the pride
⚫
10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 October February2025 2026 | Westside Living Edition
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
LOS ANGELES 1
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
Man brutally beaten West Hollywood Park West Hollywood Manin Charged With Killing Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful after leaving nearby bar Roommate’s Dog, Burglary of Former Home Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias Victim says that Mayor Konstantine nearby Security Anthony Defends Ambassadors did Actions Amid not intervene.
Controversy Over An assault in West Hollywood park left a man injured early Thursday after Video
a confrontation escalated, according to multiple media reports. By Dolores Quintana The man, identified as Saint and described a Fairfax District resident, BurbankasMayor Konstantine Anthonytold is facing criticism investigators hefrom was conservatives leaving a barfollowing near the the circulation of aencountered video showing him being Abbey when he a woman in spanked a drag queen the park by shortly before the during attack. an Heevent said on the weekend of September Anthony the woman suddenly charged 10. toward him has responded that some of after his critics are and began swinging at him insulting motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the him. incident harmless.by a passing driver Videowas recorded In the video, theattack, Wisenuts podcast, captured partposted of by the Prosecutors have filed multipleshowing felony Mayor Anthony seen being spanked by additional people joining theman woman and charges against ais27-year-old accused aof drag artist, backed by the Village People’s breaking his toformer roommate’s knocking theinto victim the ground. Saint “Macho Man.” Anthony describedrepeatedly thekilling events West Hollywood said he was kicked andapartment, stomped as the “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was the victim’s dog, and in head andsmall body while on thedamaging ground. property during the incident. Anmol Bhatia faces one count each of first-degree residential burglary, felony animal cruelty, and vandalism involving more than $400 in damage. Prosecutors have also alleged that the victim, who is at least 65 years old, was particularly
27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges After a Violent Attack
all in good fun. He went on to reveal that a secretly recorded video was made during the event and subsequently shared with a prominent hate group. In a post on his Instagram account, Anthony stated, “For several days, extremist right-wing organizations, including Fox News, have spread misleading information to fuel fear, discrimination, and hate. I will always be a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers.” He added, “On a busy Saturday filled with various independent gatherings, I attended The victim said he attempted to call 911, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats’ private but his phone was taken by the attackers fundraiser for their organization. Notably, during the incident. there were no officially endorsed candidates The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s or state and federal political figures present. Department said deputies responded to a The event was open to young adults ages 15 report of a fight in the area. No arrests had and above. However, were no attendees been announced as ofthere early Friday. below 18. Additionally, no children A city spokesperson said memberswere of present.” West Hollywood’s Security Ambassadors While not hate program werespecifying present inthe theparticular vicinity and, group in question, it is possible that Anthony vulnerable and that Bhatia knewHollywood or should in a statement, added, “West was referring to at thetheTwitter now have known this time the crime. Security Ambassadors wereofaccount, onsite and known as X, called “Libs of TikTok,” which The attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. immediately contacted the West Hollywood
on September 4, when Bhatia allegedly forced his way into the apartment. Investigators said video evidence shows him violently slamming the dog to the ground, stomping on it, and then throwing the lifeless animal off a balcony onto a nearby construction site, where it was for Sunday, according to a social media post from Attorney General Pam Biondi. Lemon was formerly a CNN anchor but Thomson documentary was set now hostsHall, Thewhere Donthe Lemon Show live on to screened.channel. hisbeYouTube Lung “Our said standard security Federalstated, authorities a grand jury measures remained in place during this time, was empaneled on Thursday. The arrest and the screening withSecurity a slight involved the FBI commenced and with an incident that Homeland occurred on Sept. delay. To our knowledge, this was a general Investigations, an agency the 19, 2025. Investigators said within Harrington threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” Department of Homeland Security, allegedly approached a woman inside a according to sources. Lemon said that the laundry room and exposed himself before DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest leaving the area. No further confrontation him reported. in the middle of the night. was Lemon appeared federal in Authorities believeinthere may court be other Los Angeles on Friday and was victims who have not yetafternoon come forward. released his information own recognizance without Anyoneonwith about this case bond. did not West enterHollywood a plea. His next is urgedHe to contact Station court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Detectives at 310-855-8850. Tips may also federal court in Minneapolis.through Crime be submitted anonymously The charges stem from a protest in Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), January entered using thein “P3which Tips” demonstrators mobile app, or visiting Cities Church in St. Paul after learning lacrimestoppers.org. The investigation remains ongoing. with that one of the pastors was affiliated
reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views. In response to the video, the Libs of TikTok account claimed that children were present at the event. Mayor Anthony disputed this assertion, stating that “actually, there weren’t any children at this private 21+ event. But of course, lying is totally on brand for you.” While the account correctly pointed out that individuals aged 15 and older were permitted to attend, the event’s organizer, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance. Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during Sheriff’s Station, which responded to the a City Council meeting and expressed his incident. The West Hollywood concern that the City video’sofcirculation had led to condemns all forms of violence in vile our city officials receiving “some of the most community. Everyone who lives, works, hate speech that I have ever seen.” and visits West Hollywood to feel Anthony encouraged thosedeserves with concerns safe.” about his actions to communicate with him directly kanthony@burbankca. Saint via saidemail thatat no one intervened, gov. He stated, “If you wantAmbassadors, toalso talkaccuse to me later found the dead. Security Authorities including about what happened over the weekend, Bhatia of vandalizing property inside the but one ambassador got a photo of send me an email. Send me an email. I will talk to home before fleeing. attacker's license plate.
