Recall petition requires 21,569 signatures to remove LA Council President

Five residents of the Eighth Council District launched a recall effort against Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson on Wednesday, requiring proponents to collect 21,569 valid signatures from qualified registered voters by February 25, 2027. The Los Angeles City Clerk approved the draft petition for circulation that same day, setting the legal threshold at 15% of the district's registered electorate.

Harris-Dawson responded to the filing on Friday, stating his focus remains on leading the City Council and serving his constituents. He characterized the recall as a distraction from ongoing work to deliver results for Angelenos, saying, “There is no time for distractions. We have crucial work underway to deliver real results for Angelenos, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to moving South L.A. and our city forward.”

The petition names Kimberly Yergan, Dalila Sims, Tonja Edwards, Kijai Furtak, and Leotha Williamson as sponsors. They describe Harris-Dawson in their filing as the “worst thing to happen to residents of Council District 8” and list six specific grievances. A central complaint targets the Destination Crenshaw project, a 1.3-mile open-air museum and cultural corridor along Crenshaw Boulevard designed to uplift Black art, culture, and history.

The sponsors characterize the $125 million initiative as a gentrification project that has disrupted nearby lives. They allege that Harris-Dawson has refused an audit of the endeavor. The project, which Harris-Dawson proposed in 2016, began construction in 2021. Local residents have reported that fences and barricades have remained in place for years, causing parking frustrations and street blockages from construction equipment.

In August, residents urged Mayor Karen Bass to intervene in the dispute. Bass directed city crews to remove barricades, restore parking, and lead a clean-up effort. The project remains incomplete. The recall petition also cites Harris-Dawson’s handling of food insecurity, homelessness, and unemployment rates as additional reasons for the effort.