April 23, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Donald Sterling Censured by L.A. Council, Donation Pledge to UCLA Rejected

Sterling
Donald Sterling.

In the wake of the NBA banning Donald Sterling from the professional basketball league for life, both UCLA and the Los Angeles City Council separately took formal steps on April 29 to distance themselves from the beleaguered Clippers owners.

Earlier in the day, council members unanimously voted to censure Sterling and denounced racist remarks that were attributed to him.

UCLA later announced the school would reject a $3 million donation pledge Sterling recently made to the university for kidney research. As part of the rejection, UCLA is returning an initial $425,000 payment Sterling made to the university’s Division of Nephrology. Future payments will also be rejected.

University officials stated the donation pledge was rejected because “the racially charged comments he made in a recorded telephone conversation were ‘divisive and hurtful.’”

“Mr. Sterling’s divisive and hurtful comments demonstrate that he does not share UCLA’s core values as a public university that fosters diversity, inclusion and respect,” according to UCLA.

University officials said they have been receiving inquiries about an advertisement that appeared in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times, “falsely suggesting that it was UCLA publicly thanking him for the gift.”

“The ad was placed by Mr. Sterling, not the university,” according to UCLA.

Meanwhile, at Los Angeles City Hall, the City Council officially moved to censure Sterling in light of a proposal presented to council members by District 8 representative Bernard C. Parks.

Specifically, the council approved a motion denouncing Sterling’s statements that surfaced last weekend and demanded he apologize to Angelenos and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, an “iconic, national figure” who was a target of some of the remarks.

Council President Herb Wesson noted he personally would not want the proposed apology, and suspects Johnson also would not.

With Los Angeles a city that prides itself on its diversity, “this is the worst city in the world for this to be happening,” Councilman Paul Koretz said.

He added the team should be thought of as separate from Sterling.

“I’m a big Clippers fan,” he said. “They always, somehow when they put together a great team, find a way never to get too far. This is sadly the worst example of that.”

Parks said during a morning news conference that the city has a “long-standing tradition” of fighting against racial discrimination.

The motion reflects the city’s desire to “condemn the statements made by Mr. Sterling and clearly separate itself from those statements,” Parks said.

Prior to the vote, Parks told his colleagues that the issue is “very delicate” for the city of Los Angeles.

“We have seen several explosions in the city when insensitivities have come about,” he said.

Parks’ motion called the remarks “very offensive,” and said they are “completely inconsistent with United States Human Rights Laws, the long- standing positions of the City Council, the diversity of our community, the fan base of the Clippers and the very high percentage of minorities who worked for and are working for the National Basketball Association.”

“These comments, actions and statements have no place in today’s society,” the motion states.

The motion calls on the council to “condemn” the statements allegedly made by Sterling and demand “a personal apology to the entire Los Angeles community.”

It also calls on the Los Angeles NAACP to revoke its nomination of Sterling for a humanitarian award and asks the Los Angeles Times to consider pulling Sterling’s weekly ads promoting “his commercial real estate empire and alleged civic activities.”

Wesson amended the motion to include asking NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to visit Los Angeles to talk to the City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti, as well as to address the community.

On Monday, Wesson sent a letter to Silver, asking him to fund a third-party inquiry into whether the Clippers, under Sterling’s leadership, violated laws aimed at shielding employees from racial discrimination.

“As an owner, Mr. Sterling has exercised absolute control over his franchise,” Wesson wrote in a letter to Silver, dated April 27. “It has now become imperative to look into how his attitudes on race have governed his leadership of his franchise.”

After the council’s vote, several members joined a news conference by Garcetti and current and former NBA players outside City Hall to hail the league’s decision to ban Sterling for life. They also urged fans to continue supporting Clippers players.

The team is scheduled to take on the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 in Game 5 of their best-of-7 playoff series at Staples Center. The series is tied 2-2.

Related Posts

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/5uE3LO9Lz9 pic.twitter.com/tz8YgJaB4j — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

Culver City Government Hosts Second Annual Mental Health Fair at City Hall

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Free Tools, Resources, and Relaxing Activities at Wellness Celebration Culver City will host its second annual Mental Health Resource Fair...

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Santa Monica Police to Target Impaired Drivers at DUI Checkpoint 

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Officers Will Be On Alert for Alcohol and Drug Impairment The Santa Monica Police Department announced plans to conduct a...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Culver City Closes Streets for Earth Day to Encourage Green School Commutes

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Pedal, Walk, or Roll: Culver City Schools Go Car-Free for Earth Day Culver City is taking its Earth Day celebration...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...