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How Should Our Local Governments Respond to Hateful Public Comments?
On September 19, 2023, the Monterey City Council considered a draft Housing Element. The first public speaker was your Chamber’s Government Affairs Liaison, who expressed support for the plan. Regrettably, the meeting soon deteriorated. The draft meeting minutes described what happened:
During public comments, a coordinated verbal attack was conducted via Zoom by numerous individuals who joined the meeting in bad faith and espoused racist and anti-Semitic views, used abhorrent hate speech, and did not address the draft Housing Element. Mayor Williamson requested that comments remain on-topic to the matter of the draft Housing Element, and when speakers were unwilling to comply, their comments were cut short.
Other California local governments have recently been subjected to this abuse, including the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, San Diego City Council, Sacramento City Council, and Walnut Creek City Council. A City of Monterey press release observed that “these individuals appeared to be from outside of the Monterey area and do not represent the inclusivity and respectfulness of our Monterey community.” The city’s press release included additional statements:
The City of Monterey firmly stands against racism, antisemitism, bigotry, and discrimination of any kind. We hope you will join us in unequivocally condemning these malicious statements. We know Monterey is, and will continue to be compassionate, caring, positive and inclusive. Together our community can amplify kindness, foster understanding and empathy, and embrace and celebrate our differences. The City will continue to conduct the people’s business and serve all who live, visit and work here.
The City also acknowledges that the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, including offensive and even hateful speech. However, if speech rises to the level of a criminal threat or inciting violence, the Monterey Police Department and state and federal law enforcement partners will investigate and seek prosecution against those violating the law.
In response to this speech, some California local governments are now ending virtual comments and requiring people to attend the meeting in person to speak verbally to their government officials. This ends a practice that expanded the capability of people to participate in their own government, especially people who cannot attend meetings in person.
What do you think our local governments should do? Contact Monica Lal at monica@montereychamber.com with thoughts about the Chamber taking a leadership role on the future of public participation in government meetings.
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