By Tolulope Arasanyin
Geneva, New York — For some change is inevitable. For others, change is unnecessary. For City Councilwoman Laura Salamendra, change is on the horizon. A native to upstate New York, Salamendra has dedicated her adult years to investing in the well-being of her Geneva community.
Young Laura was popular during her childhood years, and her mother attests that it was partly due to her always wanting to give people what she had. She grew up in a welcoming home where inclusion was the family philosophy. Her mother, Michele, was a single mom raising four kids. So, from a young age, Salamendra knew what it meant to be poor and to do without. Salamendra also grew up with her half-Chinese brother who had Tourette Syndrome, and she watched as he endured verbal and racial abuse from neighbors. Her life circumstances were what shaped her politics, which forced her to care and to disrupt when not enough care was being given.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Salamendra is not new to opposition. At the age of eleven, Laura refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because she understood the hypocrisy that dwelled in the words “liberty and justice for all.” Early on, Laura recognized that not all people were granted justice or liberty. Her opinion would get her sent to detention more than enough times. But Laura, as she does now, never stopped advocating for what she believed was right. During her high school days, she advocated for AIDS education in school, and her mother affirms that Laura “has always been a fighter for people.”
When asked why she does what she does, Salamendra credits her naturally giving personality. Whether it is baked goods or an ear to listen, Salamendra provides what she can. Jeff Henderson, founder of Geneva Peeps, an egg co-op, appreciates how “invested Laura is in helping people who need help.” Henderson has strong roots in Geneva and has watched as “city council dragged their feet” when it comes to making positive change in the community.
Jenna Lavita, co-owner of Lake Drum Brewing, met the Ward 5 City Councilwoman five years ago at a protest. She attests that Laura is a just representative for her base, is a voice to stand up against the powerful, and is not afraid to confront racism or unequal power dynamics. Both Lavita and Salamendra have worked together to help migrant workers, and Jenna believes Laura is a “great organizer and connector of people.”
Laura is a politician who cares.
Her politics are dedicated to centering the voices of those not considered and those easily disregarded. She does not believe in a particular leadership style but rather looks to provide a space for people to voice their concerns. Laura’s politics empower people. She says that all we need is a “megaphone and a banner.” Her politics involve lending an ear to those no one listens to, connecting people to services, providing material resources, and creating a safe space for sharing people’s grievances.
Laura is not a political figure who sits behind a desk making decisions about people’s lives. She is the type to get involved in them. Her goal is to have a “Geneva that works for all of us, a world that is for the many and not the few.” She stresses that some people do not have access to basic needs like food and transportation. She is involved with a housing plan dedicated to teaching tenets how to negotiate with landlords and speak up for themselves. She assists with COVID-19 aid relief, advocates for accessibility to the lakefront, conducts clothing drives, and works with local farms to bring fresh food directly to the people. Due to Laura’s tenacity for improvement, the City of Geneva’s official communications are now in both English and Spanish. With the help of the People’s Peaceful Protest, Laura also worked to establish the Police Review Board. Some position Salamendra as anti-police and solely focused on her work with the PRB. Yet, she has done more than just the PRB, and she is not going to stop there. She is going to continue to advocate for all people’s needs and rights.
The Ward 5 City Councilwoman’s tenure has not been an easy one. Henderson believes that “the political machinery in Geneva tries so hard to wear her down.” Others complain that the “leftist/socialist” critique weaponized against her is a way for right-wingers to halt change. Salamendra realizes that once she started pointing to problems in the system, people began to dislike her more. She is often positioned as the face of being anti-police while advocating for police accountability. She has been called a liar and a thief, and vile messages have been spewed at her constantly on social media. She recalls that, not too long ago, her tires were slashed seven times.
But the local city councilwoman believes in Geneva’s ability to be better. She recalls her first time coming to Geneva at the age of 19 and being embraced by the women in the community who helped lift her up. So, Salamendra wants to formulate a network of care similar to the one she received during her early time in Geneva.
She wants a Geneva that works for all of us.