 Councilmember Traci Park’s recent remarks on Los Angeles’ sanctuary city designation reveal a troubling contradiction in her stance on city services and a misrepresentation of what sanctuary policies actually achieve. Her rhetoric, which echoes right-wing narratives, misconstrues the purpose and impact of sanctuary policies while sidestepping her own role in the very budget issues she critiques.
The Budget Hypocrisy: Park Voted to Defund Social Services Park’s speech paints a bleak picture of Los Angeles’ financial struggles, blaming a lack of resources for the city’s failure to address homelessness, infrastructure, and public safety. She claims that city services have been defunded and implies that supporting sanctuary policies exacerbates these issues. However, this conveniently ignores her own voting record. When Park voted to approve the city’s budget, she also voted to cut vital services, including emergency response, social programs, and public infrastructure funding. Her complaints about budget constraints ring hollow when she has directly contributed to the very austerity measures she now decries. The True Purpose of Sanctuary Cities Park’s assertion that sanctuary policies exist merely to encourage undocumented immigrants to report crimes to the police is a gross oversimplification, if not an outright misrepresentation. Sanctuary policies are not just about crime reporting; they are designed to prevent local law enforcement from being co-opted into federal immigration enforcement. The real purpose of sanctuary policies is to ensure that local and state governments do not facilitate the deportation pipeline that breaks up families, disrupts communities, and sows fear among immigrant populations. By misleadingly framing sanctuary policies as a tool for law enforcement rather than a safeguard against unjust deportations, Park adopts a right-wing talking point that deliberately distorts their intent. Sanctuary cities exist to uphold due process, prevent racial profiling, and ensure that local resources are not drained by federal immigration enforcement priorities. They protect all residents, not just undocumented ones, by fostering community trust in local institutions rather than fear of them. Echoing MAGA Talking Points Park’s speech closely aligns with right-wing rhetoric that conflates sanctuary policies with harboring criminals. She declares that she “will never support policies that harbor violent criminals or felons,” despite the fact that existing laws already ensure violent offenders are transferred to federal authorities when necessary. By suggesting that sanctuary policies create a haven for criminals, she parrots the same misleading claims used by conservative politicians to justify draconian immigration policies. Moreover, Park’s fearmongering about potential federal funding losses is another staple of anti-immigrant narratives, despite the fact that courts have repeatedly blocked federal attempts to strip sanctuary cities of funding. Her invocation of “failing infrastructure” and budget shortfalls as a justification to oppose sanctuary policies ignores the reality that those financial problems stem from policy decisions—including her own—that prioritize cuts to public services over equitable investment in communities. Traci Park’s comments on Los Angeles’ sanctuary city status reflect a broader pattern of political doublespeak—decrying the defunding of city services while voting for budget cuts, misrepresenting the purpose of sanctuary laws, and using right-wing framing to justify a position that is out of step with Los Angeles’ values. Sanctuary policies exist to protect vulnerable communities from over-policing and deportation, not to serve as a crime-reporting incentive. By distorting their purpose and leaning on conservative fear-mongering, Park is not only misleading her constituents but also undermining the city’s commitment to justice and inclusivity.
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 Councilmember Traci Park’s campaign finance records have long raised eyebrows, but her connection to casino billionaire Steve Wynn and his family adds a new layer of intrigue—and raises serious questions about the kind of influence shaping her political career. Park’s ties to the Wynn family, particularly Steve Wynn’s daughter Gillian Wynn, reveal a web of wealth, eccentricity, and privilege that stands in stark contrast to the struggles of everyday Angelenos.
