Residents from Pacific Palisades joined other community members from Council District 11 to show support for Traci Park.
Photo: SHARON KILBRIDE
(Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Westside Current July 14, and is reprinted with permission.)
By CHRIS LE GRAS
Motorists Motorists traversing the intersection of Lincoln and Washington Boulevards in Venice, on July 13, were treated to a display of grassroots political action.
Between 40 and 50 supporters of Councilwoman Traci Park congregated for a two-hour rally called “Thank You Traci Park!” There was music, dancing, honking horns, and many pro-Park signs. Every neighborhood in Council District 11 was represented in a powerful reminder of her broad base of support.
At one point, an LAFD hook-and-ladder truck and fire engine passed. The firefighters, some of Traci’s staunchest supporters, blasted their horns and waved to the delight of the already high-spirited gathering.
CD 11 neighbors organized the rally at the last minute in response to a planned protest half a mile away, at the intersection of Lincoln and Venice Boulevards. The protesters oppose Park’s handling of the homelessness crisis on the Westside, particularly her use of Municipal Code 41.18 to remove illegal homeless encampments near sensitive areas, including schools, places of worship, daycares, and certain critical infrastructure.
Since its enactment in 2022, the law has been a focal point of protests by activists who believe it “criminalizes” homelessness. However, violations do not result in arrest or criminal prosecution. They result in infractions or “cite and release.” The protesters’ argument is akin to arguing that issuing speeding tickets to scofflaw drivers “criminalizes” driving altogether.
Despite being organized on barely 24 hours’ notice the pro-Park supporters outnumbered the protestors by 3-1. Judging from the number of drivers who honked and waved as they passed, the ratio was considerably higher still.
Protestors also argue that Park has “used the Inside Safe program to transfer people out of our community.” Apparently, they believe that it’s better to let homeless people languish on the streets than be moved inside a few miles away. That’s an odd argument coming from people who claim to be the compassionate ones.
Compared to the protestors’ doom and gloom, the pro-Park rally was upbeat, filled with smiles and hope for the next six years. Above all, it was peaceful and respectful.
Three years ago, CD 11 still had a councilman [Mike Bonin] who evinced open hostility to his constituents. For a decade under his failed tenure residents watched helplessly as parks, beaches, the Venice Boardwalk, playgrounds, streets, and even private property succumbed to illegal homeless encampments.
Vandalism, violent attacks, break-ins, fires, even sexual assaults, rapes, and murders became shatteringly commonplace. People were afraid to leave their homes after dark. Suffice it to say, there were no spontaneous displays of support from constituents in his final years.
Unconfirmed rumors suggested that the former councilman played a role in yesterday’s protest. If so, it was yet another failure on his part.
For people who were involved with Park’s 2022 campaign, the rally brought back fond memories. The same grassroots energy, and the same anti-establishment zeal, propelled her campaign and set it apart from traditional consultant-dominated operations. Park’s campaign was truly of and by the people. That energy was on display once again on a muggy July afternoon.
There was also a sense, albeit subconscious, that the effort to secure Park’s reelection had kicked off. Familiar faces from 2022 reconnected. There were a lot of hugs. There was a true sense of community.
For two hours, the best of democracy was on full display in West Los Angeles. While the organizers and participants worked hard, the energy was pure Park.
Terrific summary Sue of the almost impromptu rally to support the great job being done by Tracy Park. The conduct of Mike Bonin in organizing and hiding his involvement in the antifa attack on Tracy Park is reprehensible and the community’s response was terrific. We all need to get more involved.
Mike Bonin does NOT want to remove homeless people from living on the streets,
His “double-talk” language regarding his position on homelessness is disgusting.
Mike Bonin (and Erin Darling) ) want to build CD 11 into some “dystopian Commune”
Where housing and food are free and open air drug use is a human right.
The problem they’re having is; the majority of the Residents who are law- abiding, hard- working, SOBER residents of CF11 do NOT want this.
Bonin and Darling vision of dystopia CD11 is frightening and irresponsible. Reminds me of 1969 just before Charlie Manson rose to power and then directed his followers to start murdering people in LA. NO BONIN / NO DARLING
Please keep up the good work , Sue, on exposing the failed policies of Mike Bonin. He has not come away!
Traci Park is doing a great job for CD11. I am staying in Lake Tahoe for a while and hope there is video of the pro-Traci rally online so I can see it. Thanks to Sue for reporting this!