Photos: Chaos erupts after Kevin de León showed up at his first LA council meeting since October

Councilor Kevin de León appeared in the Los Angeles City Council chambers on Friday morning, appearing briefly at a council meeting for the first time since the aftermath of a leaked racist tape rocked the city in mid-October.

The question of when — or if — De León would return raged at City Hall for nearly two months. His name was frequently mentioned, although his seat remained vacant, and protesters regularly disrupted the three-week meetings to call for his resignation.

De León, who apologized after the tape, insisted he has no intention of stepping down. He began quietly rejoining the public about a month ago, attending food gifts, holiday meals and other community events but remaining absent from council chambers through Friday morning.

The Los Angeles City Council went on hiatus after councilman Kevin de León emerged during public comment at the council meeting on Friday morning.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Protesters speak during public comment in City Council Chambers on Friday.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Councilor Kevin de León, who returned to the city council chambers after a two-month absence, was greeted by protesters and supporters.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Jason Reedy, with a baby wrapped in a stretcher, slaps LA executives during Friday’s meeting.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Police Department officers stand guard in the City Council chambers during a break Friday.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León is returning to the council chambers after a two-month absence following the fallout from the leaked audio scandal.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Jason Reedy, a frequent attendee at city council meetings, walks down the aisle of the council chambers with a baby on Friday.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)