The Wynn Connection Steve Wynn, the disgraced casino mogul and former CEO of Wynn Resorts, is no stranger to controversy. His career has been marred by allegations of sexual misconduct and exploitative business practices, yet his wealth and influence continue to loom large in elite circles. Wynn’s ex-wife, Elaine Wynn, sits on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and several other high-profile organizations, wielding significant cultural and financial power in the city. Enter Gillian Wynn, Steve and Elaine’s daughter, who has carved out her own niche as an interior designer and Park campaign donor. Gillian’s contributions to Traci Park’s campaign might seem like standard political support, but a closer look at her lifestyle and idiosyncrasies paints a picture of someone far removed from the realities of most Angelenos. Gillian Wynn’s Eccentric World Gillian Wynn’s home, featured in a DesignSetter article, is a testament to her extravagant tastes and peculiar sensibilities. The Palms Residence, designed by Olson Kundig, boasts a wall of mechanized Indonesian gamelan bells that play tunes while residents practice yoga. This bizarre feature, described as a “kinetic art installation,” is emblematic of a lifestyle defined by excess and eccentricity. The article gushes over the home’s “playful” and “whimsical” design, but for most Angelenos, it’s a stark reminder of the vast gulf between the ultra-wealthy and the working class. While families in Park’s district struggle with rising rents, wildfire displacement, and inadequate public services, Gillian Wynn’s mechanized bells and yoga retreats epitomize a world of privilege that is utterly disconnected from the challenges facing the city. What Does This Say About Traci Park? Traci Park’s acceptance of donations from Gillian Wynn—and by extension, her alignment with the Wynn family’s wealth and influence—raises serious questions about her priorities. The Wynn family represents the epitome of corporate power and elite privilege, values that are fundamentally at odds with the needs of Park’s constituents. Park’s ties to the Wynns are particularly troubling given her record of siding with wealthy interests over everyday Angelenos. From her opposition to tenant protections to her reluctance to address climate change, Park has consistently demonstrated that her loyalties lie with the powerful, not the people. Her connection to the Wynn family is just the latest example of this pattern. A Pattern of Problematic Donors Gillian Wynn isn’t the only questionable donor in Park’s orbit. From real estate moguls to corporate developers, Park’s campaign coffers are filled with contributions from individuals and entities that have little interest in the well-being of regular Angelenos. These connections underscore a troubling reality: Traci Park is beholden to a network of wealthy, eccentric, and out-of-touch donors who are more concerned with preserving their privilege than addressing the city’s most pressing issues. As Los Angeles faces ongoing challenges—from wildfire recovery to housing affordability—we need leaders who are grounded in the realities of everyday life, not those who are swayed by the mechanized bells and yoga retreats of the elite. Traci Park’s connections to the Wynn family are a stark reminder of whose interests she truly serves—and it’s not the people of Los Angeles.  As Los Angeles struggles to recover from the devastating wildfires, a troubling alliance between Councilmember Traci Park and corporate real estate interests is coming to light. At the center of this scandal is Richard Ziman, a powerful commercial real estate CEO and founder of the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA. The Ziman Center, which has long served as a mouthpiece for corporate real estate interests, recently released a report advocating for large home builders to take control of the wildfire reconstruction process. This proposal, outlined in their January 2025 analysis, "Rebuilding After the Fires: Lessons from Economics," is a thinly veiled attempt to privatize disaster recovery—and Traci Park’s ties to Ziman raise serious questions about whose interests she truly represents.
The Ziman Center’s Corporate Agenda The Ziman Center’s report argues that large home builders should lead the reconstruction efforts, claiming they have the “expertise and resources” to rebuild quickly and efficiently. But a closer look reveals a deeply flawed analysis that prioritizes profit over people. The report glosses over the fact that these same corporate builders have a history of cutting corners, displacing communities, and prioritizing luxury developments over affordable housing. By handing over the reins to these entities, the Ziman Center is effectively advocating for a disaster capitalism model, where corporations profit from public crises while ordinary Angelenos are left behind. This approach is not just misguided—it’s dangerous. Privatizing the rebuilding process would exacerbate inequality, as corporate developers focus on high-profit projects rather than affordable housing for displaced families. It would also undermine community input, sidelining the very people who have lost their homes in favor of top-down, profit-driven decision-making. The Ziman Center’s proposal is a textbook example of how corporate interests exploit disasters to consolidate power and wealth, all while masquerading as benevolent problem-solvers. Traci Park’s Ties to Richard Ziman The Ziman Center’s agenda becomes even more troubling when considering Councilmember Traci Park’s close ties to Richard Ziman. Ziman, a major player in Los Angeles real estate, has long used his influence to shape policy in favor of corporate developers. His think tank at UCLA, the Ziman Center, serves as a platform to promote pro-corporate policies under the guise of academic research. Park’s alignment with Ziman and his ilk is no coincidence—it’s a reflection of her unwavering loyalty to the real estate industry. Park’s record speaks for itself. From her opposition to tenant protections to her refusal to support affordable housing initiatives, she has consistently sided with developers over her constituents. Her ties to Ziman and the Ziman Center’s push to privatize wildfire reconstruction are just the latest examples of her corporate-first agenda. By endorsing policies that benefit large home builders, Park is effectively handing over the future of Los Angeles to the same interests that have fueled the city’s housing crisis and inequality for decades. A Disaster for Regular Angelenos The Ziman Center’s proposal, and Park’s implicit support for it, would have devastating consequences for regular Angelenos. Privatizing the rebuilding process would likely lead to:
This is not the path to recovery that Los Angeles needs. Instead of handing over the rebuilding process to corporate interests, the city should prioritize a community-led approach that centers the needs of displaced residents. This means investing in affordable housing, ensuring tenant protections, and holding developers accountable to the people they serve. Park’s Betrayal of Los Angeles Traci Park’s ties to Richard Ziman and her alignment with the Ziman Center’s corporate agenda are a betrayal of her constituents. At a time when Los Angeles needs leaders who will fight for equitable recovery, Park is instead paving the way for corporate profiteers to take over. Her actions demonstrate once again that she is beholden to the real estate industry, not the people she was elected to represent. As the city rebuilds, we cannot allow corporate interests to dictate our future. \ Traci Park’s Real Estate Loyalties Exposed: How Her Donors and Policies Fueled LA’s Fire Crisis1/30/2025  As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the devastating 2025 wildfires, which displaced thousands and left countless families homeless, it’s worth revisiting a critical piece of reporting from Knock LA that sheds light on Councilmember Traci Park’s priorities. The article, “Major Traci Park Donor Is Fighting Against Fire Safety in Buildings”, reveals how one of Park’s largest campaign donors, real estate investor Douglas Emmett, actively lobbied against fire safety measures. This connection is not just a scandal—it’s a damning indictment of Park’s willingness to prioritize real estate interests over the safety and well-being of her constituents.
