What Happened
The May 15, 2026 meeting of the Los Angeles City Council was called to order with 11 members present. Absent from the meeting were Council Members Hernandez (D1), Nazarian (D2), Raman (D4), Padilla (D6), Harris-Dawson (D8), and McOsker (D15). Council Member Price (D9) presided in the apparent absence of Council President Harris-Dawson.
The meeting's agenda was brief. Items 1 through 3 were public hearing items; public comment on those items had already been satisfied at committee. Items 2 and 3 were sent forthwith without objection. All three items passed on a roll call vote without recorded dissent. No agenda items were pulled for special discussion, and no contested votes occurred. Motions for posting and referral were approved without objection.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to ceremonial presentations. Council Members Blumenfield (D3) and Yaroslavsky (D5) led a joint presentation for Jewish American Heritage Month, themed "Playing It Forward: Championing Jewish Values Through Sport." Honorees included Makabi Los Angeles, a soccer club founded by Holocaust survivors that won five US Open Cup championships in the 1970s and early 1980s; fencer Carl Borak, a 1972 Olympian and Pan-American Games gold medalist; women's hockey player Chelsea Goldberg; and gymnast Mitch Gaylord, who led the US men's team to its first Olympic gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The presentation also served as a send-off for Blumenfield, who is completing his council term; organizers from Jewish American Heritage Month LA (JAM LA) and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles presented him with commemorative gifts. Council Member Yaroslavsky then led a recognition of the 2026 UCLA Women's Basketball team, the NCAA National Champions, who defeated South Carolina 79–51 in the championship game. Head Coach Corey Close and player Tama Gardner addressed the council. Council Members Raman (D4), Lee (D12), and Jurado (D14) co-led a Hapa Day presentation honoring LAPD Olympic Area Captain Rachel Rodriguez — the first Korean-American captain in LAPD history — Cal State Northridge volleyball player Jordan Lucas, and Hapa Global founder Tia Lagoski. Council Member Soto-Martinez (D13) presented a recognition declaring May 15th "Meta World Peace Day" in Los Angeles, honoring former Lakers player Ron Artest (Meta World Peace) for his mental health advocacy, including his donation of his championship ring proceeds — approximately $670,000 — to mental health charities and his founding of the Artest Foundation. Council Member Hutt (D10) recognized four Korean-American women leaders for AAPI Heritage Month: Alexandra Su, executive director of the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA); Raian, executive director of the Anderson Munger YMCA; Vivian Kim, general counsel and chief people officer of Hanmi Bank (which oversees more than $7 billion in assets); and Yunin Hu, president of the Korean-American Sports Association of Los Angeles. Council Member Jurado (D14) recognized Proyecto Pastoral on its 40th anniversary, noting the organization was founded in 1986 by Father Greg Boyle and a group of women from Boyle Heights and has provided childcare cooperatives, the Guadalupe Homeless Project, and the Impacto youth program, among other services.
During general public comment — the only public comment period open, as items 1–3 had been heard at committee — speakers raised several concerns. One speaker identifying himself as a photographer documented LAPD's interactions with ICE since June, citing Police Commission President Rasher Shields's on-the-record statement that she is afraid to limit LAPD collaboration with ICE for fear of provoking the Trump administration. A speaker identifying themselves as working with the Trans Latina Coalition thanked Council Members Hutt and Hernandez for introducing a budget memo benefiting transgender, gender-nonconforming, and intersex (TGI) Angelinos, while urging the full council to oppose the mayor's proposed increase in LAPD sworn officers in favor of investment in harm reduction, mental health care, and community-based programs. A speaker referenced "item 20" and praised workers fighting for wages, suggesting some had potential to become business owners. Public comment was significantly disrupted by a recurring attendee identified as Mr. Herman, who used racial slurs, made antisemitic remarks directed at outgoing Council Member Blumenfield, disrupted the Hapa Day musical performance, and signed up under multiple names. He was formally warned and ultimately removed from the chambers by sergeants. Two additional speakers also received warnings under Council Rule 7 for use of prohibited language. One speaker made extended remarks about alleged LAPD misconduct and called for a National Guard-level investigation.