By Juliet Rylah, Contributing Writer
Last night at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, California Senator Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nomination, becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to do so for a major party. Several local politicians made an appearance — albeit virtually — including L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Garcetti appeared during a segment called “America Recovering: Stories of Survival.” He introduced restaurateur Lien Ta, owner of All Day Baby, which is still up and running in Silver Lake, as well as Here’s Looking at You in Koreatown, which recently closed after a week-long series of pop-ups.
Ta spoke about a time before the pandemic when the cafe was frequently busy with families and crowds outside waiting to get in. She noted that All Day Baby received a positive review from Bill Addison in the Los Angeles Times at the same time COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. In Addison’s March 12 review, he raved about the restaurant’s signature breakfast sandwich: a biscuit topped with egg, cheese, sausage or bacon, and strawberry jam. A much worse sandwich: the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, while the U.S. declared a national emergency on March 13.
Ta said she had to furlough employees and that she doesn’t see herself in business next month. During the segment, Garcetti also spoke with All Day Baby bartender Jorge Figueroa, who said that it’s been more work for him lately, but he’ll do everything he can to save the restaurant.
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis also appeared in a video endorsement of the Biden/Harris ticket during which she recalled “one of the proudest moments” of her life: when former Vice President Joe Biden swore her in as the secretary of labor. Solis maintained that role during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2013.
The convention’s keynote address during the previous night featured 17 different Democrats, including Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. Each of them highlighted different issues.
“[W]e’re facing the biggest economic and health crisis in generations because our president didn’t and still doesn’t have a plan,” Garcia said.
Garcia lost both his mother and stepfather to COVID-19. According to ABC7, no openly LGBTQ individual has ever given a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. However, this keynote address featured three: Garcia, along with Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Georgia Rep. Sam Park.
Note: This article first appeared on Los Angeleno and is shared with their permission in partnership with the Los Angeles Wave. You can subscribe for news and features from Los Angeleno here.
