Anger simmers in Pacific Palisades as residents mark a grim milestone.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass steered clear of public view during the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfire, while thousands rallied in protest under the banner "They Let Us Burn," the New York Post reported.
Residents voiced raw frustration at the absence of their leaders. Julia Nielsen Lombardi, a local, told the outlet, "I think Newsom should be afraid to be here," hinting at the deep resentment over perceived neglect.
Newsom spent his morning at a closed event at Palisades Charter High School, surveying damaged areas and discussing campus reopening plans with school officials. His office emphasized a commitment to speeding up recovery through debris clearance and regulatory exemptions.
Meanwhile, Bass limited her appearances to private vigils with select residents and city leaders. Her statement spoke of confronting trauma and finding hope, though many locals remain unimpressed by words without action.
Critics like Melissa Idelson didn’t hold back, accusing Newsom of chasing photo ops elsewhere. She called him out as a coward, frustrated by what she sees as exploitation of the community’s pain.
Hugh Slavic, a hair stylist wary of returning to his smoke-damaged apartment, understood Bass’s absence amid her unpopularity. He noted the crowd’s readiness to boo, reflecting a collective disdain for her leadership.
Greg Frost, standing amid the rubble of his former home, pointed fingers at both leaders for years of neglect. He accused Bass of underfunding the fire department and failing to prioritize rebuilding efforts.
Frost’s words to the outlet cut sharp: "If Karen Bass or Newsom cared, they would have made it a priority for the Palisades to rebuild instead of just giving lip service." His bitterness mirrors a broader sentiment of betrayal among survivors.
Newsom’s team defended their efforts, claiming unprecedented steps to clear recovery hurdles. They shifted some blame to federal inaction, with deputy communications director Tara Gallegos calling out President Trump’s stalled recovery package as a disgrace.
Gallegos also stressed privacy for survivors, explaining why Newsom’s meetings in Palisades and Altadena remain off-limits to press. "To respect and protect their privacy, our meetings with survivors and community members are not meant to be press opportunities," she stated.
Yet, such explanations do little to soothe a community craving accountability. Locals aren’t asking for closed-door chats but for tangible progress on the ground where their lives once stood.
The optics of dodging public grief while attending curated events paint a troubling picture of misplaced priorities. When leaders hide from the very people they serve, trust erodes faster than any wildfire could destroy.
Bass and Newsom may argue they’re working behind the scenes, but Palisades residents deserve to see that effort firsthand. Private vigils and school tours won’t rebuild homes or heal a fractured community.
This anniversary isn’t just about mourning loss; it’s a loud call for those in power to step up. If political ambition overshadows genuine care, as many here believe, then Sacramento and City Hall have much to answer for.