A spokesman for the group confirmed that an envelope containing an unknown white powder and hate symbols was mailed to one of the campaign’s offices to recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon.
Recall Gascon spokesman Tim Lineberger said the envelope was sent to the office in a return petition envelope on Thursday, which led to the evacuation of employees.
Inside, Lineberger told The Washington Post, was a white powdery substance in which spells and swastikas were stretched.
Lineberger said the LAPD received the call immediately and a hazmat and bomb squad responded.
The office of LAPD spokesman Matthew Cruz said the agency received a call about an “unknown powder report” around 4 p.m.
Tim Rosales who recalled the Gascon event, tweeted a photo of the envelope with white powder spread on the table.
“Just found white powder and hate speech symbols in one of our #RecallDAGeorgeGascon return petition envelopes,” Rosales said. “Authorities have been notified and we are making sure our great volunteers are okay. There are some bad guys/patients out there.”
Lineberger said seven volunteers and staff were in the office when the envelope was opened.
“Everyone is fine,” Lineberg said. “This is a very critical time (in the recall campaign) and we are wasting our time, but of course our first and foremost concern is our staff and volunteers.”
Lineberger said the office has received hate mail before, but until today it has received followers or racist comments. People in the office were told to leave while officers in hazmat suits looked at substances, he said.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries.
The recall effort against Gascon has gained momentum in recent weeks as anger over Gascon’s misdemeanor policy has grown. He recently came under fire for reaching a 2021 plea deal on gun charges with a man who only resulted in a suspended sentence. Earlier this month, the man named William Flores shot and killed two El Monte police officers.
To vote, a total of 566,857 signatures (10% of all registered voters in Los Angeles County) must be submitted to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office by July 6.
Petitions need to be mailed out by Friday or returned to the recalling Gascon office by June 30, the campaign said on its website.
US News .
