Alex | Community Activist:
“So I just wanted to say a lot of our questions today and all summer are obviously going to be surrounding the unacceptable behavior of LAPD and their interactions with your constituents down at the Metropolitan Detention Center. We just listened to Chief Hurtado speak a bit ago, and I’d just like to share on Labor Day, after arresting eight individuals, he personally made a call and said, quote, no more free passes for these protesters. We spent 12 hours in jail for failure to disperse. In retaliation, when previous arrests were still unlawful, but they were the cases that you referenced in the beginning of this, Mayor Bass, just two weeks ago, I won my case against the United States of America for being down at the MDC and falsely accused of assaulting an officer.
So forgive us if we’re a little weary, but we’ve been down at the MDC all summer documenting what LAPD is doing, helping DHS and ICE, and that is why they are beating and harassing us. Over the summer, hundreds of people were arrested and brutalized by LAPD, who were improperly using less-than-lethal ammunitions, trampling people with horses, illegally declaring unlawful assembly, and using tear gas and bear maces to disperse crowds, incorrectly using City Code 4118 to intimidate and harass protesters. And not only are we battling for our rights against the federal government right now, but we’re battling with our rights against LAPD, all under your watch. So my questions for you are:
Are you aware of the LA Times report that Chief McDonnell is being influenced by Bill Essayli and the Trump administration on LAPD personnel decisions?
Have you discussed with McDonnell about upholding our laws and his oath and not answering to the Trump administration’s orders to violate our rights?
Are you aware of the people’s call for McDonnell to be removed in general from his position? And do you support our wishes?
Mayor Karen Bass:
First of all, I’m not aware of the LA Times article that you’re talking about, and I would have no idea as to what personnel decisions that Bill Essayli could be influencing. So I am not aware of that. I am not aware, but I’m not shocked that there are people who are calling for Chief McDonnell’s resignation. I understand that people are not happy with him. I did not know there was an organized (inaudible). There were those two things, but you asked one more.
Alex | Community Activist:
Would you support our wishes for his removal? Because I think you and our city council members are vital in seeing that actually happen. So, are we able to see any progress in pursuit or support from you and your office in that goal?
Mayor Karen Bass:
No, I do not support his removal.
Alex | Community Activist:
And can we ask you why?
Mayor Karen Bass:
Because I don’t think that his tenure over a year warrants his removal.
Alex | Community Activist:
Okay. And all of the things that I just referenced prior to that do not warrant that, in your view, people have been—
Mayor Karen Bass:
No, and let me just tell you something. No, it doesn’t. I appreciate and respect your opinion. But even if I did feel that way, I’m not going to answer that I want him removed in a webinar with 400 people on it.
Alex | Community Activist:
Sure. I’m not trying to get you to do that. My point is, it’s not me personally requesting this. This is hundreds of your constituents, hundreds of people, Angelenos who live here, have been asking for this for a very long time. If I am understanding the situation correctly, I’m only recently joining the group and their mission to get that done. But my experience is with—
Mayor Karen Bass:
You muted yourself, Alexandria.
Alex | Community Activist:
No, the host muted me…
Mayor Karen Bass:
…in general, go ahead and finish your point. Okay. Go ahead.
Alex | Community Activist:
My, I think I’ve made my point, actually. Thanks.
Mayor Karen Bass:
Okay. Thank you.
