Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pulled his endorsement of District Attorney Jackie Lacey following Black Lives Matter protests against the DA.
“George Gascon will help our country shift the burden from the criminal justice system and jails toward diversion, intervention, and reentry programs that save money and save lives,” Garcetti said of Lacey’s opponent, George Gascon. “He is a leader who I have known and trusted for nearly 20 years who can meet this moment.”
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Garcetti announced his endorsement of Lacey for a third term last year, lauding her as “tremendously effective and clear eyed.”
Black Lives Matter activists have criticized Lacey, the city’s first black female to serve as DA, for not prosecuting more police officers or advocating to change policing policies.
A group of activists protested outside of Lacey’s home in August, with one BLM activist, Melina Abdullah, approaching the home, prompting Lacey’s husband to pull a gun on the group.
#BREAKING This morning Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s husband pulled a gun out on Black Lives Matter activists who protested his wife in front of their house. @BLMLA pic.twitter.com/wnCFMMvaWV
— Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) March 2, 2020
“What happened was just so outrageous and so egregious,” Abdullah, a professor of African studies at California State University, Los Angeles, said after the incident. “Even though we call for justice, we don’t expect justice. We have very little faith in the system.”
BLM activists had also formed in downtown Los Angeles for more than two years in protest of Lacey.
“Killer cops ain’t funny!” the crowd would chant. “Bye Jackie 2020!”
Garcetti previously suggested he would change his endorsement when he said it “may be” time for new leadership.
