Protesters twice interrupted Mayor Rex Richardson’s State of the City address Wednesday night, halting the speech and spotlighting rising political pressure on City Hall.
At a Glance
- Demonstrators chanted “ICE out of Long Beach” and demanded stronger labor protections for Black workers
- Mayor Richardson responded directly: “ICE does not belong in our city,” earning a standing ovation
- Despite tension, he unveiled plans for a $378,000 FIFA World Cup fan zone and a $21 million waterfront amphitheater
- Why it matters: The mayor is pitching major growth initiatives while the city faces a budget crunch from declining oil revenue and federal cuts
The packed venue fell silent when protesters stood on opposite sides of the room, voices echoing off the walls. Security moved in, guiding demonstrators outside as Richardson stepped away from the podium. Each pause lasted several minutes.
When he returned, Richardson tackled one protest theme head-on.
“ICE does not belong in our city,” he declared, prompting cheers and a wave of attendees rising to their feet.
Stadium-Sized Plans for Global Events
Richardson revealed Long Beach will host a FIFA World Cup Fan Zone on downtown Pine Avenue during the tournament’s Southern California swing this summer. Metro is bankrolling the multi-week activation with a $378,000 grant.
He also announced that Ireland will set up an Olympic team house in the city during the 2028 Games, joining previously confirmed hosts Greece and Denmark. The move is part of a broader push to raise Long Beach’s international profile ahead of LA28.
Construction crews have already broken ground on a $21 million waterfront amphitheater near the Queen Mary. Booking agents are lining up acts, the mayor said.
Job Creation Push Amid Budget Squeeze
Richardson set a target of 4,000 new jobs by 2028, betting on aerospace, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing to drive growth.
Key wins he highlighted:
- Speedo relocating its North American headquarters to Long Beach ahead of the Olympics
- Vast Space, an aerospace startup, expanding local operations
- Marathon Burger, founded by Nipsey Hussle’s brother, opening on Pine Avenue in the former Johnny Rockets spot
To bolster small firms, the mayor rolled out $9 million in grants under a program dubbed “AnchorLB,” promising additional economic announcements later this year.
Homelessness Rises Despite Prevention Efforts
City data released in January shows homelessness up 6.5% since last year, adding roughly 1,500 people compared with pre-pandemic totals.
Richardson unveiled “Upstream LB,” a prevention program aimed at residents “one emergency away from losing everything.”
“Focusing on people at most risk – one emergency away from losing everything,” he said.
Crime Drops, Police Shootings Hit Zero
On public safety, the mayor cited:
- Homicides down
- Shootings reduced by one-third
- Commercial and residential burglaries falling sharply
- Zero officer-involved shootings in 2025, a first for the department
Political Undercurrents
Richardson, who is running for re-election, delivered the speech under heightened scrutiny from activists and voters. The interruptions underscored tensions surrounding City Hall even as he projected optimism about Long Beach’s future.
Still, budget realities loom. City finance officials project a deficit tied to declining oil revenue and reduced federal support. Richardson’s agenda depends on attracting outside investment and tourism dollars to close the gap.
Key Takeaways
- Protesters forced two pauses in the State of the City, demanding ICE removal and stronger Black worker protections
- Richardson directly backed the ICE stance, drawing loud applause
- Major event announcements include a World Cup fan zone and Olympic team houses
- Economic goals: 4,000 jobs, millions in business grants, and global visibility ahead of LA28
- Homelessness continues to rise, but the mayor is betting on prevention programs and job growth to reverse the trend
