On a mild afternoon in mid-June, Mayor Karen Bass joined a community-organized event in Little Tokyo, wielding a rag in an attempt to scrub graffiti off local businesses.
This event, known as Little Tokyo Sparkle, was initiated in 2016 and aims to enhance the aesthetics of the neighborhood. Even though a sizable group of volunteers had already participated in a cleanup just weeks prior, over 150 individuals returned for an emergency session to tackle the vandalism that had affected local businesses.
The recent protests against ICE and the LAPD’s response left a visible mark, as graffiti adorned cultural landmarks like the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and Little Tokyo Towers, which house seniors in need of affordable housing.
Initially, my coverage was focused on the cleanup’s impact and the voices of volunteers and business owners. However, upon seeing an old colleague, I learned that Mayor Bass was present for a photo opportunity, which shifted my focus.
During the event, the mayor engaged with the media, conversed with organizers, and briefly attempted to remove graffiti from the JANM building while wearing gloves. While L.A. TACO shared a video of this moment, many comments highlighted skepticism, suggesting her actions were more about public relations than genuine concern.
One of the most popular comments remarked, ‘This is 100% for optics. She was there for a photo op I’m sure.’ Others criticized her priorities, questioning why she focused on cleanup rather than ‘kicking out ICE.’
Despite the overwhelming show of community spirit, the cleanup raised questions about the motivations behind Mayor Bass’ participation.
From volunteer organizations aiding fire victims to those distributing PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, community organizing in Los Angeles has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Witnessing neighbors join forces to support struggling Long-term Little Tokyo residents gives a sense of hope.
However, when I pressed Mayor Bass on her thoughts about the graffiti, her response felt somewhat inadequate. She stated, ‘I’m here today because of the vandalism that took place at [JANM]. To me, this is one of the iconic institutions in our city, and to deface businesses or iconic museums like this … This doesn’t represent the fight for immigrant rights.’
As I traversed 1st Street, the political intent behind much of the graffiti became evident: messages opposing ICE filled the walls.
Phrases like ‘F-ck ICE’ echoed the feelings of many, and while some may find such expressions controversial, they seemed preferable to the gang-related graffiti prevalent in other neighborhoods.
Bill Fujioka, JANM’s board chair, expressed heartbreak over the museum’s damage, recalling the internment camps history of Japanese Americans.
Despite his dismay at vandalism, he supported the broader opposition to ICE’s actions. ‘The overall greater goal — speaking out against the injustice to the immigrant community — is important,’ he said, acknowledging the damage yet emphasizing the importance of the protest’s message.
Mayor Bass has consistently condemned the actions of protesters who choose graffiti as their medium. In a recent announcement on Instagram, she decried ‘bad actors who have vandalized and harmed our Downtown L.A. neighborhood’ and promoted a cleanup event as part of the Shine LA initiative, designed to prepare the city for the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
Though I harbor skepticism about such beautification efforts surrounding a contentious sporting event, I believe it is crucial for local businesses, which have suffered due to vandalism during recent protests.
The pressure from ICE raids continues to ripple through local immigrant communities, leaving behind a trail of fear and frustration.
While Mayor Bass has voiced her outrage against these raids and President Donald Trump’s policies, her administration’s reliance on LAPD to manage protests has drawn criticism. Reports have surfaced detailing instances of excessive force, including the use of tear gas on peaceful demonstrators and violent tactics by police officers.
Amidst these tensions, the image of Mayor Bass earnestly scrubbing graffiti seems to represent a deeper conflict: the intersection of community activism and political leadership.
This narrative serves as a reminder that in moments of crisis, the responses from our leaders must align with the sentiments of the communities they serve.
image source from：lataco
