President Joe Biden’s L.A. Trip Met With Protest
President Joseph Biden speaks during the 70th National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 11, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

President Joe Biden’s L.A. Trip Met With Protest

U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, for a weekend of fundraisers and was met with not only celebrity supporters, but hundreds of protesters.

The president made his way to Holmby Hills, the affluent Los Angeles neighborhood known to be part of the "Platinum Triangle," along with Beverly Hills and Bel Air.

Since announcing his reelection bid, Biden's visit was his first in Los Angeles. He spoke to donors at multiple events throughout the weekend, before returning to Washington D.C. Sunday afternoon.

While President Biden campaigned in front of guests who spent upward of $50,000 per ticket to attend, pro-Palestinian protesters marched nearby.

Put together by multiple activist groups, the "Genocide Joe out of L.A." rallies criticized the President for his support of Israel and its military attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Waving Palestinian flags, Biden effigies, and chants of "Biden, Biden you can't hide, we charge you with genocide," the protesters rallied through the weekend until the president departed.

Amid protests, LAPD said multiple businesses in the Westwood area were vandalized with graffiti that read "Genocide Joe has to go," "Free Palestine," and "Fuck Biden."

"The LAPD is aware of the acts of vandalism that occurred in the Westwood area last night by protestors who marched from an earlier demonstration," the LAPD said in a statement. "The graffiti is being removed today and crime reports have been taken. Unfortunately, given the nature of the crowd coupled with their movements and the incident commander’s concern the group would attempt to enter the nearby freeway, the department was unable to immediately identify the individuals responsible. The LAPD is actively investigating these crimes. While the LAPD fully supports 1st Amendment rights for peaceful demonstrations, we will not tolerate violence or vandalism of any kind."

The vandalized areas are being investigated as hate crimes, with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office saying Jewish temples were among the buildings targeted.

"The vandalism that occurred in the Westwood area yesterday is yet another harmful act that is causing fear and anger for so many in our community, myself included," L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. "While everyone has the right to peacefully demonstrate and protest, no one has the right to damage property during the process."

The investigation is being led by the district attorney's hate crimes unit and the graffiti was removed over the weekend.







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