LaTisha Nixon, the mother of Gemmel Moore, and JasmyneCannick, who led the campaign for an investigation into his death in 2017 in theLaurel Avenue apartment of Ed Buck, spoke at tonights City Council meeting inpraise of City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath for her help and were dismissiveof Mayor John DAmicos assertion that he and other members of the Council alsohad been pushing for an investigation into the circumstances of Moores death.

Bucks arrest last Tuesday on charges of operating a drug den and on Wednesday on a federal charge of distributing methamphetamine leading to a death brought an end to a more than two-year campaign by Cannick and Nixon and black activists to investigate Bucks involvement in Moores death and in the drug-related death in Bucks apartment in January of this year of Timothy Dean, a 55-year-old black man. However, the arrest, which got nationwide media coverage, has revived criticism of local politicians and District Attorney Jackie Lacey for not more aggressively investigating Buck and has prompted allegations that his donations to election campaigns of Democratic elected officials had bought him some protection.

In a recent op-ed published by WEHOville, Marco Colantonio called on Mayor DAmico and the City Council to acknowledge the effort by Cannick to press District Attorney Jackie Lacey and the L.A. County Sheriffs Department to investigate Bucks involvement in Gemmel Moores death. Lacey initially refused to file charges against Buck, saying that an investigation by the Sheriffs Department didnt turn up sufficient evidence to ensure a conviction.

DAmico, in an apparent response to the pressure, opened tonightsCity Council meeting by asking Cannick to lead with the Pledge of Allegianceand then followed with a speech in which he said: I and my colleagues on theCity Council have been seeking justice and have pressed the L.A. CountyDistrict Attorneys Office for a full investigation. DAmico acknowledged the workof Cannick and of Jerome Kitchen, a young black man who was a friend of Mooresand who had interrupted several city meetings to demand that action be taken ininvestigating Buck.

In her comments before the Council, Cannick focused onLindsey Horvath. I came down here today because I want to publicly thankLindsey Horvath, she said. I dont know about the rest of you, she said,referring to the other City Council members, but you (Horvath) stood with us.

I also want to thank the people of West Hollywood whowere (Bucks) neighbors and made sure to let us know what was going on at alltimes, Cannick said, a reference to alerts from others in and near Bucksapartment at 1234 N. Laurel Ave. about the arrival at Bucks apartment of youngblack men, some of whom who Buck has solicited on the Adam4Adam.com gay sexsite. An affidavit filed with the criminal complaint against Ed Buck in U.S.District Court on Wednesday identifies 10 young black men who have claimed tohave had drug-related sexual encounters with Buck in his apartment.

LaTisha Nixon began her comments to the City Council by saying: Mayor, I do want to thank you for the $25 donation to my sons funeral, a somewhat caustic response to the fact that DAmico has declined to redirect Ed Bucks contributions to his election campaigns to the Justice 4 Gemmel + All of Ed Bucks Victims fund, which Cannick has said will help with legal costs as well as supporting the family of Gemmel Moore and all of Ed Bucks victims.

DAmicos initial election to the Council in 2011 came withthe support of Buck, an animal rights activist, based on DAmicos pledge topush for a fur sales ban in West Hollywood. Buck has donated a total of $1,000to DAmicos 2011 and 2015 election campaigns. Buck also has donated over$500,000 to a political action committee called the Animal PAC, which is saidto have campaigned in favor of DAmico along with many other local, state andfederal Democratic Party candidates.

Speaking to Horvath, Nixon said: I want to thank you fromthe bottom of my heart, the bottom of my familys heart I want to thank youfor believing us for stepping out and advocating for us.

Nixon also criticized Councilmember John Duran, who was on vacation to celebrate his birthday and wasnt present at tonights Council meeting, for his controversial response to her request at an Aug. 21 City Council meeting that law enforcement grant immunity to prosecution to sex workers who were willing to testify about their interactions with Buck. At that meeting, Duran warned that such testimony would make the sex workers vulnerable to prosecution for prostitution or drug use. Horvath responded that she had asked the District Attorneys Office to grant such immunity, which it did.

While the City Council has been criticized for not speaking out about the deaths in Bucks apartment, in fact, it did issue a statement in January, after the death of Timothy Dean, saying it has requested a full investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. At several meetings Council members also have questioned Capt. Edward Ramirez of the West Hollywood Sheriffs Station about the status of the Buck investigation.

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Gemmel Moore's Mother and Jasmyne Cannick Praise Councilmember Lindsey Horvath for Pushing the Investigation of His Death - WEHOville