New Berkeley councilmember pledges to protect nonviolent student protesters, cites Gaza encampment

Councilmember Cecilia Luna Parra used her first remarks at the Berkeley City Council on May 7 to outline how she intends to represent District 7 and to make a public pledge about student protest enforcement.

Speaking after the council certified the District 7 special election results, Luna Parra said she is "the first undergraduate student, the first Latina, and the first queer woman of color to be elected to this body" and pledged to remain accountable to constituents. She also addressed ongoing campus demonstrations, telling the council: "I will do everything in my power to ensure that no city, county, or UC resources are used to arrest, suspend, evict, or otherwise punish nonviolent student protesters."

Luna Parra cited the Gaza solidarity encampment that had taken place on the Mario Savio Steps at Sproul Plaza and described it as an example of student organizing and solidarity. She said her presence on the council represents student power and pledged to continue organizing alongside her community.

Her remarks drew brief congratulatory comments from council colleagues, who welcomed her and said they looked forward to working with her on land use, safe streets and housing. The special meeting was otherwise limited in scope; no public commenters spoke on the consent item that certified the election results.

Luna Parra closed by thanking family, mentors and neighbors and noted she was balancing the new role with final exams; she said she was "excited to get to work."