As a resident of Lancaster, California, I am appalled and heartbroken by the recent comments made by our mayor, R. Rex Parris. In a time when compassion, leadership, and solutions are desperately needed, he chose to speak with cruelty, mockery, and violent imagery—targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Mayor Parris publicly said he wanted to "give [homeless people] all the fentanyl they want"—a shocking and inhumane statement that implies death as a solution to homelessness.

He later called it a “metaphor,” but there is nothing metaphorical about encouraging harm or death against a group of people. He then doubled down with talk of weaponized drones circling the skies and “purging” our streets, language that is dangerous, dehumanizing, and completely unfit for someone who holds public office.

This is not leadership. This is fear-mongering and hate speech. Our community deserves a mayor who sees all people as human beings. Someone who understands that addiction and homelessness are public health issues, not excuses for violence or extermination. 

As a city, we are better than this. We deserve leadership that addresses our challenges with courage, empathy, and smart policy - not with rhetoric that could cost lives.

Mayor Parris has made it clear that he no longer represents the values of dignity, safety, or humanity. He must be held accountable. I am calling for his immediate resignation or removal from office. 

This is about more than politics. This is about basic human decency. We cannot allow someone who fantasizes about weaponized drones and jokes about fentanyl deaths to represent our city.

Please sign and share this petition to show that Lancaster stands for compassion, not cruelty.

Photo: Reed Saxon/Associated Press