Gascon Recall Rally Slated for Pasadena This Weekend

Organizers hoping to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon will once again return to Pasadena at 11 a.m. Saturday at 395 N. Rosemead Blvd., the site of the former Robin’s Woodfire BBQ Grill.

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley will be the keynote speaker. Family members of crime victims are also scheduled to speak.

Cooley served as district attorney from 2000 to 2012. In 2010, he unsuccessfully ran on the Republican ticket against Kamala Harris for state attorney general. Harris’ win put her on the path to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2017, and vice president.

Gascón has come under fire from crime victims and prosecutors over various directives, including one to not seek the death penalty. Others include not seeking sentencing enhancements in most cases, and keeping cases involving juveniles out of adult courts.

According to one report, Cooley called Gascon, “the worst district attorney in Los Angeles’ 171 year history” after a rally in Manhattan Beach earlier this week.

The city councils of at least 14 of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities have passed votes of no confidence against Gascón, including Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Diamond Bar, Santa Clarita and Lancaster.

The recall attempt has also drawn the backing of Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and former Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine.
Last week, Gascon announced the formation of an independent team that will re-examine fatal use-of-force incidents by law enforcement officers and recommend further action when appropriate.

Recall organizers have until Oct. 27 to gather 580,000 qualified signatures, she said. The group has said it will try to collect 750,000 to 800,000.

Elected officials must be in office for at least 90 days before a recall effort can be started. Gascón was sworn in on Dec. 7.