebrate this rich part of California’s heritage. The California Auto Museum on Front Street recently held a lowrider exhibit.

Lowrider car clubs in Sacramento can be seen on any given weekend providing meals at homeless safe grounds, participating in COVID-19 vaccine drives, hosting trick or treat events for kids, and raising money for local causes. In 2020, they partnered with La Familia Counseling Center to raise awareness in the Latino community about the importance of the census count.

The anti-cruising ordinance reflects an old and unfair stereotype that associates lowriding with gangs or violence.

The anti-cruising ordinance authorizes no cruising signs, which are posted predominantly in Latino neighborhoods. The ordinance and the signs prohibit lowriders from continuing this tradition with their families. They are unfairly lumped together with those engaged in illegal activities such as sideshows..

The truth about lowriding is much different, and that’s why it’s long past time to repeal this outdated ordinance.

I’m currently working with a number of my council colleagues, and other top city officials, to to do just that.

I greatly appreciate the efforts of the Sacramento Lowrider Commission, which initiated this request and has spent months educating public officials and community leaders on why the anti-cruising ordinance is unnecessary and discriminatory. I also want to thank my colleague Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who has been central to this effort.

The Sacramento region is home to more than 40 car clubs committed to keeping California’s lowrider culture alive. We should embrace the value that lowriders bring to our City and acknowledge their contributions to the art and the culture of our city.

It’s never too late to do the right thing

Sincerely,
Mayor Darrell Steinberg