Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government By Kaelan Deese
Protesters gathered outside of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s residence Thursday night, leaving graffiti and damage to the property just hours after the Democrat signed an ordinance restricting homeless encampments in the city.
Nearly 50 people gathered outside the mayor’s home in Hancock Park around 7:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. Protests began peacefully but resulted in dozens of police personnel responding in riot gear to break up the crowd.
âNo one was in danger. Our role last night was to facilitate a peaceful protest and make sure that everyoneâs First Amendment rights were protected,â said LAPD Lt. Rex Ingram, according to a local CBS affiliate.
Ingram said the protest started “getting a little out of hand” around midnight, leading him to call in units for a dispersal order.
VANDALISM INVESTIGATION: Protesters left behind trash, toilet paper, and graffiti at the home of Mayor Eric Garcetti, hours after he signed a sweeping new ordinance restricting homeless encampments. https://t.co/43L3wopSTz pic.twitter.com/9d01rwuYcV
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 30, 2021
No arrests were made, and no injuries were reported. However, vulgar graffiti was placed on the outer pillars of the residence, with trash and toilet paper littered around trees.
LAPD Officer Jeff Lee said an investigation into the incident is still underway, local station KTLA 5Â reported.
“Homelessness is an emotional issue for many Angelenos, and I am as passionate as anyone about ending the crisis on our streets,” Garcetti said in a statement to the outlet. “I deeply respect the right we all have to make our voices heard, but vandalism doesnât bring our unhoused neighbors indoors, and we have to stay focused on saving lives.”
Several protesters were holding signs that read, âHousing is a rightâ and âRepeal 41.18,” a reference to the Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.18 â an anti-camping ordinance signed by Garcetti on Thursday.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-2 on Wednesday to approve the ordinance that would prevent sidewalk camping in many areas. The city recently attempted to address the homeless encampments by clearing out tents in places such as Venice Beach and Echo Park for cleanup projects.
