Kevin de León Says He Deserves Another Chance. Critics Say He’s ‘Gaslighting’ L.A.
The crowd applauded the moment Kevin de León walked up. Abuelas pulled him in for a warm embrace. Entire families, standing in line at the recent El Sereno food giveaway, asked for selfies with him. In this place, no one called him racist, or a disgrace, or sinvergüenza — someone without shame — for ignoring calls to step down in the wake of a scandal that drew nationwide condemnation. Instead, the Los Angeles City Council member beamed as he made his way down a line of more than a hundred people, shaking hands and greeting them in Spanish and Cantonese. One woman declared him “el mero mero” — the top dog. Another, 71-year-old Guadalupe Castañeda, yelled from her spot in line: “We’ll help you campaign!” For nearly a year, the 56-year-old De León has clawed his way back from political purgatory, unveiling new street signs, showing up at awards dinners and chatting with constituents at his food giveaways. Although he lost all of his committee assignments, he is back on the council floor, casting votes and occasionally giving speeches.
Los Angeles Times
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