Councilmember Rodriguez Decries ICE Argument

City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez criticized a noted Los Angeles animal rights advocate Tuesday for using the fear of federal immigration enforcement to push for a ban on rodeos in the city.

Rodriguez, who represents the Seventh Council District, which encompasses neighborhoods in the northeast San Fernando Valley, has defended her constituents — predominately Latino and equestrian communities — in opposing the proposed ban, in an effort to ensure certain cultural activities and events are not impacted.

Supporters of the ban, meanwhile, insist that the practices they want to prohibit are inherently cruel and abusive to animals.

On Tuesday, animal advocates once again urged the City Council’s Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee to agendize and advance a proposed rodeo ban before it expires July 18, and forward it to the full council for consideration.

Eric Shabsis, for Last Chance for Animals, asked the committee to schedule the ban at its next meeting.

“Los Angeles has a proud history of being at the forefront of human rights and animal welfare legislation. Our city welcomes the tradition of Charreria and the equestrian activities that are important to Mexican culture,” Shabsis said.

“What Los Angeles opposes is corporate rodeo, which profits off terrorizing people and animals. Corporate rodeos brings with it ICE … the same masked units that terrorized Los Angeles over the past year,” Shabsis added.

However, Rodriguez sharply criticized those sentiments.

“It’s exploitive, frankly disrespectful, and infuriating that this kind of a last-ditch-effort to suggest to my community why they’ve been wrong the whole time,” she said. “It’s infuriating that there would be an attempt at exploiting that, and we don’t forget. We don’t forget because our community continues to endure these types of assaults every day.”

Former KCAL news reporter Jane Velez-Mitchell, a Latina and animal rights advocate, alleged that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is going into rodeos to recruit agents, who will then go on to detain Latinos suspected of being in the United States illegally.

“Why would Los Angeles provide a venue and a platform for ICE to do its dirty work? ICE out. Rodeos out. Let the people of Los Angeles have a cruelty-free city,” Mitchell said.

Some residents who opposed the proposed ban traveled to City Hall from Rodriguez’s Seventh District, including Shadow Hills resident and horse owner Jackie Gamble.

“I’m not a rodeo participant myself, but I know how important it is to these Mexican American riders, who are the fastest growing equestrian rider group we have in California,” Gamble said.

“Rodeo can be done right with these equine humane officers that are present at the big rodeos. Let’s have them present at all rodeos, because they’re what keep us safe and prove that we’re taking good care of our horses,” Gamble added.

In December 2023, the City Council approved a motion by Councilman Bob Blumenfield that directed the City Attorney’s Office to draft a proposed ban on rodeos in city limits.

The ordinance defines a rodeo as an “exhibition, performance, or competition for live public entertainment.” Specifically, any events that are outlined in the state’s law on the same issue, including bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, or other events or activities that involve physically taking down an animal, roping an animal, or attempting to ride a bucking animal.

Rodriguez introduced an amendment for potential exemptions for cultural activities such as American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Rodeo, Mexican Charreria and Escaramuza events that do not involve the prohibited aforementioned activities.

For example, the trick roping that is performed by horse riders without lassoing animals or choreographed riding to music would not fit the definition of rodeo.

Since then, the matter has been on hold with supporters of the ban waiting on elected officials to take the next steps.

A representative for the City Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of the ordinance.

Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who was elected in 2024, serves as the chair of the Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee. The draft ordinance is expected to come to her committee first before moving to the full council.

“Because this item was introduced before Councilmember Jurado took office, our office has taken a thorough and deliberate approach to reviewing the proposal and meeting with community stakeholders to fully understand its history, cultural context and potential impacts,” according to a previous statement from Jurado’s office.

“We do not have a confirmed meeting date for this item at this time,” the statement continued.

Meanwhile, Blumenfield, who is leaving the council due to term limits, reiterated that his goal is to prevent animal cruelty, as “has been known to happen at large rodeos.”

“Contrary to opponents’ mischaracterizations, this draft ordinance specifically has nothing to do with horses. It has been tailored to be narrow in scope, and the council unanimously approved directing the city attorney to draft it,” Blumenfield said in a previous statement.

Critics of the proposed ban include the Professional Bull Riders circuit, which conducts an annual event each February at downtown’s Crypto.com Arena.

Andrew Giangola, vice president of strategic communications for PBR, told City News Service on Tuesday that the organization does not have a partnership with ICE, however PBR does have a partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol, focused on career recruitment and recognizing the service of USBP agents.

The partnership began in 2008, and has extended through numerous administrations on both sides of the political spectrum, including Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the two terms of President Donald Trump.

“Our focus is to deliver a great event that celebrates our remarkable animal athletes and brings communities together. We look forward to delivering another positive, unifying, and uplifting event to fans of all walks of life in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena in 2027,” Giangola said in his email.

PBR officials have said their event showcases the world’s best bull riders trying to hang onto the rankest bulls for eight “wild” seconds, a “mashup of athletic excitement wrapped into an amped-up, award-winning entertainment experience.”