President-elect Joe Biden on Monday tapped the mayor of Los Angeles to help plan his upcoming inauguration — amid continuing protests aimed at keeping Eric Garcetti from any role in the new administration.
Biden’s move came a day after baton-wielding LA cops clashed with Black Lives Matter protesters — and arrested a local official — outside Garcetti’s official residence during the 13th consecutive day of demonstrations there.
The protests in front of historic Getty House continued Monday, with members of BLM LA vowing to keep up the pressure until Biden says Garcetti won’t serve in his cabinet or as a top adviser, according to Deadline.
On Sunday, the LAPD came under fire after videos posted on social media showed at least one cop swinging a baton at protesters, one of whom used a cooking pan to shield himself, the LA Times reported.
An LAPD spokeswoman said the incident unfolded when cops tried to arrest a protester who ignored “multiple warnings” to stop using a bullhorn in violation of local law.
Police Capt. Stacy Spell said that “the crowd moved in on the officers, punching, pushing and kicking.”
The suspect got away, but transgender activist Jamie Penn, a Democratic Socialist representative of LA’s Sub-District 3, was arrested for allegedly trying to help someone escape police custody.
The protesters oppose Garcetti over his policies on transportation and homelessness, as well as his support of the LAPD, according to Deadline.
A Garcetti spokesman said the mayor “appreciates those expressing their free speech rights and the difficult job that police officers have to do every day.”
Garcetti — who’s reportedly under consideration to head either the Department of Transportation or Commerce also issued a statement saying he was “honored” to be named one of five co-chairs for Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
The others are House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who’s set to become a senior White House adviser.