With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
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.
Vampires to Protest Lawndale's Garlic Removal Plan
Things are getting interesting in Lawndale (for once!). Years ago the city spent millions on redeveloping Hawthorne Boulevard. That included adding garlic plants to the medians, which was not only part of the project's cost, it cost residents and shoppers to endure an unpleasant stink. Nevertheless, the city council is now looking into spending $35,000 to have the plants removed.
"The only reason we had garlic put in was so we could keep the vampires out of town," Councilman Jim Ramsey told KTLA. "And since we have had garlic I haven't seen one single solitary vampire in town."
Ramsey's interview now has local vampires fuming. A group of them are planning to "take back Lawndale," according to a press release from an apparent vampire organizer. More from the release:
Let's speak up and take to the streets (with parasols, of course) to show that silly city council man that we're not afraid to say vampires were people too and won't take lightly to being shoo'd off the streets or being mocked in the news. City Councilman Jim Ramsey needs to learn that vampires will go where they please (unless it's inside a house without being invited) when they please (except in the daylight without proper protection) and we will stand up for our rights and the rights of the undead everywhere! Let's let Councilman Ramsey know that vampires stay out of Lawndale because it's a crappy town in the middle of nowhere, not because of some silly plants!
The group is meeting up at Jane Addams (Addams Family!) Park at the corner of Firmona Ave and Marine Ave. at noon on Saturday. The group will walk a short half-mile up Marine Ave to Hawthorne Blvd and then up to 14717 Burin Ave where the City Council building is located.Then they'll go get lunch at a local vampire friendly eatery.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
-
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
-
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.