EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. (October 10, 2023) – In a troubling trend, several cities in California are halting remote public comments at council meetings due to a growing problem of anti-Semitic, white supremacist, and hate speech callers. This decision reflects the challenges local governments face in balancing public participation with the prevention of harmful rhetoric. The cities of Concord and San Ramon are joining Walnut Creek, Sonoma County, Redwood City and Fremont in halting REMOTE public comment at public meetings, mostly due to anti-Semitic callers. Both cities have council meetings Tuesday night, at which people who want to make comments to the council must do so in person. Concord will only allow Zoom and phone calls for city officials under “Just cause or emergency circumstances” who can’t be present at meetings, according to the meeting agenda.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors faced a distressing incident during a public forum section of their meeting on September 26, 2023. Over the course of 30 minutes, eight anonymous callers unleashed a barrage of offensive comments, including denial of the Holocaust, hate speech, and slurs targeting Jewish individuals. The use of pseudonyms and anonymity complicates the identification and accountability of such callers.
In response, the board chair, Wendy Thomas, sought guidance from County Counsel David Livingston on addressing hate speech and profanities. Unfortunately, the board was informed that there were no established means to address this behavior. This left attendees deeply disturbed by the hateful remarks, even those who wished to discuss other county issues.
The inadequacy of the board’s response underscores the need for public officials to have mechanisms in place to maintain decorum and prevent hate speech during public meetings. Such behavior not only disrupts the proceedings but also creates a hostile environment for officials and attendees alike.
In contrast, the Sacramento City Council, when faced with similar issues, adopted a zero-tolerance approach, with Mayor Darrell Steinberg taking a strong stance against hate speech during council meetings. This approach has led to the return of in-person meetings, emphasizing the need to maintain an inclusive and respectful environment.
The distribution of racist flyers in multiple Placerville neighborhoods further highlights the persistent issue of hate and discrimination in various California municipalities. The fact that these incidents are not isolated but are occurring across multiple regions underscores the need for concerted efforts to address these problems at the local level.
While public comments are essential for democratic processes, it is equally vital to ensure that meetings remain a safe and respectful space for all participants. The challenge faced by local governments lies in finding a balance between fostering public discourse and protecting the community from harmful rhetoric.
It’s important to note that California’s Brown Act, which governs the rules of public meetings in the state, requires municipalities to allow people to comment “in person.” This legal framework poses an additional challenge for local governments navigating the issue of remote public comments.
The recent incidents serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need to combat hate speech and discrimination while upholding the principles of respect, civility, and inclusivity in public discourse.
