Mayoral Candidate Spencer Pratt’s Campaign Moves to South Los Angeles

Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt visited South Los Angeles on Wednesday, aiming to connect with residents in a neighborhood that incumbent Mayor Karen Bass formerly represented during her time in Congress. Pratt dedicated two hours to interacting and posing for photos at the Hyde Park block party, which drew around a hundred attendees. Although he engaged with the public, Pratt chose not to answer queries from the news media, similar to his approach at a previous meet and greet in Sherman Oaks.

Marcella Anglada, aged 61, showed Pratt a video on her phone depicting nearby broken sidewalks, which posed difficulties for her navigation in a motorized wheelchair. Anglada expressed support for Pratt, hoping his campaign would lead to action on these issues. Broken sidewalks create obstacles for older residents using mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs, as Anglada shared with The Times.

Jonathan Parker, a local resident, commended Pratt for campaigning in the area. Aged 39, Parker noted that visiting this neighborhood was significant for Pratt’s campaign efforts. Parker and his wife, Victoriah Bech Parker, operate a Skid Row charity, and they recently requested an investigation from the U.S. Justice Department concerning alleged animal abuse in the area. They recognized Pratt as the sole mayoral candidate to publicly support their initiative. Bech Parker expressed her willingness to collaborate with various political affiliates to enhance conditions for both people and animals in downtown L.A., known for its homelessness challenges and large encampments.

During the event, residents enjoyed barbecue, ice cream, and drinks provided by Pratt’s campaign through food trucks, while seeking shelter under shaded canopies. Music spanned from contemporary hits to James Brown classics from the 1970s. Pratt made a point of posing in front of a barbecue trailer, promising increased grilling activities in L.A. This statement served as a jab at opponent Nithya Raman’s past proposal to prohibit backyard barbecues on days with high fire hazards, a plan Raman has since abandoned.

Supporters from different parts of the city attended, including Miki Yamashita, who manages the ‘asiansforpratt’ Instagram account. The Studio City resident wore a shirt with “pratt” boldly displayed, paralleling Charli XCX’s “brat” album cover, and discussed with Pratt the support he was receiving from many Asian Americans. Yamashita highlighted their backing of Pratt to advance small businesses and family welfare. United in their frustration as Los Angeles residents, Yamashita and Pratt found common ground.

Throughout the afternoon, reporters and TV cameras followed Pratt closely, capturing moments for public consumption on social media.