Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass brushed off Palisades fire protesters — accusing organizers “profiting” from the demonstrations while locals are still reeling from the devastating inferno one year later.
Bass said she didn’t think residents should have marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly fires on Wednesday with the “They Let Us Burn” rally.
“I think there are people who are profiting off this, and that is what I find very despicable,” the mayor told ABC 7 as she toured the Palisades.
“Intentionally putting out misinformation. Intentionally profiting from social media, book deals, etc. I think that’s unfortunate,” Bass added. “To me, I hope it’s about healing and moving forward and getting this community back. Every single Palisadian that wants to come back. That should be the focus.”
The Democrat, who has faced fierce criticism for her response to the fires, said she was a “little” surprised at the anger directed at her and her administration.
“A little, but again I understand the anger,” she told ABC. “So I understand people’s emotions, so if they need to focus them on me, you know, whatever, whatever it takes for them to heal and get through this. I don’t take it personally.”
But her claims about locals profiting from the demonstrations only drew more criticism Wednesday.
“That kind of claim feels like an abuser- victim relationship,” said Jeremy Padawer, one of the organizers of the rally. “We’re out here exercising our First Amendment rights.
“I’m not an advocate. I’m not political. I’m just a citizen,” he told The Post. “We have a duty to our neighbors when we’re okay. We were in a good position after the fire, so for me, funding this was about responsibility.”
Padawer, 52, who works in the toys and collectibles business, said he hadn’t made a cent from the protest and in fact funded any expenses himself.
Bass has faced backlash in the wake of the 2025 fires, which killed at least 31 people and destroyed some 18,000 homes and structures in the region. Critics said City Hall was slow to react and botched public communications as evacuation orders were issued.
The mayor was in Ghana overseas when the fires ignited.
Bass is now facing questions over whether her office influenced edits to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s after-action report on the Palisades fire to make the officials look better in their response to the emergency.
Fire Chief Jaime Moore — who took the position after the report was changed — admitted flat out that the report had been softened.
“It is now clear that multiple drafts were edited to soften language and reduce explicit criticism of department leadership in that final report,” Moore told the Los Angeles Times. “This editing occurred prior to my appointment as fire chief. And I can assure you that nothing of this sort will ever again happen while I am fire chief.”
Bass’ office has maintained that the report was written and edited by LAFD and that City Hall did not direct changes.
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Bass called the allegations the report was watered down “very troubling” — but noted that Gov. Gavin Newsom had ordered an outside, independent investigation into the response.
“But again, there are independent reports becoming available,” Bass said. “The first part of that report should be released to the public soon.”
Bass is up for re-election in June 2026 and faces a crowded field of challengers.
Spencer Pratt, a reality TV personality, announced his candidacy during the Pacific Palisades protest that Bass skipped — bringing the total number of people running for Los Angeles mayor to about 20.
