to get this council meeting
started.
We have a lot of good things to
talk about this morning.
So good morning.
I will now call the city
council meeting of Tuesday
MARCH 17th, 2026 to order.
Clerk please call the roll.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
Member Campbell Council Member
Whitburn here Council Member
Foster Council Councilmember
Von Wilbur.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
Council Member Campos here
Council Member Moreno.
Council Member Ella Rivera and
Council PRESIDENT Look our
resident also attending
the meeting or Chief Deputy
City Attorney Tina Ray Deputy
Director in the Abas office
Jillian and Delina and myself
your city clerk Diana Fuentes
Thank you.
>> Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you, City Clerk.
A quorum is now present.
We will begin this morning with
the land acknowledgment and
the Pledge of Allegiance led by
council member Whitburn.
We respectfully acknowledge
that the culmination or
the original inhabitants of
the Unceded land that would go
to San Diego despite enduring
the horrors of genocide and
colonization, the community's
spirit remains unbroken.
We are the resilience of their
ancestors who fought to protect
their culture and land Today
they carry their legacy forward
ensuring that their traditions
continue to thrive and
gratitude and strength.
We stand with covid connected
to our past and committed to a
thriving future.
Please face the flag.
Ready?
Begin.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which
it stands One nation under GOD
,indivisible with liberty and
justice for all.
>> City Clerk Please go over
how the public can offer their
testimony.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Like to
highlight the slide on
the screen that reviews how
the public can offer their
public testimony during today's
meeting.
Please note the time
allocations for proclamations
and consent items for meeting
management purposes The order
can be found on the agenda
summaries found online or at
the table in the back of
the room If you are in person
please complete the speaker
slip looking at the entrance of
chambers and bring it to
the front of the room in
the clear box.
Council ambassadors are
available near the entrance and
can assist with questions and
speaker slips.
No further in-person testimony
will be taken once the council
begins a virtual testimony.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you.
We will now dispense with
the approval of
the proclamation items.
Please introduce some clerk and
proceed with public comment.
Thank you.
The public comment period for
the proclamation items is now
open.
Each speaker will have one
minute per item per person.
If you would like to speak on
three or more items you will
have a maximum of three
minutes.
So now is the time to please
submit your speaker slip to
the clear box.
I do see one in the clear box
now as well as if you are
attending virtually.
Please be sure to raise your
hand by pressing Star nine or
the raise your hand icon.
The proclamation items being
approved are items 30 through
32 s5o1 and s5o2 starting with
Jacob Edwards.
If you can please come forward
you'll have one minute You're
speaking on item 31 after Jacob
Edwards We have allegedly
addressed if you can please
come to the yellow reserved
seats as well And then um hi
MAY Ryan Hill if you can come
up to the yellow reserves seats
Jacob you can come up to
the podium.
Thank you City Council for what
you do for the city of San
Diego.
Um, is this open discussion or
is this on 31?
This is on 31.
Okay.
And a very important day to
recognize the police department
is to serve and protect
citizens.
My last appearance here I
discussed with you and non
agenda public comment one of
the last assassination attempts
against me.
I've been through an awful lot
.
It took police three days to
respond three days I met them
out front and they gave me this
event number.
There was nothing but a number
and a date on it.
I was told Here's your case
number and it's going to be
fully investigated.
I went to the police department
later that day to follow up and
give more information.
I was told this isn't a case
number so this is not that
number.
It won't be investigated at
all.
>> Thank you.
Allegedly order your speaker.
Be continued 30 and one.
>> Okay.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
All right.
So for this transgender day of
visibility, this is probably
not going to fall You know well
with certain people but we just
had Women's History Month and
we've redefined what a woman is
allowing men to also engage in
that.
So I find that it's interesting
that we can change history in a
way like that when there's
already days of visibility
transgender like all of these
days that gets celebrated But
it's like it's a disservice to
women to change what a woman is
and allow anybody to basically
engage in that time and I just
I feel like it's disrespectful
And they're trying people are
trying to erase what a woman is
And so it's like how can you
even be proud of something like
that when any of you men up
there could claim that you
identify as that and then take
that day from the women that
were born that way?
So you know, when we're trying
to change things like this, I
think it's very dangerous and
it leads down a path of erasing
people.
And then for National Nutrition
Month I find it interesting
that there's so many things
that are toxic in our foods and
even in the water that you guys
want to give us.
But you know, if we started
thinking about all of these
countries that have actually
banned certain foods or
chemicals and things that are
in our food, I feel like you
guys should be concentrating on
that kind of stuff and making
sure that we don't have that to
consume.
Instead it's a lot about making
money.
It's whatever floats the boat
of the money machine And that's
what's sad is that you guys
want to perpetrators though you
care about nutrition when in
fact there's look at your
vending machine.
If you did why would you have
all of those things in there?
Wouldn't you change what was in
there and make sure that
everything that is is something
that is nutritious for
the people?
I mean all of these things
affect people's brains and it's
like that's why we have a bunch
of zombies that you come and
talk to and you can't even, you
know, get a reaction except for
Stephen Whitburn when I tell
him someone died in his
district he'll laugh at me.
>> So yeah, next time I drink
to an item as 5 or 1 I thank
you for having me.
National Nutrition Month
recognizes the important role
that nutrition professionals
play in improving the health
and well-being of our
communities.
Registered dietitians and
dietetic technicians provide
evidence based guidance
education and programs that
help individuals and their
families build healthier lives
.
Organizations like
the California Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics, San
Diego District support this
work by bringing professionals
together to advance nutrition
education, strengthen community
partnerships and promote
healthier communities across
San Diego.
Thank you for having us.
Thank you.
And Christiane, Christiane
Coffman Frank, you always
speaking on item 30.
>> Good morning.
Happy St Patrick's Day.
I just want to speak in support
of item 30 trans day of
visibility.
I would like those who are
present physically, virtually
and maybe watching this later
to know trans people are not
just having a moment.
This is not a trend.
This is not a phase.
They are here.
They are here to stay.
They have rights.
Everyone has inherent human
dignity and I am here to
support them.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
i'm sorry the five minute time
are going to those
participating remotely and we
currently have three speakers
in the queue.
Please be sure to let me know
which item or items you wish to
speak to.
8700 if you can please unmute
after that is Francine Maxwell
Thank you Joyce and the other
cd three 3032 and five one 23
minutes Please proceed.
>> Thank you All right.
As the woman who just spoke she
said extremely beautiful words
and clarity.
She said inherent dignity.
Wow.
Thank you.
Inherent dignity.
So I wanted to say this almost
every day I wonder how did I
come into the family into
the state, into my life that it
is and believe me it's been
bumpy And the transgender
visibility of course inherent
dignity.
I just celebrate myself.
I celebrate each of you.
I celebrate all people.
Thank you so much.
Love to all Now 32 which is a
Ramadan month.
For years I have had an
opportunity to know a person
that celebrates Ramadan and
that's celebrated.
Does it?
He absolutely dedicates himself
to the very stringent parts of
that that are offered to them
And and I'm just amazed at what
he does and how he comes out of
that month.
So I celebrate all of
the people that honor that and
they're just part of our
diverse culture in the world
and we love and celebrate all
of us.
And the last one national
nutrition Month Thank you
California Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics for your
research, for your education
and for your advocacy.
You help California see
the beautiful healthy state We
strive for all of us People Yes
to discover the power of
nutrition.
It's going to be a beautiful
day.
Happy St Pat's Day and St
Patrick's Day and love to all.
Thank you.
Next is Francine Maxwell.
If you can please let me know
which item or item you wish to
speak to.
I am so sorry I didn't put my
numbers but my captain has dpd
and nutrition.
>> You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Good morning Francine Maxwell
Southeastern and San Diego want
to thank and support fully
the Nutrition month Project New
Village Food Insecurity.
This is an awesome time and
we're looking forward to
the next generation.
They have already become new
growers.
And so just the fact that
they're going to be exploring
the agricultural jobs and
things like that is just going
to be a wonderful thing too.
One of my favorite captains
Jerry here, thank you so much
for the years of service.
Thank your family for sharing
You with us.
You were 21st century policing.
You can write the book on how
to build a bridge between
community and the police
department.
So much you've done to increase
relationships so much you've
done behind the scenes helped
countless families that did not
go on notice but was never
spoken in public again For
the nights that you would
answer the calls of
Southeastern San Diego for
the opportunities that you have
shown people to come and get
tours of the dispatch so that
they could get their minds
wrapped around a career.
And even though you have mentor
and people that have failed
the test, you still give them
encouragement You will be
missed.
>> Well deserve rest and
celebration and I am in full
support of this proclamation.
You are a cut from a different
cloth and you know it and just
so appreciative of being able
to experience the times with
you.
>> Have a great time.
Thank you so much for allowing
me to speak.
Thank you For the record that
was items as 5a1 and as 502
zoom user If you can please
unmute and let me know which
item or items you wish to speak
to five oh one and five to and
I'm like talking about it's
let's make San Diego great
again.
When I was a kid in the 50s and
60s San Diego was a great even
Mexico was great when I was
growing up Mexico made their
submarines out of Adobe.
Now they're making them out of
steel and putting drugs in
Let's Make Mexico Great Again
and San Diego too.
Now we've got to clear
the board, get some guys that
wanted to start defining words
just like how can you have
dignity with transgendered?
It just doesn't make sense to
me.
You know growing up that was
not two words you would speak
together but we all could have
some more dignity in our lives.
But when we start changing all
the definitions of everything
there is no dignity anyway.
I think they need to get some
counseling.
They need help and they're just
hopeless sinners.
That's all they are.
They need the Lord just like
everybody else does including
myself and just come to Jesus
moment.
You don't have to cut off your
or grow up Here it is.
You know It's just Come on man.
Get out and start praying.
Get down on your knees and
pray.
Even the guys that condone that
stuff better get down on your
knees and pray because GOD
might be holding you more
accountable.
Man You know it's a lie.
You know, quit lie And
everybody that Anyway, have a
good day.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Blair
Pigman.
If you can please unmute and
let me know which item or items
you wish to speak to.
Blair Before Blair before you
jump in, please remember that
people children might be
watching this in the language
at you.
There's plenty of ways to
convey your thoughts and your
values but please remember who
might be watching.
Thank you.
Also just not the five minute
timer did conclude Blair
Rickman is our final speaker
Blair please proceed.
>> Hi.
Thank you.
Blair be quiet.
Yeah.
I'm all for freedom of speech.
Good decorum for public
meetings.
It's nice that a language we
can all be agreeable to feel
safe with.
>> Thank you.
I wanted to comment that I am
31 and 32.
I think they are the one is
the captain.
>> Yeah.
And the captain.
Okay, great.
Thank you.
Yeah.
The 31 is the captain and we
had a good public meeting
yesterday on public safety
issues of police crime issues.
Really nice questions by a
councilperson on Rupert, by
the way.
It reminded me that, you know,
we can have if we have good
conversations with our police.
That's so key right now,
especially at this time.
We're at a very questionable
time to practice de-escalation,
have that in check and that
that option is available and
looking towards those things
for police it's important And
Councilor for someone to ask
something of that yesterday
it's really important And
police are there to want to
have those conversations if we
want to have them ourselves.
So good luck that we have good
dialog and it sounds like a
really good person is retiring
and that's sort of level of
conversation and good dialog.
We need continuously good luck.
We work on those efforts
together for the other item 32
Ramadan month as we are in we
are in a new state of war with
a conservative state of Israel.
They are basically changing
the game of how we're going to
be talking about the Middle
East.
This isn't a progressive lives
anymore.
We're dealing with a very
conservative nature.
We have to really be patient.
Good luck how we can talk about
Ramadan.
There isn't any Ramadan
speakers here.
Well, you're doing public
comment first I hope there are
people from the Islamic faith
here.
It's like the majority religion
in the world.
It's a large proportion of
the world religion For them to
be here today was included.
>> You had only spoken about
the two items.
>> Yes, that was the two items.
Thank you.
That does conclude public
comment on proclamations.
All right.
Thank you.
City clerk will now turn it
over to my council colleagues
for comments and entertain a
motion And we'll start with
council member Eli Rivera.
All right, Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
I will be speaking about
Ramadan month.
I will start by saying how much
I appreciate everyone who's
here from our Muslim community
and the deep appreciation
respect that I have for the San
Diego community.
How impressive the commitment
not just to faith but to
community and family is during
all times of the year but
especially during this month of
Ramadan.
There's a little story I want
to share because I think it
just really embodies the spirit
of the Muslim community during
again all times but especially
during Ramadan.
I attended an Iftaar a few
weeks ago and after dinner by
battery had died in my car And
worth remembering that
the folks who were there had
been fasting all day had just
broke their fast and
the collective effort from
children who were there to
elders who were there to help
me get my car started and get
get home at the end of a long
day again that included a
daylong fast fast that includes
not drinking water.
I just think was like it was
moving to me because again it
was such a demonstration of of
putting faith into action and
demonstrative of everything
I've seen from the Muslim
community here in San Diego and
my own family as well.
So especially during these
times when communities are
under attack, I think it's
important to acknowledge and
pay respect to and honor people
of all faiths and all
backgrounds And today is an
important day for the Muslim
community.
This month is an important
month for the Muslim community
and I'm glad they were able to
bring this proclamation
forward.
So thank you to everyone in
the communities who's here very
quickly on Transgender Day of
Visibility.
Thank you to COUNCILMAN
Campbell Councilmember Woodburn
and customer on Wolpert for
bringing this forward in
partnership with Mayor We
transgender people are worthy
of dignity and respect and
appreciation and care and love
because they are people and
that should not need to be
said.
But we just heard loud and
clear why it's so important for
us to to say it and to take
action where as a as a city we
share our love and appreciation
respect for the transgender
community.
So while First Amendment rights
are clearly being exercised,
just know that the folks who
call in and disparage our
members of the transgender
community by no means represent
a majority of the city.
They certainly don't represent
the official position of this
city.
We see you.
We honor you.
We love you.
We appreciate you And no public
comment can change that.
So with that council PRESIDENT
I will move approval of
the proclamations.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
So we have a motion by council
member Eli Rivera to move
the proclamation will go next
to council member Campbell
Thank you so much.
Council PRESIDENT First of all
I'd like to second the motion
to approve the proclamations
and I would like to thank
Captain Harvey for all
the years of service and wish
him a happy retirement.
I would like to say happy
Ramadan and the end of Ramadan.
Happy I eat the day of Ramadan.
I really have great respect for
the Muslim religion.
I have family members who are
Muslim.
I have family members who are
everything you name it We not
at all.
We're like the we're like
the rest of the world.
You know, we're just completely
mixed up with everything and
everybody loves everybody And
that's how it should be.
Everyone is their authentic
self And guess what Lady Gaga
said We're born that way And so
that's the way we need to be in
order to find our fulfillment
in our happiness as human
beings.
So first of all, I want to
speak about National Nutrition
Month because I'm a family
physician and we know food is
medicine, right?
All the mothers here know that
.
All the kids know that I hope
all the dancing they are to it
is one of the most basic things
to improve a person's life
Access to healthy nutritious
food from newborns to older
adults, proper nutrition
prevents long term health
conditions like heart disease
and diabetes On a day to day
basis it can boost your immune
system and keep you healthier.
National Nutrition Month is
also a good time to recognize
organizations that provide
nutritional like Meals on
Wheels.
Some of my favorites love to
deliver meals with them.
I think when I retired it's
going to be one of the things
the service allows residents
who need it to have a healthy
nutritious meals delivered
right to their front door to
improve their health and giving
them moments of connection with
those who volunteer to do
the deliveries.
There's so many wonderful
organizations across our city
who provide access to proper
nutrition for those who need
who need it and I want them to
keep up the good work and know
that another volunteer is on
the way.
Pretty soon she retires.
I'd like to speak on
Transgender Day of Visibility.
I want to thank Mayor Gloria
and my colleagues council
members with Burnaby for
joining me in proclaiming this
MARCH 31st, 2026 Transgender
Day of Visibility MARCH 31st is
international observed as this
day of visibility a day we
observe the silver and
celebrate the rich history and
culture of transgender
individuals and paving the way
for greater recognition and
affirmation of transgender
people.
I think it's just a matter of
people understanding that some
of us are not born in the body
That is their their inner
knowing is their body and
that's where transgender comes
in and that people are people
And it doesn't matter if you're
transgender you were born that
way And currently
the transgender community is
being attacked and we have to
stand up for them to be their
authentic selves.
Today the city confirms its
responsibility to stand in
solidarity with our transgender
community, to speak out against
hate of anyone and to foster a
culture of belonging and
respect for all.
And as I have said before and I
will always say I want
the transgender community to
know that I see you, I hear
you, I love you, I respect you
and more importantly this city
council and mayor honors and
celebrates all the wonderful
contributions you bring to our
city of San Diego.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you.
Council member So we have a
motion by Councilmember Eli
Rivera and a second by Council
member Campbell to approve
the proclamation.
So we'll go next to
Councilmember Camp here.
Thank you, council PRESIDENT
Thank you members of the public
for being here today in
chambers.
First I want to start with
Captain Jerry Hora said it
before and I'll say it again
Those who risk their lives for
others deserve our praise and
our salute.
And you did that for 33 years.
So thank you so much for that
to lose such a great leader
with so much experience and
quite frankly one of our most
trained sworn officers in
the entire department.
But congratulations on your
retirement and GOD bless you
and your family.
On Transgender Day of
Visibility I want to thank
the various organizations that
are here today in support of
folks who are doing nothing
more than just trying to be
themselves Trans family support
Services, Proyecto Trans
Latinas Transgender Health and
Wellness Center.
San Diego Pride Hillcrest Youth
Center.
San Diego lgbt Community Center
Many many more organizations as
well.
They don't just help only trans
people.
They help everyone who walks
through their doors with
education and food and
resources funding job support
many other more important
things you name it.
So I want to thank them and
wish them strength On
Transgender Day of Visibility
Today I'm also bringing forth a
constituent of mine who's been
a leader for many, many years
Shane Hogg.
He is I'm honored to proclaim
APRIL 6th, 2016 Hogg Day She
has been driving been a really
an important leader throughout
decades in L.A. Gardens and in
Granville on the community
council.
He's brought so many people
together and he makes sure
residents have a voice in
the decisions that shape their
neighborhood And he has
certainly educated me on many
things in the neighborhood
under his leadership,
the council strengthened
communication and outreach
creates more opportunities for
engagement champion projects
that make a real difference in
the beautification of
the neighborhood tree planting
in support of
the rehabilitation of Navajo
Canyon and so much more.
What stands out to me the most
is his dedication since before
I took office he has
consistently shown up and
listened and worked to improve
the quality of life for
everyone in the Navajo region
as he stepped down as chair We
recognize not just his
accomplishments but the lasting
impact of his leadership And
I'm honored to proclaim APRIL
6th in his honor.
So Shayne, thank you for your
service and everything you've
done for Allied Gardens and
Granville in all of San Diego.
And lastly for Ramadan we
recognize the holy month of
Ramadan.
We honor our time of reflection
and compassion and community
for Muslim families here in San
Diego and across the world of
course, Ramadan is rooted in
the values of faith and
generosity, sacrifice and
service.
And after my comments last
week, these are values that
strengthen our neighborhoods
and bring San Diego together.
This recognition is deeply
personal to me as well with my
Muslim family members being a
vital part of my life and who i
am and what many of them have
been fasting this month
engaging in a day fast was
difficult enough for me as an
ordinary person.
I did not go all day without
drinking water So just imagine
how hard it is to do that for a
month and whether it's Persian
or Arab or Somali or any other
ethnicity every ethnicity has
members of the Muslim faith.
The common thread of sacrifice
and service during this month
is inspiring And in District
seven I want to highlight
the Sierra mesa community home
of the Afghan Community Islamic
Center which serves as a vital
gathering place for many local
families During Ramadan.
Spaces like this become even
more meaningful as they bring
people together for prayer,
reflection and shared meals.
Ramadan reminds us of
the importance of empathy,
community and building a more
inclusive San Diego for all.
So to everyone who is observing
Ramadan, Mubarak Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Right Thank
you Council member Carpio We'll
go next to Council member Von
Wolpert Thank you to my
colleagues that always bring
forth wonderful proclamations
for wonderful things to
celebrate in our city,
wonderful people to celebrate
in our city.
I'll start with item 30 which
is transgender Day of
visibility.
I am very proud to join Mayor
Gloria and councilmembers
Jennifer Campbell and Kim
Woodburn in recognizing
transgender Day of visibility
once again in the city on March
31st.
Today we get to celebrate
the lives resilience
achievements of transgender and
non-binary people in our
community and we affirm that
they belong in every part of
our civic life whether it's
here in the city hall up to
Congress in state government,
transgender and non-binary
residents contribute every day
to our cultural, civic and
economic strength of San Diego
educators, health care workers
,artists, producers and public
servants including police
officers.
Transgender Day of visibility
was created in 2009 by activist
Rachel Crandall to celebrate
trans people while raising
awareness about
the discrimination and violence
people still face today
the city of Seattle remains
committed to policies that
promote dignity, safety and
inclusion so that all of us can
live authentically and free
from fear.
I am grateful for
the leadership of our local
organizations including trans
family Support Services, Trans
Latinas, transgender health and
wellness Center including
ourselves The Pride our lgbt
Center who is here as well and
all the individuals who are
affirming that the city of San
Diego stand against hate in
with community where everyone
is valued And as DR. Jen
Campbell said, we were all born
this way.
Thank you, lady Gaga.
Also for Ramadan month And item
32 thank you to my colleagues
for item 32 today.
i also want to take a moment to
recognize the beautiful
observance of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of
the Islamic lunar calendar and
as a sacred time of fasting,
prayer and reflection for
Muslims around the world As
this month continues, many have
been observing a daily fast.
This council for Campos that is
very hard to do.
I too have attempted to fast
and I can even go have a date
out in water So I appreciate
the sacrifice it takes.
Also Ramadan emphasizes service
to others including supporting
those in need and giving back
to the community at the time of
connection as family
the neighbors gather in
the evening to break their fast
and spend time together here in
San Diego We are very fortunate
to have a very vibrant Muslim
community to contribute in
meaningful ways across our city
and I feel that it's more
important than ever that we are
celebrating Ramadan in this
chambers because of the rise in
unadulterated bigotry we are
seeing in this country against
our Muslim brothers and
sisters.
There are elected officials
United States Senate and United
States House of Representatives
mainly in state in the Deep
South who are making
unadulterated bigoted
statements about our Muslim
community right now.
It is extremely dangerous.
It's not only dangerous for our
mothers, for our Muslim
community but also for America
fomenting bigotry And he can
lead to violence that will
impact all of our communities,
put our public safety
responders at risk and take
away our rights to freedom of
expression, of freedom of
religion.
So I am very proud we are
celebrating our diverse
cultures here in San Diego,
including our beautiful Somali,
Afghan, Persian and all
community members today finally
with item 31 Captain Jerry
Hara, I cannot believe it's
time for you to retire.
I am very, very proud to join
Meritorious in recognizing
Captain Jerry Hara in
celebrating his outstanding
career to the serving people
City of San Diego.
I also know we have some
incredible 901 dispatchers in
the room today So our
dispatchers could please stand.
>> We love to recognize you.
>> I highly encourage
the public to go on a tour of
our number one dispatch center
because those are the folks who
answer the phone in our most
harrowing moments And I've seen
them have to use multiple
computers and phones that are
on either side of their head
for the public to call in
the victims stories and
the dispatch to pd or
the ambulance the information
going on Some of them even have
foot pedals in addition to hand
controls.
It's very impressive.
So Captain Hart began his
career with the senior police
department as a police cadet
and joined as a recruit in
the 25th Regional Academy class
in 1993 when he was ten
overboard.
Over more than three decades he
built a career defined by
leadership, dedication and
service.
He has served in many roles
including patrol operational
support, air support, watch
commander background
investigations and in-service
training.
And he twice led the dispatch
division as a commanding
officer.
Captain Hara also took on some
of the department's most
challenging assignments
including serving on a special
weapons and tactical teams
the honor guard and the peer
support and all the team
supporting his colleagues at a
very difficult moment in their
lives and careers.
He invested in the professional
development as a graduate of
the Federal Bureau
Investigation Academy and
through his leadership as a
past PRESIDENT Of the National
Peace Officer Association and
all of them over the years his
service has been recognized
with numerous commendation
certificates for the awards.
Captain Hart had mentored more
than a thousand department
members to the city's
promotional process helping
guide to prepare the next
generation of Captain Hart
retires on APRIL 2nd.
We thank him dearly for more
than 30 years of service,
mentorship and dedication to
public safety.
We are proud to proclaim this
day Captain Jerry Hardy and
the city of San Diego.
Jerry, come on up if you want
to make any more comments to
Ballou.
Thank you so much.
I apologize.
I tweeted my uncle just a
couple days ago said I'd be in
uniform but it's part of
getting old first and foremost
I just want to thank GOD and
Jesus Christ my savior who's
got me through 33 years of
incredible fighting but also
incredible evil or hardship.
I want to thank my wife, my
family.
They're all here my best
friends, my best friend Jeff
right there and my brother.
This this work is hard.
There are birthdays that I
missed.
There's Christmases I missed
the 4th of JULY picnics I
missed But it was all for a
great great cause.
It's to keep San Diego safe.
There's a reason why San Diego
is one of our the largest,
safest city in the United
States.
So because all those people
right there in blue and
the dispatchers right there in
my 33 to 35 years on this
department, you guys have one
of the best command staffs I
have ever seen in 35 years.
So even though I'm retiring I
know and I've trained and
mentored a lot of chiefs and a
lot of captains there you guys
are going to be just fine.
My last thing is Dispatcher
week is next month so please
come on.
Bye.
Come and check us out.
I know several council members
came last year.
Thank you for that.
They do a harrowing job.
You have the second largest
community in the state of
California at the highest
performing com center in all of
California.
We are answering No one in 30s
or less.
That is incredible.
We've come a long way.
So again, I want to thank
the city council for all your
support over the years.
You guys have been amazing and
GOD bless you.
>> Well thank you.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I will add
one more thing I encourage
folks to come up on Christmas
to House court which is I think
in the lead district now.
But I will say that Captain
Hara has the most incredible
Star Wars Christmas display you
ever want to see including a
talking Wookie.
So thank you again, Captain,
for your service and thank you
Got the PRESIDENT All right.
That's a date marked out
the under calendar.
Thank you, Council member Von
Wilpert.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Whitman.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
Congratulations to all of those
who are being honored with
proclamations today.
I'll speak to a few of them.
I did throw I am pleased to
join the mayor and council
members.
Campbell and I both worked in
bringing forward
the proclamation declaring
MARCH 31st Transgender Day of
visibility in San Diego as
transgender individuals face
growing challenges at
the federal level and in some
cases here in San Diego we must
stand together and affirm their
dignity, acknowledge their
experiences and defend their
right to live openly and
authentically.
I have great grateful that this
council and our mayor remain
committed to speaking out
against discrimination and
standing in solidarity with our
transgender community.
Whether those challenges arise
at the federal level or here at
home, our transgender community
is vibrant, resilient and
essential to our city.
Over 20 years ago the city of
San Diego added protections for
the transgender community to
our human dignity ordinance.
I think that is a point of
pride for our city And I want
to thank some of the many
community organizations here in
San Diego who work every day to
uplift and support our
transgender community including
the San Diego lgbt Community
Center Proyecto Trans Lives,
Titus Trans Family Support
Services, the Transgender
Health and Wellness Center, San
Diego Pride and a number of
others.
And I would like to invite Kyle
who is the center's project
trans case manager and peer
support advocate to come up and
say a few words.
Hello everyone.
Thank you for having us here
today.
Transgender visibility was
created in 2009 by activist
Rachel Crandall Crocker.
She founded this day in
response to the lack of lgbtq
plus recognition specifically
for transgender people And out
of the frustration that
the only widely known trans
centered observance at the time
was transgender remembrance.
She envisioned a day that not
only honor those lost to
anti-trans violence but also
celebrated the lives, joy and
resilience of transgender
people who are here today.
Transgender visibility is meant
to do exactly that.
Its purpose is to promote
visibility, empower transgender
people including those who MAY
feel unseen even within their
own communities and including
the face of adversity and
bigotry.
Mother's Day concerns remind us
that transgender, non-binary
and gender very and people have
always been at the forefront of
movements for justice and
liberation meaning serve as a
reminder that our leadership,
our creativity and our courage
continue to shape our future.
Thank you to mayor and council
members Campbell Webber and
Bolivar for bringing this
forward and recognizing Tdot
and the city of San Diego.
I hope that everyone in this
room continues to show up as
comrades to the community and
to stay engaged in
the movement.
>> Thank you.
Thank you for those beautiful
words and thanks to each of you
for being here.
Council chambers Today It is an
honor and privilege to have you
with us this morning.
Thank you for all that you do
to contribute to our San Diego
community.
Thank you again.
i am 31.
Jerry Holiday in the city of
San Diego.
I too want to congratulate
Captain on his well-deserved
retirement after 33 years of
service to our city.
