Coastal Commission holds first meeting since ouster of Charles Lester

California Coastal Commission Senior Deputy Director Jack Ainsworth was voted in as interim executive director at the first California Coastal Commission hearing since the firing of Executive Director Charles Lester at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

People protest at the first California Coastal Commission hearing at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium since the firing of Executive Director Charles Lester.

Commissioner Steve Kinsey conducts the first California Coastal Commission hearing since the firing of Executive Director Charles Lester at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

People hold signs at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to protest the firing of California Coastal Commission Executive Director Charles Lester at the first commission hearing since the firing of Lester.

Venice resident Lydia Ponce holds a picture of California Coastal Commissioner Wendy Mitchell, center, standing beside U2 guitarist David Evans “The Edge,” at the first California Coastal Commission hearing since the firing of Executive Director Charles Lester.