A desperate Los Angeles mother confronted California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday about the city’s raging wildfires, demanding answers about why fire hydrants ran empty and what he was going to do to fix communities that have been reduced to ash.
Pacific Palisades resident Rachel Darvish ran toward the governor as he was about to get into a black SUV, having surveilled some of the damage after several fires wreaked havoc on the once picturesque neighborhood known for its charming homes and sweeping coastline views.
“Governor! I live here, governor! That was my daughter’s school, what are you going to do,” Darvish, wearing a white industrial-style mask, said in the clip captured by Sky News.
A softly spoken Newsom then says he was “literally talking to the president” to find out what he and President Biden could do for Darvish and her daughter.
“Can I hear it, can I hear your call? ’cause I don’t believe it!” Darvish said, shaking her hands with deep skepticism.
“I’ve tried five times, that’s why I’m walking around to make the call,” Newsom responded, saying he had no cell phone coverage and was trying to get through to Biden.
“I’m devastated for you I’m so sorry, especially for your daughter,” an apologetic Newsom said.
Darvish suggested they get cell service together, and she wanted to be there when Newsom got through to Biden, noting that local school children had lost everything. She demanded answers about why there was not enough water in the hydrants to douse the deadly flames.
“Why was there no water in the hydrants, governor? Is it going to be different next time?” she asked.
“It has to be, it has to be, of course,” Newsom replied.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m doing everything I can,” the governor said. “I will do whatever I can.”
“Fill the hydrants. I would fill them up personally, you know that,” Darvish said before raising her voice, “I would fill up the hydrants myself. Would you do that?”
Newsom said he would do whatever it takes, but Darvish shot back and said, “But you’re not!”
This is an excerpt from an article by Michael Dorgan.
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