Thank you for all those years
of helping to keep our
community safe and helping
the Eagles in their most
difficult moments.
I am sure that your leadership
is one of the reasons that you
were recognized with a lifetime
membership by the National
Latino Police Officers
Association and certainly all
would agree that you will be
greatly missed.
The police force also I think
council PRESIDENT Notably in
council members Foster Castillo
and Isla Rivera for bringing
forward item 32 Robert Albert
this month serves as an act of
worship for millions of Muslims
around the world and here in
San Diego.
And I want to recognize and
thank our opportunity for
the many contributions they
make to the cultural and civic
life of our city.
I wish everyone observing a
meaningful and peaceful
Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you, Council member
Whitburn.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Fuster.
Yes, thank you, council
PRESIDENT.
And just congratulations to all
of the proclamation recipients.
I do have comments on just a
few.
I'll start with item 30
Transgender day of visibility.
Thank you to the mayor.
Councilmember Campbell
Councilmember Whitburn and Von
Wilbert for bringing forward
this recognition.
Trans Transgender Day of
visibility is an opportunity to
recognize the contributions of
transgender and nonbinary
individuals who help strengthen
communities across San Diego
and beyond.
Today also serves as a reminder
of the importance of continuing
to build a city where every
resident is treated with
dignity and respect.
I join my colleagues in
acknowledging Transgender Day
of Visibility and the many
individuals and organizations
who continue working toward a
more inclusive San Diego.
Moving on to Captain Jerry
Hardy.
Congratulations Captain Hara
for your many years of service
to the city of San Diego.
Captain our dedicated more than
three decades of public safety
serving in a wide range of
roles and helping support both
the officers he worked
alongside and the communities
they serve.
Throughout his career he spent
time serving neighborhoods
across the city including
communities in southeastern San
Diego helping ensure residents
felt protected and supported.
Captain Hora enjoy your
retirement and thank you to you
and your family for 33 years of
service to the people of San
Diego.
And I'll say you were one of
those captains that I made
those late phone calls to 10
P.M. And beyond and you always
took my call.
He took care of what needed to
be taken care of.
So thank you for your service
and your commitment to
Southeastern Division.
Also moving on to item 32
Ramadan month.
Today I'm proud to join Council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Ken Lee Campo
and Councilmember Ila Rivera in
bringing forward this
recognition of Ramadan and
acknowledging the many Muslim
neighborhoods neighbors
observing this month in San
Diego.
San Diego is a diverse city and
part of our responsibility as a
council is to recognize and
respect the traditions and
cultural practices that are
important to the communities we
serve in District four and
across Diego.
Our Muslim neighbors are an
important part of the fabric of
our neighborhoods contributing
every day as educators small
business owners, health care
professionals, community
leaders and public servants.
Recognitions like this help
ensure that the traditions and
experience of all communities
are acknowledged and respected
in our city.
That kind of respect and
understanding help strengthen
connections between neighbors
and across our city.
I'm honored to join my
colleagues in recognizing
Ramadan month and extending our
well-wishes to everyone
observing.
And lastly, I'd like to make
some quick comments on National
Nutrition Month.
Thank you to Council PRESIDENT
Lee Carver and Councilmember
Campbell for bringing forward
this recognition and for
highlighting the importance of
nutrition and public health for
residents across San Diego.
The food we have access to and
the choices available in our
neighborhoods play a major role
in overall health, well-being
and quality of life in many
areas of our city including
neighborhoods and district For
access to healthy and
affordable food continues to be
an important issue which is why
education advocacy around
nutrition are so critical.
This conversation is especially
important for black and brown
communities that have
historically faced barriers to
healthy food access and
experienced higher rates of
diet related health conditions.
National Nutrition Month is an
opportunity to recognize
the professionals, advocates
and organizations working to
expand nutrition education,
improve food access and support
healthier futures for families
across San Diego.
And in closing, I just want to
say council PRESIDENT I think
we must never lose what makes
America great.
And that is freedom of speech.
We MAY not be perfect.
The city of San Diego MAY not
be perfect but I do believe if
we come from a place of love we
can be the best San Diego that
we can be and that we should be
.
So please just remember that as
we continue to move forward,
let's not buy into the rhetoric
and the divisiveness that we
are currently feeling as
neighbors, as community members
as we deal with the federal
level.
So please, please remember what
makes us great as we
communicate as we deal with one
another and as we love one
another.
So thank you, Council
PRESIDENT.
Thank you, Councilmember Foster
.
That's worth a round of
applause.
So we'll go down with Council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Ali.
>> Thank yous PRESIDENT.
I'll start with item 31 and
just congratulate Captain Hara
and wish you the best in your
next chapter and especially
congratulate your family and
hope that means less missed
birthdays, holidays and more.
Turning to item 30, I want to
thank Gloria and councilmembers
Campbell would bring about
Oprah for recognizing
transgender Day of visibility a
day to celebrate the strength,
contributions and resilience of
transgender people in our
community.
Today's proclamation is also a
reminder that visibility alone
is not enough.
Everyone deserves safety,
dignity and the opportunity to
live as their full authentic
selves.
And if you we thrive to be a
city where everyone is
respected and where no one is
left behind.
So I'm proud to stand with our
transgender community and
affirm that they are seen,
valued and belong here.
For I am 32 I don't think I
want to thank Councilmembers
Foster Campo and Eula Rivera as
we proclaim Ramadan month in
the city of San Diego observed
this year between FEBRUARY 18th
and MARCH 20th.
Ramadan is a sacred time for
more than 20,000 San Diego and
for billions of people around
the world.
At a time of reflection,
discipline and generosity
centered on faith, community
and care for others.
During this time Muslims fast
from dawn to sunset breaking
that fast are amongst family
and community And it's also a
time to practice kindness and
to show support for our most
vulnerable neighbors.
That spirit of compassion and
shared responsibility is
something that resonates far
beyond any one community.
And that spirit of Ramadan is
something we can all learn
from.
Join my colleagues as we
recognize this holy month and
celebrate the Muslim community
as a key and valued part of San
Diego's cultural and civic
fabric.
Thank you.
>> All right.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
I think everyone had a chance
to speak.
I want to close out by
recognizing all
the proclamations,
the organizations,
the individuals, the issues
that are highlighted there.
Thank you to my council
colleagues for bringing these
proclamations forward.
This is kind of a unique
opportunity to share our values
as a council and what we
believe in and such beautiful
eloquent words by each of my
colleagues.
I'll fill in a couple of spaces
with that as 5 or 1 National
Nutrition Month.
Honored to join Councilmember
Campbell proclaiming the month
of MARCH to be National
Nutrition Month.
Those costs continue to rise.
The reasons a compromise on
nutrition goes up as well
through organizations like
the California Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics.
Researchers to find
professional nutritionists and
educational resources are more
important than ever from
providing opportunities to
increase nutrition policy
awareness and helping those who
fight to find the right
nutrition As the field of
attrition goes further than
just the food we eat.
Thank you to everyone who
specializes as a nutritionist
or dietitian to the educators,
educators and food banks for
their work in making healthy
foods sensible and to
volunteers.
Your efforts ensure that
everyone is able to receive
the resources they need to eat
well.
A quick shout out to
Councilmember Campo for
bringing us five hour tutoring
all day.
I had only a few opportunities
to work with Shane.
I always found him to be a
scholar and a gentleman and
the very definition of what a
community leader is all about
and always brings me back to
the neighborhood I grew up of
Aligarh and so thank you for
recognizing him on Earth.
Excuse me Item 31 Jerry
Holiday.
Thank you to my colleagues for
recognizing Jerry.
We're not I'm not going to come
back up again.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Kind of a funny way to go out
on retirement given what you've
done over your many, many years
in the department.
But you also want to recognize
that with your experience and
knowledge from your time over
those many years and many
assignments you have
singlehandedly prepared a new
generation of competent
officers and dedicated public
servants within the department.
As you said, you believe us in
very good shape and we're
eternally grateful for that.
The work that you've
accomplished is nothing short
of impressive and commendable.
I also as you mentioned that as
my colleagues mentioned, I want
to personally thank you for
guiding me through the real
time operations of the Dispatch
Center.
It was one of the most
memorable experience I've had
as a council member something
that I knew the city did but
never really experienced
firsthand.
But to witness the most calm
and caring city employees guide
people through a call they
never wanted to make.
That atmosphere and
the responsiveness a reflection
of your leadership.
So thank you for your service.
Thank you to your family for
sharing with us for the past 30
plus years and everything
you've done to make San Diego
safer.
And with that we have a motion
by council member Eli Rivera in
a second by Council member
Campbell to move
the proclamations.
Clerk Please call the roll.
That's sorry the voting system
Please cast your vote That
passes unanimously 8 to 0 with
Councilmember Moreno absent.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you, City Clerk And we
will now pause for photos
starting with f5a1 National
nutrition month
and
the okay.
>> We're going to continue on
with the rest of today's or
this morning's meeting So I
don't want to be in
the position of telling
the police officer what to do.
>> But yes, could
the dispatchers kind of All
right.
In all seriousness, we will now
proceed with the approval of
the consent items.
But first I believe staff has a
corrective statement for
the record for item s504 Is
there anybody removed?
Oh, there we go.
Good morning Ryan Barbara Parks
and Recreation on item as 504
Subsequent to the release of
the agenda the staff report was
revised to update
the environmental analysis.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you for making that
statement.
So this is items 1050 through
50 to 100 through 1 or 2 as 5
or 4 and as 5 or 7 With that,
are there any request to pull
an item by a council members
Not seen any request?
>> clerk Please proceed with
public comment that you Council
PRESIDENT Please note each
speaker will have one minute
per item per person If you
would like to speak on three or
more items you will have a
maximum of three minutes.
The consent agenda includes
items 1050 through 50 to 100
through 1 or 2 as 504 through
as 507.
Also let me note for the record
the potential appointments that
is on the agenda this morning
or sorry the potential
reappointment that is on
the agenda this morning I don't
want to One is the potential
reappointment of Michael Zika
to the San Diego Unified Port
District Board of
Commissioners.
Also let me note that we
received one comment on item 50
in opposition v r e comment
form which has been distributed
to the Council starting with
those that have public comment
allegedly.
Audra if you can please come
forward you will be speaking on
items 5051 50 to 100 as 501 as
5o6 You'll have three minutes.
Please proceed.
I would like to mention
something about ten in
the minutes as well If I could.
It's just on one of the meeting
minutes I was saying I was
asking for compassion and for
you guys to talk to
the homeless.
Of course I'm doing that.
But when you guys paint a
certain picture about what was
said it seems like I'm not
bringing up the egregious
deaths and rapes that are
taking place and your guys's
inability to have compassion as
Stephen always laughs at that
But for the as needed dam
design service agreements it
seems that our dams have been
left to basically fall apart
and it's pretty sad that a lot
of the infrastructure that
would be used to help us
through life and be able to get
us water and things like that
are intentionally being not
kept up with the needed
maintenance and that's what's
really sad because now we're
getting sewage back and that's
good for us, right?
And then for 51 with this
software service agreement for
Smart energy water Web for all
this stuff, it's like we should
be concerned about all the data
that is being shared across
the board not just with Alpers
but when we're putting in even
smart meters and things like
that.
Our water can be controlled by
it being shut off with this
type of infrastructure And it's
people really need to start
paying attention to what's
really going on and don't just
buy the that you guys tend to
give us and make it seem really
good like calling sewage pure
water And with the building
standard codes it's like we're
constantly changing these codes
and different things and it
literally keeps things from
being built.
Much of the time And it's sad
because it's like you're saying
it has to be this way.
We do all these environmental
reviews and stuff like that and
it's like people are literally
suffering.
Somebody died just outside
the chambers last week, right?
Nobody really talked about that
homeless person because you
just wanted to sweep it under
the rug And then 100 it's
concerning whenever we get
money and do things for youth
when it's a cash for kids type
of thing that happens
especially in juvenile
detention they literally get
money to put children there And
it's just sad to see the kind
of exploitation that takes
place and the conflict of
interest codes.
It's like I don't even think
you guys are equipped to be
able to be determining anything
like that when you guys are
constantly engaged in conflicts
of interest And it's just
interesting to see the things
that you guys do.
You paint a really nice picture
much of the time but when you
really see what's going on it's
sad to see that you guys
repeatedly ignore things that
you should be addressing.
People are suffering again
someone who shouldn't have died
outside of the chambers last
week but it's happening on a
regular basis and you guys move
these homeless people around
just so people don't see them
instead of helping them.
It is extremely egregious to do
that because imagine if that
was you and you just wanted
help and it wasn't enough money
to help you has concluded.
>> Rhonda Farrar And then after
that we have Rubber Dudley if
you can please come up to
the yellow reserved seats in
the front run.
I have one minute on item 50.
Please proceed on 51 as well.
You want to Thank you.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Good morning.
I'm Rhonda Farrar and I'm
PRESIDENT Of the Friends of
Lake Hodges.
As the city of San Diego
considers its options for
replacing Lake Hodges Dam,
the Friends of Lake Hodges
along with the Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo community
Council, the Friends of San
Diego Lakes raised Lake
hodges.Org and the North County
Climate Alliance want to
express our strong support for
a new Lake Hodges Dam with
construction to begin no later
than 2029 as mandated by
the state of California We
supported dam at the same
height as the current dam but
at least of sufficient height
to allow the water from San
Diego's largest watershed to be
available to the entire region
through the operation of
the pump storage facility.
The $208 million ratepayer
investment in the Hodges Pump
storage facility, our region's
region's largest battery for
clean energy would once again
be generating electricity to
power 26,000 homes and would
provide the ability to move
water where it's needed during
the drought for the next 100
years with the pump storage
facility in operation, the lake
level would not experience
the large fluctuations that
affect the region's wildlife
and overgrowth of education
that presents increased fire
danger.
The lake at this level would
allow fishermen to return to
the lake using the existing
boat ramp facilities Rainwater
stored at Lake Hodges is
the best source of drinking
water for downstream water
districts and the lowest cost
water available to the region.
We asked the city of San Diego
,the San Diego County Water
Authority, the Rancho Santa Fe
and Rancho Santa Barbara Water
districts and the state and
federal agencies to collaborate
to build the new Lake Hodges
Dam as soon as possible to
minimize the risk of
catastrophic failure of
the agent Dam.
Every month we wait
constructions cost rise
the risk of catastrophic
failure increases on behalf of
the thousands who live, work
and play around Lake Hodges.
>> We urge you to act now.
Thank you Robert Dudley You
have time to you to by Stephen
Booth songs that if you can
please raise your hand Stephen
thank you so much You'll have
two minutes Speaking on item 50
Please proceed.
>> Good morning.
Council members.
I'm Robert Dudley.
I represent the raised Lake
Hodges group and I'm really in
favor of a low cost plan to try
to reduce the prospect of
forest fire.
You guys have the opportunity
here to have seen what happened
in L.A. We don't want to have a
repeat of that.
And one of the lowest cost ways
to reduce that possibility is
to raise the level of the lake.
I ask for your support in going
to to the legislature, to
the governor to to support a
plan to allow the lake to be
raised to to to ensure that
there's adequate water for fire
for firefighting and a buffer
against fire.
This is a common sense solution
.
It has no cost But we need your
help to recognize that in L.A.
The reservoirs were left empty
.
There was not sufficient water
pressure to fight the fire.
This was a catastrophic
condition that we have to deal
with.
And for ten years we won't have
anything to prevent fire or to
reduce the prospect of fire.
We're going to have a fire one
way or the other.
It's just how serious it will
end up being.
So if these group can come up
with an interim plan to deal
with the ten years of what is
happening for the future so
that we can reduce the prospect
of fire.
So I thank you very much And
thank you.
>> That does conclude
the public comment hearing
council chambers going to those
participating remotely.
We have six speakers and
the kids with their hands up.
Blair Beckman If you can please
unmute and please let us know
which item or items you wish to
speak to.
>> By Blair Beekman I would
like to speak to items 5051 101
and se five four three minutes
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Blair Beekman Um I had good
conversations with police
officers yesterday.
It was helpful.
So good luck in our
conversations as a community at
this time.
>> I think it's a hopeful sign.
A hopeful thing.
I am 50.
Award needed design services
Agreement with nj hdr
Engineering.
Thank you that you're talking
about issues and working on
them.
It sounds like a really
difficult issue to navigate.
Keeping the community informed
every step of the way.
Thank you for those efforts.
Good luck in continuing that
program.
51 is existing software for
the Smart Energy Water put in
my water web portal.
This is ongoing.
It's being returned here a few
times to council for our guest
review and further
understanding.
Thank you for
the clarifications.
I think it's a nice feature to
bring items back continuously
to city council agenda items.
I'm okay with that.
It provides a chance for
the public to learn more what
your further agreements are
about.
What you're more talking about
good luck and how this item can
be better and better developed
with community and public
input.
Thank you for item one.
101 is Redeployments to San
Diego Unified Port District
Board of Commission Persons You
had a Climate Action Plan
annual report last week I
really forgot to mention I
wanted to mention port
districts persons Where is
their part in this climate and
climate review process that
we're going through for San
Diego?
Can they add anything of value?
I think the dialog you can have
with them can be helpful.
You know the projects we can
work on I think there's a new
head person that can be
interesting from the city of
San Diego who might make for
good conversation and that
the Port Commission has been
working on a more open public
process which I think would be
of much interest to things like
the water board agency that has
it having a difficult time
creating a more open public
process.
>> They could learn good
lessons from what the Port
District commissioners have
been trying to learn as public
accessibility and engagement
and good luck in that And I
know council person one who
works on those things good luck
what can be developed there And
to conclude with a Speigel for
Rancho Bernardo Community Park
funding my goodness gracious
you're getting $2.5 million to
do the same thing a memorial
park beings from the state you
know you know upgraded security
and sports lighting what we
really have to learn to have
more open conversations on
the future of biometric
technology in our communities.
We have to not fear that
conversation to be open and not
give it dog whistles.
We have to be clear.
>> Good luck in those efforts.
Thank you.
8700 if you come please on mute
after that is 813 Oh thank you.
5051 100 and 101 please.
>> Please proceed.
Three minutes 50 hdr and stand
tech subcontracts total of 51
All of them are t b d to be
decided Trends please
Transparency Oversight
Accountability and monitoring
150 million for the to
agreements 268 Total employees
underrepresentation African
American Latino Asian and
female in four categories
Progress is being made Thank
you 51 Smart Energy Water I
want to suggest something new
from my perspective We control
contracts, agreements and so
forth.
I did it for this company that
is this to Google the company
reviews and rating of
the company Try it.
You might be surprised As I was
number 100 Yes to initiative to
fund employ and empower youth
workforce I'm I jumped up and
down yes to apply for those
grant funds This is a golden
opportunity that lifts up Lift
up Not only that, it's only our
youth.
It lifts up all of us up, up
and away love and blessings to
our youth When I see you at
the microphone Dear youth I'm
just blown away by your power,
by your empowerment and what
you can do for us now and to
create our beautiful future.
Keep up the work 101 Big Yes to
confirming the reappointment of
Michael Catt to the San Diego
Unified Port District Board of
Commissioners ending JANUARY
second of 2031.
That's a great date and covers
four years of excellent service
from a high quality person and
Commissioner thank you MR.
Zukin for your beautiful work
and for your service to
the people of San Diego.
>> Love to all Thank you.
Next is 8813 if you come please
on mute after that will be Tony
The five minute timer has also
concluded there were six
speakers in the queue.
No additional speakers will be
taken.
Please proceed and when three
let me know which item or items
you wish to speak to.
Okay I couldn't follow here And
this Let's see that this
pertains to pretty much all of
them.
Please proceed.
Okay.
Thank you.
So let's see with this consent
calendar item I wanted to
remind the people how
government actually works.
People continue to come here
asking even begging government
to do the right thing.
But somewhere along the way
people have forgotten something
very important.
Government is supposed to
answer to the people not
the other way around And yet
what do we continue to see More
and more homeless families
living on the streets not in
homes, not supported, not
stabilized but pushed further
into survival At the same time
we watched government stand
here and present solutions
programs, plans, initiatives
What are they really Bandaid
solutions temporary fixes that
never seem to resolve the root
of the problem Because if
the problems were truly solved
there would be nothing left to
manage.
So instead what happens?
The issues get prolonged kicked
down the road pass from
administration to the from one
administration to the next year
after year budget after budget.
Meanwhile the people continue
to struggle.
Government does not resolve
problems.
Let's be clear with that It
manages them, it sustains them
and in many cases it expands
them And it's that bring And
that brings me to the hardest
truth People need to hear.
Our local government is not
working for the people they are
working for broader agendas,
globalist agendas, systems and
priorities that do not reflect
the immediate needs of San
Diego, the city of San Diego
Nor the county can be right
even in front of them.
And until people remember who
government is supposed to
answer to, the cycle will
continue.
So remember that I'll repeat
that until people remember who
government is supposed to
answer to This cycle will
continue The begging,
the asking, the continuous all
of it will continue.
Remember that Pay attention.
Look at the pattern.
See what they do, See what they
don't do on purpose.
See what they prolong.
Look at all the conflicts of
interest.
Look at the blame game.
It's all a game.
That's what it is a game.
Wake up to it.
We were never meant to be
governed the way we're being
governed, the way they are
doing it.
It's all corrupt.
It's all sick.
If one person suffers we all
suffer.
Remember that.
>> Thank you.
Our next speaker is Tony.
After that is Ernie Casco.
If you can please unmute Tony
again I'm here for you.
I will need to move on if you
cannot.
There you go.
>> Please let me know which
item or items you wish to speak
to.
This would be speaking to the
project number item 15 You'll
have a minute.
>> Please proceed.
Thank you.
I wanted to start out this
morning by thanking City
Council.
I know that the job that you
have is a tremendously
difficult one and I know that
no matter what you do and no
matter what good is done and no
matter what progress is made,
people are going to still
disrespect you and they're
going to find ways to tear you
down and say things that aren't
always necessarily rooted in
the truth because a lot of
things that they place blame
upon you for things that
happened before your time that
you're not necessarily
responsible for.
And I think that from what I've
seen this has been one of
the most progressive councils
that San Diego has ever had And
with your help and with your
guidance and with your
leadership, we've been able to
raise the minimum wage for
hotel workers.
We've been able to put on
the ballot the empty homes tax
.
We've been able to do a number
of things including now
repairing this dam which are
greatly in need and service of
the people of San Diego.
So please take the criticisms
with the greatest your time has
concluded.
>> My apologies If you have
additional comments you can
definitely email them in
the City Clerk at San diego.Gov
and they will be distributed.
>> Ernie Castro if you can
please unmute.
Yes I'd like to speak on items
31 through 1 or 2 Consider
recommending our rights
volunteer and team management.
>> The 31 was the proclamation
so you can spend two 5252 And
then what was the other items?
>> All the items.
Please make sure you stick to
the items.
>> We do have to document this
for the record.
If you can let me know.
Presenters 3131 through 102
okay so 50 through 1 or 230 is
proclamations.
>> Please proceed.
Okay.
There are guidelines.
I'm Ernie Casco La Hoya
resident Torrey Pines Glider
Port Senior Pilot.
There are guidelines and laws
to protect public when making
decisions.
City council has failed to
protect me, my family, my
public rights.
The same thing going on at
Torrey Pines Glider port Your
decisions have legal
consequences.
It is illegal for anyone
including your city leaseholder
to turn our freedom into an
access pass and waiver for a
license and fee to use a free
public park When city
liabilities are already covered
by California recreational
laws.
This is insurance fraud and
misappropriation of public
funding going into private
accounts which demands a full
transparent city audit that
would end the corruption going
on at the glider port and other
areas in the city.
We have a letter of support
from the Town Council Shores
Association to permanently
reconvene the Torrey Pines Port
Advisory Board but the Torrey
Pines Glider Support Advisory
Board historically allowed
the commercialization and
privatization of our park to
continue.
It is irresponsible for City
council to put the glider park
in the hands of a business that
knowingly exploits our
constitutional recreation
rights and freedoms.
It is a City council job to
stop the crime first and then
address the victims who have
been damaged by discrimination,
assault, battery and false
reports and arrest The San
Diego recreational waiver stops
that crime illegally Secure
city liabilities isolate safety
constraints, safety concerns
and restores recreational
rights and freedoms back to
what it originally was The San
Diego recreational waiver stops
the illegal collection of
public funds going into private
accounts by separating
the business from normal free
public access access It allows
the business to stay paying
their own bills operating like
every other business in public
parks and lands.
This breaks the corruption.
This breaks the corruption
going on at the glider Port
Management Where are the police
reports that provide justice
for the witness for the victims
and witnesses who have been
damaged?
There are common laws to
protect the public.
How business should be run in
public parks and land You need
to set a precedent on how that
happens.
This is a win for city council
liabilities using common
contract laws that legally
restores our recreational
rights and freedoms for years
to come.
It is the best decision that
City Council and you could
make.
Joe LaCava thank you.
>> Next is Kathleen Lippert.
After that is Judy Strang and
then 7499.
>> Thank you for letting me
speak to item 50.
If ever there were an
opportunity for the city to
take a proactive step on behalf
of the public good prioritizing
the replacement of Lake Hodges
would be it.
The city was warned four years
ago that the dam was in bad
need of a critical repair or
postponing and redirecting
funds to other projects
reserved for addressing dam
safety would replace a
potentially clean source of
water for a system that will
require hundreds of gallons for
another system that would
require hundreds of gallons of
chemicals We are told that
those chemicals will be removed
but I don't know if that's
possible.
It is far better to look at a
potential source that has been
used.
It just needs to be protected
and postponing required
maintenance is not in your best
interest and is certainly not
in the public's.
So I hope that you will look at
this and do something that is
in the best interest of
the public.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Next is Judy Strang After that
is 7499 Judy Strang Please
unmute.
I can't unmute for you.
I will need to move on And
there you go.
Can you tell me what your item
or items you wish to speak to?
>> Yes, I wanted to speak to 50
and 100.
>> You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
You bet.
Thank you for the opportunity
to call from my work place And
I'm sorry to hold you up while
I was feeling connected.
i'm very excited to speak to
item 50 The dam design Great
gobs of money.
I would have loved to have seen
a staff report on it but all of
us who live downstream from
the Lake Hodges Dam are excited
by any sorts of repairs that
are happening there.
I'd love to have a I tried to
read the staff report and
understand it but I came away a
little confused.
It is after all a ten year
grant and it seems to be first
for $150 million to which $75
million is being added.
That's a lot of money just to
put on consent and and let us
not understand what we're going
to get over a ten year period
for this money.
I also wanted to speak to item
100 Oh yay.
Let's apply for this grant I
always wonder about these
common sense situations whether
we really need to ask whether
we should do it.
Of course we should do it.
I guess we should be glad that
we have the clarity and
the opportunity to speak to it.
Yes, if there was ever a city
this young people need an
influx of cash to help
implement the programs that
you've so aggressively put in
place to help them.
The age of 16 to 30 is a
critical age in the life of a
young person speaking as a
grandmother I can tell you that
it is an age that is just any
day with bad influences about
choice making And as a public
health advocate I have to again
express my concern When you
look at this age group to
realize the role that
the normalization of high
potency cannabis products has
done to this age group and
affecting their ability to be
successful at school and these
tutor ship opportunities and
internship opportunities
they're going to be provided if
we receive this money.
Let's look at the source of
the problems our children have
as well as try to find
solutions.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Our final speaker is 7499
please.
I'm here to let me know which
item or items you wish to speak
to.
>> Item 51 Please proceed.
>> You have one minute Bob
Kozinski here.
I've been writing software
since the 1970s back when we
were using punch cards.
I appreciate the reduction of
this item from $16.3 million
down to $5.5 million but that's
still far too much for any
software as a service.
End quote.
Contract in the era of widely
available free software free
and open source software.
The people creating these
agreements in contracts do not
negotiate as if they were
spending their own personal
money as they should send this
item back for further
negotiation.
Also I endorse the comments of
the earlier caller who asserted
that this current city
government does not serve
the people and it does not
answer to the people.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
That concludes public comment
on the consent agenda.
All right.
Thank you, City clerk.
With that we will go to my
colleagues for any questions
and comments and will entertain
a motion And we'll start with
Councilmember Campo.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I'll move
approval of the consent agenda
Briefly just call the public's
attention to item 51 where
we're reducing the term amount
of a contract from 16.3 million
to 5.5 million.
I appreciate Staff's work on
helping us with the smart
energy water software there.
So that's a that's you know we
get some things done we save
some money around here And on
item number 1 or 1
the reappointment to the San
Diego Unified Port District
Board of Commissioners.
I want to thank MR. Michaels
who kept for his service a
little bit more than two terms
coming on a third term here.
I just do want to say this week
and I had relatives from from
Iowa visiting San Diego we went
on a boat tour of the harbor
and the port They were
commenting on on how much fun
they were having And I said all
the credit goes to Sid Vaccaro
who's sitting right next to
you.
MR. Ticket So you know, keep
following his lead and I
appreciate you very much.