The Knock LA investigation detailed how Douglas Emmett, which owns the Barrington Plaza apartments, fought against retrofitting the building with fire sprinklers after a 2020 fire displaced dozens of tenants. Instead of siding with tenants and advocating for life-saving measures, Park aligned herself with the owner, opposing mandatory fire safety upgrades. Her actions at the time were a clear signal that her loyalties lie with wealthy real estate developers, not the people she was elected to serve. Fast forward to the 2025 wildfires, and Park’s pattern of putting profits over people has only become more apparent. While thousands of Angelenos have been displaced by the fires, Park has done little to address their immediate needs. Her response has been eerily silent on the role of climate change in fueling the disaster, and she has failed to advocate for robust tenant protections or housing solutions for those who lost their homes. This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with her record. Park’s history of siding with real estate interests over vulnerable tenants is well-documented. Following the fires, she played a key role in defeating a rent freeze proposed by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez that would have provided critical relief to renters facing economic hardship. Her opposition to these protections further cements her reputation as a politician who prioritizes the profits of landlords and developers over the needs of everyday Angelenos. Now, after wildfires ravaged her district, Park’s inaction speaks volumes. While her constituents face displacement and uncertainty, she has remained silent on policies that could prevent future disasters, such as stronger fire safety regulations, climate resilience initiatives, and tenant protections. Instead, her focus has been on deflecting blame onto infrastructure issues and emergency response failures—conveniently ignoring the systemic problems she has helped perpetuate. The 2025 wildfires are a tragic reminder of what happens when leaders prioritize special interests over public safety. Traci Park’s record is clear: she will always side with real estate moguls, even when it means putting lives at risk. As Los Angeles rebuilds, voters must ask themselves: can we afford leaders who put profits over people? The answer, for the sake of our city’s future, must be a resounding no.  The recent Pacific Palisades fire that devastated the community, destroying thousands of homes and displacing countless families, was a preventable tragedy. At the center of the crisis is Councilmember Traci Park, whose reckless decisions to cut funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) directly contributed to the fire’s catastrophic impact. What makes Park's failure even more glaring is her close relationship with the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) union, a top contributor to her City Council campaign. Despite this strong alliance with the firefighters, Park not only failed to secure the necessary funding for the department but also neglected to ensure that fire engines were adequately staffed and prepared on the day the fires ignited.
In May 2024, Traci Park voted to slash $17.8 million from the LAFD budget, followed by an additional $48 million reduction for the following year. These devastating cuts forced the department to operate with fewer resources, leading to staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and fewer available fire engines at a time when the region was at its most vulnerable. The Palisades, surrounded by brush-heavy hills and prone to Santa Ana winds, has long been identified as a high-risk fire zone. By gutting the fire department’s budget, Park ensured that when the inevitable disaster struck, firefighters would be left scrambling to respond effectively. Despite her history of advocating for firefighters and receiving substantial financial and political backing from the UFLAC union, Park’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the very people who supported her rise to power. The firefighters’ union played a crucial role in her election campaign, contributing significant funds and rallying support. Given this close relationship, Park should have been working hand-in-hand with the LAFD to ensure they were adequately prepared for potential wildfires. Instead, she turned her back on them when it mattered most, prioritizing budget cuts over community safety. Park’s negligence didn’t just stop at slashing the budget. As a Councilmember with strong ties to the firefighting community, she should have been at the forefront of ensuring that LAFD was properly staffed and equipped to handle emergencies. In the days leading up to the fire, multiple red flag warnings were issued, yet no additional emergency preparedness measures were implemented. Firefighters were left without the necessary personnel and fire engines to combat the blaze effectively, allowing the flames to spread uncontrollably and cause unprecedented destruction. When the fire finally erupted, Park was nowhere to be found. Instead of stepping up and addressing the crisis, she remained silent until it was too late. After the damage was done, she quickly shifted into public relations mode, attending press conferences and community events to feign concern. But the damage had already been done, and the community saw through the hypocrisy. The people of Pacific Palisades and the greater Los Angeles area deserve leadership that prioritizes their safety over political maneuvering. Traci Park had every opportunity to prevent this disaster but instead chose to weaken the LAFD while maintaining close political ties with the firefighter’s union that backed her campaign. This blatant contradiction raises serious questions about her motivations and her ability to lead effectively. It is time for the community to demand accountability. Park must answer for her decisions, and steps must be taken to ensure that the city council never again plays politics with public safety. The Pacific Palisades fire was not just a natural disaster—it was a political failure, and Traci Park is at the center of it. |