PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2026

LA28 Pledges Human Rights Grants; Advocates Say Accountability Starts Now

Los Angeles - The Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative (SJI) at Loyola Law School and the public heard two important commitments made by LA28 at the June 30, 2026 meeting of the Los Angeles City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Olympics and Paralympics. For the first time, LA28 publicly committed to creating a grant program for human rights and service providers and stated that details on human rights funding will be released in August, with a formal RFP planned for early 2027. LA28’s CEO also stated clearly that human rights planning and implementation fall under his direct responsibility, acknowledging that accountability for delivering the Human Rights Plan rests with him.

These commitments represent meaningful movement, but they arrive after months of delay. At the January 2026 Ad Hoc Committee meeting, LA28 committed to returning in February to discuss the Human Rights Plan. When February arrived, LA28 did not provide the promised information. The Human Rights Plan was then scheduled for discussion at the May meeting, but LA28 did not attend. Last weeks appearance marks the first time since January that LA28 has shown up to discuss human rights obligations with the City.

Advocates welcomed LA28’s presence and statements but emphasized that the commitments remain incomplete without clarity on funding levels, timelines, and scope. In December 2025, local experts invited by LA28 identified $3.1 million as the minimum required for human trafficking prevention alone — including outreach, supply‑chain audits, hotline capacity, victim services, legal monitoring, community‑based prevention grants, and independent evaluation. Human trafficking is only one of eight human rights areas the Human Rights Plan is required to address, making the need for substantial investment even more urgent.

During the meeting, LA28 also emphasized its intention to coordinate closely with law enforcement on human trafficking. Advocates noted that while law‑enforcement collaboration is one component of a broader response, this emphasis diverged from the recommendations LA28 received from experts in October, who urged a public‑health‑based prevention strategy focused on reducing vulnerabilities, strengthening community capacity, and addressing root causes. SJI stressed that law‑enforcement coordination cannot substitute for evidence‑based prevention, nor can it replace investments in community organizations that provide critical services long before and long after the Games.

“LA28 has taken far too long to make these basic commitments, which could have been included in the draft human rights plan required to be provided to the City by December 31, 2025,” SJI said. “Instead, in July of 2026, we still do not know how much funding will be provided, which organizations will be eligible, or whether the resources will be sufficient to protect workers, immigrants, youth, and other vulnerable communities. LA28 now has the chance to become the first Olympic organizing committee to make a significant, community‑centered investment in human rights protections — but only if the funding is meaningful and transparent.”

SJI also noted that community‑based organizations are already overextended, operating with waitlists, and struggling to meet current demand. Without adequate funding, these organizations cannot absorb the additional pressure of an Olympics‑level mega‑event. “It is irresponsible and unsustainable to expect nonprofits to carry the human rights burden for a billion‑dollar event,” SJI said. “Mega‑events cannot rely on goodwill alone. LA28 must invest at a scale that matches the risks and responsibilities of hosting the Games.”

At the June 30, 2026 meeting advocates appreciated the Los Angeles City Council’s leadership. Councilmembers asked direct, necessary questions that elevated the urgency of human rights protections and pressed LA28 to make commitments on the record. “Their engagement ensured that human rights were not sidelined,” SJI said. “Los Angeles deserves a Human Rights Plan with real funding, real accountability, and real impact.”

SJI and coalition partners will continue monitoring LA28’s progress and look forward to reviewing the funding details promised for August. The Initiative urges LA28 to release a full, resourced Human Rights Plan and to ensure that community‑based organizations receive the support needed to prepare for the 2028 Games.

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