Quite frankly folks from all
over the world come to our port
for tourism, for food, for art
And the experience of San Diego
is a cornerstone of our local
economy.
And MR. Speaker, it is one of
the reasons it is doing so
successfully.
So thank you very much for your
service And with that I will
conclude my motion.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you.
So we do have a motion by
Councilmember Camp here to move
the consent items.
We'll go next to Council member
Lipman.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT I
will second the motion item 100
This item accept state funding
for the city is internship
program Ensuring that interns
are paid is essential to
removing barriers to public
service and opening the door
for more young people to
explore Explore careers in
local government.
I want to take a moment to
recognize our outstanding
District three interns Rigo
Tage and Adan whose dedication
and service make a real
difference in our community
Every day and item What a one
The reappointment of Michael
Zook head to the San Diego
Unified Park District Board of
Commissioners.
MR. Zuccato currently serves as
vice Chair of the Board of Port
Commissioners.
During public comment MR.
Beekman was asked about
the port's role in addressing
climate change.
Well I have good news.
Vice Chair Zoo Cat has been
instrumental in the development
and success of the Maritime
Clean Air Strategy and
the electrification of port
operations which have been
recognized globally as well as
many other initiatives.
His contributions have helped
to grow the blue economy in San
Diego and create many good
paying jobs.
In fact he was a renewable
energy economist at
the Department of Energy back
of the day.
So for all of us who are
concerned about climate change
,we are fortunate to have vice
chairs the cat representing our
city, the board of Port
Commissioners and MR. Ferrara
is with us in chambers as well.
We're fortunate to have
Commissioner Veronica and
Commissioner Board also
representing our city of San
Diego.
>> Thank you, Council
PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
So we have a motion by
Councilmember Campi on
the second by council member
Whitburn to move The consent
items will go next to council
member Campbell.
Thank you so much, Council
PRESIDENT.
I would like to comment also on
item 101 the reappointment of
Mike Zoo Care to the San Diego
Airport Board of Commissioners.
Michael Zukor who grew up near
the ocean in Ocean Beach in my
district, currently serves as
vice chair of the San Diego
Board of Commissioners.
He is in line to become
the chair in 2027 Commissioners
Hackett is the general manager
for the San Diego mta Municipal
Employee Association, now
representing over 5000 of our
city employees.
He served as Sandy Count a San
Diego city COUNCILMAN For
District two Yay where he
served on many and did many
things including serving on
the Public Safety Committee
natural Resources and land Use
committees.
Prior to being a council member
commissioners Zoo cat was
the Director of government
Affairs for the San Diego
Firefighters Union Local 145
And he did all those other
things My other colleagues have
mentioned as well.
It's amazing in his young life
given his dedication to serving
the community I support
the reappointment of Michael
who kept to the San Diego Board
board of Commissioners and
appreciate his willingness to
continue to serve our wonderful
port.
And thank you commission member
Rocco for being here escorting
him at this important moment.
Thank you very much.
Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you, Council member
Campbell.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Isla Rivera.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
Just a couple of quick
comments.
First I want to say thank you
to MR. Yet for your interest
and commitment to continue to
serve and represent San Diego
at the Port.
I'm going to be nice the whole
time this time I promise
The work that you've done to
make sure that the port is a
responsible and good partner to
the communities around the port
is extremely meaningful.
advances that are made around
clean energy super important
The port is oftentimes I think
in government we talk about
being leaders at a national
level or a global level And
I'll be honest I think there's
a lot of hyperbole in most of
that.
That's actually not the case at
the port.
It's not hyperbole.
There are advancements being
made and actions that have been
taken that really are
groundbreaking.
And I know that you played an
important role in that and
that's why I said came here to
support you and keep an eye on
you.
But just thank you again for
your willingness to step up and
continue to serve in that in
that role.
I also wanted to say how glad I
am to see item 100 in front of
us and the Employment Power
Program is one of the best
things the state has done over
the last several years and I'm
very glad that San Diego has
leaned into it from Roberta who
is now leading our community
empowerment efforts to Deanna
who's behind me and Kanoa.
These are folks who came
through the employee and
completed in power program and
now work as a staff and in
leadership positions in our
office v and Evie who are
behind me as current interns in
our cohort along with Eva,
Izzy, Owen and Summer.
They're doing incredible work.
They're learning about
government.
They're contributing their
community and the state's
investment in our young people
is is a great short term and
long term investment.
So very, very glad to see us
accepting these additional
grant funds and want to see
this program not only continue
but continue to grow in
the years ahead because really
the city wins our offices when
the residents win And obviously
there's benefits for the young
folks who are here as well.
So I want to say thank you to
our employing and power cohort
cohort.
And I'm very supportive of
continuing to continuing to see
this program thrive in
the city.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you, Councilmember
Rivera.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Von Wolpert.
Thank you.
I will just add on item 1 to 1
Mike to get we're very excited
to be appointed to the port.
You've done an excellent job.
My colleagues have already
talked about all the wonderful
things you've done for
the community but I'll also add
all the wonderful things you do
for our city Leading mta as
the leadership has been quite
incredible.
We've had some hard years and
we have a hard budget year now
and so thank you for standing
up to be the voice of our
workers who we depend on every
day to literally even open this
building and make sure it's
functioning which is a tall
order these days.
So I appreciate you very much
And Sid Baraka, always good to
see you too.
Thank you for the excellent
work you're doing as well And
my continued request to both of
you is to help us as a city and
a port and a region really make
the convention center
everything that it can be and
helping to turn our new win of
the measure c money into a long
term infrastructure investment
for our convention center to
modernize it, to expand it to
keep Comic-Con in San Diego so
that everyone can come see
the brand new Seaport Village
when it is finally ready.
So thank you for your work.
I appreciate you very much.
And item 50 thank you to
everyone who came in to speak
about Lake Hodges Dam.
You know I've grown up watching
this dam unfortunately start to
crumble and Lake Hodges is now
the worst rated dam in
the entire state of California
which has quite a bit I too
would love to see a new dam
constructed and the water level
raised because we're seeing
increased risk with fire when
the water goes down the brush
explodes.
Luckily this year Assembly
member Darshan Patel worked
with our office to secure over
$1 million to do brush
management in this area and our
fire department has been great
about making sure we are
controlling brush But what
happens next year and since
the County Water Authority has
decided that they no longer
want to participate in building
a new dam which they are
contractually obligated to pay
for half of the cost of Lake
Hodges That would leave
the city on the hook to find an
entire construction of a new
dam which I know is not
necessarily possible.
So I tell all of my neighbors
and community members who have
actually been through fires
before the Bridge Creek fire
came through this area and many
of them saw their homes burned
to the foundations.
So this is not a theoretical
fear for them.
This is a fear they have
experienced in the past to keep
advocating and also advocate
with the county water authority
because they are another
government entity that's going
to control the fate of this dam
.
So thank you everyone.
Thank you to you for investing
in our dams and let's make sure
that we start the initial focus
with this money coming in on
solutions really colleges
because it is the one that
needs the most care.
So I'll support like I said.
All right.
Thank you, Councilmember Van
Wilpert.
>> We'll go next to council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Like to speak
to item 100 and just I'm glad
to see that these state funds
come to the city to support our
employee and Empowering Youth
Workforce Program which it is
as COUNCILMAN Gila River said,
an incredibly important program
that I've had the opportunity
to observe its impact firsthand
including our current interns
in our office.
We've had the privilege of
working with more than 20
interns through this program
over the course of the last
three years.
Some of them have gone on to
become full time staff while
others have moved on to
positions in various elected
offices and agencies at
the local and state level
during their time with us they
joined their local planning
groups shown up at protests
research policy initiatives,
painted murals in our
communities and tracked data
patterns that impact our
constituents.
Several have also continued on
to law school or other graduate
programs whether they choose to
stay in government or pursue
other paths.
They have all made valuable
contributions to our work while
gaining a deeper appreciation
for public service.
It's been a truly rewarding
experience for me and our team
to see them grow and explore
their interests their entire
time with our office And I'm
glad to know that we will
continue to be able to provide
this valuable experience to
future students.
Also give a shout out to
Kimberly Heng and Jacob Vantage
Vantage who are working in our
office right now and probably
tuning in to this meeting for
item 1 to 1 I will take a
moment to think Commissioners
who cared for willingness to
continue serving.
I'll admit I asked Commissioner
Bharara for some bullet points
of what to share and to that he
said only say nice things as
long as you have them to say
okay, well with that thank you.
>> I think everyone's already
repeated quite a bit of our
gratitude for your willingness
to serve.
>> I think most folks in
the public forget and don't
recognize that serving as a
commissioner for the Port is
not a light task.
It is it is just as rigorous in
many of the policy areas that
we deal with here on this
council And to you and your
fellow commissioners that
represent the city, while very
grateful that you dedicate your
time and energy to practically
volunteer in that capacity to
better our port and all
the properties along the coast
that we value in our region.
>> So thank you for your
service.
I think it's Oh thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem.
We'll go next to Council member
Foster Yes, thank you.
>> Council PRESIDENT.
Just some quick comments.
I would like to thank
commissioners of Cat for his
willingness to continue to
serve.
It is greatly appreciated and
just really want to thank
the port commissioners for all
the good work that you are
doing in continuing to ensure
that we are a top destination
location.
A lot of transformative work is
happening along our shoreline
there.
I mean you guys are leading
the way and leading that charge
So I just want to thank you for
all of those efforts.
With that I will be supporting
the consent agenda.
Madam Clerk, I would like to
register a no vote for item 50
.
All right.
Thank you, Councilmember
Foster.
Not see anybody else in
the life section?
I think everybody spoke.
I'll add a couple of thoughts
on my own.
I want to build on the comments
of my colleague Councilmember
about item 50.
There was some concern about
that one being on consent
actually item 50 that's
the contract with consultants
for dam improvements that
actually two full public
hearings wanted 80 and one at
the full city council.
The item in front of us is a
mandatory second reading to
make sure that we got
the ordinance just right and
that's why it's it's on consent
and on item 51.
Just a friendly reminder this
is the contract for the my
water portal That is a contract
authority not necessarily how
much will be spent on that
particular item item 5o5.
This is a resolution
authorizing the marketing
agreement between the city of
San Diego and Hyundai Motor
America.
Thank you to Sara Brennan from
Economic Development for
negotiating This deal was a
rather extraordinary
improvement over previous deals
in the same space Our
lifeguards deserve the best and
this agreement delivers that.
So thank you Sara for that Good
work And I suspect Chief
Gartland had a hand in there as
well So I'll wrap up the many
accolades.
I think it's getting
embarrassing How many of us are
talking about item 1 to 1 MR.
Kept As everybody has said your
accomplishments are certainly
numerous and impressive I to
laud your commitment to
environmental advances
including electrification of
our marine terminals positive
results for the port cities,
the city of San Diego and our
most impacted communities And I
want to recognize we're not
here to save the planet.
We're here to save ourselves
and our way of life and where
we work and where we play and
MR. To get your efforts are
geared 100% to that to minimize
the impact to those waterfront
communities to make sure that
we have a strong and vibrant
water working waterfront and
you find that balance and
the things you've done and as
one somebody ask about what
role you have the port has
you're leading the way and
the city here is trying to
catch up with the good work
that you're doing every day.
For those who missed the three
commissioners talking about
the work at the port, I urge
you to go back and watch that
presentation for the City
Council.
So I look forward to your
continued efforts for cutting
edge first in the Nation
Environmental Advances.
Thank you for your willingness
to continue to serve and I know
you've been itching in that
seat to perhaps come up and say
a few words to wrap it all up
I've got to thank you Council
president members of the city
council I'm only grateful and
and happy to have
the opportunity to serve.
Thank you very much.
I so appreciate your support
and your partnership and your
faith and I work as hard as I
can to to reward that faith and
how we serve.
I so appreciate your come and
stay.
I am definitely humbled and I
do find them a little
embarrassing in part because we
have such a great team at
the port As many of you
mentioned.
We've got a commissioner
sitting right here who's not
only here as a colleague but as
a friend.
I think he was going to hold my
hand if anybody said anything
mean about me.
He's such a such an incredible
and just absolutely a decent
human being And it's such a
pleasure to be his friend and
to serve with him And also
Commissioner Moore and and and
Commissioner Castellanos before
them.
So thank you very much for
those efforts.
To your point, Councilmember
Lee also wanted to thank my
wife and family my day job
bosses at the Senior Employees
Association who allow me
the time to to to engage in
the service which is only an
honor and I'm super grateful
for it.
So thank you all very much and
thank you council PRESIDENT And
especially to your incredible
support staff member Vicky
Jones for for coordinating this
report And thank you Really
welcome.
All right.
No one else in the lights We do
have a motion by council member
committee and second by council
member Woodburn clerk Please
call the roll.
I start the voting system.
Please cast your vote That
passage unanimously 8 to 0 with
Councilmember Foster voting no
and item 15 and Council member
Moreno Thank you Council
PRESIDENT All right thank you
City Clerk With that Will let's
move quickly That's turning out
to be a long morning.
We have both knowledge and
public comment as well as a
presentation under the Housing
Authority.
But first are there any
comments by the mayor's office,
city council member, city
attorney, independent budget
analyst or city clerk Not
seeing any I'll make one
comment.
I made some comments yesterday
relating to the appeal process
for environmental
determinations and I MAY have
been a little bit too generous
In my words environmental
determinations are unique
Animal Of all the things that
we do someone should not take
that as consulting advice but
I'm certainly happy to have a
conversation with anybody who
is considering the appeal an
environmental determination and
always stand ready to work with
my colleagues or operation side
if we can improve how our
municipal code is written and
give good direction for both
applicants and appellants see
no one else.
We will now adjourn as the City
Council to convene the Special
Housing Authority meeting And
first we will start with
the approval of the Housing
Authority minutes of both
JANUARY 13th, 2026 and
the special session on JANUARY
26th, 2026.
Clerk Please proceed with
public comment.
Thank you.
The public library for
the Housing Authority minutes
is now open.
Please note each we will have
one minute per item per person
The minutes being approved are
for the meeting of Tuesday
JANUARY 13th, 2026 Regular and
Monday JANUARY 26, 2026 a
special allegedly order if you
can please come forward.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
I'm surprised I thought I was
going to get one minute.
>> Look at you guys.
It's interesting that sometimes
you guys will write what is
written said in public comment
like in the meetings and
sometimes you don't And I'm
wondering when you don't Why is
that is because you don't want
the people to know what was
said, you know or you you wind
up spinning it in a certain way
or taking away words or adding
some.
So it seems like what is being
said is not as intense or
whatever And it's like I think
it is very important that when
you are taking somebody's words
and spinning it like that that
that changes exactly what was
said.
And I'm curious to know what's
going to be written in
the minutes when the two men
Paul and I believe Derek it was
that came from Tent City Did
any of you guys go talk to him
Stephen did you send your staff
out to see if you could help
them not get evicted?
Right.
So it'll be interesting to see
what is written when with their
comment is it going to say that
they came from b lots and that
they're potentially getting
kicked out for no reason that
nobody's helping them that this
man's been there since 2023?
Wow.
Seems like it's working, right?
Yeah.
And those men are still
suffering and nobody wants to
go and talk to the people with
lived experience.
So it'll be interesting to see
the way the minutes are written
then because any time you guys
write things about what I'm
saying it changes what it says
and it doesn't show that there
are extremely egregious events
taking place on your guys's
watch that you refuse to
mitigate.
I have people coming to me on a
daily basis Either they're ex
employees, people that live
there.
>> There's a lot of stuff
coming down the pike and you
guys should be concerned
because you're not doing
anything about it and it
continues to happen and we're
going to have to pay for
litigation because of it.
>> You're going comment I'm
going to those participating
online.
I have five minutes on
the queue.
Robin, if you can please unmute
and let me know which minutes
you're speaking to.
I will be speaking to non
agenda public comment.
We'll come back to you during
that time.
>> Blair Beekman Please let me
know which minutes you're
speaking to.
Both minutes Please proceed.
All right.
Thank you.
I won't need the full two
minutes but I just wanted to
quickly offer from meeting
minutes of JANUARY I felt that
the important theme and
conversation and dialog was how
the housing authority people
can have a good clear
conversations with the new
federal administration and to
not reject good thinking and
good attempts at dialog that
we're trying to create here at
the local level towards our
housing policies.
They're making really honest
decent attempts towards
negotiating in good dialog here
at the local level at
the Housing Authority to
the Federal level with hud
funding and the like.
So just an overall good luck
that we can continue those good
effort and that a place of good
conversation can be taking
place for all of us.
Thank you.
81 three If you can please let
me know which minutes you're
speaking to.
I cannot unmute for you there
you Excuse me are we on not
agenda?
No this is the minutes Another
agenda will be later.
I can come back to you then.
Oh no.
Okay.
So is this the Housing
Authority Housing Authority
minutes?
Oh the housing authority
minutes.
Okay.
Got it.
Yeah, I have something for
that.
Just a second, please.
We got 1 minute or 2 minutes.
It's one minute per
the minutes.
>> There's two minutes on
the two minutes so please
proceed.
Oh gosh, I'm sorry.
>> I'm not even building up my
speech for that.
I mean, I'm both pretty much in
version but I usually have to
say so you know, I'm sorry.
I don't mean to take up your
sense of it.
Just go ahead Wait for an on
agenda.
>> Thank you.
That does conclude public
comment on the housing
authority minutes.
All right.
Thank you, City clerk So we'll
take up agency members
questions and comments
entertain a motion just to get
things started to go ahead and
move the adoption of
the minutes.
Can I get a second
Councilmember Wicker not see
anybody else in the lights?
I'll have the comment.
I don't think those minutes are
still an adequate two for you
want to find out what people
said You go to the video that's
where you get the straight
story So encourage people to do
that if they're curious what
anybody said.
So with that motion by myself
in the second by Council member
Whitburn to move the minutes
clerk please call the roll.
>> That's right the voting
system Please cast your vote
That passes unanimously 8 to 0
with Councilmember Moreno
absent.
>> Thank you.
That's all that.
All right.
Thank you to be talking with
that clerk please introduce.
Housing Authority Item one
Housing Authority Item one is
an informational item one
informational report from
the Housing Authority executive
director.
If you'd like to speak on this
item, now's the time to submit.
Your speaker slips to the front
of the room in the clear box.
If you're participating online
now's the time to raise your
hand by pressing Star nine or
the raise your hand icon.
Thank us, PRESIDENT.
Thank you, MS..
Jones As you certainly
introduce yourself for record
and let us know how much time
you need for your presentation
.
Good morning.
Council PRESIDENT And Council
members.
There we go.
That's better.
Good morning.
Council PRESIDENT Corbin
Council members.
I'm Lisa Jones, the Senior
Housing Commission's PRESIDENT
And ceo And I'm only about
eight minutes from acting.
>> I'll begin this morning with
some difficult changes that
occurred recently for
the Housing Commission and our
staff.
Last month we unfortunately had
to make the difficult decision
to reduce our workforce.
And the tough reality is that
this was necessary It was
necessary for us to remain a
reliable source of assistance
in the coming years for
the tens of thousands of
families in our programs and
also to be able to sustain our
remaining staff who serve those
families in our community every
day.
As I've shared over the past
several months as the agency
like many other public housing
authorities and many other
public sector agencies across
the country is experiencing
financial challenges like we
have not seen as an agency in
the past.
Much of this is due to shifts
in federal government
priorities in the past year and
budget uncertainty at
the federal, state and local
levels.
Nothing That's not a surprise
to I know the council and
the city team.
Additionally, like many other
organizations our costs are
rising and the need for our
services continues to grow But
our financial resources are
fixed or in some cases
declining.
Our goals are to ensure our
rental housing voucher programs
or homelessness programs and
services and our affordable
housing units remain available
for the individuals, families
and families currently in those
programs who need them.
We have taken a variety of
steps in recent months to
contain costs in this
environment.
These include eliminating
performance incentives and cost
of living adjustments for
senior leadership Last year
having to make changes to
the family contribution amount
in the voucher program and rent
adjustments in our affordable
housing programs and having to
reduce or end some of our
ancillary services and
activities.
Our strategic plan contains
many more initiatives that we
are currently working on to
both reduce costs and to
increase revenue.
But the unfortunate reality is
even with all of those efforts
we have also needed to reduce
our workforce.
This means that we made
the tough decision to eliminate
33 occupied staff positions and
will not be filling 25
positions that were vacant
which is a reduction of about
14%.
So that means that 33 staff
that used to work for
the Housing Commission were
laid off on FEBRUARY 27th.
About 60% of the eliminated
positions were supervisory
level positions or about.
And as I've shared in briefings
previously, none of the layoffs
were represented were
represented staff staff who
occupied those eliminated
positions were notified, as I
said on FEBRUARY 27th and they
were provided two weeks paid
leave.
We know this is a difficult
time for each of them.
We know this is a difficult
time for the staff that remains
as well.
There's a lot to process but we
do care about those staff and
we are offering a variety of
assistance to help them through
this transition.
While I will not go into
details I can let you know that
we have also offered severance
commensurate to their service
time to each laid off employee.
And while this extension of
health benefits in addition to
what the state provides, we
also are providing them with
access to support and resources
to assist them with their
career transition.
These include job coaching
sessions, meetings with a
workforce development
specialist and a recruiter and
access to job resources with
chc covering the costs for
these services.
We're also continuing to make
our employee assistance program
available to our staff who were
laid off.
The program includes counseling
for mental health and emotional
needs as well as referrals for
free or reduced cost programs
like child care, health care
and employment services.
And our employee assistance
program is available to assist
our remaining staff during this
time as well.
We do not anticipate any
further workforce reductions
beyond these steps.
This workforce reduction along
with many other measures will
help support ongoing financial
stability of the agency.
And with that increased ability
we will continue to provide
housing assistance and person
centered customer service to
the thousands of families with
low income that rely on
the Housing Commission.
We also continue to implement
and explore additional measures
to contain costs and where
possible to continue to
generate revenue.
Although this is a difficult
time for our agency, we must
continue to advocate for state
and federal resources that is
more important now than ever.
Last month we met with
the California Association of
Housing Authorities, state
officials and San Diego's
legislative delegation in
Sacramento.
We discussed relevant state
legislation around housing
the latest from hud and federal
administration as well as
the latest innovations around
the state.
And we advocated for continued
stable funding from the state
for homelessness programs and
for affordable housing
development.
And this month we are engaging
in Washington, D.C. With
federal officials as well as
the Council of Large Public
Housing Authorities and
the National Association of
Housing and Redevelopment
Officials.
These opportunities to meet in
person are really important for
us to make sure that state and
federal lawmakers in particular
know what funding and policies
we and other housing
authorities need to continue to
support our communities and
that they understand the true
impact inadequate funding has
on our agency stability and
the families we serve as well
as our staff.
We also continue to deliver our
core services providing
affordable housing
opportunities in our community
for families that need them.
This includes supporting
the development of additional
new affordable rental homes
such as the Skyline Development
Skyline celebrated its grand
opening on MARCH 5th.
Affirmed housing developers
property which provided 99
affordable rental apartment
homes for families with very
low income.
It's important to remember that
this new housing stock so we
are adding to our housing
supply which is so critical
with both the tax credit
program and the project freeze
vouchers that we share with
them.
The Housing Commission awarded
30 project based vouchers to
help pay rent for families
earning up to 30% of San
Diego's area median income.
And with the housing authority
approval we also authorized
authorized the issuance of
multifamily housing revenue
bonds for the financing for
Skyline.
It was built on an under
utilized parking lot at
the Metropolitan Transit
Systems Rancho Bernardo Transit
Station.
And a special thank you to
Councilmember Whitman as
the chair of the mta and also
to Councilmember Van Wilpert
whose district includes Skyline
for their support of this
project.
We also think Mayor Gloria and
his staff for their efforts to
make Skyline possible.
Finally, I have some housing
commission leadership updates
to share with you.
After 30 years of exceptional
service to the Housing
commission.
Our deputy ceo Jeff Davis will
be leading us in just under
three weeks.
I have had the privilege of
knowing Jeff as a boss, a
mentor, a colleague and as a
friend and I have deeply
appreciated his leadership
perspective and support
especially during his tenure as
interim PRESIDENT And ceo and
throughout the transition to my
role as ceo where he has been
invaluable support.
His insight and expertise have
been invaluable to our agency
and he has touched many lives
clients, peers, staff at every
level of the organization over
his long tenure.
We will MISS Jeff and we wish
him all the best in his next
adventure.
And as Jeff prepares to depart,
it is my true pleasure to share
with you that I just antiviral
It is now our Chief Operating
officer as well as the center
will ensure ongoing effective
operations across the agency as
well as fiscal stability and
operational compliance for all
our core functions.
As I said, I will also oversee
the rental assistance and
workforce development division
information technology and
property management and asset
management departments.
In addition to my duties as ceo
i will continue to oversee
the policy homelessness
innovations and community
initiatives divisions and will
take on oversight of our real
estate finance and Development
division and communications
department.
After just departure Assistant
will also oversee the financial
services and human resources
departments.
This is not a new position
that's been created for us, he
said.
This is not backfilling her
previous position so she
remains essentially the same
role.
The title change and we're also
not backfilling Jeff's
position.
So this is a consolidation
across those positions.
As I said, I felt for many
years as our executive vice
PRESIDENT Of rental assistance
and workforce development and
has been a key leader in our
executive team.
Taking on her new ceo role is a
natural transition for both her
talent and her expertise.
And I'm very much look forward
to the leadership in insight
and innovation.
As I said, I will provide our
ceo.
Well, that concludes my report
this morning.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you for your work in
difficult decisions on
the presentation this morning.
>> Afternoon.
With that Clark, please proceed
for public comment.
Council PRESIDENT We have
allegedly ordered here if you
can please come up to
the microphone.
After that we have Aaron warm
up if you can Please come to
the other reserved seats and
then the like scene And you can
also come up to the yellow
reserved seats.
We do have quite a number of
speakers so it is one minute.
Please proceed.
I guess when you say f-you to
the federal government they're
going to say a few too and it's
sad that these people had to
get laid off because of your
choices.
I don't know that this program
has ever been succeeding.
As we can see homelessness
rises.
People are not being hurt.
Nobody can afford anything
especially rent.
So when you say you're saying
you have affordable housing,
that's a lie.
It's a complete.
It's funny, right?
Yeah.
You're so funny and you're so
right.
You're not one on the street
having to beg and plead just to
get help, are you?
So it's just up to the council
please.
Yes.
Well and it's like I mean
seriously, how are you going to
put these people in danger of
needing the assistance from
this program Because you're
like we're going to we got help
for you.
You don't because you're not
going to going to be able to
put them in or you will just
like you take illegal
immigrants and you put them
directly into housing When
people that have lived here and
waited for decades should have
gotten it.
So it's your choices that have
led to this and you just waste
our money.
>> Aaron, if you can please
come forward and if
the following individuals can
please raise their hand.
Armando Castaneda please raise
your hand.
Caitlin Bears versus bears and
Mike thank you Pro Martinez You
should shoot Jeanette for us
Mandy Stevens, Yasmeen and
Laura and Katherine Cusick
You'll have nine minutes.
Please proceed.
People standing behind me are
the people that serve our
community of San Diego from
the rental assistance
department Real estate
department and homeless
division.
Also we have people online as
well that couldn't be here
present and also people that
can be present in the meeting
because their work doesn't
stop.
My name is Aaron.
One is a proud seiu member I'm
serving as the chapter
PRESIDENT For over a year and a
steward for the last four
years.
I also have been an employee at
the Housing Commission for
the last five years in a
homelessness division San Diego
Housing Commission is facing a
financial crisis and has
proposed cuts on employees
compensations, cost of living,
flex credit and performance
incentives totaling about $4.5
million in savings next fiscal
year.
During this process the housing
Commission has respectfully
provided information and
flexible release time allowing
space for collaboration and a
special thanks to the sap Argus
for taking the time for
collaboration and scheduling
and communicating.
We really appreciate it.
However, despite
the collaboration we have not
reached that agreement.
There is also concern about
PRESIDENT Being set to reopen
the mou yearly and doing more
with less consistently.
After multiple attempts to
develop a proposal that that
support represents not
represented in management
staff, the Housing Commission
has made it clear that we must
focus on represented employees
only represented staff does pay
the dues and they make these
agreements possible.
If you review the material that
I was able to provide at
the bottom chart I know if you
guys have if you don't it kind
of breaks down our proposal
You'll see our proposal So
generate a significant savings
for the agency.
We understand that sacrifices
are necessary which is why seiu
has proposed freezing
the performance incentive an
annual proposal saving
approximately $2.15 million.
However, we are not willing to
sacrifice cost of living and
flex credit increases for
represented staff.
We have a petition with a high
majority of members that do not
agree what is happening while
vp's and above have chosen to
take their not taken their cola
an incentive It's a softer blow
for them.
These are individuals earning
over 200,000 annually receiving
guaranteed incentives like car
allowance and up to 20% more in
flex credits than many
frontline workers.
That's the chart in the middle.
