LA Councilwoman Nithya Raman Mocked With ‘No BBQ’ Flyers at Home
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman faces grassroots backlash after controversial flyers attacking her homelessness record and failed barbecue ban appeared in her Silver Lake neighborhood.
Nithya Raman, the socialist city councilwoman running to become mayor of Los Angeles, has become the target of a new flyer campaign organized by Safe Cities USA, according to New York Post. The flyers carry pointed messages including “No BBQ For You. Vote Raman for Mayor” and “Keep LA A Sh*thole,” plastered across utility poles and street fixtures in her own backyard.
Safe Cities USA, a group claiming to represent Los Angeles residents, business owners, and former residents fed up with the city’s declining conditions, is funding the campaign independently of any mayoral candidate. The organization says it aims to hold Raman accountable for her handling of homelessness, public safety, and quality-of-life issues that have ravaged the city.
“Our reasons are we don’t feel Bass or Raman should be spreading lies with facts and figures that can’t be verified,” the group stated, as New York Post reports. “I have an obligation to fight back on behalf of our families and businesses. We can no longer sit back while they rob us blind.”
The flyer blitz comes just days after activists staged a mock homeless encampment outside Raman’s Silver Lake residence on Memorial Day. The demonstration, which quickly went viral online, saw protesters emerging from tents, operating an open-air barbecue, and carrying buckets through the staged encampment while neighbors watched and filmed the scene.
Controversial Comments Reignite Debate
The controversy intensified when Raman discussed the incident during a podcast appearance with comedian Adam Conover. I’m glad my kids didn’t have to see that, Raman remarked, before adding that she thought the campaign would focus on bike lanes and transportation.
Her comments immediately sparked outrage on social media. Critics pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of Raman expressing concern about encampments near her own children while having spent her political career opposing enforcement measures that would protect other families from similar situations near schools and parks.
“When it’s her own kids, Nithya Raman suddenly cares where homeless encampments are set up,” one viral comment noted. “But when it’s your kids near schools and parks? She votes to keep the tents there.”
Backyard Barbecue Fiasco Returns to Haunt Candidate
The “No BBQ For You” flyers reference one of Raman’s most embarrassing political missteps from earlier this month. The councilwoman introduced a motion requesting city officials study restrictions on backyard barbecues, fire pits, and other open flames during Red Flag Warning days.
The proposal immediately triggered widespread backlash and was subsequently stripped from the motion by fellow Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. The attempted ban became viral political ammunition against Raman and has now resurfaced as part of the grassroots campaign opposing her mayoral bid.
Additional flyers in the campaign read “Moms for Pratt, Save Our Kids,” apparently supporting Raman’s opponent in the race.
Growing Frustration Among Residents
Safe Cities USA insists the campaign reflects authentic anger among residents who believe Los Angeles has been overwhelmed by homelessness, drug addiction, crime, and deteriorating quality of life under current leadership.
“Residents and businesses have had enough,” the group’s statement continued. “We finally have a mayoral candidate who is passionate, knowledgeable and willing to run the city using common sense.”
Raman has built her political career advocating for policies that critics say effectively limited enforcement against homeless encampments while opposing tougher restrictions near residential neighborhoods, schools, and public parks. That record now stands in stark contrast to her apparent discomfort with the same conditions manifesting outside her own home.
“Our personal concern is safety for families and neighborhoods,” organizers said. “Our tenants and employees can’t maintain jobs, businesses can’t survive, and people can’t pay their rent if Los Angeles continues spiraling in the wrong direction.”
The campaign represents the latest challenge for Raman as she attempts to expand her political influence from city council to the mayor’s office amid mounting evidence that voters are losing patience with progressive policies on homelessness and public safety.
With information from New York Post
