A well-known figure at LA City Hall, Armando Herman, launched a fiery outburst in front of Mayor Karen Bass and other senior officials, labeling them “criminals” and claiming that an armed guard was attempting to intimidate him.
Herman, who has been a regular at government meetings for quite some time, recorded his own confrontation while speaking during a personnel meeting where Mayor Bass was present along with other notable city officials.
“I only get two minutes, sir. Relax. You’re stressing me out already,” Herman shouted right away. His frustration escalated when the mayor informed him he had just 60 seconds to speak.
“What is happening here?” he exclaimed, accusing the officials of “stealing” and expressing outrage over the limited time given to discuss significant financial issues impacting residents of Los Angeles.
“All of you criminals. Corruption. It’s all corruption,” he continued his tirade.
He then pointed at a nearby security guard, accusing him of making a move towards his weapon.
“Are you guys crazy, threatening me?” he yelled in response to his perception of intimidation.
This dramatic outburst followed a recent one-day exclusion and three-day suspension Herman received for previous misconduct and yelling during a city hall event.
Despite the disciplinary action, Herman told a local outlet he has no intention of changing his approach. He believes there’s a backstory to his explosive expressions.
Claiming that the city “made [him] homeless,” he conveyed a deep distrust in the local government, reiterating his sense of being failed by the system.
Herman asserts that his confrontational style is intended to shed light on what he views as governmental failures.
“Have I lost respect for the city of Los Angeles? Yes… Have I lost hope in California, Los Angeles? Very much so,” he stated emphatically.
When asked if he believes his outspoken public remarks reflect his First Amendment rights, he replied, “Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.”
His behavior continues to push boundaries regarding public comment protocols.
Herman, who has a background in nursing and education, claims that the attention his appearances attract indicates that his methods are effective.
“I love educating people and stirring them up to pay attention,” he commented, using his interview as an example.
On a subsequent visit to City Hall, he faced restrictions on his speaking time after hurling insults at council members while wearing a sweatshirt displaying a swastika.
This wasn’t the first instance where his provocative attire stirred controversy; earlier, he’d been noted for making offensive gestures at police officials while wearing similar clothing.
“Everything is the greatest show ever,” he remarked, underscoring his theatrical approach to public discourse.