Given the breakdown of all
the flex credits, the total
contractual cola and flex
credit obligation is about 2.4
million under our proposal call
it would be reserved for
representing staff only while
flex credit increases would
support the agency as a whole,
this proposal will cost 661,659
instead of the 2.4 million.
We've also proposed
the additional 3% increase for
full time onsite workers who
are paid less.
This cost would be about
127,450 which is less than
$179,040 spent on car allowance
for executives.
This fiscal year.
We also suggested multiple zero
cost benefits that could
relieve the reduction in pay
for workers although it was on
a budget although our proposal
say as a proxy $3.75 million
$3.75 million.
Yet the Housing Commission has
maintained its position that a
full 4.5 million must come from
these cuts.
We strongly believe it is not
the responsibility of
the frontline workers to
address the Housing
Commission's projected $23.5
million deficit by the end of
next fiscal year.
Recently the Housing Commission
has made the difficult decision
to lay off 33 employees.
Two weeks ago, three weeks ago
about 30% were management while
the remaining were largely
non-management roles.
In one case the G.M. Academy
was reduced to just five
frontline employees who are
expect to deserve approximately
800 applicants in JULY under
the new Path to Success
program.
So the question is how can five
workers provide a level of
person center service Our
communities serves?
We are being asked to do more
now with less but with
significantly less.
We remain committed to working
collaboratively with
the Housing Commission
leadership to find solutions
that are equitable, sustainable
and truly centered on
the people we serve and
the people that do the work.
I thank you for all your time.
>> Thank you.
That does And we have Dave
Langston as well.
>> Okay.
Good afternoon.
I'm Dave Langston from us.
How are you?
2 to 1.
Eric said most of it so I just
want to amplify it.
Our PRESIDENT Chris Irving is
traveling but just want to
emphasize I'm in addition to
the employees that you've heard
from here our 14,000 members in
the region and the communities
we work with stand behind these
workers, stand behind
the important services that
they do And again want to
acknowledge Lisa and the team
working collaborating with us
in a very difficult
circumstances by all accounts.
But as you've heard here, we
think there's more work to do
that's honoring the work of our
frontline employees and getting
to an agreement that continues
the important work in a
difficult environment.
And one more piece that I want
to share for historical
reasons.
There are a number of folks
that were in those 33 layoffs
that are frontline workers that
do not happen to be represented
by seiu.
So we can kind of get you that
data and they have it as well.
So again, there's sort of
management and of course we
don't celebrate any layoff but
the importance of kind of
preserving the frontline
workers in terms of
the staffing and in terms of
the benefits.
Thank you.
The five minute timer has
started and one of those
participating remotely starting
with 8700 If you can please
unmute It is 700 sorry six
You'll have a minute.
There you go.
Thank you so much.
Sorry about that.
The cd3 items for my comment
and I'm going to save this one
minute.
First of all I didn't fill out
this one.
I am over the moon thrilled by
the change in title four as you
see now to see the oh congrats
your nation She's a phenomenal
human being and leader and I'm
just thrilled for her and for
all of us in San Diego.
Okay.
Yes.
What's happening here is
perfect because it's an example
of uncertain times.
We have to follow this.
This is what's going to happen.
This is what is happening.
Let's not make it be just
person centered.
It has to be family centered.
We have to have that.
The family has to come to
the kitchen.
Sit around the table and try to
figure this out together.
I don't know what's going to be
your time.
>> It's concluded so eight
eight, one three and then after
that as a buyer pick 113 please
And you Okay Come Swallow Here
.
So you okay?
Isn't it something that with
all these agencies under
the government umbrella we
still have people living in
their cars and on the streets
with all the funding, all
the programs, all
the departments Nothing is
being resolved.
In fact, it's getting worse.
And now we're hearing that
you're even losing your own
staff.
I mean I don't mean to laugh
but that just adds to my
point.
So if the system isn't stable
enough to retain the people
working inside it, how is it
supposed to stabilize
the people?
It's meant to help.
So what we're seeing is
solutions and more management
of crisis that never seems to
end.
Meeting minutes reports While
real people are outside trying
to survive.
So again with all these
resources, all the purple
shirts, why are people still on
the street and how is this
system expected to work when
even your own staff can't be
kept?
Oh my GOD.
Thank you.
Never didn't wake up.
Your time has concluded.
Next is Blaire Beekman You can
please on mute After that is
Robin.
>> All right.
Thank you.
Where Beekman.
Yeah.
Important lessons I've learned
from public comment.
Good luck that we can continue
to really work towards truly
affordable housing.
I think it's possible and we
just have to be really adamant
and hopeful and knowing that
it's a good thing and want to
work towards it.
Good luck on those efforts.
>> Really sad You've had to cut
33 people from the staff here
and that I don't quite know how
it's related to the city of San
Diego issues but in cutting
supervisor positions that's
cutting out middle management
and I hope it is successful.
It's sad.
Thank you.
From the clarifications from
LaCava he wants to talk more
about upper echelon Are people
cut off from city government
middle management This is
middle management being cut so
good luck to this.
This can work and I'm sorry
it's happened.
You've offered good
compensation packages.
>> You've tried.
Thank you for your efforts.
Thank you.
Next is Robin If you can please
unmute after Robin is seven for
99 and then for Francine
Maxwell Those are our final
speakers.
Please proceed.
>> Did you call Robin Davidoff?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Okay.
I'm Robin Davidoff.
I'm Sierra Club Society chair.
There are 51 days from
the start of the 2026 Robin
Robin Yes This is actually
housing authority.
We haven't started Not a
general public comment yet.
Got it.
Thank you.
>> We'll come back to you 7499
If you can please unmute Bob
because I ski here whenever I
hear about issues affecting
the city due to shortages of
just a few million dollars here
or there, I can't help but
remember that the Torrey Pines
glider port has been documented
as bringing in approximately
$1.4 million every year from
over a decade ago through this
very day and virtually none of
that money is going to this
city even though the business
could not exist without using
the city's land.
So when people hear our
speeches about
the mismanagement of the Torrey
Pines glider port, remember
that this kind of mismanagement
affects everyone in this city.
It's all connected.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
And Francine Maxwell is our
final speaker.
Please unmute.
>> Thank you.
Francine Maxwell Southeastern
San Diego I was unable to speak
earlier in the week when you
had the Jeff Davis day.
We are at a a joyful time for
Jeff Davis to go away.
He was approving illegal rent
increases under the law section
eight landlords were not
complying with the rent
increases law and he was
consistently approving.
So when everyone sits on
the diocese and continues to
give each other cuddles and
pats on the back lawsuits under
Jeff Davis none of those were
in in the proclamation that was
stated We have to call out what
was done.
Everything is not cookie cutter
everything was not roses with
him And we look forward to
working with the new ceo and
making sure things are done in
decency and order.
Thank you so much for allowing
me to speak.
>> Thank you.
That was all the color on each
one.
All right.
Thank you, City clerk As a
reminder, this is an
informational item and no
motion is required But we'll
turn it over to agency members
for questions and comments And
we'll start with Councilmember
Ellenberger.
Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
Thank you, Lisa as always for
for the update.
Definitely appreciate that.
The update the transparency on
the difficult decisions that
you and your leadership team
have had to make to address
the structural deficit that
the Housing commission is
facing.
I do think it's important that
we to bunk some myths that were
stated here today and our
commonly stated Is it true that
undocumented immigrants are
ineligible for Section eight
housing vouchers?
Most undocumented immigrants
are ineligible for Section
eight housing vouchers?
>> That's correct.
Well, they are They are
ineligible And we can only we
can only subsidize either
citizens or eligible immigrants
according to the federal
definition.
Correct.
I just think that that's
important to know.
So that's that's the those are
the facts And it is also true
that we would be in a better
position if there were local
dedicated funds that
the Housing commission could
depend on a regular basis and
would make us less vulnerable
to the whims of the federal
government.
And nonetheless I you're
addressing the problem as it's
presented to you.
You're trying to get ahead of
other problems that you are
anticipating coming to
the housing Commission And
that's all done in service of
protecting the immediate and
long term services that
residents depend on.
And so thank you for that.
I do want to say how important
I think it is for
the Commission to continue to
work with our frontline workers
to make sure that they know
that the solutions that they're
being offered are given serious
consideration and as well as
that any concerns that they
raise about the impacts of
proposals that they receive
that on the ground front line
experience also brings with it
expertise and a intimate
understanding of what decisions
will mean both for the services
that are delivered and in
the lives of of of the workers
And that's super important
needs to step right and center.
So I know we've had that
conversation before.
I know you've made significant
efforts to make sure that
the line of communication is
open with our frontline workers
and I strongly encourage for
that to that effort to be
maintained.
It's just again critically
important both for the lives of
our workers and for the our
ability to deliver services to
these folks know what impacts
will be felt when changes are
made.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Please if
you'd like to respond by all
means.
Thank you, Councilmember And I
just I hear your comments and I
also just want to acknowledge
the staff and seiu that are
here today And thank you, Erin
for making the time.
I I feel like we are working
collaboratively and we MAY not
be where we need to be yet and
we can't say much because we're
in negotiations but but I
respect and appreciate how
we're working together and and
the desire of both you and many
other staff in seiu to show up
today.
Thank you.
>> All right.
Thank you.
Council member Ella Rivera.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Weprin.
Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
Thank you, MS..
Jones for this update.
Appreciate the latest on
the Housing Commission's
financial challenges and
the steps that you've been
taking to address them.
You have shared with me how
difficult this has been and I
appreciate the seiu members who
work at the Housing Commission
who joined us to share how
these challenges are impacting
you and your colleagues.
I'm glad to hear that there is
collaboration, that there is
dialog here and try to figure
out a fair agreement for f y 27
And while doe represented
employees lost their jobs last
But I appreciate you making
the point that the loss of
frontline workers represented
or not impacts other workers
who are represented.
And lastly I just want to thank
you for the work that you do as
the representative for District
three.
A lot of the people who you
help are here in my district
housed or unhoused.
It is hard work but know that
it is very much appreciated So
thank you.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT
Thank you Council member
Whitburn We'll go next to
Council member Campbell Thank
you.
>> Council PRESIDENT Lisa thank
you for your report.
These are tough times amount of
ever question about the amount
of people who will be made
homeless if the federal
government continues to not
send us what we're supposed to
have.
>> And so based on our current
estimates we are supporting
about 1700 more families on our
program today than we are
actually receiving funding for.
That's based on our funding
estimates right now from
the emergency housing voucher
standpoint, Those vouchers we
have about 390 families in that
program Still that funding also
is anticipated to end around
OCTOBER.
So that's separate from
the 1700 households that we're
supporting today that we're not
getting sufficient funding for
so that families are.
Yes, I'm trying to add this
real quick that 2090 almost
2100 households how many people
would that generally be on
average our household size is
around three just under three
person per household.
So you can almost triple that
as a as a broad estimate.
So about 66,000 6000 people
your 6270 people or thereabouts
And actually homelessness has
been decreasing in the city in
the past year maybe even year
and a half and a great deal of
the housing of those who are
who are unable to afford
housing otherwise has been due
to the Housing Commission who
amazingly have housed so many
people with so little money
that they have to work with and
so I just want to tell you how
much I appreciate you and your
staff and your front line
workers being willing to
squeeze those pennies and do as
much as you can to help our our
fellow citizens to be housed.
And I hope that in the future
we're able to continue to help
people who need our help.
A lot of these are working
people who are still able to
work but not able to make a
large amount of money And then
a lot of these people are
disabled and absolutely cannot
work.
So they have to be have to have
some help and that's okay.
That's what we're that's what
we're made for.
That's why we're here is to
help each other So I thank you
very much for everything that
you do And I pray every day
that the federal government
will change its mind and try to
help people who need help.
And I, I, I really I, I feel
like I should share.
I remember the first time we
talked about what was coming I
actually it was actually on
Zoom we had a zoom meeting and
when it was over I turned off
the computer, cried.
It's just heartless and I feel
so bad for the people So you
know we're going to stand up
and do the best we can help
help out and again, that's why
I say that's why GOD made us So
we'll do our best.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Council member Campbell not
seeing anybody else in
the lights So just kind of wrap
up.
Thank you, Lisa for you your
entire team I know how personal
you take this and how committed
you are to the mission of
the Housing commission And
those were very difficult
decisions going forward and to
the good folks from the seiu
that do the work every day And
despite incredible odds against
the work that you do, you show
up to work every day and
continue your efforts to try to
bring some relief and some hope
to folks that are on either
just hopeless or on the verge
of hopelessness And you remain
undaunted though I just can't
even begin to imagine what
the daily work life is like for
you and what you do.
You know nobody is celebrating
.
You MAY might recognize
the tiny victories that
motivate everyone but there is
so much work to do and it's so
challenging And yet year after
year neither the city nor
the state nor the federal
government has ever committed
to sustained funding to do this
work And even the funding that
has been provided is not nearly
enough to meet the challenge in
front of you all on the front
lines the executive team at
the Housing Commission And
actually you know my hope is
not even is so low right now in
terms with the federal
government that they don't
actually move forward with some
of the changes that they have
been talking about because I
just can't even imagine what
that would do and undermine
that good work.
Thank you for the cobbling
together you're able to do to
provide truly affordable
housing affordable to
the individuals who now have a
place to live and close
the door behind them every
night.
It's not nearly enough but
we're grateful for the ones
that are produced.
We appreciate the efforts Your
work to provide new land for
that to happen going forward
and all the other vocational
grants that we get at the state
level that make new projects
like that possible.
So I wish you all the best and
keep fighting the good fight
and let us know how we can be
an asset which I know we can't
be much of one But nevertheless
thank you for taking the time
to come out and telling your
story.
Thank you Lisa for your
willingness to come out and do
your monthly update here.
So with that again this was an
information item and no motions
required.
We will now adjourn the special
meeting of the housing
authority and reconvene as
the city council and we will
now take up non agenda public
comment.
The council members respect and
appreciate the public Some
point and are fully committed
to protecting every
participant's free speech
rights at Council and committee
meetings And with that clerk
please proceed with public
comment.
>> Thank you.
Taking on general public
comment from those that have
not participated recently
starting with Javier Santi So
if you can please come forward
you will have two minutes After
that we have Stephen Prescott,
Anthony Ralphs allegedly order
and Jacob Edwards Then we'll be
moving on to those
participating remotely And
please proceed.
When I start this PRESIDENT
LaCava Council members thank
you all for the service that
you guys provide for our
neighbors our constituents.
My name is Carrier Sandy so I'm
a representative with
the Western States Regional
Council of Carpenters.
It's good to be home.
I've been on an Odyssey for
the past three years and today
I bring a two hour community
The awareness of tax fraud in
the negative impact that it
brings to our communities.
Tax fraud is not a victimless
crime and although it is good
to be home I don't expect for
things to be like this in my
hometown.
But nonetheless things happen
and I refuse to believe that
San Diego is missing leaders
because I know the majority of
you on this board has done
everything in their power to do
their constituents right.
And so thank you for that.
But when we talk about funding,
let's not forget that in
the construction industry there
is ten billions $10 billion
that goes unaccounted for,
unaccounted for and those are
dollars that pertain to our
communities.
Our children's schools are
homeless programs, Our first
responders, our officers that
were here this morning, our
fire departments.
There is a lot more that we
could do And to be honest and
just blunt you guys know that
the carpenters union Local 619
has always stayed vigilant.
We live by our seal.
We are the police in our
industry and our construction
sites and we are ready to put
boot to rear end for these
criminal contractors because it
is unfair that the men and
women that build our skylines
have to endure tax fraud that
our communities suffer because
there is criminal contractors
that feel that they're able to
operate, that they're able to
operate lawlessly.
>> And so there is things that
we could do collaboratively.
>> And with that I, I just want
to say thank you for that
concluding comment.
Stephen Prescott Thank you very
much.
Stephen Prescott City Resident.
I really appreciate all
the service and the good work
you do and really appreciate
everybody here and
the comments.
This is what makes democracy
great.
A lot of pain, a lot of pain
between city governments, state
governments, federal
governments Everybody's out of
money.
Just wanted to offer some
ideas.
Being an entrepreneur in
the city and a and a person a
San Diego State graduate with
any kind of degree.
We have America's finest city
here.
That's what we talk about.
And when you travel around
the country everybody agrees
You go to Oklahoma, you go to
the Midwest, everybody agrees
we still have even though
the city is making great
strides in downtown San Diego,
we still have a lot of problems
in downtown.
It's still considered gritty
for various reasons and one of
the things if we can become
America's cleanest city and
advertise that and we can do
that through other programs
that might be more citizen led
like private contracts that are
benchmarked by third party
organizations to make us
America's cleanest city And we
start advertising that all of a
sudden we're going to get
people coming back to downtown.
All of a sudden we're going to
get more tourists in downtown
staying at the hotels, paying
more hotel taxes to fill
the city's budget gaps.
The other thing we do have
assets in this city Council
PRESIDENT Joe LaCava said.
We like to be an asset.
We do have assets in the city.
We have wonderful assets.
One of those is Marina Village.
It was not put on the city's
auction block or lease
the lease rfp process.
Marina Village is a wonderful
asset.
The city doesn't have to spend
any money on that.
Private developers can come
take that over, pay the city
money to redevelop that asset,
that asset.
And then also we have a parking
situation's Parking has been
tried and true or tried and
tested over Above all Balboa
Park with mixed results.
However, other municipalities
have implemented parking.
>> Thank you for that
concluding comment.
Anthony Ross.
>> Good morning Council.
How are you doing today?
I just wanted to share some
things from Plato's Republic.
It's the dialog that Socrates
is having with on.
And the reason why I wanted to
share it is because we're
backtracking a little bit.
It was a class that I took last
semester.
I'm a student and it was a
philosophy of justice class And
yesterday when we had
the meeting about the or
the with the presentation that
was given by d there was so
much in policing and
the attitude in policing goes
to apprehending criminals and
goes to the physical aspect and
there is not enough regard to
the components that are
intellectual that are have to
deal with knowledge and they
have to deal with sociology
that have to do with psychology
.
I Googled yesterday what
the requirements are to join
the study and I learned that
one is not required to have
more than a high school diploma
or a ged.
I did see that there are
positions that are offered in
leadership if one has a degree
in sociology and psychology And
I do think that that's
something that we really need
to emphasize with our police
force is a more comprehensive
training.
I'm concerned that a lot of
the training that is given to
the police force goes towards
funding for swat vehicles, more
armament, more weapons And
that's not what is necessarily
needed when we go into
communities that are struggling
just to put food on the table,
They don't need like like I
think it was Maxine Walters who
said in public comment
yesterday she said we need more
women on the force.
We need more people of color on
the force because that enables
people in these communities of
color people in these
underrepresented communities to
feel like they have a
connection to the people that
are coming into their
communities for whatever reason
or for whatever purpose.
And I don't know I only have 15
seconds left so I guess I'll
have to save the reading for
another time But to be
continued I guess And thank you
for your time.
>> Thank you.
Allegedly Andre After that will
be Jacob Edwards.
>> The devil is always in
the details Socialist Shaun I'm
not talking about just heard
you wanted to, you know, brush
things under the rug.
But let's be real here most
right I mean all Yeah exactly.
It is interesting speaking
about the devil and say
the synagogue of Satan that has
occupied our nation.
I'm wondering if it's anti
Semitic to say that Israel has
occupied our nation.
Is it anti Semitic to say that
pedophilia is a problem when we
have people like Scott Wiener
who rapes children?
Is that anti Semitism?
I'm wondering if saying that
Jewish Family Services
trafficked children, men and
women across our border and
lost a bunch of children.
Right.
Is that I'm wondering if you
know talking about Israel being
created by the Rothschilds in
1948 and it being the synagogue
of Satan I'm wondering if that
is is it anti Semitic to talk
about the Talmud and how it
talks about having sex with
children um or that rabbis like
to copulate young boys who have
been circumcised Is that anti
Semitic?
I'm wondering when we're going
to actually address the thing
because this is not a general
public comment Anti Semitism is
on the afternoons I know but
you're talking about
anti-Semitism involved.
Okay, that's fine But you can
speak this afternoon during
that item.
Okay.
Talk about non agenda things
that are not on today's agenda
You're talking about anti
Semitism.
You said it several times.
Okay.
Finish your comments.
Okay.
So I'm just it's interesting
that people will care about
certain things like that But we
allow children to be abused
like this and everybody wants
to brush it under the rug.
San Diego has a huge problem
with pedophilia And why is it
that you want to silence me on
that?
>> That's very interesting
because you want to pretend
that it's like because we have
another item about that now you
just don't want to hear
the truth about what's being
done to children that you guys
all support.
What happened to the children
that were at the convention
center?
>> Okay.
You guys know they were
trafficked.
Even people that were working
there know that It is very
disturbing to see the way you
guys do things.
>> Your devil's in the details
.
>> Jacob Edwards I got to say
with that last speaker Wow.
Let me start by saying thank
you for the kind of work you do
for the city of San Diego and
serve.
Thank you, COUNCILMAN, for your
recognition of the divisiveness
federal activity is causing And
I have shared with city council
events on the East Coast that
led to some things that have
seriously affected our country
.
I've shared with you a little
bit what I've gone through with
my family.
I've shared with you and
attempted assassination against
me.
I don't stand in front of you
share and you do things to to
come down on you to come down
the city of San Diego.
I share them with you to bring
them to your attention through
being victimized, terrorized
and some sense thoughts.
I'm fully aware of what our
federal government and agencies
are up to and it's for who's in
the driver's seat.
I know how they are
The fiercely using grant money
with conditions behind
the grant money Very
concerning.
You know how they're running
Grant money through mayors
offices and ways of hijacking
cities.
I know how they're using
homeless people with promises
of housing jobs to be put up to
do concerning things.
I know how they're using early
release inmates with conditions
at their early release.
Very concerning.
So I know an awful lot when I
discussed what I went through
at the front door City Hall to
stay safe was very real the way
it was handled by the police
department I consider that
country and with the.
>> Thank you for that
concluding comment That does
conclude your time with that
does conclude your time.
We have five minutes on
the timer for those
participating remotely.
We currently have six sorry
eight speakers in the queue.
Kathleen Lippert, if you can
please raise your hand after
that is Robin.
Thank you.
>> City Council County
commented on tourists Tourists
come from all over the world to
the city of San Diego and they
are critical source of city
revenues.
But a drive from Mission Valley
to the airport or the seat of
our own city government along
main streets of downtown is a
should be a source of shame.
The homeless sleeping and
wandering aimlessly in need of
mental health services
billboards that telegraph
the city's tolerance and
acceptance of marijuana
promotions, roadsides and empty
lots littered with trash
buildings adjoining them
becoming canvases from graffiti
and gang slogans.
These are red flags that
the city's policies are
worsening not not ameliorating
the problems that plague our
city.
>> It's a waste of human
potential to see these people
that otherwise might be doing
well And it shows a lack of
concern and commitment to a
city standard that should be
recognized.
Clean streets are essential for
public health, environmental
protection and community pride.
They prevent clog storm drains,
reduce maintenance costs and
otherwise unnecessarily flooded
flooded related repairs And it
shows a lack of gratitude and
appreciation for once Well once
a beautiful city with a
standard that reflected a
commitment to the health and
well-being of its residents and
the land that it occupies it
hardly makes sense for the city
to blame the federal government
for failing to provide
the funds necessary to address
the increasing number of
homeless in need of mental
health services and drug
treatment.
When the city flaunted that
standard that recognized
the potential of public harm
that would come from embracing
a four profit predatory third
drug industry after tobacco and
alcohol you need to recognize
your own and what contributions
Thank you for that kind friends
your time.
Robin if you can please join me
after Robin is Ernie Casca
Hello I'm Robin Davidoff Sierra
Club's Seal Society chair.
There are 51 days from
the start of the 2026 sea lion
puppy season at Point La Hoya
and La Hoya Cove.
Our mission is zero Sea lion
pup Deaths caused by unsafe
human wildlife encounters at
the Cove La Hoya Cove was just
ranked number one beach in
the United States by
TripAdvisor with over 50% of
the votes mentioning the sea
lions This creates I love it to
death scenario Increased
tourism is bringing
unprecedented management
challenges to keep people and
wildlife apart.
We've presented our concerns to
the California Coastal
Commission every month over
the past year and their members
have been overwhelmingly
supportive of our proposed
solutions.
Commissioner o'Malley
emphasized that city Rangers
must be present at the cove on
the beach.
And Commissioner Jackson called
the use of signs, cones and
tape to separate people from
wildlife common sense while
Rangers presence at the Cove
has increased and they're
making announcements, it's not
quite enough to handle
the upcoming summer crowds to
protect both the public and
the wildlife.
We are asking the City Council
to authorize the following
Commissioner approved actions
through the modification at
the long term management plan
Assign rangers to manage crowds
on the beach with a-frame signs
on the beach to serve as a
viewing guideline to stay
behind place cones and tape to
create temporary buffers around
sea lion pups and injured
animals.
And this is done in L.A. County
and Del Mar and other places
along the coast temporarily
closed the gate on the western
stairs when sea lions are
resting on them.
And public access would remain
open on the eastern stairs and
install signage with pictures
with a 20 foot distance from
the sea lions.
We have 51 days to ensure that
the 2026 season is a success
for San Diego and its wildlife
.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Next is Ernie Casco.
If you can please unmute After
that is back you wrap.
Thank you.
Ernie Casco, Illinois resident
senior pilot at Torrey Pines
Glider Part I reported serious
allegations going on at
the glider port to sd pd
the real estate assets
department and directly to your
office Joe LaCava Where are
the police reports?
Council Member Foster There are
laws to protect public rights
that stop this injustice
immediately.
I am completely under threat of
violence.
How dangerous is your
leaseholder This is a workplace
violence wrongful termination,
workman's comp case negligent
homicide, attempted murder case
and assault over the death of a
pilot for speaking out in
retaliation Your leaseholders
switched my ring that collapsed
in mid-flight.
That is attempted murder.
I crashed on a rooftop.
My home is invaded twice my
life threatening the park
parking lot gangster style and
under the influence employees
screwed up my launch totally my
glider breaking my pelvis.
I was threatening by an
employee mass sales and
poisoned with a deadly
biohazard combo.
Now I'm dying with stage four
Cancer disabled for life and
you are liable for it.
This is an ongoing hate crime
that needs to stop.
No citizen should have their
life threatened or die over
the commercialization of a
park.
It's time to stop the crime
With the permanent
reinstatement of Torrey Pines
Glider port advisory board and
an immediate halt and
implementation of the San Diego
recreational waiver.
It's time to do your job
Address the victims and
witnesses who have been damaged
by a negligent glider port
operation.
It's a win for city council
liabilities restores our
recreation rights and freedoms
for years to come and it shows
badly needed responsible city
park management management.
Joe LaCava Which you don't have
time to step up to the plate
and do your job.
Stop the crime at Torrey Pines
Glider port Thank you.
Next is Becky Wrap.
>> The five minute timer has
also concluded there are six
people in the queue.
No additional speakers will be
taken by grab Please continue
after that is 81 three.
>> Great.
Good evening My name are Good
afternoon.
My name is Becky Roth and I'm
here out of concern regarding
intoxicating hemp products and
flavored vapes that continue to
be sold in our city recently
Assembly Bill eight went into
effect a law that closes a
dangerous loophole preventing
intoxicating hemp derived
products such as Delta eight
and other synthetic thc
products from being sold in our
city.
These products are untested,
mislabeled and easily
accessible to youth and smoke
shops, convenience stores and
and vape retailers.
Despite the law we continue to
see these products on shelves
since enforcement is seriously
lacking.
Last week in Oceanside
authorities seized over 100
pounds of these illegal
products.
This multi-agency effort
involved the Drug Enforcement
Administration and it
highlights the scale of
the problem and the level of
enforcement that's required to
address it.
>> These same types of products
are being sold right here in
San Diego and many retailers
continue to ignore the law
passing 88 was an important
step but without enforcement
it's just words on paper.
I urge this council to act by
confiscating illegal products,
issuing fines and collecting on
those fines for repeat
offenders.
License suspension or
revocation would also send a
strong message that San Diego
will not tolerate illegal
sales.
This is a public health a
public safety issue and it
requires immediate attention.
Please prioritize enforcement
and uphold the law.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
>> Next is a13 after that is
8700.
Okay then follow here.
So I just want to say how
forward you on the dais have
the people Campbell the ones
barely paying attention,
the union slaves that lick
the boots of government they've
been so programed they can't
think outside the box.
They don't even know there's a
freaking box People have become
so addicted to trauma, so
desensitized to suffering of
others They that they scroll
past it, walk past it and
normalize it.
Their minds have been hijacked.
It truly is an Orwellian
dystopian nightmare And as I've
mentioned before this local
government does not work for
the people.
It does not truly care about
resolving issues because that's
not the job.
It's not lucrative.
There's no profit in solving
problems.
There is no expansion of
control and empowered
self-sufficient people.
So instead what do we see a
system designed to keep people
believing in it, believing in
the illusion that they cannot
manage themselves, they need
permission.
They need oversight.
