Community activists urge council to block Errol Southers' police commission reappointment

Dozens of speakers at Tuesday's City Council meeting urged members to reject the reappointment of Errol Southers to the Los Angeles Police Commission, citing past statements on Islam and criticisms of his record. Multiple commenters said the council had removed or pulled the item from the day's agenda and asked members to listen to community opposition before taking action.

One public speaker declared, "Southers began his career... where he made a name for himself as a proud Islamophobe," and called his return to a civilian oversight role inappropriate. Another speaker said the council "removed the item concerning his confirmation to police commission from the agenda today because you heard we were mobilizing to protest it and you got scared."

Speakers representing advocacy groups including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and other community advocates said they had organized to oppose the reappointment and urged the council to prioritize community safety and trust in oversight. Several individuals told the council they feared that Southers' views would undermine accountability and disproportionately affect Black and Muslim Angelenos.

Council staff confirmed during the meeting that item 14 — the reappointment matter that critics referenced — had been pulled from the agenda for the day. No formal vote on a reappointment occurred during the session.

Council members heard testimony from numerous residents and community groups calling for transparency and accountability in appointments to the Police Commission. Several speakers said they planned to continue mobilizing and to submit written materials to the council offices.

Ending: The council did not act on the reappointment at Tuesday's meeting; speakers said they would continue to press councilmembers for a vote that reflects community concerns.