LA MESA, CA — More than $75,000 has been raised to help La Mesa businesses recover following the devastating riots over the weekend that left businesses damaged and destroyed in the east suburb of San Diego.
“Our small businesses are devastated and many were already on the brink due to COVID-19,” El Cajon Deputy Mayor Phil Ortiz wrote on the GoFundMe fundraising page. “La Mesa Village has been the heart of small business in the city and is a beautiful place for dining, events and memories.”
Ortiz helped launch the fundraising page Sunday on behalf of the San Diego East County Chamber Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports East County businesses. The initial goal was $50,000, but community members in East County and across the greater San Diego region helped hit the goal in a little over 12 hours.
All proceeds will go directly to small businesses that were destroyed or damaged, Ortiz said.
“Let’s keep the momentum strong just like each and every one of you,” wrote Ortiz, who serves as a board member for the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you for your generosity.”
As of noon Monday, donations already surpassed the new goal of $75,000.
Nearly 1,000 people donated funds. Donors included residents, visitors and people from across the county and country.
“We watched the fires from our home, two blocks away,” Melissa Eberhart wrote. “As a POC, La Mesa is our home and didn’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire.”
“We’ve been coming into La Mesa Village for years,” Donna Gambee wrote. “It’s a beautiful community. We wish all of the businesses a safe but speedy, full recovery.”
“We are very sad to learn of the destruction and wanted to do our part from Utah, where we live,” Lori Elegante wrote.
An estimated 1,000 protesters blocked Interstate 8 in both directions Saturday. A crowd also took over the La Mesa Police Department parking lot.
The demonstration escalated to looting and vandalism by nightfall. People smashed windows, stole items and scorched businesses Saturday night into early Sunday morning.
The La Mesa Springs Vons store was looted and torched. Other businesses in the shopping center were also looted and vandalized in a long night of fiery and violent riots throughout the city’s commercial areas.
Rioters burned a Chase branch and a Union Bank branch to the ground. Looters broke into a nearby Goodwill store. A Sprouts store was looted. The Target and Walmart in Grossmont Center were also looted.
On Sunday, people helped clean up the broken glass and debris and painted over graffiti in La Mesa.
The initial demonstration took place Saturday to protest the Wednesday detainment of a black man adjacent to the Grossmont Trolley Station. The man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer. The encounter was videotaped and posted on social media.
La Mesa officials said they were launching an outside investigation into the incident.
The protest also followed the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody on Memorial Day in Minneapolis. His death has sparked peaceful protests as well as destructive riots across the country.
Donate to the La Mesa Business Disaster Recovery fund.
Also see:
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey Over 100 Arrested After Looters Rob, Vandalize Shops In San DiegoProtests, Looting Continue For Second Day In San Diego CountyCurfews Issued For Some Cities, Unincorporated Areas In San Diego CountyLa Mesa Cleans Up After Night Of Protests, Arson And Looting