They need government to survive
And over time that conditioning
has worked to the point where
human beings have actually
forgotten how to feed
themselves, how to plant, grow
and harvest real food,
completely disconnect that from
their own ability to live, to
sustain, to thrive entirely
dependent And that dependance
is not on accident.
It's not by accident.
It's by design.
So yes, I look forward to
the day people wake up wake up
to the fraud, the waste and
the absolute abuse coming from
this local government because
it's a matter of time.
You're you are anything but
transparent, anything but
equitable, anything but
trustworthy.
And until people start
questioning that deeply, this
cycle will continue.
But that awakening is coming
And when it does everything
changes.
And to MR. Ernie another
trillion dollar lucrative
business is cancer.
So there are so many things
that you can tell your brother
included 8700 if you can please
unmute after that is zoom user
8700 star six turn me There you
go Yeah City Clerk I apologize
And it's a little sticky with
my phone right now I'm sorry
Joy to see the three again.
I threw out my comments.
Councilmember Foster the third
year at the top of my list
because you belong there You
said once again I come from a
place of love And you're also
the chair of a budget and
government efficiency committee
.
Thank you for that.
We're going to need you this
cycle And so I'm going to try
my best to overlay I come from
a place of love each time I
speak and each time I find
myself judging others I do so
I'll just say this tomorrow If
you were rules and I was going
to continue my second half my
comments today on the pension
item from the article I'll
start that tomorrow probably
because I don't feel
comfortable about addressing it
right now.
I'm going to certainly have to
use love when I speak of when
I'm going to speak with on
the pension items So thank you
for being there for us today.
It's not a perfect or stumbling
together.
We have to be one family not
just one person centered but
one family centered.
That's the way we're going to
makes it great.
Thank you for listening.
I love all of you.
Thank you for that concluding
remark.
Zoom user if you can please And
you after that is Blair Big Ben
and then 7499 Please proceed.
>> Thanks for taking my calls,
Hector Hey, I want to talk
about city making some long
term money over the long term.
I was out ride my bike around
Mission Bay this morning and I
went around Danza Cole and
the Danza old trailer park.
It's still empty right on
the water there It's a piece of
vacant land.
It's been vacant for like 10 or
15 years just kind of sitting
there and you look at the palm
trees are like 60ft high.
The Hilton could build a nice
resort right there And we could
the city could lease it to them
for 50 years, 40 years, let
them build it or another group
.
We've got to get going on that.
So long term revenue for all
the city.
Now when you go across in
the golf course the city had a
restaurant there for a long
time and had been vacant for
like 15 years.
Nobody could buy a burger in
there and now they're just
going to open up one just this
next month a new breweries open
it up at a city owned place
they leased out to the brewery
but it took the city 15 years
to build it.
It's only like 2000ft So we
don't want to build the hotels.
We don't want to build nothing.
We want to lease the property
and collect the payments And
then you know, I think that
would be like what we did on
the golf course and total waste
of us building it Now we lose 2
million or something but we got
to look for sources of revenue
other than charging as parking
and no parking at the beach.
Don't put it on the agenda.
That's like an abomination.
Don't even think about it.
Okay so have a good day Ever.
Next speaker is Blair Beekman
if you can please And you after
that is 7499.
And then our final Speaker 7234
please.
All right.
Thank you.
Blair Pittman To better clarify
my my previous public comments
from consent and better
understanding for the Rancho
Bernardo Park issues, it's
asking for grant funding money
$2.5 million.
It's a grant fund.
Ask.
I thought you were being
granted that money already.
I'm sorry.
I hope that clarification can
help.
Thank you for the words.
A Joyce is not a pigeon zero
item Yesterday we had I spoke
that we need to be learning
the importance of what
the individual can understand
to build the future of how to
understand a speed limit
designs and stuff to reduce
speeds and it's from that
individual effort comes
the connection with other
people the community that it is
a good thing and that we are
doing a good thing And the work
with tech accountability I
think can really lend itself to
options people have that they
can have a voice in the process
and that we can be doing this
together And I think those
those things are so important
that we don't feel like totally
helpless.
This community we don't have
any choices and working within
zero like that that
the community has choices to
work together.
You know to build a better
community is one thing.
How we do that together good
luck in those efforts.
So with that said, Tony, we
offered public comment today.
Thank you.
I think the future of we can be
addressing flux still possibly
I've described Oakland has made
compromise ways to in the next
two years slowly leave block
and in that time look for a new
vendor We can be doing that
same sort of work in San Diego
and working towards best
principles in this time of war.
And that's a new concept.
We're all learning to better do
it.
>> It's a fragile time.
Good luck.
We can still talk about peace
and open Your talk has
concluded 7499 and then 7234 is
after that.
>> So 49 pumpkins you see here
Yesterday I showed you all part
of the city council video from
DECEMBER 7th 2010 After my
presentation we all watched
newly elected COUNCILWOMAN
Laurie Zepp enthusiastically
tell of her husband being a
hang glider pilot and that she
was interested in the interest
in the issue of the Torrey
Pines glider port.
Unfortunately, we also watched
Sherri Lightner shut her down
saying quote Our office will
talk to your office and quote
the issue as well And had those
statements are on the record
now what kind of backroom
corruption is that?
What did Sherry like her office
say to Lori's office that shut
Lori's app down for eight
years?
In her entire eight years on
the city council, Lori's never
mentioned the glider port
again.
Not what buoys out refused all
meetings by those of us trying
to reform the glider port Again
for all of her eight years.
What is going on in this city
that an enthusiastic young
COUNCILWOMAN Is shut down on
The one issue where she is more
of an expert than practically
anyone else in this entire
city.
There's something really rotten
going on at that glider board
and Joe LaCava surely knows
the same dirty little secret
that shut Lori down for eight
years.
So the corruption continues
with regard to the missing
picture of PRESIDENT Trump,
the San Diego City Council
chambers have respectfully
displayed a picture of
the current PRESIDENT For
decades the presidential
picture was displayed for all
presidents from both sides of
the aisle for all of those
decades.
Yesterday Councilmember Emilio
Rivera showed his disrespect
for the United States by
admitting that the presidential
picture was removed under his
council presidency.
However, Council member Enos
Rivera's disrespect for our
country does not justify
current council PRESIDENT
LaCava carrying on with that
same disrespect but restore
the tradition of respecting
the presidency of our nation
regardless of your own petty
Partizanship and implemented
Torrey Pines waiver and
reactivate the Torrey Pines
City Park Advisory Board.
>> Thank you.
Our final speaker is 7234.
73 for economy for you You
should have heard I your
instructions to our six and you
Can you hear me?
Yes Please proceed.
Hi Good afternoon City Council
and Happy Patrick's Day.
My name is Mary Skelly.
I'm a parent and public health
educator and a city planning to
remember when reviewing air
quality in the city of San
Diego and the role of tobacco
related disease and death in
it.
It is very important to address
disparities The overall
conclusion that tobacco takes a
higher toll unless the Village
People is not new but needs to
be carefully regarded when
policies regarding smoking and
vaping are considered Here in
San Diego.
Stan Glantz, faculty member at
the University of California
San Francisco School of
Medicine in the Division of
Cardiology, stated and I quote
It is important to recognize
the growing number of cannabis
in undermining tobacco control
and contributing to health
disparities.
So given the prevalence of
tobacco and cannabis co use in
youth and young adults and
the socio economic and health
disparities associated with
chronic or daily use of
marijuana tobacco use which is
of grave concern for public
health educators who work on
behalf of 18 to 30 year olds
and those of us who are parents
of that age group protecting
all city residents from
exposure to secondhand tobacco
and cannabis smoke in all
indoor and outdoor settings
should be a priority.
Reducing the availability and
advertised related to tobacco
and marijuana should be a
priority in our city and spring
2026 would be the best time for
a city to consider an emergency
ban of marijuana and tobacco
smoking and vaping in all
public spaces.
Thank you for hearing my
concern this afternoon.
>> Thank you.
That concludes our agenda
Public comment for today's
meeting.
All right.
Thank you, City Clerk.
And just for the record,
the individual that spoke
yesterday was Francine Maxwell,
not Maxine Waters.
With that we will now adjourn
for the noon recess and
reconvene in open session at 2
And
Marco Espinosa.
>> Marco Espinosa.
Please come to the front please
.
And we're not ready to start
the meeting.
We need at least five council
members to be up here.
>> I did want to say thank you
to those that are holding signs
that you're either in the back
row or on the side.
We really try to make sure that
everybody has a clear view to
the city council.
So thank you for taking those
those positions and I'll be
reading Disruption Language and
how we deal with that But want
to wait until we have at least
five council members to get
started.
The item that I think most of
you are here for is actually
the second item we're going to
hear this afternoon.
We have an important item
regarding Barrio Logan that
we'll hear first and deal with
the staging.
>> Can Dave Angle or and Ryan
can please come up to the front
Dave Angle and Ryan Kohn please
come up to the front.
Okay
.
Okay.
We are going to get started.
We have actually six of us here
so we'll get this meeting
started.
Good afternoon.
I will now reconvene the city
Council meeting of Tuesday
MARCH 17th, 2026.
Clerk Please call the roll.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
member Campbell Council Member
Whitburn here Council Member
Foster Council Member one will
represent Council PRESIDENT Pro
Tem Lee here Council Member Can
you hear Council Member Moreno
Present Council member Eli
Rivera and Council PRESIDENT
LaCava present Also attending
the meeting our Assistant City
Attorney Michelle Garland
Independent Budget analyst
Charles Moraga Council Affairs
Advisor in the Mayor's office
Code Eisner and myself your
city clerk Diana Fuentes Thank
you Council PRESIDENT Thank
you.
City Clerk Quorum is now
present so we can start
the meeting.
We see a lot of new faces here
in chambers perhaps for
the very first time.
We know there's some passionate
issue on the agenda today.
So before we start today's
meeting I want to remind
everyone about the city's
practices and procedures for
public comment at city council
meetings The city welcomes
public participation at our
City Council meetings, speakers
MAY address the Council during
public comment and also in
connection with a specific item
of business on the agenda.
However, the city must make
sure that no one person or
group of people disrupt
the meeting in a way that
prohibits other speakers from
expressing their ideas and
opinions.
Excessive yelling, screaming or
speaking beyond one's a lot of
time are examples of behavior
that disrupts the meeting.
So to make sure that everyone
here has an opportunity to
address the council I will
alert an individual or
individuals if I think their
conduct becomes disruptive.
If the disruption continues I
will rule the individual out of
order and if the disruption
continues further I will
declare a recess so that we can
restore order.
At this point I will direct
the individual to leave
the room and then
the individual refuses to
leave.
Police will escort
the individual out of
the building.
Do not make me do that, please.
If we have to repeat
the process of warning and
recessing the meeting, all
members of the public will be
excused from the council
chamber Credentialed media will
be allowed to remain.
Once again we have these
practices and procedures to
protect the rights of others
who wish to address the Council
and to allow the Council to
conduct the public's business.
And as I like to add at the end
in a process that I think a
former council members had
there going to be a lot of
passive, you're going to hear
things you really agree with.
You're going to hear things you
really don't agree with And
the best way to communicate
with us without disrupting
the meeting or the people's
ability to speak is to give us
a thumbs up when you hear
things you agree with and of
course the thumbs down if you
hear things that you don't
agree with it is very
effective.
You're very visible during
the course of the meeting And
as people speak and that way we
allow everybody their
opportunity to express their
opinion.
As I mentioned, we have one
item that we first have to
address.
>> Clerk Please introduce item
331.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Item 331 is
the Barrio Logan Community Plan
Amendment and Rezone.
If you're here to speak on this
item please be sure to submit
your speak submit your speaker
slip to the front of the room
in the clear box.
And if you're participating
remotely now's the time to
raise your hand by pressing
Star nine or the raise your
hand icon.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you for introducing
the item staff Please introduce
yourselves for the record and
let us know how much time you
need for your presentation.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
Members Tate Galloway Deputy
Director of City Planning
Department.
I'm joined today by senior
planner Victoria Ortiz also
with the City Planning
Department.
Hello.
>> Hello, my name is Victoria
ts and I'm going to be
presenting on item 331 Barrio
Logan Community Plan amendment
and rezone and we should need
about eight minutes.
All right, when you're ready.
The city council adopted
the Barrio Logan Community Plan
update in DECEMBER 2021.
This item aligned at land uses
with the general plan address
mobility and access to public
spaces provided design guidance
for new development and
celebrated Barrio Logan's arts
and culture.
It also eliminated residential
and industry conflicts through
land use zoning and a
transition zone.
It retained the waterfront
employment role and established
a village with a village area
with housing opportunities.
The Barrio Logan Community Plan
area is also within the coastal
zone.
Following the adoption of
the community plan in 2021,
the community plan was
submitted to the California
Coastal Commission for
Certification in JUNE of 2023.
The California Coastal
Commission conditionally
certified the community plan
with 53 modifications.
The City Council adopted these
modifications in NOVEMBER of
the same year and the Community
plan received final
certification from the Coastal
Commission in DECEMBER of 2023
.
The proposed actions for this
item include an amendment to
the Barrio Logan community Plan
that would correct land use map
errors that occurred with
the 2023 Community Plan
amendment and reasons that
would bring consistency between
land use designations in
the plan and the zones for
parks.
Each of these changes are
technical changes only and are
being brought forward to ensure
alignment with the original
vision of the adopted community
Plan.
The adopted 2021 Barrio Logan
Community Plan for Land Use map
identified various park land
uses adjacent to Interstate
five consistent with the parks
and Recreation Facilities Map.
The land Use map also
designated the area generally
located between 32nd Street
Main Street and Bryant Street
as neighborhood village.
As part of the updated Barrio
Logan Community Plan, the City
Council also adopted a
comprehensive free zone of land
in the Barrio Logan Community
Planning area to implement
the Community plan land use
designations.
Earlier this year City Planning
became aware that Caltrans was
in the process of selling a
property on the western corner
of Boston Avenue and 29th
Street.
This property was designated as
a park and as a part of
the Boston Avenue neighborhood
park that was adopted with
the plan which the plan which
is the plan that guides land
uses within the community.
However, because of an
erroneous commercial zone that
was applied to this property,
there is a potential buyer that
operates car washes regardless
of the erroneous zone.
If the property were sold any
future commercial projects
would still need to be
consistent with the community
plan's park land use because
the parcel is also in
the coastal and the coastal
zone.
Any future development would
also require a coastal
development permit to meet
the findings of a coastal
development permit an amendment
to the community plan that
would be required to allow for
commercial use which city staff
would not support due to its
inconsistency with the planned
park use.
The California Transportation
Commission will be deciding
the final of the property at
its meeting on MARCH 19th.
The city has submitted a letter
to the Commission opposing
the sale of the property.
However, as soon as City
Planning became aware of
the need for these technical
amendments we began processing
the action Before you today to
clean up the errors.
>> The first proposed change
for the Barrio Logan Community
Plan amendment is a technical
amendment that would correct
the land use map errors.
The map on the left shows what
the city Council adopted and
the 2021 Community plan Update.
The map on the right shows what
was adopted with the 2023
amendment to the Community
plan.
The errors occurred during
the adoption of the 2023
Community Plan amendment for
the Coastal Commission's
requested modifications to
the Community Plan for
certification with the local
coastal program.
The errors to be corrected
the error to be corrected is to
apply the park land use to
these properties again.
The amendment would revise
the land use map from the 2023
Community plan as shown on
the left to be the same as
the Land Use map originally
adopted in the 2021 Community
Plan Update.
As shown on the right to make
the current land use map
consistent with land uses
adopted as a part of the 2021
Barrio Logan Community Plan.
The following The following
areas will be read designated
between 29th Street and 32nd
Street on Barton Avenue.
Three acres will be designated
from right of way to park which
is consistent with the current
park zone between Main Street
and Interstate five.
4.2 acres will be read
designated from neighborhood
commercial to park which is
consistent with the current
park zone.
Lastly, between 32nd Street
Main Street and Interstate
five.
4.7 acres will be designated
from neighborhood commercial to
neighborhood village allowing
for potential future
residential development.
This change is consistent with
the current neighborhood
commercial zone.
The proposed reasons would
bring consistency between
the park land use designation
and the base zones of parks
identified in the community
plan.
Land Use map and the Parks and
Recreation Facilities Map.
Chicano Park and a portion of
the Barton Avenue Linear Park
would be rezone to park zones
to be consistent with existing
and planned park uses.
Open Space Park zones are
applied to active public parks
.
The proposed change would
result 13.8 acres of Chicano
park and adjacent street from
community commercial to park
and rezone 1.8 acres of Chicano
park from office commercial to
park.
The land is owned by the city
and Caltrans.
The proposed rezone would not
change the boundaries of
Chicano Park nor would it
affect any existing or future
park uses or operations.
Additionally, the proposed
change would result in the 1.8
acre portion of Boston Avenue
Linear Park designated as a
park in the community plan from
the community commercial to
park zone.
This land is owned by Caltrans
.
This item was presented to
the Barrio Logan Community
Planning Group on February
18th, 2026 and was recommended
for approval to the Council by
a vote of eight yes no nos and
one abstention.
The planning group recommended
that staff meet with
the Chicano Park Steering
Committee prior to the council
hearing.
Staff was unable to meet prior
to today's hearing.
The Chicano Park Steering
Committee members have stated
their concern that the reason
for the Chicano park was not
presented to the committee for
their recommendation and
concerned that the result would
reduce the boundaries of
the park stop it verified that
the boundaries of the park
would remain unchanged.
On FEBRUARY 19th, 2026 this
item was presented to
the Planning Commission who
recommended the Community Plan
amendments and reason for
approval by a vote of four yes
no nos and no abstentions with
one refusal.
The community plan amendments
and rezone are consistent with
the 2021 addendum to the Barrio
Logan Community Plan Update
Program Air or Environmental
Impact Report.
The Community Plan Amendment
reflects what was analyzed in
the 2021 Addendum to the Barrio
Logan Community Plan Update
pdr.
Thus the amendment would not
result in new impacts or
changes to circumstances that
would require a subsequent or a
new year.
Additionally, there is no new
information available that was
not a part of the environmental
document and or considered with
the subsequent review of this
amendment which identifies new
significant effects not
addressed in the previous
document or substantial
increases in the severity of
the previously identified
attacks.
>> Staff recommends to the City
Council approved a resolution
amending the Barrio looking
community plan, general plan
and local coastal program and
approve the ordinance rezoning
1.8 acres from community
commercial 2-3 to open Space
Park 1-1 13.8 acres from
Commercial community 3.6 to
open space 1-1.
And 1.8 acres from commercial
office 2-2 to open space 1-1
within the Barrio Logan
Community Planning area.
>> This concludes
the presentation and staff is
available for questions.
All right.
Thank you for the good work to
bring this forward in
the presentation this
afternoon.
Clerk Please proceed with
public comment.
Thank you MR. PRESIDENT.
I'll start with those that are
here in chambers.
It like could go to a minute
and a half on this item so
allegedly order if you can
please come forward after order
We have Ernest Castaneda if you
can please come forward to
the other reserved seats Then
Marco Espinosa, please proceed
.
>> Yes, I think that we need to
be honest with people as to why
you guys or rezoning all of
these things and why you're
implementing all of these type
of changes because this comes
down from a globalist agenda
The United Nations and them
implementing things like 15
minute cities.
And I think that when you guys
don't acknowledge that because
they the idea is to control
people's movements where we can
go you call them complete
communities but there is a
control happening of all of our
resources and you guys are
giving people again your water
which is sewer water because
you're acting like we don't
have enough water to get
people.
And so when you guys are
implementing these things and
changing this to add parks or
whatever I mean you talk about
air quality, why would you put
that by the freeway if there is
pollution that's coming from
that, is that safe for
the children to be inhaling
those types of fumes and
everything You guys do with
environmental reviews it makes
everything take a very long
time And if we really cared
about getting people into
housing we would get them into
it.
We wouldn't, you know, blame
things on the federal
government as to why you guys
aren't doing your job.
But I think that you need to be
honest with people about
the United Nations Agenda 21
which you guys can go and
educate yourselves on If you're
not But that's what you guys
are pushing and it's very
detrimental to the people And I
think that people need to
understand what's really
happening And you guys thank
you for that concerning
statement.
Next we are going to focusing
on.
Good afternoon Council My name
is I am a field representative
with the Office of a staff
member David Alvarez.
I'm here today on behalf of
Assemblyman Roberts to express
his strong support to
the proposed Bartolone
Community plan amendment and
resume before you.
This item is a critical step in
correcting land use and zoning
errors identified in the 20 to
23 update and in restoring
consistency with the community
plan that this council adopted
in 2021.
These corrections are
especially important for
the better local community as
they ensure that key sites such
as the Boston Avenue Linear
Park and other open space areas
are properly designated and
preserved in alignment with
long standing community
priorities.
In late FEBRUARY,
Assemblymember Alvarez also
submitted a letter to
the California Transportation
Commission opposing
the proposal of the parcel at
2854 Boston Avenue.
Given these same
inconsistencies and the city's
ongoing efforts to correct
them, I would like to briefly
read this letter into
the record.
>> I write to express my deep
concern regarding the proposed
sale of the Caltrans owned
property to supporters at
the intersection of Boston
Avenue and South 39th Street
and by looking as a life long
resident of Logan and an
elected official representing
the community for over ten
years.
I am intimately familiar with
the long standing vision
residents have articulated for
Boston Avenue.
This proposed use of the site
as a car wash runs counter to
that vision and to
the community's clearly
expressed priorities.
It seems I'm going to run out
of time but I respectfully or
just appropriately thank you.
>> Thank you.
We note that after that we have
Julie Corrales If you can
please come up to the other
reserved seats and then Blair
Beekman.
Please proceed.
Hello.
Good afternoon.
My questions are um uh
positions Very well.
Um, I just want to say that I
like the update and after here
I'm gonna go to neighborhood
and walk by and think of what
park like items could be there
their place.
So what is now?
Um, and then from my knowledge
public comment when buildings
are getting built if they could
return to sidewalk sooner um
I'd be nice Thank you.
Thank you, Julie.
Julie you have time ceded it to
you But I think about I think
I'll need a minute.
Okay.
We'll do the minute and a half.
Please proceed.
I want to thank the city for
their quick quick response Upon
discovering the zoning errors
in Logan's Community Plan by
Logan, as you all know is in
the top 5% of the most polluted
communities in our state or
90th percentile of airborne
cancer risk across the nation.
We've been working since APRIL
22nd, 1970 to bring Park Space
to Logan beginning with you got
a park that you're going to
park at the bay also known as a
soft Travis Park.
And since 2018 we've been
working with the city and
Caltrans nhc and community
members to convert the space
along Boston Avenue and
the Five Freeway into a state
of the art park the kind you
see north of eight We're
talking water pads and
scenarios and a didi path
correcting the errors to
the zoning Today ensures that
in perpetuity forever that that
Chicano park will remain a park
and a Mecca for Chicanos all
across the country.
It ensures that no plot
actually on a park or Boston
Avenue was ever sold for
permitted use.
These changes codify
the community's vision for our
neighborhood forever.
So please vote yesterday on
this item and protect by
looking for the next seven
generations.
Thank you Blair Wickman If you
can please come forward.
>> Hi, we're Beakman.
Thank you very much for at
least allowing two minute 30
public comment.
Definitely better than one
minute.
Thank you for the words of
the previous public speaker.
This item was initially
approved adopted by City
Council in 2021 certified by
the Coastal Commission in 2023.
These are rezoning issues that
are just thank you how much
you're working on it and trying
to do good.
I'm interested how the Coastal
Commission process involved
with this can be a good example
for our future environmental
concerns and connecting that
with Barrio Logan issues in
the future.
We're trying to address climate
action overall.
It could be great ways to
better address it and make it a
more accessible subject and to
quickly offer the incredible
importance this park can offer
ourselves for the future and
the tech that will be placed in
the park if it has good open
public practices and policies
and accountability.
If you focus yourselves on
those good concepts it actually
lends and works itself towards
best practices overall for
the future of what we want to
be doing.
So good luck with good
accountability.
Check accountability for
the issues of the park.
And thanks a lot for the site.
Thank you all for the five
minute time We're here in
council chambers going to those
participating remotely.
We currently have seven people
in the queue.
Just as a reminder this is on
the Barrio Logan Amendment.
Janine, if you can please
unmute.
You'll have a minute and a half
or a Logan Amendment.
Sorry this is not the item that
i was going to speak on.
Thank you.
4223 Regarding the broader
Logan amendment for 223 please
unmute Academy four You and
we'll have to move on.
Amy if you can please unmute.
So far Logan Amendment.
Hi everyone Can you hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Council members because I know
that and I'm the associate
director of policy with
the Environmental Coalition
back in the early 20 tens you
see work very closely with
community members to update
the Logan community plan which
is which at the time was one of
the oldest community plans in
the city for extensive
community engagement we're able
to reimagine what a healthy and
thriving Barrio Logan can
become by increasing green
space, establishing a new truck
route and increasing affordable
housing.
And while the plan was put on
the ballot for the entire city
to vote on each seat stood by
our community members and
continue to buy to update
the cpu until the updated back
in 2021.
Today's action will ensure that
this only aligns with community
priorities to increase green
spaces and ensure that we
protect our community from
incoming polluters.
We like to take this
opportunity to things that we
stop at the door, review
the planning department, our
community allies, really good
allies and the of community
land trust for being very
involved in this process This
and many others who have worked
for decades to undo racist
funding policy that has
impacted our community.
We urge the Council to move
forward with this action and
protect the health and
well-being of our Logan
residents.
Thank you.
Panera if you can please
unmute.
After that is in user something
that yeah good afternoon.
So I'm with the woman and no
running and we would like for
this item to be considered for
the steering committee to have
access to all decisions when it
comes to the city since they
are part of the build of
the park.
So that's that's my comment If
you guys could take them for
every step you guys take on
this item I consider them to be
a part of it.
Thank you.
Next is a user If you can
please unmute.
Thanks for taking my call
Hector here And so he's been
abusing my 72 years of city.
He's been abusing Barrio Logan
since I was born.
He never asked for nothing put
in all this weird stuff in our
communities We should need all
the city land to Barrio Logan.
Maybe they can get their own
mayor on land use Barrio Logan
Mayor determines the land use
of single and property and get
the Coastal Commission out of
it.
Just blow them up.
That's like white supremacy to
the max.
The Coastal Commission is
nothing but white supremacy and
these guys out Mexican people
had enough of it that give them
all city land Let them
determine who builds what on it
maybe get a mayor so you can
take care of a lot of sewers
and streets and they determine
what goes on in their
neighborhoods.
It's only life's not fair but
it's pretty cool to have their
own mayor and they definitely
can handle their own their own
business.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you.
Zeenat Sanchez, if you can
please unmute for Sanchez after
that is 813 11 hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
My name is Matthew Stafford and
I'm the vice chair of
the Charter theory community
where the stories of the bird
this man was never given to us.
It was taken there resistance
or sacrifice in our community
or over the years we're
protected is based on
the sacred cultural space And
you to date decisions are being
made without this about this
land, without our involvement.
People call this a technical
correction but under National
Historic Preservation Act
Section one of six any action
affecting the site listed on
the National Register of
Historic Places requires
meaningful consultation with
cultural stewards which that
would be us and that did not
happen.
So let's be clear here today
this is not just a video
communication.
This is a video process and it
raises serious concerns about
federal historic preservation
because we know what happened,
what process is ignored.
Don't get used to great
industry not to our homes, to
our air, displace our families.
If I hear their voices if they
want again they're going to
move forward without
the community be impacted.
We're not asking today We are
demanding council for an
immediate positive action for
transparency direct
consultation with the Chicano
Park Steering Committee first
and foremost.
So you cannot claim to protect
this park by excluding
the people who made it
possible.
We are still here.
We are still protecting this
land and we will not be erased
.
Thank you.
Next is 813 and then our final
speaker is Erica.
Our five minute timer has
concluded no additional
speakers will be taken one
three It starts 6:30 A.M..
Okay.
Just in the nick of time.
All right.
So okay.
Okay.
San Diego City Council this
needs to be said clearly give
the people Barrio Logan back
their community there.
For decades families in five
Logan have been forced to live
in conditions that no other
community would tolerate Homes
placed next to heavy industry
children.
Really these logs are from
constant truck traffic
freeways, families exposed to
toxic emissions from shipyards
along the port of San Diego.
And this is not by chance.
This is by design.
You allowed incompatible zoning
in residential and heavy
industrial industrial side by
side you create an environment
where profit was prioritized
over people where working class
families were expected to
absorb the costs with their
health.
Then you cut the heart out of
the community When you built
the San Diego Coronado Bridge
and Major freeways straight
through it homes were
destroyed, streets were
divided.
The neighborhood was fractured
and you called it development
And when you failed to deliver
even basic greenspace,
the people had to take actions
themselves.
They occupied land to create a
Chicano park not because you
gave it to them but because
they refused to be ignored.
That should tell you
everything.
This community has been patient
centered, resilient but it
should not have to fight this
hard just to clean air and live
in safe conditions And that's
talk about carbon environmental
injustice with carbon.
