Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: O.C. Congresswoman Makes 'Shocking' Gesture Mocking Native Americans [UPDATE]
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez speaks at a Girl Scouts event in Washington, D.C. in 2012 (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Girl Scouts of America)
()
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who is running for Barbara Boxer's Senate seat, was caught on video making a gesture mocking Native Americans. On Saturday, at a restaurant near the California Democratic Party's convention in Anaheim, Sanchez was recorded on video speaking with the Indian-American caucus about meeting with a supporter, but being confused about his nationality. "I am going to his office, thinking that I am going to meet with a," Sanchez said, and made the "war chant" whooping sound with her hand tapped over her mouth, thought of as an offensive stereotype of Native Americans. The video, taken by Long Beach delegate Uduak-Joe Ntuk, was first shown to the Sacramento Bee.
Scroll to the 0:30 mark for the remark
California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is considered the Democratic frontrunner for Boxer's Senate seat, said she found the gesture "shocking" and said, "I don't know what to say to that," when first told of Sanchez's remarks. Later the same evening, she added, "It is shocking and there is no place for that in our public discourse."
Support for LAist comes from
Sanchez explained her gesture later that day, saying, "What I said was that I got a call from somebody from over the phone and he said I want to talk to you about having help from the Indian community, and I thought he meant the American Indian community, in the sense of the Native American Indian community."
"I think that Native Americans have an incredibly great history, and a great presence in our country, and many of them are supporting our election."
Ntuk, who shot the video, told the L.A. Times that the gesture by Sanchez was "not what we stand for in the Democratic Party."
Loretta Sanchez represents the 46th District in the House of Representatives, which covers Anaheim and Santa Ana in Orange County. On Thursday she announced she would be running to take the outgoing Senator Barbara Boxer's seat. Harris' campaign was launched in January.
Update [11:20]: While speaking to delegates at the convention on Sunday morning, NBC 4 reports Sanchez apologized for her actions.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist