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'This guy is a disgrace': Internet slams LA City council member Kevin De Leon for brawling with activist

Kevin De Leon got into a brawl during toy distribution and Christmas Tree lighting just two months after a 'racist' scandal threatened his career

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A Los Angeles City Council member got into a brawl with an activist at a holiday gathering on Friday night, December 9. Kevin de Leon was reportedly involved in a fight during a toy distribution and holiday tree lighting in Lincoln Park.

As per LA Times, Leon said that he was assaulted, while protestors claimed the council member was the attacker. The two local activist groups, RootsAction and J-TOWN Action and Solidarity, shared a video on Twitter showing Leon attacking a man reportedly described as Jason Reedy, a People's City Council organizer.

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According to Leon's staffers, Reedy headbutted the council member, elbowed a staffer in the face and hit a volunteer in the arm. Leon reportedly said that they were "violently and physically assaulted by self-proclaimed activists at a community holiday event to the dismay of many families and children who were there to celebrate a Christmas tree lighting and to receive toys and food." The statement further added, "The escalating rhetoric is hitting a fever pitch, transcending from verbal threats into actual acts of violence and must end before more serious harm or loss of life occurs. Violence is not free speech and has no place in politics or democracy."

Irate netizens took to social media to slam Leon as some called him a "disgrace." A person tweeted, "Disgrace LA city councilman Kevin de León, who refused to resign after being caught on tape plotting racist agendas against black people, was involved in a fight on Friday." Another Twitter user wrote, "My tax dollars should NOT go into the pockets of Kevin De Leon. This guy is a disgrace and is loosing his mind. Too many crooked politicians in this power-thirsty country." Another person chimed in, "See Kevin De Leon trending, & of course, he's acting like a racist POS again. This guy is literally the bottom barrel of horrible California politicians, & that's covering A LOT."

Reedy's attorney, Shakeer Rahman, reportedly said, "Video footage clearly shows him and his supporters initiating this assault while Mr. Reedy stands prone. Not only has Kevin de León lost all political legitimacy, his claims that he was the one attacked here simply underscores how he's lost touch with reality." This was Leon's first council meeting after a scandal involving racist remarks by elected officials in October.

Since the scandal broke, there were questions raised if he would return to City Hall. As per the LA Times, Despite not occupying his seat, Leon's name was used as protesters regularly interrupted meetings demanding that he step down. However, post the scandal, Leon made it clear that he had no plans of resigning and quietly returned to the public sphere in November by participating in food giveaways, holiday meals and other community events, but avoided the council chamber until Friday.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.