Spencer Pratt Hosts Barbecue Campaign in South Los Angeles

Spencer Pratt swapped out his campaign speech for some barbecue on Wednesday in South Los Angeles, continuing his food-focused campaign aimed at local issues and community discussions.

Around 100 people showed up, consisting of both local residents and supporters who made the trek across Los Angeles to see the former reality TV star in his role as mayoral candidate.

Attendees enjoyed pulled pork, street corn, and barbecue baked beans, finishing off with some ice cream from a nearby Goody’s truck.

Instead of giving media interviews, Pratt spent most of his time engaging with the crowd, listening to their worries about homelessness, safety, cleanliness, and other grievances regarding city hall.

One notable participant was Juan Nowra, known in Los Angeles for her “Clean With Me” social media posts documenting her volunteer clean-up efforts throughout the city.

Nowra, who moved from Virginia to California about 16 months ago, expressed her shock at the city’s conditions.

“As I drove around, I noticed a lot of trash,” Nowra mentioned. “If you’re outside California, you just don’t hear about it.”

After just five weeks in California, she started doing clean-ups by herself, feeling hopeful when she initially met with city officials.

“They assured me they’d help and support me,” she reflected. “But then they pretty much vanished. We sent out 40 to 50 emails.”

The event featured Jonathan and Victoria Parker from a nonprofit organization, Start With One Today, which serves South Los Angeles and Skid Row.

This organization launched during the pandemic in December 2020 and, through weekly outreach events, now supports 300 to 500 people, while also managing one of the largest animal rescue efforts on Skid Row.

Victoria Parker shared that her experiences are deeply personal, saying, “My dad lived most of his life on Skid Row.” She explained how his struggles with housing and harm reduction ultimately ended in tragedy, influencing her understanding of the city’s homelessness challenges.

“Homelessness isn’t just about housing,” Parker emphasized. “It encompasses treatment, programs, and essential life skills.”

Despite their considerable community work, Parker noted that her organization has never received any city funding or support.

“People often think we’re government-funded because of the visibility of our work,” she clarified. “But that’s not the case.”

Sarah Brahman, who manages the Instagram account Persians4Pratt, attended the event to back Pratt’s campaign, citing public safety and the city’s direction as her motivations.

“We support Spencer Pratt because he’s the only sensible choice,” Brahman declared. “He’s our last hope to save Los Angeles.”

She acknowledged ongoing dissatisfaction with city leadership as a key factor for many Pratt supporters, particularly concerning homelessness and overall quality of life.

“People are exhausted by promises,” she noted. “They genuinely want to see real change.”

Other attendees included residents who had followed Pratt online before deciding to meet him face-to-face.

The gathering took place at one of about 70 properties owned by Adrian Mallard, whose children attend school with Pratt and who has also faced his own housing challenges due to the Palisades fire.

“He’s a genuine person who cares about this city, and I trust he will make an impact,” Mallard said.

The mayoral race is now at a critical stage, with the primary election set for June 2nd.