The seats of the Terrace Theater were filled Tuesday night with Long Beach residents and supporters who came out to witness the swearing in of nine newly elected city officials, including the city’s first Latino, openly gay and youngest mayor, Robert Garcia.

One by one, the five new councilmembers and three citywide officers crossed the stage and recited an oath to serve the City of Long Beach and uphold the Constitutions of the United States and California before giving their remarks on what has been considered a historic election year in Long Beach. Master of Ceremonies Doug Otto stated that with the city council now being comprised of four women, and with African-American, Persian-American, Hispanic and Indian-American ethnicities being represented, the council now truly represents the diversity of the city it serves.

“We are long beach, we are diverse, we are lively, we are filled with potential and we as your city leaders are united in our service to you,” 3rd District Councilmember Suzie Price said in her inaugural speech.

Each new member spoke about the campaign process and expressed their appreciation for the help and support of friends, family, and other supporters. “To the friends and family and neighbors who walked 20,000 doors with us on the east side of Long Beach, I owe you each a pair of shoes,” 5th District Councilmember Stacy Rose Mungo joked.

Rex Richardson, who was elected to represent the 9th District, talked about his formative years during his speech after being sworn in, noting that his story is a statistical anomaly. Going from almost not graduating high school to becoming Associated Student Body President in college, his path to becoming the city’s youngest elected council member is a tale of perseverance and is something that he feels he shares with many Long Beach residents.

“My story is not unlike many Long Beach families,” Councilmember Richardson said. “It can be very different or it can be very similar. That’s what’s beautiful about our city. Its diversity.”

Diversity, both in the people elected to office and in the ceremonies of the night, was a constant theme. Musical performances throughout the night mirrored the variety of cultures that came out to be part of the evening. The night began with the sounds of Latin America from Long Beach’s Mariachi Romanza prior to the inauguration ceremony, as well as a ukulele rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” performed by the founder of the Elm Street Band, Roland Misajon. Broadway singer Davis Gaines gave a soulful and theatrical performance of the national anthem, and returned later in the night to perform “Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha.

Then the newly-elected Garcia took the stage, and the crowd erupted. The new mayor could hardly start his speech over the interruptions from audience members declaring their love. Taking a pause, Garcia acknowledged the packed house of supporters that helped get him to this moment. 

“I love each and every one of you,” Mayor Garcia said.

He began his speech with a thank you to his family, and went on to say that despite the gravity of his historic victory, this was the second greatest day of his life. The first, he said, was the day he became an American citizen. Garcia immigrated to the U.S. from Peru with his family as a young child and says he quickly became enamored with the possibilities that his new country afforded him.

Garcia went on to say that he considers Long Beach the epitome of what America is. He explained that while growing up in the Valley, Mother’s Beach was a frequent destination for his family, and Garcia fell in love with the city at an early age. After finishing High School, Garcia attending CSULB, which he says was the only college he applied to—the dorms were his first Long Beach address. 

“You can find the American dream here. There is an opportunity here for everyone to succeed, no matter the color of your skin, no matter who they love, no matter where they live or where they are from or what country they are born in. There is a place in Long Beach, an acceptance in Long Beach,” Garcia said.

In his closing statement, the Mayor thanked everyone who helped him win the closely-contested race, and thanked his country for providing the opportunity to immigrants such as himself, to be able to improve their quality of life through hard work.

“I will never be able to give back to my country what my country has given to me,” Garcia said. “I will never be able to give back to my country what my country has given to my family. Today I stand here as Mayor, as American as all of you in the audience today, and I am proud of that.”

When the ceremony ended, audience members were directed to the Pacific Ballroom at the Long Beach Arena, where a red carpet lined with firepits and the Yuujou Daiko drumming group welcomed the party-goers.

The building pulsated with vibrant music as lights colored the elegant white canopies, while swaying balloons and a crowded dance floor reflected the feelings of the night. It was about bringing people of all races, all sexual orientations, and all ages together under one roof, saying “We are Long Beach.”

The feeling inside the after party was both one of elation and eagerness to hit the ground running. The new city officers acknowledged that although this is a celebration, it’s only the beginning of their hard work to help keep the city moving forward. Newly elected 7th District Councilmember Roberto Uranga said that the diversity of the new council was a good thing, but they will need to work together as a unit in order to tackle the issues facing the city.

“One of the most important things is that we are not silos,” Uranga said. “We are not the 1st , we are not the 2nd, we are not the 7th, we are not the 9th; we are Long Beach, and it is important for us to support each other in our efforts. We have to blur the lines. It’s about Long Beach and what we need to do to make Long Beach the best it can possibly be.”

That sentiment was echoed by several attendees of the event. Bill Preston, who was born and raised in Long Beach and worked on 1st District Councilmember Lena Gonzales’ campaign, said he believes that the city of Long Beach made the right decision putting together this council and that their differences can be a benefit if the new council and mayor are able to harness it and work together toward a better Long Beach.

“Diversity is your strength and your best friend if you embrace it. It’s just a matter of if this council can work together and I pray that Robert’s leadership can hone and make it work because it is a window of opportunity to take Long Beach to that next step,” Preston said.