This site and that concludes
with a comment on item 330 one.
>> All right.
Thank you City Clerk.
With that I'll turn it over to
my council colleagues for
questions, comments and
entertain a motion And we'll
start with the council member
representing District Council
member Right.
Thank you and thank you for
the presentation.
Thank you to staff for the work
on this item.
The party local community is
one of the most culturally and
historically significant
neighborhoods in the city of
San Diego Its vibrant murals
rich culinary traditions and
long history of community
resilience all contribute to
the identity that defines
the area today a key part of
the history of resilience is
rooted in the effects of
systematic redlining and
discriminatory zoning practices
which shaped how the land in
the neighborhood was used and
how the community developed
over time.
These long standing planning
challenges ultimately made
the community plan an important
tool for shaping the future of
barrio Logan.
The Barrio Logan Community Plan
was adopted in 1978 and for 43
years the plan stayed the same.
In 2022 the Barrio Logan
Community Plan was finally
updated and adopted.
It took a very long time and
required significant work and
collaboration from
the community.
The city and also the Coastal
Commission.
The process included extensive
reviews and ultimately was
approved by the Coastal
Commission Commission which
also required the city to go
back and address and adjust
more than 100 different items
because of the long and careful
process it took to get this
plan approved.
It is so concerning and
frustrating when errors like
this keep occurring.
It's unacceptable that the city
has allowed zoning errors like
this like those associated with
Footnote seven in the City land
development code and now this
recent discrepancy to occur.
Taken together these issues
point to a broader pattern of
mistakes that should not be
happening in decisions that
have such a significant impact
on communities.
Errors like this are a prime
example of why many are so
distrustful of government.
While these mistakes were not
done on purpose it sows
community mistrust.
It's important that the city
recognize them and move forward
with the solution.
It's also critical that staff
exercise a proper diligence to
ensure that the zoning and land
use designations actually
accurately reflect what was
approved.
This is especially important
given the long history of
planning challenges and past
decisions that have strained
trust between communities and
the city.
What I do appreciate here is
that the city did not ignore
the issue.
Instead staff moved quickly to
identify the discrepancy and
bring forward this amendment.
These corrections ensure that
areas intended to be parks and
community space such as
the Boston Avenue Corridor and
Chicano Park are properly
designated and ultimately
protected.
I do want to acknowledge city
planning staff for engaging
with the community and bringing
this item to the Barrio Logan
Community Planning Group which
is an important step in
addressing this issue and
keeping the community informed.
I would also encourage staff to
ensure that this information is
shared directly with
the Chicano Park Steering
Committee.
They are an important part of
our community and have been
long stewards of Chicano Park.
With this rezoning will this
rezoning one of the questions I
have for staff is will this
rezoning require approval from
the Coastal Commission as well
and how long will that take?
>> Yes.
Councilmember.
It will require coastal
commission certification.
We'll be reaching out to
coastal Commission staff to ask
that they could expedite this.
My hope is that within the next
six months but we need to talk
with Scott for them within
the next six months.
>> Wonderful.
Transparency is critical when
mistakes like this occur and it
matters that the city was up
front about what happened and
took the time to explain how it
would be fixed.
I do appreciate staff's
responsiveness their
transparency with the community
and their commitment to
ensuring that the zoning and
land use designations
accurately reflect the vision
that was approved by and for
the Barrio Logan community.
Now with that I'm going to make
a motion to approve staff's
recommendation.
>> Thank you.
All right.
Thank you, Council members.
So we have a motion by
COUNCILMAN Moreno to move with
the staff recommendation.
We'll go next to Councilmember
Eli Rivera.
Thank you, council PRESIDENT
With the questions having been
asked and answered that
Councilmember Moreno put
forward and knowing that by
kind of park is protected and
this helps advance the by 11
community plan, I'm happy to
second the motion.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you Council members.
So we now have a motion by
Councilmember Moreno on
the second by Councilmember Eli
Rivera And without the city
clerk please call the roll.
I'm sorry The voting system
Please cast your vote That
passes unanimously 8 to 0 with
Councilmember Kimball absent.
>> Thank you, Council
PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you.
City clerk Thank you to staff
for that.
All right With that clerk
please introduce item 500.
I apologize I skipped out last
time I saw this item as 500 is
the adoption of a definition of
antisemitism.
If you would like to speak to
this item please be sure to
submit your speakers up now at
the front of the room If your
seating time please be sure to
submit those speakers up
together.
You will be given time to come
in from the overflow room So
don't worry I will be calling
your name 2 to 3 times.
If I see you walking in we'll
make sure to give you time for
those individuals who are in
the yellow reserved seats at
the front.
If you could please find a seat
Their back.
I do need those seats available
for those that are being called
up to ensure with meeting
management you can even take a
seat in the blue reserved seats
over there If you don't find a
seat.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you, City Clerk So before
we turn it over to District
three, a couple of items.
One I read at the beginning of
the session the disruption
policy.
We know we have a lot of folks
speaking both for and against
the item in front of us.
There'll be a lot of passion
there.
Please extend a clarity and
civility to everybody who
speaks.
Give them a chance to make
their comments whether you
agree with them or not.
I mentioned about the thumbs up
or thumbs down is a good way to
do that.
This of course applies to not
only council chambers but also
the committee room and any
overflow room that we that we
have on that.
So we've done these big
meetings, we've done meetings
where there's been a lot of
passion and even disagreement
between two sides and we can
get through this.
We have at least three hours of
testimony just who was showed
up today at city hall And of
course we do expect folks to
participate remotely as well.
So we're going to be here for a
while.
So let's all play nicely
together.
And then to my council
colleagues over the past few
meetings some folks have been
going over the five plus three
minutes and I've been very
quietly giving away my time to
allow them to continue
uninterrupted.
I will have my own comments So
unless you get time seated by
one of your colleagues we'll be
adhering to the five plus three
when it comes to council and
their deliberation going
forward.
So with that this item was
brought forward by
Councilmember Whitman in
District three.
So Councilmember Lipman, we'll
give you an opportunity for
opening opening remarks and
then we'll go to staff for
the presentation.
So thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
This is a resolution
recognizing the rise of
anti-Semitism affirming
the city of San Diego
commitment to combating hate
and discrimination and adopting
the international Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance's working
definition of anti-Semitism.
Before I turn it over to right
Darcy and my staff to provide a
presentation of this I'd like
to offer a few acknowledgments
I want to say to your
antisemitism task force for
meeting with me about the rise
in antisemitism and
the importance of this action
to many of the Jewish
community.
I want to thank the City of San
Diego Human Relations
Commission for considering this
and forwarding a request to
the City Council that we adopt
this resolution.
I wanna thank Brian d'Arcy, my
Deputy Chief of staff for all
of his work in bringing this
forward and I want to thank all
of you here today or joining us
on line for taking the time to
be a part of today's discussion
.
>> But those acknowledgments
I'll turn it over to Brian
Right?
Right.
I'll please just for the record
and let us know how much time
you need for the presentation.
I can you repeat and turn
the mic on Very.
Brian d'Arcy Deputy Chief of
Staff for Councilmember Stephen
Whitburn.
I'm gonna need about ten
minutes when you're ready.
Thank you.
All right.
Good afternoon, Council
PRESIDENT Members of the City
Council.
Thank you for the opportunity
to present today.
I'm here on behalf of
Councilmember Whitburn
regarding item s500 a
resolution of the Council of
the City of San Diego
recognizing a rise of
antisemitism.
Affirming the city's commitment
to combating hate and
discrimination and adopting
the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance's working
definition of antisemitism.
This issue first came before
the city through the San Diego
Human Relations Commission in
MAY of 2025.
The Commission voted
unanimously to urge the city of
San Diego to adopt the ira
working definition of
antisemitism.
Following that vote,
the commission formally sent a
letter to the mayor and city
council recommending adoption.
The Chair of the Relations
Commission at the time, Nicole
Marie Ramirez, also spoke
before the City Council in
DECEMBER of last year
encouraging the city to take
this step.
So what is ira
the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance or ira?
It's an intergovernmental
organization dedicated to
the Holocaust Education
historical research and
remembrance.
Its work Focus focuses on
preserving the historical
record of the Holocaust and
combating modern antisemitism
around the world.
Ira provides a form of
government scholars and experts
to develop tools to best
practices in recognizing and
addressing anti Semitism in
modern society in particular
working definition.
In MAY of 2016 Member States
adopted what is known as
the ira working definition of
antisemitism.
The definition states
antisemitism is a certain
perception of Jews which MAY be
expressed as hatred towards
Jews.
It also clarifies that
antisemitism can manifest
through rhetoric or physical
acts directed at Jewish
individuals, Jewish
institutions or Jewish
community spaces.
Importantly the definition is a
non legally binding and is
intended primarily as an
educational and analytical tool
to help institutions better
recognize antisemitism.
The next slide Key points I
would like to be explicitly
clear.
One of the most important
points is to clarify is that
the ihra definition does not
restrict free speech.
The resolution explicitly
states that nothing in it is
intended to limit or infringe
upon the rights protected by
the United States Constitution
or that of the California
Constitution including
the freedom of speech and
expression.
Additionally, the ihra
definition itself clearly
states that criticism of Israel
similar to that leveled against
any other country cannot be
regarded as anti-Semitic.
This definition is simply a
tool to help identify
antisemitism when it occurs.
It does not criminalize speech
or political viewpoints.
Why this matters.
Unfortunately antisemitism
continues to be a persistent
and growing problem in
the United States and around
the world.
Jewish individuals and Jewish
institutions experience
disproportionately high levels
of hate incidents compared to
any other or many other groups
.
In recent years we have seen an
increase in anti-Semitic
rhetoric, threats, harassment,
vandalism targeting synagogues
and Jewish community
institutions and violence
directed at Jewish individuals.
These incidents do not only
harm the Jewish community, they
threaten public safety, civil
rights and the social cohesion
of our communities.
The data the data reflects
the seriousness of the problem
across the United States.
Anti-Semitic incidents have
increased dramatically over
the last decade, rising by
nearly 900% across the United
States.
Here in San Diego, anti-Semitic
incidents increased 27.5%
between 2023 and 2024 And
according to the San Diego
Police Department, anti-Semitic
hate crimes increased by
approximately 150% from 2024 to
2025.
These numbers highlight why it
is important for cities like
San Diego to take clear steps
to recognize and address
antisemitism.
Widespread support The ihra
definition is widely used
across the world.
More than 1300 entities have
adopted it including
governments, educational
institutions and civil society
organizations.
47 countries have adopted this
definition.
Hundreds of nongovernmental
organizations, universities and
local governments have also
adopted it.
Even diverse international
organizations have supported
its adoption as a tool to
recognize and combat
antisemitism.
Cities Major U.S. Cities have
adopted the Iowa working
definition.
These include cities such as
Chicago which passed this
unanimously in JANUARY.
Los Angeles Which passed us
unanimously.
Washington, D.C..
El Paso.
Las Vegas and here locally in
San Diego County.
Other cities have also taken
this step.
The city of Oklahoma adopted
the ihra definition unanimously
in a520 vote.
The city of Chula Vista also
adopted the ihra definition in
a 5 to 0 vote on MAY 13th,
2025.
San Diego would be joining
other cities in our own region
that are already using this
definition as a tool to
recognize and address
antisemitism.
The proposed action before you
today is to adopt a resolution
of the Council the City of San
Diego recognizing the rise of
antisemitism.
Affirming the city's commitment
to combating hate and
discrimination and adopting
the international Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance's working
definition of antisemitism.
This action will provide a
clear framework to recognize
antisemitism.
Support education and awareness
and affirm the city's
commitment to combating hate.
And stand in solidarity with
our Jewish community.
And with that I am happy to
take any questions from
the Council.
Thank you.
Okay.
Excuse me.
Thank you, Councilmember Lipman
for introducing this item, MR.
Darcy for your work on
the presentation.
We are now going to move to
public comment and if you ever
want to see a ballet of how to
manage public comment you're
going to see it with our city
clerk.
So have a lot of patience with
her as she tries to figure out
when you see the time and share
time when she calls your name
or even mispronounces your
name.
Occasionally she's going to do
a fabulous job, have patience
and work with her.
And then as a third and final
reminder again, civility is
really the key for this
conversation.
We want to hear from both
sides.
Whatever your opinion is,
please respect those who MAY
have a different opinion from
you.
We want to keep this a civil
conversation and let's get
started.
So with that clerk please
proceed with public comment.
>> Thank you Council PRESIDENT
And thank you for
the introduction.
I hope I served you all well
today.
i will just note that we do
have over three hours of public
comment here in council
chambers as well as in
the queue.
We have over 180 speakers here
and currently 27 speakers in
the queue with their hands
raised.
I will also note that there are
several people that were not
able to submit their speaker
slip with whoever they were
seating time to.
When I call somebody that
seating time.
I will ask those that are
seating time to raise their
hand If you don't hear your
name called and you want it to
raise to cede your time to that
speaker please be sure to raise
your hand.
I am trying to do my best to
make sure that I match them all
up in order for you to be heard
and give that person their time
allocation.
Thank you for all this.
Nicole Marie Ramirez if you can
please come up you have time
ceded to you by Thomas If you
can please raise your hand.
Judy thank you.
And Jay and Laura, thank you.
And Molly, please raise your
hand.
Thank you.
And Julia Orlando, Julie Lando,
thank you so much.
You're all seeing your time
too, Nicole You'll have five
minutes.
>> Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
One year on JUNE 19th, 2025 I
made a motion that the Human
Relations Commission urge
the mayor and City council to
officially join the over 43
countries 37 states and over
100 cities now including
Chicago, Los Angeles and Clovis
to an alcohol to adopt
the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance Definition
of anti-Semitism.
This motion was unanimously
passed by the Human Relations
Commission.
We then spent many months
before we sent our
recommendation to the mayor and
the council.
Having dialog with those in
support of the hra definition
and those in opposition
including public input as well
as working closely with our
executive director Reverend DR.
Gerald Brown.
We know that each of you on
this council have been flooded
with support in opposition.
The Human Relations Commission
has done its part and with all
due diligence on this item now
I most respectfully ask each of
you to do yours.
For over 60 years I have come
before this council and spoke
out for social justice, spoke
out against hate crimes and
hate towards the black Asian
Pacific Islander community,
Muslim and Jewish and my Latino
and lgbt communities.
But I say to you that never
have I witnessed the growing
hate and attacks released these
last decades on the Jewish
community Such hate not seen
since the Holocaust.
Recently addressed
the statistics now show that
the Jewish community suffers
Can times more hate crimes than
any other community in our
nation.
Think about it ten times more
hate than any other community
in San Diego Jewish houses of
worship, student centers,
rabbis, neighborhoods,
community centers are being
attacked and subject to hate
and closing.
I stand before you as other
Christians who are able to wear
this cross around our necks
openly, freely and without
incident.
I so wish each of you would
have been with me and looked
into the faces of Jewish youth
and students as I have who told
me they were now afraid to wear
their stars of David because of
the hate they have been
subjected to.
I will never ever forget a 17
year old Jewish student named
Josh who told me his
grandmother a survivor of
the Holocaust so afraid for
the safety of her grandson she
begged him not to wear the star
of David.
She had given them long ago in
public and even urged them to
now mispronounce his last name
differently when he was in
public.
She was so afraid and worried
for him Indeed.
What kind of nation have we
become today by voting yes?
You will be sending a message
to Josh, its grandmother and
the Jewish community.
Our city see them here to them
And we stand against the rise
in hate crimes against
the Jewish people.
>> Thank you.
Okay, so now we have three
hours and one more minute.
That will be the last time
we'll have applause.
Nicole I would love to.
You've been warned.
Nicole you were the chair of
the hrc and I was Why I had you
come speak first.
Please do not engage in
applause.
Thumbs up.
It's very powerful.
We need to get through three
hours of testimony.
>> Next is I'm going to be
calling people up to the front
row.
Alberto Mentor Laura's Laura
Stone Shay Ellis, Leslie
Zimmer, Romy Romy Zimmer and
Janet.
Janet Klein if you can please
I'll come up to the yellow
reserved seats.
Alberto you have time ceded to
you by rose home.
Rose if you can please raise
your hand.
Thank you.
You'll have two minutes.
Alberto, please come up to
the microphone.
Good afternoon.
Thank you for holding this
space for us.
>> People in this room will say
that the ihra definition goes
against the First Amendment.
But does it?
Of course not.
Labeling something doesn't ban
it.
It gives it a name And that
main name MAY make some people
uncomfortable but it doesn't
ban it.
>> Hate speech anti-Semitic,
anti-Semitic speech is still
protected speech.
If this council adopts the ihra
definition, it won't stop
anyone from.
It won't stop anyone from from
calling Jews baby killers.
It won't stop anyone from
saying that we control
the banks and the media.
What it will do is label what
you're doing.
It will give you the name.
>> It will hold a mirror to
your face and it'll and it will
show you and it will tell you
that label was will be that you
are an anti-Semitic.
So criticize us all you want
slander us all you want hate us
all you want Your hate speech
will still be protected Speech
but don't hide from hide from
the truth and what you are.
I urge this Council Council to
adopt the resolution and it and
let people look in that mirror.
>> Thank you.
>> Lara Stone You have time to
buy Shira Schaefer Shira,
please raise your hand.
Thank you.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Hi.
Hello.
My name is Lara Stone from
District one.
Thank you, COUNCILMAN Whitburn
for sponsoring today's very
important I r h I h r a vote.
>> Jewish Voice for Peace jvp
is here today but I want to
stress that they do not
represent the views of
the broader Jewish community.
On the contrary many of us feel
that they appropriate
the Jewish voice to advocate a
political agenda that most
Jewish organizations and
community members reject
entirely.
You have all received an
extensive legally backed
dossier on jvp but in case you
haven't had a chance to read
the facts about them, it's
important for the Council to be
aware of jvp record.
The organization has expressed
support for and solidarity with
groups connected to the popular
Front for the Liberation of
Palestine which is designated
as a terrorist organization by
the United States.
Jvp also regularly partners
with the Palestine Indian Youth
Movement, an organization whose
public messaging has included
praise for terrorist groups
such as Palestinian Islamic.
Jvp supported the Great MARCH
of Return demonstrations which
were coordinated by Leadership
Committee that included
representatives from several
organizations designated by
the U.S. As terrorist groups
and closer to home jvp members
have repeatedly harassed
members at students on San
Diego campuses and Jewish
community members at various
Jewish events.
So when jvp speaks today, I
urge the council to consider
what their true agenda is and
to make a note that they do not
represent the wider Jewish
community despite their
deceiving name.
Thanks for your time.
Thank you.
Next we have Shay Ellis.
Shay Ellis.
You have people sitting your
time.
Please raise your hand.
Dan Bass Anita mc House Chris
Thank you Isaac and Jillian are
off present.
Thank you.
You'll have five minutes.
>> Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
City council members Thank you
to Council member Whitburn for
bringing this item forward.
My name is Shay Ellis and I am
the Regional coordinator for
adl the Anti-Defamation League
of San Diego.
I am also a resident of
District One.
I am here today in support of
item 500 and we urge
the Council to vote yes on
adopting the ihra definition.
Across the country adl has
recorded skyrocketing levels of
anti-Semitic incidents since
10/7, including a 286% increase
in San Diego since 2022.
This demands action and ihra
definition is a tool that can
help our community address this
moment.
Antisemitism doesn't disappear.
It evolves.
Over the years it has targeted
Jews under the guise of being
anti-communist anti-globalist
or the villains in a number of
different movements.
Today that language has evolved
to focus on anti-Zionism.
We hear the stories of San
Diego college students who are
ostracized for their Jewish
identity but told it's only
because they're Zionists.
The k-12 students who are
bullied for being quote unquote
baby killers and the employees
of San Diego businesses and
organizations who have to
pursue legal action to rectify
the antisemitic harassment and
discrimination they encounter.
We cannot afford to let our
city become a place where Jews
are only treated with dignity
and respect if they denounce
their support for the right of
Israel to exist which is
something that over 90% of
Americans support And it does
exist even though the current
language that targets Jews
claims to be only anti-Zionism
it leads to the same outcomes
that antisemitism always has.
Harassment, discrimination.
Violence and worse.
The ihra definition is a
crucial tool that helps
governments, universities, NGOs
and other and other groups
understand all of the complex
elements of antisemitism that
target people for different
aspects of Jewish identity.
We urge you to vote yes on
the resolution and have San
Diego join cities like Los
Angeles, Chicago and Miami in
creating a city government that
stands for the safety of
the Jewish community In this
moment.
Thank you.
Next is Lesley Zimmer.
After Liz Zimmer we have Romi
Zimmer.
Then Jordan Marks and Janet
Klein.
Dear City council members,
thank you so much.
City COUNCILMAN Whitburn My
name please Zimmer I live in
District one.
I'm asking you to adopt Ira in
an attempt to distract from ira
anti-Semites advocate for what
is called the Jerusalem
Declaration on antisemitism.
The Jerusalem Declaration was
written by a self-selected
group of scholars acting in
their personal capacity.
The authors and signatories
represent their own academic
perspectives not the views of
Jewish communities, voters or
institutions that are
accountable to the public.
The authors of the Jerusalem
Declaration describe its
purpose to contribute to
academic discussion and that
unlike ihra it has zero
adoption by governments,
schools or other public
institutions.
By contrast, the ira working
definition of antisemitism has
been adopted by national
governments, states, cities,
universities and other public
institutions around the world.
Ihra has been endorsed by all
Jewish communal organizations
as the ira definition functions
as a widely adopted public
policy framework.
Those who are.
>> Thank you for that
concluding remark Romi Vote yes
.
>> Good afternoon.
My name is Romi Zimmer.
I am 17 years old and this is
my first council meeting.
I am missing school today
because this moment matters.
In just one week synagogues
around the world were attacked.
A synagogue in Michigan was set
on fire with 140 preschoolers
inside In Carnegie, Canada,
synagogues were hit by gunfire.
In the Netherlands men were
arrested for an arson attack.
In Belgium a synagogue was
bombed.
Some people say anti-Zionism is
not antisemitism but if that
were true, why are American
Jews and our synagogues under
attack?
Zionism means the Jewish people
have the right to
self-determination and our
ancestral homeland.
i am a proud Zionist.
You can disagree with me That
is your right in America but
you do not have the right to
harass, threaten or intimidate
me for being a Zionist.
I want to grow up in San Diego
where Jewish kids don't have to
be afraid to display their
Jewishness or Zionism.
Today you have the power to
help make that future real.
>> Please vote yes for Ira.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Jordan
Marks.
Please come up to the podium.
After that we have Janet Klein,
Nicole Bernstein, Andrew Beth,
James Key and Cantor Cornett as
well as Lisa Tucker.
Tucker, if you can all please
come up to the yellow reserved
seats.
Please proceed.
I apologize in advance.
I got Lasix I'm having to read
a little harder today.
So is it okay MADAM Clerk?
PRESIDENT Lacob and members of
the Center City Council.
My name is Jordan Marks.
I serve as your senior county
assessor recorder County clerk.
But I'm here today in my
capacity as a San Diego City
resident, a parent and a proud
member of the Jewish community.
I strongly ask for your support
of items 500 The adoption of
the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance Definition
of Antisemitism.
I want to thank the Senate
Human Relations Commission and
Chair Nicole Ramirez for
the U.S. Unanimous support in
moving this forward to City
council and especially
COUNCILMAN Steven Whitburn for
your leadership bring this item
forward today.
Across the region we've already
seen cities like Chula Vista
and El Cajon pass this
definition because too often
acts of hate when we see them
happen.
We see elected officials post
their thoughts and prayers.
But in L.A. County we've
experienced real consequences
Violence like the power
synagogue shooting, the sdsu
synagogue attack hateful
anti-Semitic fliers in our
neighborhoods and swastikas
defacing our community spaces.
As a parent I can tell you
Jewish families are living this
reality Every day we drop off
our children at schools,
community centers by gate armed
guards and they're tired.
Thank you for that Concluding
comment.
Janet Klein Thank you for your
action today.
Nick Janet Klein Please come up
to the microphone.
Who do you want to see to to
start falling back again and
someone will come up and get
your name.
But as I can tell you as a
parent and a Jewish parent it's
not fun to have to have armed
guards standing there with you
Children be wanded.
I've been at community events
with many of your council
members here where it's nice to
walk our children's in spaces
where they're free to be who
they are and not attacked for
being Jewish or for being a
person that's Asian, Latino or
African-American.
We all stand together.
This is not acceptable.
This resolution is not
symbolic.
It shows that you stand in
solidarity against hate.
It's a necessary step to equip
our city, our law enforcement
and community with a clear
understanding of anti-Semitism
so we can identify it, confront
it and stop it.
This is a moment for action,
not just words.
Thank you for voting yes on
today's item and for standing
with the Jewish community.
I appreciate each and every one
of you.
>> Thank you.
To confirm or eugenic line and
I welcome your Janet Klein
though.
Thank you.
Next is Nicole Bernstein Nicole
you have time ceded to you by
Jan Saffron Wolfer if you can
please raise your hand you'll
have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Equal commentator Dialectical
about to the home Bucky to
the name of Diana.
>> So the translation I am so
sorry that that happened to
your daughter in class and I
promise to help.
That's what I told the parents
of a ninth grade girl who's
been bullied at school multiple
times simply for being Jewish.
My name is Nicole Bernstein and
I'm a San Diego resident.
The daughter of Israeli
immigrants, the first person in
my entire family to be born in
the United States of America
and co-founder of Pure k12.
We help Jewish parents to
protect their kids civil rights
in our schools.
That call came to me last week
while I was out running errands
.
I stepped into the corner of a
store and continued
the conversation in Hebrew.
Within minutes multiple people
walked by and glared at me with
open hostility.
One woman even circled back
twice just to make sure I felt
it.
That should not be tolerated.
I wasn't being loud.
I was not disruptive.
I was simply speaking in my
mother's tongue.
Hebrew just one week earlier in
San Jose, California, two
Israelis speaking Hebrew
outside of a restaurant were
violently attacked simply for
speaking Hebrew in public That
should not be tolerated.
>> From classrooms to
restaurants to grocery stores,
Jews are being targeted simply
for daring to exist in public
That should not be tolerated.
Every person and every language
has the right to exist.
Today in America's finest city
you have an opportunity to send
a clear message with your vote.
Hatred of someone because of
their religion, skin color or
sexual orientation National
nation of origin should be
tolerated.
>> Please vote yes.
Nicole Bernstein.
Oh, is that you?
I'm sorry.
I'm happy to go.
I'm just getting started.
Sorry.
Andrea Dembski After Andrea we
have Cantor Cornett and Liva
Tucker as well as DR. Joshua
Fetter.
If you can please come out to
the other reserved seats.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
My name is Andrea Beth Dembski
and I am a commissioner with
the California Commission on
the State of Hate.
Speaking on my own behalf as a
member of the Jewish community
who has been dogged and
harassed for assumptions about
my support of Israel.
We live in a time when Jew
haters drive their trucks
through synagogue doors armed
with explosives.
When Jew haters like Jews on
fire with Molotov cocktails,
when Jews speaking Hebrew are
beaten in a restaurant in broad
daylight and no one comes to
their aid when Jews are
murdered outside a Jewish
museum.
These acts target Jews not a
state nor its military.
Jews are hunted domestically
for being Jews and for our
assumed connection to Israel
that tens of millions of
Christians who do support
Israel are not similarly
attacked.
Clarify that these acts of hate
and violence against Jews are
antisemitism.
We need the strongest
definition of anti-Semitism
possible and this resolution
meets that need.
Thank you to the council
members and staff who brought
this forward and I urge you all
to vote yes.
>> Thank you.
Cantor.
>> Thank you, Council members.
My name is Cantor Larry Cornett
for those of you who do not
know the difference between a
cantor and a rabbi, rabbis
think they can sing.
I am actually here today to
talk to you about the aria
definition.
When I was in college the first
thing that I learned from
philosophy professor.
>> Excuse me I'm sorry is
define your terms.
Why is that important?
You cannot have an intelligent
conversation with somebody if
you are not speaking with
the correct terms and both are
shared.
It is imperative for you to not
play Whac-a-Mole and actually
have the definition that you
can use to be able to pattern
your ideas and importance on
your department heads as to
what they need to know.
Thank you COUNCILMAN Woodburn
for presenting this.
I appreciate it.
Please vote yes and Harry lies
attacker.
Hello council members and thank
you Council member Whipper for
response during the Irish vote
today.
My name is Lisa Thatcher.
100 cities and municipalities
in the us have adopted the ihra
definition because it is
constitutional and does not
infringe on one's right to free
speech.
But San Diego is not on this
list.
Today is the day.
San Diego being the sister city
of Shard Negev should be added
to this list as well.
Beverly Hills El Cajon La Chula
Vista.
Miami.
Miami Beach.
Coral Gables.
Doral.
Sunnyvale Beach.
Palm Beach Gardens.
West Palm Beach.
Hialeah Gardens.
Parkland.
North Miami of Intolerable
Harbor Surfside.
