Black Leaders Demand Apology From Nithya Raman
Community leaders criticize the mayoral candidate for praising former LAPD chief Daryl Gates during a recent debate.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Should political candidates be required to apologize for controversial historical remarks made during their campaigns?
Black leaders held a press conference in Baldwin Hills to demand a public apology from Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman. The demand follows comments Raman made during a televised debate where she described former police chief Daryl Gates as the gold standard for immigration policy.
Why it matters
Critics are demanding the apology because they associate the legacy of Daryl Gates with systemic police brutality, racial hostility, and the department's history of excessive force. Raman, who represents the 4th council district, has not yet issued a public apology for the remarks.
Black leaders officially held their press conference at Mayor Karen Bass's campaign headquarters on October 15, 2026. The controversy remains an active issue ahead of the mayoral election scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The players
Nithya Raman
Nithya Raman is a current Los Angeles City Council member who represents the 4th district.
Daryl Gates
Daryl Gates served as the Los Angeles Police Department chief for 14 years and is a figure associated with the department's controversial history.
Karen Bass
Karen Bass is the Mayor of Los Angeles whose campaign headquarters served as the site for the recent press conference.
The details
The criticism centers on Raman's invocation of Daryl Gates, whose tenure as police chief is tied to the 1991 beating of Rodney King and the 1992 civil unrest. While Raman noted Gates' role in the 1979 implementation of Special Order 40, which limited police inquiry into immigration status, opponents argue this ignores the Christopher Commission's findings on LAPD racism.
Timeline
1979: The LAPD implemented the Special Order 40 policy.
1991: The beating of Rodney King occurred.
1992: Civil unrest occurred following the acquittal of four LAPD officers.
October 15, 2026: Black leaders held a press conference to demand an apology.
November 3, 2026: The mayoral election will take place.
Legal Context
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in Los Angeles regarding the legacy of the Christopher Commission. This situation reflects a broader, long-standing debate over how municipal leaders acknowledge the history of police conduct within the city.
The dispute impacts voters by forcing a confrontation between candidates' stances on historical police reform and current public safety policies. Residents in Los Angeles may see this debate influence campaign messaging and town hall discussions leading up to the November election.
The takeaway
This controversy underscores the political sensitivity of discussing law enforcement history in Los Angeles. Voters are currently weighing how candidates reconcile historical police policy with the city's modern relationship with its police department.
What happens next
The mayoral election is scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more context on local oversight, see the Law Enforcement section.
Live Poll
Should political candidates be required to apologize for controversial historical remarks made during their campaigns?
