Garcetti To Co-Chair Inauguration; Protests Continue At Residence

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is one of five newly appointed co-chairs of the committee that will plan the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The Monday morning announcement came just hours before the 14th consecutive day of protests outside the mayor's official residence, urging Biden not to appoint Garcetti to his incoming administration, was scheduled to get underway, and one day after an activist was arrested after police attempted to disperse the crowd during Sunday's demonstration.

In addition to Garcetti, Biden announced the appointment of South Carolina Congressman James E. Clyburn, who will chair the committee; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; and Congress members Cedric Richmond of Louisiana and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.

"Kamala and I are honored and grateful to these leaders for joining our inaugural committee as co-chairs and helping to organize a safe inauguration for all Americans," Biden said. " These leaders reflect the strength, spirit, and diversity of America and have always held a steadfast commitment to restoring the soul of the nation, building back the middle class, and unifying the country. We are proud of their support and know they will help plan an inauguration that will reflect our nation's shared values."

Garcetti previously served as a national co-chair of Biden's presidential campaign committee.

"I am honored to join the Presidential Inaugural Committee as a co- chair to help organize a historic inauguration for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect (Kamala) Harris that will engage Americans in every corner of the country and keep people safe," Garcetti said in a statement following Monday's announcement.

"This inauguration will mark a turning point for Americans to unite and start building back better together, for generations to come. As we grapple with threats to our health, livelihoods and climate, this is a time for Americans to come together, work together and move forward together."

Garcetti's role during Biden's presidential bid led to speculation he might gain a Cabinet post or be appointed to another prominent position in the Biden Administration even though the mayor has repeatedly said he has not sought such a position.

But the speculation has resulted in daily demonstrations outside Getty House, his official residence, by activists who are critical of his handling of such issues as reducing homelessness, police reform, and public transportation.

During Sunday's protest, Jamie Penn, a member of the Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council, was arrested on a charge of "lynching" after police attempted to disperse the crowd during the 13th day of demonstrations, which drew criticism from elected officials and other activists.

"In regards to @lapd response at Getty House today: Peaceful protesters deserve the space and protections to make their voices heard," tweeted Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who represents Los Angeles' 34th congressional district. "Anything short of that is NOT acceptable. No exceptions. No excuses."

Video footage on social media also showed at least one officer repeatedly swinging a baton at protesters, which several elected leaders criticized as an act of police brutality.

LAPD responds to 13th straight day of #blockgarcetti protests outside of mayor’s residence.

Protesters are fighting a Garcetti appointment to a Biden cabinet bc of his handling of issues like homelessness, transportation. pic.twitter.com/mqnoxjLcrM
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) December 6, 2020

Earlier Sunday, Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, tweeted his support for Penn.
"LAPD's brutal actions this morning are unacceptable and must be denounced by everyone," Santiago wrote. "I stand w/ you in denouncing police brutality demanding the immediate release of Jamie! #FREEJAMIE."

Penn said that she was surprised by her arrest, and was attempting to keep an older protester from being trampled as people ran from officers.

"All I know is I was just trying to keep people safe," she told the Los Angeles Times.

Penn also took to Twitter to announce her release, and urge continued demonstrations.
"I am free," she tweeted Sunday afternoon. "I have one request. Please show up ... tomorrow @9 a.m."

Her arrest came shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday while officers were in "crowd management mode."

Someone in the crowd began using a bullhorn, which is a violation, and the sound exceeded more than 200 feet, which is another violation, said Officer Melissa Podany of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

A neighbor complained about the noise, which was yet another violation, Podany said. Capt. Stacy Spell of the LAPD said in an interview Sunday morning that officers had warned groups for several days about using amplified sound.

"Four officers attempted to make an arrest for the above violations, when the crowd moved in on the officers, punching and kicking them, which resulted in an `officer needs help' call," she said. "At that time, an unlawful assembly was declared."

The person with the bullhorn ran away and another person was arrested on suspicion of lynching, she said.

LAPD spokesperson Capt. Stacy Spell said in a statement released to the Los Angeles Times that a baton was used prevent the crowd from forcefully attempting to remove a suspect from police custody.

California law previously defined "lynching" as a crime of removing someone from the lawful custody of a peace officer by means of a riot, according to California Penal Code 405a. However, the term "lynching," deemed inappropriate because of its controversial history in American race relations, was removed from the state's penal code in 2015.

On Sunday night, City News Service reached out to LAPD chief spokesman Josh Rubinstein regarding the department's decision to use the word. He said he was not available for comment but would address the matter later.

Penn was identified on social media as the person who was arrested. She describes herself as transgender, an organizer and a Democratic Socialist.

Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, which has organized the protests with support from Ground Game LA, has vowed to conduct a demonstration every day until Biden commits to not appointing Garcetti to his cabinet.

— City News Service and Patch Editor Michael Wittner contributed to this report.

Related coverage:

Garcetti Protests: One Arrested Amid Getty House Demonstration

'Block Garcetti' Activists Amass At Getty House For 9th Day

Black Lives Matter Protests Held At LA Mayor's Home For 4th Day

LA Protestors Gather Outside Garcetti's Home On Thanksgiving