Backlash against Nika Soon-Shiong is ‘rooted in racism,’ says Councilmember Horvath

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Councilmember Lindsey Horvath called out WeHo residents in opposition to slashing the Sheriff Department’s budget for placing undue blame on her appointee to the Public Safety Commission, Nika Soon-Shiong, the commissioner who spearheaded the push to reduce the number of deputies that serve West Hollywood.

“We would not have had this conversation tonight were it not for a courageous commissioner who spoke up and spoke her mind,” Horvath said. “And I find it disgusting the way that she has been vilified in local blogs and demonized for offering an alternative point of view. You can disagree with someone, you can very seriously disagree, but to say that she must not be able to speak English, to not utter her name, to put the decision of five commissioners — all of whom who are new commissioners, who have a new perspective on what public safety ought to look like in this city, clearly because they voted for something different. To put that responsibility solely on this on the shoulders of one commissioner is rooted in racism and othering of people and community who have a different point of view, and it’s unacceptable. We all should be accountable for the ways that we have contributed to a very toxic discussion around this subject.”

But it wasn’t just Soon-Shiong who was the victim of an overly aggressive public backlash, Horvath said.

“I am concerned about the fact that this council was silenced,” she said. “I am concerned that we are having a conversation that is the most important thing we can do. How can we keep each other safe in a way that is actually tearing us apart instead of bringing us together?”

While Horvath suggested the nearly six-hour meeting was a step in the right direction for improved public safety in WeHo, she took aim at several outstanding issues she has with the Sheriff’s Department.

“I think there’s a lot that we get from the Sheriff’s Department for what we pay — but I also think there’s a lot of trouble that comes with the Sheriff’s Department, that we potentially welcome in while we have the Sheriff’s Department in our community,” she said.

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“I hope that moving forward we will not deny the systemic problems of deputy gangs or have trouble saying things out loud because we’re asked by the sheriff not to say them out loud. That we will continue to have a conversation that is rooted in seeking truth and having accountability. That’s what this community has done well and it’s why we’ve gotten to this point.”

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[…] powerful LA County Board of Supervisors. Horvath had a close relationship with Nika Soon-Shiong — she defended her publicly and said attacks on her were “rooted in racism” — and helped appoint her to the […]

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[…] powerful LA County Board of Supervisors. Horvath had a close relationship with Nika Soon-Shiong — she defended her publicly and said attacks on her were “rooted in racism” — and helped appoint her to the […]

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[…] LA County Board of Supervisors. Horvath had a close relationship with Nika Soon-Shiong — she defended her publicly and said attacks on her were “rooted in racism” — and helped appoint her […]

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[…] past spring, Councilmember Horvath berated members of the public who questioned the wisdom and motives of her friend and appointee, Public Safety Commissioner Nika […]

enemyofthestate
enemyofthestate
2 years ago

Horvath plays that tired, torn and tattered racism card.

Tom
Tom
2 years ago

Lyndsay people do not agree with to defund police across the country you and your cronies have not noticed. You install someone be that people know was installed because her father owns the LA times. The random attacks on Sheriff dept are absurd. We will call any elected official out that is not listening to our community, our interests, our safety. We need more police especially during a crime wave. Lynsey you have now proven further you should not be on City counsel with flagrant insults at voters. Proof you care only for your political self interests. You are tied… Read more »

Steve Martin
Steve Martin
2 years ago
Reply to  Tom

The Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Department are hardly immune from criticism and there is plenty of room for improvement. But as you said, few if any of those issues have anything to do with this effort to “de-fund” our local station. It is outrageous that our elected officials would play politics with public safety in these times of increased crime. Cutting ten deputies does not make us any safer.

Citizen
Citizen
2 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Amen! Lindsey needs to go, and she should never have been appointed in the first place. Her disgusting environmental affront at sending dozens of paper campaign posters through the mail for EVERY PERSON in West Hollywood on MULTIPLE days during campaign season was a vile waste of paper and a monument to her colossal self-interest. She isn’t qualified for anything other than masturbating her selfish, self-serving, Narcissistic ego in public. Get her out, and take the vile billionaire spoiled brat daughter with her as “Soon-Shiong” as possible.

JES
JES
2 years ago

WHAT qualifies Nika Soon-Shiong to be appointed to the Public Safety Commission? What are the credentials? Just that the child of a Billionaire? I know I will be looking at Council members very closely when election time comes around. I have a memory like an elephant. Anyone for reducing law enforcement or fire depart is on the block to be voted out. There are better ways to get crime under control, and LESS police is NOT the answer. Outside forces can read! They know there are less police and they step up crime in West Hollywood.

Chloe Ross
Chloe Ross
2 years ago

I do not think that playing the “race card” works in this case. I realize it was there and available, but not a good choice. I. can think of many more believable Ms.Soon=Shiong would be a concern. Racism is not the one I suspect. The reason I can think of have nothing to do with race or gender (those old standbys). But I have my own thoughts on what may be on the minds of the folks in WeHo. And I jumped the gun! I see that many fellow residents have similar feelings expressed in their replies. And I concur… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Chloe Ross
Neal Z
Neal Z
2 years ago

Very disappointing that Ms. Horvath would play the race card. Her direct appointee to the Commission – an appointment of an unqualified person Lindsey unethically made as a quid pro quo for an LA Times endorsement for her hopefully doomed County Supervisor campaign – is advocating positions which are the antithesis of what we need in West Hollywood at a time of increased crime. And because of these outrageous positions advocated by the scion of the billionaire owner of the LA Times – emanating from her bubble which includes significant round the clock personal armed security – are anathema to… Read more »

Chloe Ross
Chloe Ross
2 years ago
Reply to  Neal Z

Yes.

Citizen
Citizen
2 years ago
Reply to  Neal Z

Amen. The removal of the entire SHE contingent must be done, and way sooner than “elections”. They should be forced to resign NOW for the damage they inflict on our City daily. GTFO!

Keith
Keith
2 years ago

I can’t wait to vote all these fools out of office. The sooner the better and I fully support any recall efforts.

J Cross
J Cross
2 years ago

As usual a white person who won’t stay in their lane speaking on behalf of the yellow race (black, brown, red, grey, etc.) This far left lunatics are dangerous.

WeHo Resident
WeHo Resident
2 years ago

This response from Horvath was disappointing. Calling your constituents and neighbors all kinds of awful things when they simply speak up about an issue they are truly worried about? I think any name calling toward a commissioner is disgraceful and does not represent our city, BUT it doesn’t mean that a majority of folks who genuinely expressed concern are racist/sexist/etc.

Chloe Ross
Chloe Ross
2 years ago
Reply to  WeHo Resident

I agree.