The organizations Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Bld Pwr Build Power have been holding weekly demonstrations against Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
Kendrick Sampson, the founder of Bld Pwr, has made this particular issue of removing Lacey from office an ongoing event since the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and, most recently, Dijon Kizzee.
Kizzee was a 29-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday, Sept. 1 as he rode away from them on his bike.
Sampson, an actor, activist and advocate for justice has since rallied a total of 14 organized protests against Lacey.
“Stand in the name of #DIJONKIZZEE and 618 others killed by police since DA Lacey took office” is what the most recent flyer for this week’s protest read. Every Wednesday, protesters meet in front of Los Angeles City Hall at 3 p.m. Sampson, along with many other protesters and activists, can be spotted on the scene holding various signs, chanting mantras and songs in the streets of downtown. “I think it’s important to not only speak out against police brutality and systemic racism, but to demonstrate unity by showing up in numbers,” L.A. County resident Victoria Abad said.
“Jackie Lacey needs to go because she is the district attorney of Los Angeles which means she is in charge of the largest prosecution office in the United States,” Echo Park resident Daniel Gross said. “Having said that, with that type of responsibility, she should be setting the example by making the best decisions possible that represent the highest morals, most ethical decisions, fairness and are reflective of the views of the majority of the people she represents.”
Gross said that with constant protests against her while still holding a position in office, it is clear that the people are not in favor of Lacey. Gross also said that people have become highly aware of Lacey and her alleged “Seven Deadly Sins,” which include pursuing the death penalty exclusively against defendants of color, refusing to prosecute police officers accused of rape and criminalizing protests by ordering the harassment and arrest of protestors, among other things.

The site, Seven Deadly Sins is a website created by Black Lives Matter co-founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.

Gross continued: “When you look at the data, in regards to her history and decisions in the past since holding office as the Los Angeles District Attorney, it’s all pointing against her. Starting with her funding. A majority of her most recent re-election campaign money, talking in the millions, were mainly funded by Police Unions and Bail Bond Companies.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, since 2000, 886 Los Angeles residents have been killed by police.

“With the recent Black Lives Matter movement sparked by police brutality and deaths of black lives, it’s clear why so many Angelinos are against Lacey…she is funded by the cops and in return is protecting them,” Gross said. “You cannot defund the cops without first removing their invisible shield- Jackie Lacey.”

As the protests continue, endorsers of Lacey are dropping. According to ABC News, endorsers such as Rep. Adam Schiff and Assemblywoman Laura Friedman have pulled their endorsements, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed George Gascon in his race against Lacey for LA County district attorney.