Protesters Demand Accountability on Palisades Fire Anniversary

On Wednesday, survivors of the Palisades fire held a rally to call for accountability from local officials, as they marked the one-year anniversary of one of California’s most devastating wildfires.

“We lacked basic resources—no water, no reservoirs, no personnel, and no emergency response,” said organizer Jeremy Padawer. “They let us burn.”

The event drew attention towards California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and fire officials. Padawer emphasized that this protest wasn’t politically motivated.

“It’s astonishing that a city known for its fire risks doesn’t have adequate resources,” remarked Palisades resident Chad Skowron.

Los Angeles City Council member Tracy Park, who spoke at the rally, told attendees that the city is “not adequately prepared” for emergencies. “Many voters feel let down by what happened on January 7, 2025. The systems that were supposed to work failed them,” she said.

Skowron and others criticized state leaders, insisting their actions—or lack thereof—during the fire were unacceptable. “You’re done. There’s no chance of re-election for you,” he told Newsom.

He shared his experience trying to help during the fire despite police attempts to evict him from a mandatory evacuation zone. “I ended up jumping fences and putting out little fires,” he explained.

Another resident, Jason Winget, expressed frustration about the lack of support from firefighting teams. “They were told to stand back when people urgently needed help,” he claimed.

“Frankly, I’m angry,” added Cooper Kilgore. “It’s shameful that there are so many people in need and no one seems able to assist them.”

Doran Adami, a resident, echoed the need for change in leadership, stating that those in power could have done more during the crisis. “This city has been grossly mismanaged,” she said.

Padawer, who lost his home to the fire, called for transparency from leadership, urging them to stop lying and to address community needs directly.

Rally participants articulated similar sentiments, with Greg Champion stating that local officials had failed the community. “Our government has completely let us down,” he said.

As the gathering unfolded, attendees found some solace in reconnecting with neighbors, turning the day into both a memorial and a call to action. Many voiced their determination to rebuild, but emphasized the need for support from the government. “This should have been preventable,” a resident named Carmen noted. “We weren’t taken care of.”