Juno Beach.
Golden Beach Bay Harbor Islands
North Bay Village North Palm
Beach Pine.
Chris Key Biscayne Jupiter
Jupiter Intel Colony Forest
Park Lincoln Wood Highland Park
Gary Bellevue Tacoma.
Kansas City.
>> Seattle.
Thank you for that concluding
remark.
DR. Joshua Fetter Thank you.
I'm DR. Josh Fader.
I teach at ucsd School of
Medicine and also at nasa
National University Palestinian
Child Institute in Nablus.
My family in yellow Poland was
burned alive in their synagogue
in a Nazi demonstration to show
that the world would not help
Jews here in America.
At age six I took a brick at
close range to my head because
I killed Jesus.
I became a Navy doctor, served
through the first Gulf War and
now I lead the American Academy
of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry and Trauma care
nationally and globally helping
all children impacted by
conflict and hate.
Last SEPTEMBER I spoke at
the U.N. To move that fragile
cease fire forward.
My life is about protecting
children.
Every child deserves safety and
peace That includes Jewish
children.
This ira resolution will help.
Thank you.
>> Rabbi Scott Meltzer Rabbi,
you have time seated by Jacob
Schorr If you can please raise
your hand And by Nina Schorr if
you can please raise your hand.
You'll have three minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Thank you, Council member
Whitburn for bringing this
resolution.
Thank you to your staff for an
outstanding presentation.
Thank you to the entire
Council.
My name is Scott Meltzer.
I am the Rabbi of Shalom
Synagogue and I teach in
the department for the study of
Religion at San Diego State.
I would like to publicly
acknowledge and thank PRESIDENT
The delegate Tara for her
national leadership on creating
safe space for Jewish students
in the context of American
universities something that
tragically is not common around
the country.
I also apologize if I look a
bit disheveled and tired.
I came home very late last
night from a conference out of
town that I was attending.
I can't tell you where that
conference is because the new
norm in Jewish conferences is
please don't post anything
geographically identifiable
until after the conference for
fear of antisemitism heckling
harassment and violence.
I've been to two conferences
this year and that's been
the policy for both of them.
Again, the new norm in
the Jewish community.
You want to talk about
challenges to free speech?
I have congregants who are
afraid to come into our
synagogue.
They don't come for services.
They don't come for social
events.
They don't come for classes
because they are afraid of
the anti-Semitism in this
America's finest city.
And you have the opportunity
today to say to them to all
Jews in the city and to
everybody in this city that we
will not abide these
unprecedented levels of
anti-Semitism.
Some will argue that
anti-Israel can never be
anti-Semitic.
They are wrong.
Anti-Israel rhetoric is
sometimes a discourse of
criticism and sometimes it
crosses a line that is clearly
anti-Semitic.
In the past months my synagogue
has been vandalized five times.
Vandalism is a crime.
When my synagogue is targeted
in vandalized with anti-Israel
hate that is anti-Semitic.
When somebody drives a car into
a place of worship doing damage
,firing a gun that is a crime
When they are angry at Israel
and do it in the synagogue that
is anti-Semitic.
Any argument to the contrary is
wrong.
Thank you very much, Bernard f
if you can please come up to
the podium and if I can have
the following individuals
please come up to the front
row.
Shelly de Leon Stacey Bressler
Reinstein Greenstein and Wendy
Patterson.
Kayla Gilbertson Amy Wise Bomb
Adam Moseley.
If you can all please come up
to the front row and Bernard
you can come up to
the microphone and maybe.
Thank you Counsel.
My name is Brian Spriggs.
I'm a native San Diego and I
live in District one.
Thank you for bringing this up.
I'm going to speak on
the behalf of the Gentile
population.
I am not Jewish but I stand
with the Jews as a Gentile.
And the fact or even happened
to have this as a vote is
probably the most concerning
part.
But I personally, as you each
one personally have to do
the address take a stand Stand
up for people's rights, speak
up for those people who have
more crime against them than
any other group.
Please support this adoption
and let this just be
the beginning of a change
within us to be able to bring
Shalom to our community.
Thank you Shelly.
Good afternoon.
Council members.
Good to see you again and thank
you so much to Council member
Whitburn.
I'm in District five in Rancho
Pinocchio's and a member of
Stand with Us.
Thank you for your time today
And especially I want to urge
you to vote yes on this
measure.
I want to note that members of
care the Council on American
Islamic Relations are present
today and I believe it's
important for the council to be
aware of the backgrounds and
statements connected to
organizations participating in
public discussions, for
example.
So Jim Webb, a chair or a care
of speaker and collaborator has
been quoted as describing
homosexuality as quote evil
inclination.
Additionally, North the Los
Care's director of government
affairs has been recorded
making deeply offensive remarks
including statements as a
conclusion as time has expired.
Vote Yes Stacy Bressler
Reinstein.
First one to get it wrong.
>> Okay.
Good afternoon Council members.
My name is Stacy Bressler
Reinstein and I'm a resident of
District six.
I politely urge the council
members to support the ira
resolution today.
>> The Jewish community has
been the target of an
exponential rise in hate
incidents over the last ten
years with a 286% rise here in
San Diego since 2022.
For the past year someone has
been dropping off small slips
of paper In the early morning
near my local middle school and
the Chabad Center of University
City.
This is 7/10 of a mile from my
home.
On these papers are written
sayings such as the chosen
people were chosen by Hitler
and thank Hitler with a heart
and a swastika.
>> And here's the a neighbor a
neighbor reported this incident
to the police a year ago but
somehow it fell through
the cracks.
It's my understanding that is
now being taken seriously by
Councilmember Kent Lee's office
as well as law enforcement and
new incidents are being
reported through the proper
channels.
It is distressing and deeply
troubling that an individual
who is filled with hatred and
anti thank you for that kind
goes by.
>> Thank you for considering
Wendy Patterson.
When do you have time to buy
Beth?
Beth I've read a Heller reader
Heller.
No, I have Beth.
Do you have two minutes?
Please proceed.
Okay.
Hi, counsel.
Thank you.
My apologies.
What other name?
I will look for it.
Please proceed.
Hi, Council members.
Thank you for putting this
forward.
Steve Whitburn thank you for
all your work where I endorse
Lee and thank you to my
community.
>> I am so proud of you today.
>> My name is Wendy Bateson and
I have been a resident of San
Diego for over 17 years.
I am here today to urge you to
vote yes on San Diego adopting
the irh or a definition of anti
Semitism.
This definition provides a
clear framework to identify
Semitic harassment threats or
attacks on Jewish people's
right to exist freely and live
safely.
>> I am speaking as
the granddaughter of Jewish
immigrants who fed fled
anti-Semitism and violence in
Turkey during World War one
believing they would finally be
safe in the United States.
Yet just a generation later
anti-Semitism is rising again.
Even here in America's finest
city I am I have personally
experienced a bomb scare
threatening hate speech and
witnessed numerous targeted
attacks on our Jewish spaces
and symbols.
Today when I attend Jewish
community events in San Diego
they require high level
security measures because hate
rhetoric too often leads to
violence.
Officials and community leaders
often say they are horrified
after Semitic anti-Semitic
attacks.
But being horrified after a
tragedy is not enough.
We often say that none of us
are free until we are all free.
So it should not be
controversial to say that San
Diego's Jewish residents
deserve the same protection
from incitement and harassment
that every other marginalized
community expects and fights
for.
San Diego is doing meaningful
justice work for many
communities.
I have stood on the front lines
together with many of you in
this room on both sides of this
issue.
But I have stood with you for
against the Muslim ban.
I have stood with you against
supporting immigrants rights,
fighting against family
separation.
I could go on and on.
But today we are here for
the hra and the Jewish
community must not be left
behind.
We need effective safeguards
and hate from hate and harm.
Please vote yes on the hra.
>> Thank you Kayla.
>> Kayla, you have Time to get
it to You by Denise Casale.
Thank you so much, love.
Two minutes.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon, council
members.
My name is Kayla Glover, a
resident of District one and
I'm speaking today as
the interim associate director
with Jewish National Fund usa
here in San Diego, a
non-religious and apolitical
organization.
I must emphasize I urge you to
vote yes on adopting ihra
definition of antisemitism.
You MAY hear opponents wrongly
claim that ira threatens free
speech as we've heard so much
that argument is just simply
wrong.
That definition does not ban
free speech.
It is a non-binding educational
tool used around the world to
help institutions recognize
when criticism crosses the line
into into anti-Semitism
criticism of any government
including Israel is not
considered anti-Semitic Under
ihra but denying the Jewish
people the same right to
self-determination afforded to
others or holding Jews
collectively responsible for
actions of a foreign government
is antisemitic.
ira helps clarify that
distinction.
With anti-Semitism on the rise
nationally and locally.
Clarity absolutely matters.
Voting yes today affirms that
San Diego recognizes
antisemitism and stands against
it.
Thank you so much for your time
today.
>> Amy Weisberg.
>> Good afternoon Council
members.
My name is Amy Weiss Bomb and I
live in District three.
Councilmember Whitburn, thank
you so much for sponsoring
today's ira vote.
The opposition is manipulating
us with claims that even
the ira authorized an ounce.
Eight scholars and experts on
antisemitism drafted the ira
resolution and agreed by
consensus By consensus meaning
all authors agreed and voted
yes on it later.
One author of the eight
expressed concerns that it can
be misused and he never
criticized the existence of ira
and never rescinded his vote.
What is even more ridiculous is
that the opposition wants to
tell us Jews which declaration
should define hate against us.
Suggesting we use the Jerusalem
Declaration of antisemitism.
95% of worldwide Jewish
organizations agree on the ihra
definition.
We don't need the people who
harass us to tell us which
definition to use.
Please adopt Ira Stand by
The fact and the definition of
anti-Semite ism that
the majority of the world's
Jews Stand by.
>> Thank you.
They can thank you, Adam, as
long as you can please come up
to the podium And if I can ask
the following individuals to
please come up to the yellow
reserved seats.
If you've already spoken please
go back to your seats where you
were originally.
Debbie Bank Town Hanukkah.
David Feingold To John
Sorrentino and Julie Sorrentino
as well as Jonas McClennan If
you can please come up Adam
Please proceed.
Good afternoon Councilmember.
My name is Adam Masri.
I'm the director of the Finest
Community Coalition, a
coalition of 47 local San Diego
Jewish organizations working
together to confront
antisemitism.
Our members include synagogues,
community organizations,
educational institutions,
advocacy groups and service
organizations that collectively
represent the broad spectrum of
San Diego's organized Jewish
community.
As a coalition we ourselves
adhere to the ihra definition
of antisemitism as
the framework we use when
evaluating and responding to
incidents affecting our
community.
We the definition because it is
the most widely recognized and
practical definition of
antisemitism in use today.
Jewish communities are diverse
and debate is a cherished part
of Jewish tradition.
You MAY hear from some fringe
Jewish voices who oppose this
definition.
While they are entitled to
their views.
It is important to understand
that those views do not reflect
the consensus of San Diego's
organized Jewish community.
Our unified coalition of 47
organizations does.
We respectfully urge
the Council to listen to
the voice of our community by
adopting this.
Thank you for that Concluding
remark.
Debbie Simon Once you give me
his time.
It's one minute.
I don't have anyone sitting in
your time right now.
There his will go Somebody go
back there to get their
speakers up.
Proceed.
Thank you, Dear council
members, my name is Debbie Bank
and I live in District one.
>> I want to explain I want to
explain to you who is really
behind the opposition refusing
the acknowledgment
anti-Semitism and the ira
resolution.
Who is behind the emails you
received against Ira?
And who rallied these opponents
of ira in this meeting?
One organization is called Kara
Council of American-Islamic
Relations.
There is so much that can be
said about this organization
including their support for
international terrorism, their
undisclosed foreign government
funding ties to Hamas and
promotion of antisemitism,
anti-Semitism in general.
Here are their leadership
quotes.
F Jews I demand.
I want icis to kill all of
them.
Speaking of the Jews.
Nor Nora shall us care Director
of government that clear
homosexuality is an evil
inclination in that so have web
care speaker and collaborator
In 2017 the Islamic nation has
lost one of its biggest emblems
and he had a what a word care
executive director about a
recruiter for al Qaeda training
camps and mentor of Osama bin
Laden.
We are witnessing
decolonization czar below Care
Executive Director On OCTOBER
7th, 2023 the day when Jews
when were slaughtered by Hamas
raped and burned Jews siding
with ira position is siding
with bigotry and hate.
Please adopt Ira tell so sorry
I when I really mention like
all the organizations that a
supporters is Jewish Federation
of San Diego Hillel San Diego
American Jewish Committee adl
thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
My apologies to all Hanukkah.
Good afternoon Council members
My name is Tal Hanukkah.
I'm a San Diego resident from
District one and I'm a Jewish
mother raising children in this
community.
Thank you Councilmember
Whitburn for bringing forward
this resolution.
A few months after OCTOBER 7th
I was putting my young children
into the car in a shopping mall
while speaking to them in
Hebrew.
A woman parked next to me
overheard us and started
yelling f-ing Jew.
My children were right there
listening.
anti-Semitism is not abstract
for Jewish families.
It happens every day often in
front of our children.
Healthy debate and criticism of
governments including Israel
are a normal part of democratic
societies.
But there is an important
distinction between criticizing
a government and targeting
Jewish people.
That hra definition is an
important tool because it helps
distinguish between legitimate
criticism of Israel and hatred
directed at Jewish people.
>> I urge you to vote yes.
Thank you for that concluding
remark David Offenders David f
e and g-d d You f, e and g d
you Fingal Feingold on my
apologies.
Yes I have horrible spelling.
>> Sorry but yeah no we all
know what anti-Semitism is and
this isn't actually going to
stop it but it's a culture we
all know that we can't call
little people and words or
black people and words or
whatever.
The point is is language
evolves And you know, for me I
was at the market the other day
and so many just honk the horn
and said Israel which it would
have been better if they just
called me a Jew.
But it's evolving So this is
actually about just protecting
children by creating a culture
where it's not okay to go after
somebody just for being a
certain religion or you know,
wearing what they wear.
But most of San Diego I just
will say is like very tolerant
of us.
It's just a few people and it's
those few people that cause me
to have to go behind
bulletproof glass tonight when
I go study Torah or you know,
have to hang out with security
guards at every single function
it's just not normal.
And you know, that's pretty
much all it is.
But yeah, vote for it And we
all know what anti Semitism is
but we just had that We have to
define it.
Thank you John Sorrentino And
then Julie Sorrentino.
Jonas McClennan And if I can
have Grandma sc and Alia David
Bronstein please come up to
the first row.
John you have time ceded to you
by Elena Rangel Thank you so
much.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Hello And thank you for
allowing me to speak here
today.
My name is John Sorrentino.
I'm the pastor of New Covenant
Tabernacle.
And antisemitism has directly
affected our church and we have
over 100 members from San Diego
City from Nestor Paradise Hills
Skyline Alta Vista, Palm City
and Ocean View Hills.
Our church is not Jewish but we
have many Jewish members.
As a Bible believing church we
hold true that those who bless
Israel will be blessed and
those who curse Israel will be
cursed.
And most importantly
the commandment to love your
neighbor.
We believe that the Jewish
community is our neighbor.
Sadly, because of this position
our church has experienced all
kinds of anti-Semitic ism.
Our youth have been bullied,
threatened and even attacked at
their schools.
Our church has been forced to
use armed security.
And many of our members now
legally carry firearms to
protect themselves and their
families at church Because of
the threats we've encountered.
The ihra definition of
antisemitism would give
authorities a foundation to
identify and deal with this
form of prejudice.
Recently I traveled to both of
the hallowed grounds of
Poland's Nazi death camps and
the ravaged Gaza envelope.
These horrific events that
happened in those places did
not begin with bullets and
bombs but with words, lies and
threats words that dehumanize
others, words that dismiss
hatred, words that justify
violence.
Adopting the ihra definition of
antisemitism would allow those
who perpetuate violence or
cowardly speak hate from behind
a keyboard or yelling threats
through a bullhorn be
identified and held accountable
for their words.
So today I ask you on behalf of
the hundreds of members of our
church and the thousands of
Jewish residents who deal with
this on a daily basis that you
vote yes and adopt the ihra
definition of antisemitism and
protect those you serve.
Thank you.
>> Julie Sorrentino Good
afternoon.
Council PRESIDENT And Council
members.
My name is Julie Sorrentino and
i serve as a Christian pastor.
I stand before you today
because this is a defining
moment for moral clarity for
the Jewish people, for
Christians and people of all
backgrounds of faith.
Scripture calls us in Isaiah
117 to seek justice and defend
the oppressed today That means
having the courage to clarify
or to clearly identify and
confront antisemitism.
This is not theoretical for us.
This is personal in our church
a young girl in high school has
been threatened simply for
standing with Israel.
Our ministry has received death
threats and ongoing hate speech
online Because we openly
support the Jewish community we
have had to take security
measures out of real concern
for potential violence.
This is happening here, not
somewhere else.
>> Please join us.
>> McClanahan My apologies.
Happy St Patrick's Day.
I'm just here today because I'm
tired of watching children and
people getting massacred on tv
.
I'm glad I'm a little confused
Sometimes it seems like this
about the state of Israel but
sometimes it seems like it is.
I know where I stand.
I'm against genocide.
I'm against torture, I'm
against rape.
I'm against children being
killed and that makes me anti
Semitic.
I guess I am grandma.
>> sc All right.
We've been doing pretty good.
Let's keep it two thumbs up or
thumbs down Grandma as you
please come forward to
the microphone it's your turn
to speak then That's an elliott
David Rothstein Manuel Bertran
Da Halevi Grade z or Dada.
So you and Leah okay if you can
all please come forward to
the yellow reserved seats
please proceed.
Oh yeah, that's my speech.
Good afternoon.
Council members especially MR.
Whitman.
He's my council member.
Thank you, MR. Whitman But this
this is the last straw.
We I have some confrontations
with you, but this one takes
the best You are You are being
discriminated as Jews.
I can't believe that.
Look at all these Jews lined up
all well-to-do full of money in
the pockets a pack money and
they are coming one by one
Doesn't give me a chance to
talk.
We are This is a one sided
session.
I can see this bill is going to
go to so why waste my time and
yours So I cannot say anything
about this bill because it's
already been planned and
everything I see is done.
Finish Why are we having so
much Jewish problems?
I see the Israelis who are
killing babies and you know
what's going on in there.
You know what the genocide is.
Your time has concluded And
last look at it Your time has
concluded And Elliot, please
come up and sit down.
Ma'am, Ma'am, sit down, Ma'am.
I know ma'am And please proceed
then.
Elliot I live in North Park.
I oppose the adoption of the i
h r a definition of anti
Semitism.
It's true that anti Semitism
has been increasing but so has
Islam a phobia.
Do we need a special law for
each type of discrimination in
this country?
>> Speech which criticizes
the actions of the Israeli
state is not anti-Semitic.
I criticize both the state of
Israel and the United States
When we conduct wars of choice
which devastate populations it
is my First Amendment right to
say what I think.
Are we becoming an Orwellian
state where our thoughts are
surveilled by thought police?
I vote my conscience and I will
not vote for any politician who
takes money from an Israeli
affiliated lobby.
The Democratic Party needs to
wake up to the reality that
the presidential action was
lost in part due to its failure
to acknowledge the genocide
perpetrated by the state of
Israel and funded by the United
States.
>> Thanks, David Rothstein.
>> Okay David, before you get
up, I've asked you three times
really nicely those who came up
and spoke in support of this.
There are people back there
that don't agree with you And
then a lot of sound came out of
them.
They put their thumbs down.
They waved their signs.
Please extend the same courtesy
.
Let people speak.
We'll get through this and then
we'll turn it over to
the council members.
Whether you agree or disagree
with this, let's keep it civil.
I know that can be painful
given what some of you have
experienced.
But bear with us here in
council chambers and in
the committee room and
the overflow.
>> Thank you.
David Rothstein, please come up
.
Thank you, counsel.
My name is David Rothstein.
I'm an attorney of about 15
years I've worked for two
federal agencies.
I've served as an assistant
attorney general, a couple of
states and I have an mba from
Berkeley.
I want to speak today in favor
of the hra definition.
The ihra definition does not
limit free speech.
There is a distinction between
free speech harassment,
intimidation and
discrimination.
One is okay, one is not okay.
>> Government agency government
agencies also have a civil
rights obligation to ensure
access based on religion,
ethnicity and national origin.
These include for Jewish
people.
I want to be clear on the hra
definition You are able to
criticize Israeli policy
Israeli officers in the same
manner as any other country.
You just can't have a different
standard for Jews.
And I want to leave you with
one last question Why not
listen to the Jewish community
on what antisemitism is?
>> We know what it is.
Please adopt a definition.
Thank you.
>> Manuel Manuel Beltran or
Manuel Beltran?
>> Honorable City Council Thank
you so much for meeting with us
today.
I'm coming to you in favor of
item 500 and the adoption of
ihra Definition of
antisemitism.
As a 30 year old from South Bay
I can tell you I've seen
antisemitism rise down there.
I've seen it be spread amongst
young people and most people in
colleges amongst people in
the workplace.
And I here to tell you as a
Christian that I for one I
don't stand with it and I stand
with my Jewish community
especially and I echo their
words from MAY 9th, 1945 to
recently in Temple two up in
San Jose Never again.
This is exactly what this is
about.
This is not about some
criticism Israel This is about
defending Jewish people,
the Jewish community and us as
Christians We're standing with
them because we seek justice
and we will consistently seek
justice regardless of
the consequences.
>> Thank you.
Da How Halevy I.
Hello my name is Da Levy
Feldman and I wrote a speech
but I'm not going to use it
because you just experienced an
anti-Semitic token that was
used against us about how we're
all rich and have money in our
pocket to acute to agree of why
you shouldn't vote against
the Arab resolution.
I'm beyond and I know why our
my community reacted this way
because we all know where this
is going When the Jews are
accused in those tokens.
I'm a I'm a granddaughter of
survivors of the Holocaust and
I cannot believe the things
that I'm hearing in 2026 in
America.
I have 20 more seconds so I'll
just share a few of my
incidents in the past six years
Living in San Diego, I was
accused by a neighbor in
Pacific Beach that I moved here
to take over America.
The rest of the table was quiet
and Ocean Beach I was asked Oh,
are you a Jew?
I don't know.
We have those here.
Where?
Just from New York were
overwhelmed.
What you Thank you guys for
your dad.
I see.
So my name is John ac
Ironically I also had another
speech prepared but counsel
people I noticed in
the PowerPoint presentation and
the speech item as 500 you said
criticism Israel will not be
considered anti Semitism.
That is a lie in the air or a
website I just read said I
quote Contemporary examples of
anti-Semitism in public life
media, schools and workplace
and in the religious sphere
could taking into account
overall context include but are
not limited to applying double
standards by requiring a bit
behavior not expected or
demanded by another democratic
nation?
What nation are we talking
about?
Second drawing comparisons of
contemporary Israeli policy to
Nazis.
So in that presentation it said
that criticism Israel is not
consider antisemitism but on I
urge all read say I just read
it is one there are two
actually three examples I only
included two of examples were
criticizing Israel is
antisemitism which is a truth.
>> Thank you.
>> Next is Laich Laich If you
can please come forward and
then correct.
As far as for Angel Martinez
and Daniel Massaro one of
barriers and measure gone after
if you can all please come
forward starting with Leah Ley
if you can come to
the microphone are any of you
Leah Ley and Leah Koehler No
Leah Koehler or Leah Okay.
Okay.
We'll move on to Rick as for we
go to the taller Mike right
there.
I have been warning for over 45
years of my life even before
becoming a naturalized American
for my oldest somatic Israel
life family who we have all
the faiths in them.
>> I have recently learned for
hundred of my own families
relatives have been killed and
murdered by the European
Zionist American Israeli
machine.
>> You could take my rights
away from me here in America
but our family is
internationally recognized
globally and the United Nations
.
Thank you.
>> Next is Angel Martinez.
>> Hello.
My name is Angel Martinez.
I'm a student here at San Diego
City College.
I was fortunate to be born and
raised here and I believe
strongly that we have a
responsibility as a city to
ensure our Jewish community
community is safe.
However, I oppose the adoption
of the I h r a definition of
antisemitism for the floor that
it blurred the lines between
criticism of the Israeli
government and hate speech
against Jewish people.
The definition takes away
advocacy for Palestinians
suffering from genocide defined
by the United Nations.
Justice for all means We don't
leave anyone out.
So I am calling for a more
inclusive definition and I hope
you all know I am not against
you.
We are all fighting the same
fight.
Thank you so much for your
time.
>> That's all for me.
Daniel Mesquita.
>> Hi guys.
I'm done with you and like
Angel, I am also at City
College.
Just to clarify, no one in this
room condones antisemitism.
However, it is not antisemitic
to criticize a hypocritical
ethno state with committing
another holocaust towards
the Palestinians with our tax
money with genocide just being
internationally recognized as a
genocide by the United Nations.
And I argue that committing a
genocide under Jewish safety is
antisemitism because people
with bad believes will paint
all Jews as scientists which is
utterly false as there are Jews
were against the ongoing
genocide in Gaza.
I oppose this resolution
resolution as 500 and free
Palestine.
>> Thank you for your time.
Juan Perez, if you can please
come up if you've already
spoken please return to your
seats And if I can have Mona
I'm sorry I mean as Spirito
Athena ever Murcia Bolkestein,
Marco Bahar please all come
forward to the other reserve
seats.
>> Please proceed.
Hello everyone.
My name is Juan Perez.
I am a union organizer.
I'm a marine Corps veteran and
a concerned San Diego.
And I'm concerned because you
all are about to vote on
something that will infringe on
our First Amendment right which
I have deployed twice to
the Middle East to defend it
twice I've been away from my
family and friends, missed
birthdays, holidays and normal
life in order to protect these
rights are to come home to my
hometown of San Diego for you
all to take it away from us.
It is not just a right that
many people have died overseas
trying to protect but a right
that us and labor and activists
here in the us need in order to
fight corporate greed and call
out fight and fight fascism
wherever it lies.
Trump just said this week that
he wants to come after
activists that criticize
the war in Iran.
Sound familiar?
Last year in AUGUST the Labor
Council voted unanimously on a
course of resolution which
calls what is wrong with
the genocide in Israel an
apartheid state and calls for
an embargo.
Are you guys in stand with
Trump on this or going to stand
with the people think our time
has concluded Michigan action
Michigan I'm just going to ask
is there any other measurements
here?
Let's not make any other
measurements.
Just making sure because I got
three speakers up for Michigan
So you have one minute.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Massillon Council PRESIDENT
McCarver Council members and
fellow citizens.
As a civil rights leader and
head of Borderlands recording
for the past six years we have
experienced so much as an
organization and a community
for Black Lives Matter to
the cops of Afghanistan, to
the women's movement in Iran
and a genocide in Gaza.
Ice attacks on our most
vulnerable innocents and now
possibly World War three.
We have endorsed we have been
harassed.
I have personally received
death threats and mail.
As many of you know when I ran
for city council since
the genocide began we have
received thousands of calls,
emails, cases and regarding
Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate
and those threatening
the livelihoods of those
advocating for our basic First
Amendment rights.
Artists, entrepreneurs.
Teachers.
Doctors.
Scientists.
Nurses.
Students.
Organizers.
Researchers.
Laborers.
What happened to the First
Amendment?
We deserve to have our rights
protected as people in our
community, as people that are
part of this place.
>> We need to be you for that
comment, Mona.
Good afternoon City Council
members.
I'm here as a network survivor.
My grandmother was born in 1938
in occupied Palestine.
At the time it was an occupied.
So I'm sitting in the back
having an anxiety attack
because there is an Israeli
flag right next to me
representing the entity that
took my family, my mother, my
homeland and has prevented me
from ever returning.
The ihra definition has been
said to be an educational tool.
It is an educational tool and
it will be used as an educator
I know to limit free speech.
Many of the examples for ihra
definition shield Israel from
accountability.
This is not neutral.
It will be used to control and
limit narratives.
As an educator I know exactly
how that goes.
We are seeing it in education.
Trump's educational
restrictions are real.
>> Please do not do the same
thing.
Athena Athena, you have time to
by calling the.
If you can please raise your
hand Colleen.
Thank you so much.
You all have two minutes.
Please proceed.
I'm gonna ask for a bit of
audience participation here.
I'm going to read six quotes
and if any of them sound like
something a Nazi would say them
Raise your hand and keep it
raised.
Our council members included.
I apologize in advance for
having to read these disgusting
quotes but it seems to be
the only way to communicate My
point.
Quote Those are animals.
They have no right to exist.
I am not debating the way it
will happen but they need to be
exterminated.
Quote The weak crumble are
slaughtered in our race from
history while the strong for
good or for ill survive quote a
race the memory of them a race
them their families mothers and
children.
If you have an Arab neighbor
don't wait.
Go to his home and shoot him.
Quote There is one and only one
solution which is to completely
destroy Gaza.
Quote Even 1 million Arabs are
not worth a single Jewish
fingernail.
