Protesters objected to an expansion of Municipal Code 41.18 that would outlaw homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers. Activists previously interrupted a vote on the same measure last week, and the final vote occurred Tuesday.
The meeting went into recess for almost 55 minutes as council members were evacuated and police dispersed the crowd. At least one person was arrested by police, according tothe Los Angeles Times.
City Council President Nury Martinez (D) denounced protesters when the council returned from recess.
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"Jumping over a barrier and putting other people's lives at risk that can not be the norm around here, and we cannot legislate in fear — I certainly will not do that — but we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior," Martinez stated.
Martinez further compared the demonstrators and rioters who partook in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
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"We cannot accept that as a regular way to conduct yourself. I think, for those of us who have been here for several years, I have never witnessed anything like this," Martinez stated. "Some people that spoke earlier today were offended by the fact that we compared what happened last week to what occurred in our nation's capitol on Jan. 6, but I do believe this is one step closer to that."
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The council voted in favor of the amendment to the municipal code by a margin of 11-3. The amendment now goes to Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) to sign into law.
Audience members repeatedly chanted “shut it down” as Councilmember Joe Buscaino, a longtime proponent of increased enforcement, tried to speak in favor of the limitations. Council President Nury Martinez then stopped the meeting for more than an hour so police could clear the room.
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After audience members had exited, council members reconvened, discussed the measure and voted.
“I think people were intent this morning to shut this place down and keep us from doing the very job that we were all elected to do,” Martinez said before the vote. “And that, I think, is incredibly disturbing.”
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Councilmember Mike Bonin, another opponent of the restrictions, announced city leaders should devote their energy to improving programs that aid homeless Angelenos, like those that help people with housing vouchers secure an apartment.
“We need to have a relentless, exclusive focus on getting people indoors,” announced Bonin, who represents coastal neighborhoods from Los Angeles International Airport north to Pacific Palisades.
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