They Let Us Burn Protest

ONE YEAR LATER: Palisades residents demand accountability in community rally for preventable fire, failed response - They Let Us Burn. Pacific Palisades, CA - On January 7, 2026, exactly one year after the catastrophic Palisades Fire, residents will rally in the heart of the Pacific Palisades to demand accountability for a total breakdown in prevention, precaution and leadership – from the City of Los Angeles, State of California, LADWP, LA Fire Officials, California State Parks, California Natural Resources Agency, State / Local Agencies, Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass. This negligence, mismanagement and failure of critical local infrastructure ultimately resulted in the deaths of 12 Palisadians, destroyed over 6,500 local homes, blanketed neighborhoods of standing homes in toxic ash, and displaced almost 25,000 individuals – most still unable to return because of devastation, contamination and policies that stall rebuilding, and financial ruin. Despite promises of action, city and state leadership and agencies have delivered little real progress with limited vision or clear plan paired with great uncertainty. Moreover, the city and state stand to profit in billions of dollars as a result of this burn (disaster profiteering). We will break that down. “The fire and resulting devastation was preventable. The city and state ignored warnings, ignored protocol, ignored lacking infrastructure, ignored its own firefighters, and today actively ignore the needs of a destroyed community,” said Jeremy Padawer, local resident, rally speaker, and publisher of PacificPalisades.com. “On this 1 year anniversary, families are emotionally and financially crushed. We’re rallying with TEN IMPERATIVES to help facilitate families returning while minimizing their losses. Until there is a plan of action, transparency and settlement, we will speak truth to power,” Padawer adds. The “They Let Us Burn” demonstration begins at 10:30 a.m. on January 7 in Palisades Village. Speakers will include local homeowners (Heidi Montag, Jeremy Padawer, Elissa Ashwood), business owners (Jaimie Geller), local politicians (Traci Park appearance), as well as experts addressing failures in fire preparedness (Mike Kureth, Shawna Dawson Beer), evacuation planning, insurance recovery, legal settlement recovery (Alexander Robertson), and environmental cleanup. The devastation didn’t end when the flames were out. A year later, families are running out of rental coverage, and many are being pressured by insurers to move back into homes that still contain toxic contamination. Others have nothing to return to at all. Entire blocks remain as empty lots, some with rebuilds stalled and others with families unsure whether they can even afford to start. What began as a disaster has become a prolonged crisis, made worse by a lack of transparency, vision and limited / slow response from the state. This protest isn’t politically motivated. This is a call for fairness, accountability and a vision for the rebuild. Media are encouraged to attend.

Place & Time:Antioch / Swarthmore to Via De La Paz1/7/26 @ 10:30am - 12:30pm (est).Free T-shirts to first 500 attendees. Yard signs will also be available but feel free to print your own t-shirts or signs using our image below.We will NOT be collecting money or selling anything. Bring your energy. Bring your attention span. Be safe. Be kind to each other.Speak truth to power together.
Speakers include:Jeremy Padawer (Palisades resident, PacificPalisades.com, Businessperson.)Heidi Montag (Palisades resident, Actress, Musician, Podcaster, Advocate.)Jaimie Geller (Palisades resident, Palisades Proprietor / Designer Jeweler.)Mike Kureth (Palisades resident, FireRebuild.com, Advocate). Shawna Dawson Beer (Altadena resident / After the Ashes: A Beautiful Altadena Podcast.)Alexander Robertson IV (Co-Lead Attorney, Palisades Fire Litigation.)Traci Park (LA City Council - will make “an appearance.”)Elissa Ashwood (Palisades resident, Businessperson.)
The Ten Imperatives:1. No sales tax on rebuild state or city. (Disaster profiteering)2. No permit fees (Disaster profiteering). 3. ULA Holiday for 5 years. (Disaster profiteering)4. No property tax on dwelling until certificate of occupancy. (Disaster profiteering)5. Police / Palisades station 6. Brush Clearing clear plan7. Budget Transparency. We want to know what Palisades is putting into the system and getting out of it.8. Electrical Undergrounding9. Evacuation Planning10. Insurance Planning
Please Note:Prior to “They Let Us Burn” rally there will be a white glove flag presentation and remembrance ceremony through the Pacific Palisades Long Term Recovery Group in partnership with the Palisades American Legion Post 283. We ask that you respect the nature of this prior event. This starts at 9am.
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**https://www.theyletusburn.com**