Residents in S.F., L.A. looking to recall Soros-backed DA’s
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin poses at his campaign headquarters in San Francisco, on May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
OAN NEWSROOM
UPDATED 11:15 AM PT – Monday, June 6, 2022
Californians are putting their Soros-backed district attorneys on the chopping block for their soft-on-crime policies. Tuesday’s primary ballots will give San Franciscans the chance to oust Chesa Boudin. The embattled attorney has decried the effort as a Republican hit job, but 64 percent of Democrat voters reportedly supported the recall effort. Even progressive Mayor London Breed (D) spoke out against her DA’s approach to crime.
“This is not about appealing to a particular ideology,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. “These ideologies are what have failed our city, failed black people in our city.”
Residents have decried several of Boudin’s treatment of drug dealers and murderers. He reportedly would lessen the charges for fentanyl dealers from possession with intent to sell to accessory after the fact. This would allow dealers to go back into the community and pick up where they left off.
Boudin argued that drug dealers are themselves victims of trafficking. She claimed the war on drugs has targeted minority and undocumented dealers. Additionally, critics pointed out he prioritized repeat violent offenders over their victims and would let the offenders off early. They lamented several convicted murderers who were let out by Boudin, but went back out and killed people in the community.
“We continue to feel that there is a need for reform in the criminal justice system,” stated Los Angeles Sherriff Alex Villanueva. “We need to move away from using incarceration as our only tool within the system. We want a prosecutor who is able to balance the interests of reform with public safety. We do believe that that’s possible and it’s where Chesa Boudin is failing.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson, I cannot thank you enough for coming out to join me in person today to urge the SF community: VOTE NO ON H! It is an incredible honor to have you standing by me in this fight for criminal justice reform. 2 days left! #VOTENOonH #RejectTheRecall #DontGetConned pic.twitter.com/yJXAZI3jy6
— Vote NO on H!!!! – Chesa Boudin 博徹思 (@chesaboudin) June 6, 2022
Organizers in Los Angeles are trying to get DA George Gascon (D-Calif.) on the November general ballot in a second recall effort. Coordinators claimed they collected more than 500,000 signatures and garnered $6.5 million so far. However, organizers for Gascon’s recall still need around 67,000 signatures to get his name on the November 8 ballot. That deadline is July 6.
Since taking office in 2020, Gascon has refused to enforce California’s three-strikes rule and seek sentence enhancements. He has also skirted away from trying juveniles as adults even when they are charged for crimes of murder or sexual assault. Some residents said he would rather reward monsters than to demonstrate to them their actions have consequences.
“He seems very intent on prosecuting cops,” voiced Villanueva. “Which we definitely need to do if they cross the line and engage in criminal conduct.”
In the meantime, organizers are sending petitions to L.A. residents. They hope petitions will be be turned in by the July 6 deadline to get Gascon’s recall on the November ballot.