Los Angeles – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-California) is facing mounting criticism after publicly claiming that “there was no violence” during recent protests in Los Angeles—despite widespread video evidence and official reports documenting destruction, clashes, and public unrest.
In her controversial statement, Waters declared:
“There was no violence. I was on the street. I know. Get it straight. Don’t just rely on what you’re being told or the few videos you saw.”
Her remarks came in response to a flood of social media posts and news footage showing burning vehicles, damaged property, and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. According to official sources, at least two LAPD officers were injured, multiple businesses were vandalized, and the National Guard was deployed, using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse large crowds.
Waters’ comments have drawn backlash from both the public and political commentators, many accusing her of “ignoring reality” and downplaying the experiences of victims affected by the riots. Some users online described her statement as “a dangerous distortion of the truth.”
In follow-up interviews, Waters defended her view by emphasizing that most protesters were peaceful and that media outlets had exaggerated isolated incidents. However, on-the-ground reporting paints a different picture—one in which violence and chaos were undeniably present.
Critics argue that minimizing such events not only fuels public frustration but also threatens the credibility of honest democratic discourse during an already volatile time. As tensions remain high in Los Angeles, Waters' denial has become a lightning rod for broader debates on truth, media narratives, and political accountability.
