During a campaign event in Los Angeles, Tom Steyer, who is running for governor of California, faced an unexpected situation when a protester held a staff member at knifepoint. Demonstrators blocked his SUV and directed insults at the billionaire.
Last Saturday, Steyer spoke at a rally at the ORA Café in Leimert Park, addressing an audience of black voters. He mentioned the “huge debt” they faced and characterized the black community as “the moral leaders of America,” as noted by reporter Maeve Reston.
A gathering of protestors soon disrupted the event.
A spokesperson for Steyer explained that after the rally, protesters, including one with a knife, confronted camp staff, prompting an escort to a vehicle in an alley. Notably, the campaign did not alert the CHP or seek a security escort.
Footage captured the chaos between the protesters and Steyer’s team in the alley, with demonstrators yelling and a tense atmosphere. Steyer appeared to be seeking shelter in an SUV during the commotion.
One protester shouted, “Tom Steyer, what is your position on reparations? How are you going to write a check?” referencing his earlier support for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans from his 2020 presidential campaign.
Another protester warned, “Don’t ever come back to Africatown,” as they attempted to block the SUV’s path.
Yet another individual confronted Steyer directly, saying, “Hey, Tom Steyer, I better not catch you here with those devilish blue eyes.”
According to reports, Steyer could not leave until officers from the California Highway Patrol arrived.
Dené Wright, a 44-year-old social worker present at the protest, expressed that the actions did not surprise her. She remarked, “Black people are really tired of Democrats always asking them to vote during elections. Today is a brand new day. You can’t come here and show us symbolism, dance, sing, pat us on the back and think we’re going to vote for you.”
Democratic state Senator Laura Smallwood Cuevas, who co-hosted the event, acknowledged the protests were expected but applauded Steyer for engaging with the community.
Smallwood-Cuevas stated, “This is Leimert Park, and this is where Africatown is protesting, so we knew it was coming in, but we’re grateful that Tom had the courage to meet the community where they are. He was always on the front lines. I think people packed into the house today to see that.”
Steyer is viewed as the leading candidate for governor of California. A recent Emerson College poll showed him tied for second place with Republican Steve Hilton, each with a 17% approval rating, while Xavier Becerra led with 19%. It’s uncertain if Steyer will secure a spot in the top two when voters cast their ballots ahead of the June 2 primary.
