Los Angeles County Attorney George Gascón, under a campaign to be removed from office, things began to get complicated after the former head of the Los Angeles Police Department, Charlie Beck withdrew his support.
“I based my support for the election of District Attorney George Gascón on the hope that he would promote public safety in Los Angeles and on our close personal relationship of over 30 years,” the former police chief said in a statement.
But after observing the negative effects of his policies and practices on public safety, “ I am forced to rescind that endorsement.”
He explained that he has spent most of his life protecting and serving the people of Los Angeles and to the men and women of his police department.
“I think they would be safer and better served by a district attorney who emphasizes the rights of victims and the safety of our police officers.”
In 2019, Gascón assumed the Los Angeles County Prosecutor’s Office, after defeating the then incumbent of the office, Jackie Lacey.
And his triumph was marked by the demand to reform the police, after the murder of George Floyd. Upon taking office, he announced that he would end the death penalty, lengthen sentences, and stop sentencing youth as adults.
The policy change sparked a wave of opposition from victims of crime, police and prosecutors.
Eric Siddall, Vice President of the Association of Prosecutors (ADDA) representing 800 Los Angeles County prosecutors, said in relation to the announcement made by former Chief Beck.
“It is another proof that Gascón did not keep his promise that his radical policies would make our communities safer.”
At the end of February, the campaign to dismiss the prosecutor Gascón announced that the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters approved his petition, which means what do they have 100 days to collect signatures.
To qualify and appear on the ballot, you must gather 566,857 signatures of registered voters; and submit them no later than July 6. If they are successful, on the November ballot, voters will be asked whether they want to remove Gascon as LA County Attorney, or have him remain in office.
“We are tired and sick of living in the criminal paradise that Gascón created. Gascón turned his back on us, and now his policies are destroying Los Angeles County in front of our eyes, needlessly creating more innocent victims,” said Desiree Andrade and Tania Owen, presidents of the campaign to impeach Gascón.
Unlike the first attempt to remove Gascón, this time they have managed to collect $2.7 million in contributions since before they started collecting signatures.
More than 31 cities in Los Angeles County have cast votes of no confidence in the prosecutor. In addition, the City of Beverly Hills has announced its support for the recall campaign.
Among those who have spoken out in favor of Gascón’s dismissal are Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, former Prosecutor Steve Cooley, former County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and former Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine.
At the end of January, Los Angeles Councilman of Los Angeles, Joe Buscaino made public his support for Gascón’s impeachment. He said we can’t wait another two years to get it out.
“Your policies have emboldened criminals, ignoring crime victims, and have made our communities more dangerous for everyone.”
He stated that he believes in the reform of the criminal system and in rehabilitation, “but what George Gascón is doing is letting criminals out of jail early and offering lenient sentences.”
Support for Gascón has plummeted due to the increase in crime in the county.
This week, a tourist from Florida was robbed and injured in the leg when a group of masked men approached him and his girlfriend as they were walking back from the Venice beach to his rental car. For a clock, the tourist ended up in the hospital.
Recently, Rob Wilcox, spokesman for Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Attorney and candidate for city comptroller was attacked.
On his Twitter account he posted: “I’m fine, but around noon today, near City Hall East, I was attacked. They pushed and kicked me. Unfortunately, the attacker was not arrested. Sadly, this is very common in our city today. I was lucky, I’m fine, many others are not. We can do better than this LA!”
According to a July J. Wallin Opinion Research survey 2021, more than 50% of county voters would support another candidate to prosecutor, against 05.5% who said they supported it.
Real America News is waiting for a comment from the Gascón prosecutor’s office.
In an interview with Real America News in September, prosecutor Gascón said that efforts to remove him from office are a distraction from his work coming from economic and political interests such as the bail bonds industry, police unions and Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
“This is a campaign of lies and misinformation orchestrated by people who have economic and political interests in maintaining a system incarceration issue that impacts the Latino and African-American community.”