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Over 150,000 Sign Petition Demanding Resignation of Los Angeles Mayor


The petition charged the city with being unprepared for the calamity and incapable of ensuring the safety and welfare of its inhabitants.

A petition demanding the immediate resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass due to her handling of the devastating fires in the city had amassed over 150,000 signatures by January 16.

The petition emerged on Change.org shortly after the deadly Palisades fire ignited on January 7, initiated by an anonymous individual identifying as a “frustrated Californian.”

On January 9, nearly 5,000 individuals signed the petition, which further demands the recall of the mayor “due to her gross mismanagement and inability to respond effectively to the catastrophic 2025 fires in and around Los Angeles.”

In recent interviews, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley has stated that budget cuts and the removal of civilian roles have hindered the city’s response to the severe wildfires.

When a Fox11 reporter inquired whether the city had failed the department, Crowley affirmed, “Yes.”

The petition accused the city of lacking readiness for the disaster and failing to guarantee the safety and welfare of its residents due to insufficient water and emergency services.

The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates destroyed by the Palisades Fire is seen in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 16, 2025. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates, destroyed by the Palisades Fire, is depicted in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on January 16, 2025. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo

According to officials, the demand for water during the crisis was four times greater than usual—for 15 consecutive hours—and as much as 20 percent of fire hydrants ran dry.

Governor Gavin Newsom has requested an independent investigation into the decrease in water pressure for fire hydrants, along with the lack of water from a nearby reservoir.

Over 5,000 firefighting personnel continued to battle the Palisades fire on the west side of the city, which had grown to 23,713 acres and was 27 percent contained by approximately 6 p.m. on January 16.

The extensive blaze has resulted in at least 10 fatalities, according to fire officials, and has destroyed thousands of homes and other structures. A total of 27 individuals have lost their lives in fires across the county.

Along with demanding the mayor’s resignation, the petition also calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into response failures, accountability for the alleged mishandling of taxpayer funds designated for disaster relief and recovery, and a detailed plan for ensuring public safety in future emergencies.

In response to inquiries regarding the criticisms directed at the city, Bass informed reporters during a recent news conference that there were no budget cuts made that “would have affected the situation that we were facing.”

Bass’s office did not provide an immediate comment regarding the petition.

City News Service contributed to this report.



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