Spencer Pratt, known for his reality television fame, made headlines as he officially declared his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles during a passionate protest marking the one-year anniversary of devastating wildfires. The protest, dubbed “They Let Us Burn!”, took place in Pacific Palisades, an area deeply impacted by the disaster, including Pratt’s own home which was destroyed.
Amidst the remnants of his neighborhood, Pratt expressed his frustration with the government’s response to the wildfires, stating, “The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken.” He criticized the current administration as being overly protective of the elite while neglecting the safety of ordinary citizens. “Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles,” he asserted, emphasizing the urgency and necessity for genuine change.
Heidi Montag, Pratt’s wife, voiced her pride in his decision to run and articulated her feelings about the negligence surrounding the fire management. “There was no accountability. It was gross negligence. They let this happen,” Montag declared, indicating a profound sense of injustice from the events that unfolded.
During his speech, Pratt highlighted that many of the destructive impacts were preventable, calling for accountability and sustainable practices in wildfire management. Over the past year, he has positioned himself as a prominent advocate for fire accountability, leveraging his social media platform to hold state leaders accountable, particularly targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom for his alleged inaction regarding wildfire preparedness.
Pratt didn’t shy away from pointing fingers, particularly at local leadership, noting that while residents suffered, crucial officials were absent or unresponsive. He referenced the high salary of Janisse Quiñones, the CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, questioning how resources were managed while the community faced calamity.
In a heartfelt moment, Pratt described the naive belief that taxpayer dollars supported a functioning government, revealing his disillusionment that prompted him to run for office. Supported by fellow fire victims, he is rallying for a campaign that he frames not merely as an election effort but as a mission to expose and reform the existing system to better protect Los Angeles residents from future disasters.
As the community voices its support, Pratt’s campaign signals a shift toward prioritizing public safety and accountability in the face of adversity. His commitment to change reflects a hopeful resolve for a more responsible and responsive local government.