Faced with a recall campaign, DA Gascón rallies supporters
Los Angeles County Prosecutor George Gascón said on Friday that those supporting efforts to overthrow him, less than six months after taking office, were supporters of former President Donald Trump. The DA spoke to around 50 supporters outside the courtroom, during his first public rally against the recall.
“You have to follow the money,†Gascón said. A campaign finance report showed that one of the first big supporters was Geoffrey Palmer, a major Los Angeles real estate developer who organized a fundraiser for Trump‘s re-election at his Beverly Hills home in 2019.
While a recall remains a long shot, the rally was Gascón’s effort to get ahead of any effort that might gain momentum. Recall efforts have become more popular, with ongoing campaigns against San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Gascón and the campaign to recall it are both due to file more comprehensive fundraising reports by June 30. These reports will provide a better picture of who is supporting the nascent recall campaign and its viability.
Recall chief Desiree Andrade said she was a registered Democrat who wanted Gascón to disappear because he refused to seek the death penalty or life without parole for her son’s killers. “It’s far from a political problem,” Andrade told KPCC.
Seventeen LA County city councils have cast “no-confidence†votes in Gascón. Their resolutions generally condemn Gascon’s efforts to reduce prison terms for most defendants.
There are 88 towns in the county. Sheriff Alex Villanueva and former DA Steve Cooley are two prominent supporters.
Gascón said his policy was aimed at correcting a racist system.
“Our criminal justice system is deeply rooted in the institution of slavery,†Gascón said. ” We can not do without. “
Black Lives Matter-LA executive Melina Abdullah, Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and LA City Councilor Mike Bonin attended the rally. The leaders of SEIU 2015 were also present. The union represents home care and other workers and is the largest in California.
Gascón’s recall remains a long shot. Organizers must collect the signatures of 10% of registered voters in LA County. That’s over 579,000 people. The deadline is October 27.
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Frank Stoltze covers a new movement of criminal justice reform at a time when not everyone shares the same vision.