Nithya Raman, a socialist candidate running for mayor in Los Angeles, faced significant online backlash after appearing visibly shaken by a protest involving a staged homeless encampment right outside her residence.
During a podcast with comedian Adam Conover, released on Wednesday, Raman expressed relief that her children did not witness the event, stating, “I’m glad my kids didn’t have to see that,” and added, “I thought this campaign was going to be about bike lanes and transportation.”
The protest, which took place on Memorial Day, unfolded outside Raman’s home in Silver Lake.
Video footage captured from the demonstration showed individuals emerging from tents, organizing an open-air barbecue, and one protester was seen carrying a bucket, all while neighbors recorded the unfolding scene.
The podcast episode quickly gained traction online, sparking widespread commentary. Raman has long stood in defense of homeless encampments across Los Angeles, including those near schools, parks, and neighborhoods, while opposing stricter enforcement measures.
Critics swiftly pointed out the apparent irony, accusing the Democratic Socialist councilmember of lacking self-awareness, as many families in Los Angeles continue to grapple with encampments near their homes, playgrounds, and educational institutions.
“When it’s her own kids, Nithya Raman suddenly cares where homeless encampments are set up,” one viral comment read. “But when it’s your kids near schools and parks? She votes to keep the tents there.”
Another commenter blasted Raman’s reaction as “a slap in the face” to residents who live near encampments every day.
“My kids see it EVERYDAY on our way to school!!!” another wrote.
“A local man pulled off what might be the stunt of the year outside Nithya Raman’s house on Memorial Day,” one widely shared social media post said.
“5 feet or 500 feet, it doesn’t matter, right, Nithya?” another viral comment read, mocking Raman’s previous remarks about encampments near schools.
Others called the stunt “savage,” while another commenter wrote, “We are a rich country with the taxes we pay and we look like a third world nation.”
The backlash exploded because Raman has repeatedly opposed expanding Los Angeles’ anti-camping law, which restricts homeless encampments near schools, daycare centers, parks and libraries.
At a 2024 Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association debate, Raman was loudly booed after dismissing concerns about homeless encampments near children.
“I don’t think a kid’s gonna be safer if they are 10 feet or 500 feet away from a school,” Raman told the crowd as audience members erupted in boos.
Raman also stated on the podcast that she thought the mayoral race would focus more on “bike lanes and transportation,” two issues that polling consistently shows rank far below homelessness, crime and public safety among voter concerns in Los Angeles
The Post reached out to Raman’s office for comment on this story.
