LOS ANGELES CENTER (KABC) – Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva abruptly stopped campaigning on Olvera Street in downtown LA on Friday afternoon after being called by protesters, some of whom later protested. city councilor Kevin de Leon nearby.
Villanueva, who is running for re-election as sheriff, was due to speak at a luncheon press conference with selected officials who support his “efforts to reduce crime and homelessness”, according to a statement from his campaign.
“Olvera Street was left to become a homeless camp, but under Sheriff Villanueva, it was rebuilt in just three weeks with the help of the HOST (Homeless Outreach Services Team) model and uninhabited housing,” the press release said. .
After being preceded in front of the microphone by 10 consecutive speakers, including former LA District Attorney Steve Cooley, Villanueva began her speech in Spanish with the words “Si se puede” or “Yes, it can be done.”
Protesters immediately started shouting, which made the sheriff stop before saying, “Well, let’s ignore that and keep talking.”
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Then one of Villanueva’s supporters joined the microphone and said, apparently jokingly, “We wanted five protesters, but they could only bring us three.”
Then other supporters stormed in, chanting, “Villanueva! Villanueva!” Opponents of the sheriff, however, were not deterred. Some of them tried to approach Vilhanueva, but were blocked by several men. It is not clear whether these men are private security guards or in LAUSD civilian clothes.
After several minutes of shouts from activists, Villanueva decided to end the campaign when it became clear that his words would not be heard without interruption.
WATCH: Full exchange between protesters and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva
He later met Kevin de Leon, who apparently appeared on Olvera Street for a separate event.
Some of the demonstrators who followed Villanueva then turned their attention to the city councilor, surrounding him closely and shouting criticism as he walked to a waiting car. De Leon got in the car and was taken away without incident.
No arrests were reported in either incident.
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