Beverly Hills police arrested Bhatia on September 21 following a two-week search. He was arraigned on Tuesday at the Airport Courthouse and entered a not guilty plea. Bail was set at $175,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for
you about it. There is no reason to involve all of the other people who were not at a public event, not at a government-sponsored event. It wasn’t even in the city of Burbank.” In a statement released cuts, on Tuesday, the Saint suffered bruises, and other Santa Clarita Valley Democrats voiced their injuries but did not require hospitalization, support forto Mayor Anthony and he strongly according his account. He said does denounced the sensationalized and inaccurate not believe he was specifically targeted and portrayal ofthe their event foraspolitical purposes described encounter unprovoked. A that promotedhas fear, homophobia, transphobia, GoFundMe been launched to help him and bigotry. Democrats their replace his The stolen property,reaffirmed pursue legal commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and October remedies,9.and get treatment for his injuries. drag performers, refusing to engage with what If convicted on all counts, Bhatia could Anyone with information about the they referred to as “fake outrage.” face upistoasked seven and eight months in attack toyears call 310-855-8850.
state prison. The case is being handled by the Animal Cruelty Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.
Journalist Don Lemon Arrested in Beverly Hills Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas in Connection With Minnesota Church Protest X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF Federal indictment
follows Premiere his reporting A spokespersonPossible for the Toronto police security swept the scene and cleared it within WeHo LASD Additional World of Detectives Seek informed CTV News Toronto that the threat 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. on an Anti-ICE had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat Victims After Indecent Exposure Arrest Documentary Was security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance had a general nature and did not specifically protest; Lemon of caution, the Toronto police and the private target any individual or entity. Sheriffs SayAfter a Man Screened released without Was Arrested After 20-Minute Delay BACK OR UNFILES bond after court Allegedly Exposing appearance Himself to a Woman
By Dolores Quintana
The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Independent journalist Don County Lemon Detectives withToronto the LosInternational Angeles Montero” at the Film was taken into federal custody overnight, Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Festival (TIFF) faced a momentary setback on nearly two weeks after presence Station are asking thehispublic’s helpat ina Saturday night due tofor a bomb threat. protest that additional disrupted a victims church service in identifying following Judy Lung, TIFF’s Vice President of Public the arrest ofCommunications, a man authorities accused confirmed ofsaid. indecent St. Paul, Minnesota, Affairs and to exposure. Lemon arrested Friday at the CTV Newswas Toronto via early a written statement Jackie Harrington was taken Beverly Hills Hotel while in investigation the cityinto to that the festival was alerted to an “in the the vicinity of28, the2025, red carpet” at Roy custody on Sept. in connection cover Grammy Awards, scheduled
TAXES?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. were arrested “in connection with the coordinated on Cities Church.” According to court documents, Lemon andTYPES ALL FORMS • ALL • ALLattack STATES eight co-defendants were indicted on one Those co-defendants were identified as Jamael Lydell Lundy, Trahern Jeen Crews, count each of conspiracy against religious SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA freedom and interfering with the exercise and Georgia Ellyse Fort. Federal authorities of religious freedom at a place of worship. have now arrested at least seven of the nine individuals charged in the90401 case. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said1753 100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite • Santa Monica Other defendants arrested in recent days in a statement shared on social media Continue on page 2 that Lemon and three co-defendants
(310) 395-9922