Councilman Supports New York Mayor Amid Local Crisis

Los Angeles City Councilman Eunice Hernandez took a moment to support her fellow progressive, Zoran Mamdani, as chaos fueled by fentanyl continues in MacArthur Park, her own district.

Hernandez was present at Mamdani’s inauguration on New Year’s Day, where he promised to lead “expansively and boldly,” marking a new chapter he refers to as “the era of big government.”

She shared her experience on social media, posting selfies, including one with Los Angeles City Council President Marquise Harris Dawson, capturing her enthusiasm for the event.

Hernandez called the occasion “a reminder that the movement for dignity, justice, and humanity is bigger than any city,” indicating the interconnectedness of struggles from Los Angeles to New York.

However, back home, the situation contrasted sharply.

Residents of her district have described MacArthur Park as a scene resembling a zombie apocalypse, plagued by rampant drug addiction, with frequent emergency calls for overdoses, fires, and disturbances at all hours.

Online, she faced criticism for her absence. Comments ranged from questioning the use of tax dollars for her trip to accusations of neglect. One post emphasized the despair of the community, suggesting that some felt she had been missing for years.

Another accusation pointed out the growing mistrust towards government representatives, with comments implying they functioned more like “cardboard cutouts” than engaged officials.

As Hernandez aligns more closely with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda, she has sparked backlash from residents craving safety and accountability. Her choices include voting against city budgets that would boost police resources and supporting ongoing harm reduction measures, like distributing needles and crack pipes in and near the park.

The criticism has grown, especially after campaign finance records indicated that some DSA-affiliated council members accepted funds from billionaire families, despite their public stances against wealthy donors.

At the inauguration event, which some viewed as mere progressive theater, Mamdani was sworn in by Bernie Sanders amidst a crowd chanting “Tax the rich.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also made an appearance, commending voters who she felt had chosen courage over fear.

Attempts to contact Hernandez’s office for comments went unanswered, reflecting a growing disconnect between her and the community she represents.