Quote What's so horrifying
about understanding about
the entire Palestinian people
is the enemy.
End quote.
Again, raise your hand if any
of those sounds like Nazi
quotes.
>> At some point almost
everyone agreed that this is
not nonsense as do each and
every one of these quotes from
the upper echelons of Israeli
society Prime ministers,
ministers of education
ministers of justice generals,
speakers for the Legislature
and other positions of power.
They're from officials
describing their policy on how
to interact with Palestinians.
Each of you who raise your hand
thought that current Israeli
policy as stated in these
quotes is comparable to Nazi
Germany policy because the hrc
definition of antisemitism
includes comparisons of modern
Israeli policy to that of
the Nazis.
And it does.
You can look up the definition
yourself.
This definition is carefully
crafted to silence any
criticism of Israeli policy and
one that allows actual hatred
to go unchallenged.
So every single person who
raised their hand at any point
is an anti-Semite Under this
definition, criticizing
the mass slaughter of civilians
is not anti-Islamic And I hope
our city council would agree
with me and vote down this
resolution.
Our next speaker is Marsha But
then after that is Marco Polo
and David Tarek are Danny
Russell, David Lang, Steve and
Vicki as if you can all please
come forward tthe front row.
Please proceed.
Thank you for letting me speak
.
I'm not used to speaking in
public.
I'm used to playing my cello in
public.
I have knocked on doors for a
number of you to get you
elected.
In 1975 I auditioned for
the Jerusalem Symphony and I
played there for ten months.
In that time I toured the Sinai
Desert and I went to Gaza which
was my idea of heaven with
those ancient the palm trees
right on the ocean's edge.
I am horrified at what Israel
is doing now.
This is not the Israel I
visited in 1975 and 76.
This is a different Israel that
it is okay to murder people.
If you haven't heard of
lavender or birth daddy then
you don't know what's going on
there.
They're targeting poets.
I am appalled and I'm not an
anti-Semite as far as I know.
But according to this
definition I am.
>> Thank you.
Next week as Marco said, it
goes without saying that hate
crimes are intolerable in this
society and those crimes should
be identified.
And yes, we all know what
anti-Semitism is and I'm
against it too.
But simply observing and
listening to those in favor of
this measure, the argument
against it makes itself no
matter no matter how much they
deny it, they are doubling down
on the conflation of criticisms
of anti-Zionism with
anti-Semitism And so does this
measure.
And that was that was cited
directly from the hrc website.
Right.
Otherwise, you know, to adopt
the well-established Jerusalem
Declaration of anti-Semitism
which is the one that actually
addresses these discrepancies
that we're pointing to and
completing anti-Zionism with
anti-Semitism, slapping
the anti-Semitism label on
legitimate critiques of a
government or political
ideology isn't a do do measure
that should be a priority of a
city with so many pressing
needs.
>> Your time has concluded.
Let's do this.
Potus Let David overcome.
Potus let you David I don't see
anyone else coming up.
I can come back.
I don't think we've actually
met somebody to wreck art.
Hello.
My name is Tarek.
I live over in North Park.
It pains me greatly to hear all
these stories about all these
anti-Semitic hate crimes being
perpetrated here in the States.
I will say the hra definition
will only serve to make things
worse by completing anti
Semitism with with criticisms
of Israel.
While Israel is currently
performing a genocide murdering
children in front of our eyes
people are seeing this It is
life and it is not everyone's
fault that if they see a
Zionist entity doing these war
crimes are not being held to
account while it is also being
conflated with Judaism in this
definition and by the by
the words of Israeli officials
that is only going to make this
worse And I urge you to vote
against this five vote.
Thank you Danny Rosa.
Hello.
My name is Danny Rosen.
I'm here today as a member of
San Diego Veterans for Peace
and Vice PRESIDENT Of Students
for Justice in Palestine at
City College.
The very definition of
antisemitism is riddled with
democracy at best and a gross
violation of free speech.
Being on legally binding
doesn't stop it from
suppressing speech free speech
if it labels certain speech as
hate speech.
Of its 11 examples seven Target
speech in the State of Israel
it classifies comparing Israeli
policy to apartheid as
anti-Semitic.
It does the same to speaking
out against documented Israeli
war crimes.
These are not just my
positions.
They held by Amnesty
International, Human Rights
Watch and hundreds of Holocaust
scholars who know that never
again means never again to
anybody.
The hra does not protect our
brothers and sisters in
the Turkish community.
It protects governments from
accountability.
It has been used on campuses
across this country to silence
students, teachers and
community activists, deepen
their offense and punish their
speech.
It's this policy this council
needs to sit with the outrage
this time after guru David
Langston David I want people
sitting at home if they can
please raise their hand.
Elias Ben Butler your earliest
right hand right hand if you
can please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Taha Hasani Taha a study My
missing hand I do not see that
Omar Beauchamp.
Thank you.
There's two options.
Oh, because there are not to
our emotions here.
Asthma is a binding as was a
biting.
Okay.
Thank you, Doctor And Wiley,
thank you so much.
You will have to Six minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
I won't be that much time but.
Good afternoon.
My name is Dave Langston.
Today I speak on like I did
just a few hours ago Not on
behalf of my union but myself
as a Jew.
I'm here to ask you to vote no
today.
My grandparents on my father's
side were from Austria.
They escaped in 1939 to America
and settled in Queens, New York
.
My grandmother lost six
siblings and her parents in
the Holocaust.
My grandfather lost his parents
my great grandparents as well.
Like all Jews I've experienced
acts of antisemitism including
today.
When I was 13 the year my bar
mitzvah or synagogue was
desecrated with swastikas It
was shocking but it wasn't till
I had a conversation with my
grandfather when I was a little
bit older that I feel like I
truly understood what my
grandparents never like to talk
about their experience in
Austria.
But they made an exception to
allow me to interview them for
a high school project because
my success in academics were
most important to them.
My grandfather was always quiet
and he doted over his
grandchildren.
But just for a moment on that
day I saw another side of him.
After sharing their story and
what it took to escape, I asked
him if 50 years later he was
interested in going back to
Austria and he was angry.
He was angry in a way that I'd
never seen before.
He asked me why would I ever
want to go back to Austria
after what they did to me after
what they did to us.
And I could feel in my bones
the hate that upended
everything in his life at such
a young age And it was
incomprehensible that
conversation stayed with me.
It is part of the reason that
I've been a community labor
organizer for 25 years because
I don't want anyone to feel
that way.
My work is about standing for
and with people that don't have
the power in their own lives.
Like my grandparents did it
honestly.
I don't talk much about
anti-Semitism.
I don't talk about Israel
publicly or even within my own
family because it's so painful
and it's so divisive.
But I feel the need to speak
today.
There's a great Jewish
tradition of debate even
arguing.
It's true at my family get
togethers and debating even if
you disagree.
Especially if you disagree.
Helps us learn from each other
and sharpen our knowledge and
inform our values.
And that's one of the reasons
that I find the language of
this resolution so confounding
and so troubling.
This is language that shuts
down debate by labeling free
speech as anti-Semitic when
it's a part of a fair minded
debate about foreign policy.
The violence we saw in Michigan
this week and the broader rise
in anti-Semitic violence and
rhetoric.
It's shameful and it's
unacceptable.
We should all be united in
condemning it.
But when we complete those
horrific acts with criticism of
Israel's foreign policy, we
risk dividing people rather
than bringing them together.
For those like me who oppose
Israel's actions in Gaza, it
can feel as though our voices
are not welcome in the Jewish
community.
I sat next to someone that
basically question was whether
I was a part of the Jewish
community.
As soon as I walked into
the store.
And ultimately I don't think
that makes us safer.
I've had the opportunity to
spend time with every single
council member on this dais.
Every one of you ran for office
and join this council because
you want to stand up for people
that needed a voice.
Voting for this language, this
proposal heightened division
and send a message to Jews and
non-Jews alike that your voice
and your values aren't welcome.
i don't believe that's why you
ran.
And I don't believe that's why
you're here.
So I want to appeal to you to
slow this process down.
You have a letter in your hand
which I understand came in a
couple of hours ago from two
members of the Human Rights
Commission.
They've been part of this
process that brought this
recommendation to the council.
And they said given everything
that they've learned since that
vote that they think it's
appropriate to discuss it
further to hear all sides, to
hear from academics and to come
up with a definition that's
going to try and thread
the needle of this really
difficult conversation.
So they asked for you to not
move forward today.
Send this back to the hrc.
Give them the opportunity to
debate and try and move
forward.
I thank you for the opportunity
to speak and thank you for
listening.
>> Say it.
Faith Clinger Mammary David
Whitmire Joanna Adelson and
Eric Chavez seating.
If you can all please come up
to the front row please proceed
when ready.
Good afternoon council members.
I live in the fourth District
and I'm here to urge you to
vote no.
This resolution will not
protect the safety of Jewish
people.
It will in fact protect
the impunity of the apartheid
genocidal government of Israel
providing them cover for
the atrocities that they commit
by killing our constitutionally
protected right of free speech.
You've heard of the other major
human rights organizations that
have condemned Israel for being
an apartheid genocidal state.
In addition to them, two
Israeli based organizations
also say that Israel is
committing genocide and that's
Selam and Physicians for Human
Rights Israel So I'm asking you
to think about why why why have
they been called genocidal?
Because they've exterminated
tens of thousands of men women
,children, mostly children and
women do the right thing.
Thank you for that opening
statement.
Faith Klinger Hello, council
members.
>> My name is Faith Klinger and
I ama United States Marine
Corps veteran And I'm a mom.
I live in San Diego.
I have this book in my hand.
It's called I have Lived a
thousand Years growing up in
the Holocaust.
It's been in my personal book
collection since I was 11 years
old.
>> I bought it with my paper
route money.
The Jewish Holocaust was
the worst moment that I'd ever
heard about in history up until
that point and I became fixated
on how a group of people could
use such terror to another
group of people denying their
humanity, murdering them in
cold blood, believinthat
the annihilation of the Jews
would bring prosperity and
peace.
I don't have words for
the horror.
Evil doesn't flow enough.
I learned everything I could
about it So I learned.
So when I learned of
the apartheid in Palestine and
have watched thousands of
children be murdered I was
shocked.
Surely the descendants of
the Holocaust were not
oppressing a group of people
believing that their
annihilation would bring
prosperity and peace to that.
>> I have concluded my memory
Memory?
You have times and you by great
humanness speaking Please raise
your hand.
Grace Our humanness.
I don't see anybody raising
their hand with that name.
Grace rising a minute So you'll
have a minute.
Please proceed.
>> I thank you.
Council members.
I first want to condemn all
anti-Semitism but
the definition is dangerous and
it feels foreign governments
and people who criticize
the state of Israel under
the guise of antisemitism.
Let's start with federal law.
The Symington amendment
restricts U.S. Aid to any
country violating international
secret nuclear activity but
it's been proven that there had
been enriched uranium found in
soil samples in Gaza and in
Lebanon which I have provided
the research paper here for you
today.
The Glenn Amendment also
requires the United States
essentially any country that
detonates a nuclear device.
But there have been no.
There has been nothing against
the state of Israel and this is
completed with blood libel even
though it is not blood libel.
This is actual evidence
researched by doctors.
I need to remind the counsel
how Israeli prison guards were
caught filming and gang a
Palestinian man turning his
and breaking his ribs.
All charges were dropped and
they labeled that blood libel.
>> We cannot conflate anything
with anti-Semitism including
comments David Widmark.
I am David Whitmire of
Claremont.
Thank you for and I don't know
if I can thank you for having
this discussion.
It's depressing.
I have seven kids.
I feel like we're all valuable.
Nobody wants anybody to be
doing this But I would just
implore you that a resolution
like this is not like my
brother beforehand said is not
can be helpful when when
the authors themselves of this
definition canister and wrote I
crafted a definition of
anti-Semitism and I'm backing
away from it because he saw it
how it was being used And I
would just encourage you to
slow down on this.
I haven't heard a discussion
about our constituents in our
neighbors here in San Diego
with like 220 family members in
Gaza and much discussion about
calling out a genocide and
start from the weapons that are
manufactured in San Diego to
start sending them there.
But here we are talking about
six.
>> Thank you for it.
Thank you.
Joanna Adelson Good afternoon.
I stand before you as a local
concerned Jewish community
member.
The fact that this item as 500
is even being considered by
this body is a shanda a
disgrace.
For the last two and a half
years we have all witnessed
Israel committing the most
unspeakable atrocities against
the Palestinian people in Gaza
and across the land.
These crimes against humanity
have been perpetrated with
impunity by nation still a
state built on genocide and
which has co-opted the identity
of Jews the world over and now
make no mistake about it
the city Council should it
adopt the arbitrary definition
of anti-Semitic ism will be
engaging in anti-Semitism by
conflating my Jewish identity
with the genocidal ethno
nationalist rogue state of
Israel.
By doing so you will be making
me and all Jews less not more
safe.
Let me remind you that in other
places such as Germany and
the uk where language penalizes
criticism of Israel has been
conflated with anti-Zionist
Jews.
They have been labeled as
anti-Semitic.
You have been arrested and
imprisoned.
Make it makes getting a
sentence.
Thank you Eric.
Shame sitting.
>> Hello to the council.
The board?
My name's Eric Ahmed Shamsi.
I'm a Lebanese American
University student who was here
in San Diego.
I come to you today to oppose
ihra definition due to
the realm in which it does not
is purely exclusive.
We recognize that there are
crimes against the Jewish
people in our communities but
we also recognize that our
increasing crime and the same a
phobia anti-Muslim, anti-Arab
hate And we need to support our
students.
We need to support our parents
safety.
We need to support our families
And as such we should mend we
should amend this definition.
We should fix it.
We should rewrite it.
We should work it.
We should take the time to
really dig down into supporting
our community and our safety
For this It doesn't purely
separate ourselves.
We cannot have this divide and
we need to recognize the safety
of all our people.
Legislation and bill language
should not be exclusive.
>> It should be equatorial to
our community.
Thank you.
Jim Roush If I could have
the song individuals please
come up to the microphone to
the first row.
Jim Roush Sarah Hassan.
Michael Brackley, Craig Jones,
Tom McCammon, Susan Orlowski
and Hummel Conroy.
If you can all please come up
to the front row Please proceed
when ready.
I'm a resident of third
District and professor of
economics at ucsd.
I love data.
The data show that the Jewish
organizations pushing
the definition of anti Semitism
do not represent majority
Jewish opinion.
The Jewish electorate Institute
conducted a scientific survey
of Jewish voters.
They asked Jewish voters their
opinion of the statement Israel
is an apartheid state exactly
the kind of statement the Irish
Jewry definition is designed to
suppress.
Only 28% of Jewish voters said
this statement is anti-Semitic.
It is this fanatical minority
of Jewish voters that are
represented by the Jewish
organizations pushing
the definition of anti-Semitism
.
Adoption of this definition
will further inflame
anti-Semitism by trampling on
San Diego's constitutionally
protected freedom of political
speech.
Please do not help a fanatical
minority of Jews endanger
the rest of us.
Our time has concluded.
Sarah Fine Sarah aj as Amy?
No Michael Practice.
Michael You have time ceded to
you by Brian Todd.
Hello.
I'm my friend and Dave Angle.
I don't see how right.
So I do see Dave Angle so
you'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Hi, I'm Michael Brickley from
Hillcrest speaking as a member
of the Peace Resource Center in
San Diego.
I identify with the serious
concerns expressed by those who
support the Council adopting
so-called a definition of anti
Semitism.
But I'm very concerned about
adopting it because I see it as
a divisive influence in our
community one that pits
Zionists against anti-science.
Instead of helping us all find
our common ground with each
other and ways to work together
for peace and harmony in San
Diego.
To begin with it's not a proper
definition at all.
The only thing it says is as as
accurate as an actual
definition is this vague
sentence read previously that
antisemitism antisemitism is a
certain perception of Jews
which MAY be expressed as
hatred toward Jews.
Instead of saying clearly what
we all know to be true that
anti-Semitism is prejudice
against Jews, discrimination
against Jews, aggression
against Jews quite possibly
violence against Jews just
because they're Jewish.
How can this be?
It's because the so-called hrc
definition was not written as a
proper definite definition of
anti-Semitism to begin with.
Its lead writer Ken Stern has
said repeatedly it was created
simply to help governments
establish guidelines for
collecting data on
anti-Semitism including ways in
which hostility to Zionism and
Israel could be but not
necessarily are manifestations
of anti-Semitism.
Moreover, he said repeatedly
that it was created not for
authoritatively defining
anti-Semitism and that he's
very upset that it's been put
to this misuse.
Please do not adopt this
so-called definition of
anti-Semitism.
>> Craig Jones Thank you.
I am Chris Jones, a resident of
District five.
My wife's family is Austrian.
Jews were wiped out by
the Third.
I know what anti-Semitism is
and what it can do to
generations upon generations.
Those who commit anti-Semitic
acts conflate all Jewish people
everywhere with the actions of
the foreign state of Israel.
The irony in definition does
the very same thing It
conflates the protection of
the state of Israel with
the protection of Judaism of
all Jewish people everywhere.
If you embrace the arbitrary
definition you will actually
play into the mindset of those
who commit anti-Semitic acts.
The definition has been
weaponized for political
purposes.
Do not make this mistake.
There are better, more
effective ways to address
anti-Semitism.
>> anti-Islamic acts and
the acts of hatred and violence
on others.
Tom McCammon Let's sort out
three very different things
today.
The first is the Jewish people.
The second is the political
ideology of Zionism.
And the third is the Zionist
state of Israel.
The Jews are a proud and
ancient people and culture
renowned for their
contributions to the world.
Jews have often faced
anti-Semitic discrimination and
persecution and they deserve
social and legal protections.
Second, Zionism is not Judaism.
Zionism is a specific political
ideology based on a theory of
Jewish supremacy.
Not all Jews are Zionists and
not all Zionists are Jews.
It is not antisemitic to
denounce the political ideology
of Zionism and its dangerous
political program.
The resolution proposes to use
the I r statement as a tool to
combat antisemitism but it
confuses and conflates.
>> Thank you for that reporting
comment.
Susan Orlowski.
Good afternoon City Council I'm
Susan Orlowski, a resident of
San Diego District two.
I'm Jewish born and raised in
an Orthodox family.
One of the teachings from my
heritage I treasure most is
tikkun olam.
>> The responsibility to repair
our shattered divided world.
Adopting the Torah definition
of antisemitism will not repair
what's broken in our community
or our nation or our world.
>> Remember Trump based his
executive order threatening
Palestinian rights activists
with deportation and on
the definition of antisemitism
?
Voting to adopt it will silence
free speech in our communities
.
It is the antithesis to
the diversity of viewpoints and
cultures that makes them do
the right thing.
Jamal can Jamal you have time
to go to my Toyota if you can,
please?
Thank you.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Yeah.
Hi, Council members.
I'm a former city employee.
In fact, I used to sit back
there on that chair when it was
a city.
City manager form of
government.
I'm here to ask you to of
course oppose.
I know you know you have every
right as a council all
individuals to support even
the genocide in Gaza If you
want the ethnic cleansing of
Palestinian as if you want.
I am not going to label you as
hateful people.
I'm not going to label you as a
Palestinian racist.
But if you pass this resolution
that is exactly what it will
do.
It will stop me from saying my
parents were ethnically
cleansed from Palestine.
That is defined in item as
labeled as anti-Semitic.
It will stop me from saying
that the war in Gaza was a
genocide because that is also
defined as skepticism of
Israel.
And it is also classified as
antisemitism or anti-Jewish.
If I say I am against this
Zionism as a political ideology
,racist political ideology
against Palestinians because it
displaced Palestinians, I
become also an anti-Semite.
Then you have this definition
of ira.
This is what I want you to do.
If you have the right to be
able to speak whenever you want
to say and you are not labeled
you then allow me to do
the same.
And do not label me if I speak
my mind.
I will not and will not do
anything to stop the anti
Semite or anti-Jewish hit in
the us.
Other rules or other ways to
deal with it.
Ira is a political Is it
political statement to defend a
political entity?
I want to ask you when was it
that our time has concluded?
I can have the following
individuals please come up to
the yellow reserved seats and
if I can have those are seats
made available to me.
I'm not not mean I Anthony
Baron Aguiar El-Amin Israel b
Marilyn Michael Spencer and
Carmen Nasser Nicholas.
If you can please come up to
the yellow reserved seats And
today and if you come please
come up to the podium.
Oh yes You have time ceded to
you by several people people
Madeline Robichaud if you can
please Robichaud.
Thank you all My Zubeida Oman
Thank you.
There was an Omar Arisa who
ceded your time to Omar
al-Bashir ceding time to Tazeen
And so are you wanting to see
your time to to her to Tazeen
Omar Arisa Omar arise Are you
here?
Did you want to see your time
to her?
Thank you Lena Tice are other
Lena are you here?
Okay.
Thank you Gypsy Gomes Are you
here?
Gypsy Gomes I don't see Robert
Hernandez.
Are you here?
I don't see them And Shade are
you here?
Thank you So you will have five
minutes Please proceed.
Thank you Everyone Peace be
upon you all.
I am sad to say that the last
week the last few days of
Ramadan when I should be
praying I have spent trying to
reach out to people that I
consider friends at one point
and because my values did not
align with their political
aspirations I have been
ignored.
My name is within Islam and I
have the privilege and honor of
serving as the executive
director of Care San Diego And
I will not defend Care's work
because my work speaks for
itself uplifting communities,
uplifting humanity and Syria.
But what I have done for
decades and my personal work in
interfaith tells everyone here
that I am not an anti Semite My
Jewish friends will contest
that as well As someone who has
stood for equity and humanity
today I am being told that my
moral and civil upright about
the genocide that we have all
witnessed unfold right in front
of our eyes suddenly will be
considered anti-Semitic.
My advocacy for valuing of
human life will be offensive to
the community that has suffered
loss themselves.
My ability to live by my values
will be considered a violation
of a city resolution.
Let us be clear The hra
definition definition is not
about protecting the Jewish
community.
It is about being against anti
Zionism.
It is not about protecting
the Jewish community.
I repeat it is about completing
the definition of antisemitism
and anti-Zionism.
It is about silencing the free
speech of advocates such as
myself.
It is about evading my civil
rights guaranteed to me by
the us Constitution.
Since OCTOBER 2023 we have seen
a rise in anti-Muslim crimes.
These complaints are filed by a
brave few.
The majority of my community is
not brave enough to come
forward because they fear a
consequence.
Serious consequences that come
up come down from the highest
us office the presidential
order of attacking anybody who
speaks against the state of
Israel.
These incidences are on school
campuses and at places of
employment and in public spaces
just like this.
I strongly encourage you to
vote no on 500 as it does not
serve its intended purpose of
protecting any community
especially the Jewish
community.
It is rather a harmful and
divisive motion brought forward
in a hurry.
As mentioned earlier, the Human
Relations Commission that has
brought this forward is also
considering it to be brought
back to them for debate.
Council member Whitburn I
appeal to you as the one who
brought this forward to
reconsider this.
This is not a motion that will
unite communities, protect
communities.
It will just create
divisiveness amongst our
communities.
>> And I speak for the Jewish
community as well when I say
that this is not something that
will protect them.
Maybe half of the Jewish
community, maybe some of them
at least that have reached out
to me.
Let us all unite and fight
against hate, not be divisive
by these measures, not be
divided by something which is
going to gain some of us in
here political clout.
San Diego is a beautiful place.
Let us keep it beautiful by
uniting communities rather than
dividing them.
Thank you.
Thank you to those who helped
quiet the crowd.
You're doing great.
Still got a couple of hours at
least to go here so bear with
it in You have time to get it
to you by Susan Sinofsky if you
can please raise your hand.
Susan.
I don't see Susan raising her
hand here Perhaps so messed up
mine was way before a lot of
people So Susan probably left
at this point which is really
frustrating because it was
omitted But for a lot of people
we had a lot of people submit I
actually taking slips for
myself in order to accommodate
everybody.
We are trying to get through to
everybody.
Kyra Zubaida, Kyra Zubaida,
thank you so much.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
I am the daughter of a Nakba
survivor.
My Palestinian father survived
the mass slaughter and upon
your time it was your time.
>> a second hand went up.
Was there a second person that
was sitting time?
>> Does anybody else want to
see their time?
No.
Okay.
We'll go back to talk to you.
You'll have three minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
All right.
Can I start my time over?
Yes, I am.
>> Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Well, let's just take your time
over So we have at least two
and that's the third.
And the third is being seen by
a First Amendment right.
Okay.
Yalla.
We're ready.
I am the daughter of a
knuckleball survivor or my
Palestinian father survived
the mass slaughter and ethnic
cleansing of Palestinians by
the state of Israel.
I oppose this agenda item
The ihra definition conflates
actual antisemitism with
criticism of Israel.
You all need to read
the definition in full.
It explicitly says
manifestations might include
the targeting of the state of
Israel conceived as a Jewish
collectivity that strips away
our freedom of speech, our
constitutional rights to hold
Israel accountable for
the ongoing genocide of
Palestinians in Gaza.
Discrimination and segregation
of Palestinians within Israel
borders and apartheid of
Palestinians in the West Bank.
How about my Palestinian family
that lives within Israel?
Yes, there are Palestinians who
are citizens of the state of
Israel.
Are they antisemitic for
criticizing their own
government?
Is my Palestinian mother who is
an Israeli citizen racist
towards Jewish people for
criticizing the Israeli
government for relentlessly
bombing Palestinian children in
Gaza?
No, it's important we do not
conflate the two through
the ira definition.
Adopting this definition
effectively says San Diego City
Council believes in
the segregation and
discrimination of Palestinian
Christian and Muslim citizens
of the state of Israel.
Is that all what you stand for?
What is driving this?
Stephen Whitburn You're running
for a state assembly in 2030.
Are you taking money?
I'm not saying from Jewish
people Are you taking money
from pro-Israel lobby groups?
There is a distinction.
Isn't that what the ihra
definition is doing where we're
distinguishing the two?
Are you taking money from
pro-Israel groups to bring this
forward?
Nicole Murray Ramirez brought
this to the City Human
Relations Commission.
Has the commission ensured
Nicole's not taking any money
from pro-Israel lobby groups?
That is a conflict of interest.
If so.
Free Palestine from corrupt
politicians like Stephen
Whitburn the Christian Zionists
a premise Raul Campo and King
Todd Gloria who's not even here
today who ran to be mayor by
using his marginalized
background.
Only get to get into power to
further marginalize those on
the sidelines.
The group organizing
the community to speak in favor
of this item today Israeli
American Council.
So again, how is this not about
conflating the two?
This shows this isn't about
protecting our Jewish brothers
and sisters from hate.
It's about protecting
the dangerous criticism them
from the dangerous state of
Israel.
Boycott, divest and sanction
Israel from the top of my
lungs.
We're here to discuss
anti-Jewish racism.
So many of these speakers in
favor of this item have called
my Jewish brothers and sisters
not real Jews.
How is that not anti-Semitic?
>> You all my comment.
Thank you.
That does conclude your time.
I don't believe in the people.
I believe in.
>> All right.
What's up?
Anthony Baron After Anthony
Baron we have Agir El-Amin,
Israel b Maryland.
Micah Spencer and Elke Weston.
If you can please proceed.
Hello.
I'm just a poor community
worker from district for
the poor side of town District
four.
I work out in the community and
I'm just tired of my taxes
going to the Zionist holocaust
against the Palestinians and
seeing dead children day after
day for years at this time and
being surrounded by people who
take glee and pleasure in that
slaughter as it continues.
I have no faith in any of our
council members but I don't
need faith in any elected
representatives because I have
complete faith in
the righteousness of our cause
And I know that history will
absolve us if that makes me
antisemitic then so be it.
Next is engineer Al-Amin.
>> I'm Akil Al-Amin.
A long time residents of
the city of San Diego.
And I would ask the council
people please to look at
the definition of Semite and
submit it and not a definition
that these people have come up
with that is erroneous and
manifest in order to promote a
political ideology.
I'm not here to give you a
history lesson but I'm an
African American and I'm a
muslim and I have been
discriminated on both causes
and I know what discrimination
is.
There is no law that has been
designed specifically to
protect my rights as an
American and an African
American citizen to this nation
that I was born and raised in.
The civil rights Law Trump in
fact wants to dismantle
the rights laws that protect me
And if he would do it to me, he
would do it to
the Palestinians.
And I am saying now we cannot
have it and I advise you to
vote no on this resolution
Israel be.
Good afternoon, MR. PRESIDENT
and all the council members.
My name is Israel and Citizen
of Republic Democratic of Congo
in Africa and a resident here
in San Diego Lead pastor it
precious name of Jesus Christ
Church.
MR. PRESIDENT, I'm here to
speak in favor of this agenda
item regarding h r a.
MR. PRESIDENT, I support
adopting this definition
because it helps clearly
identify and addresses anti
Semitism which continue to
impact our community and around
the world.
I know what I'm talking about
For many people including those
in Jewish community Israel
represent not just a nation but
a place of safety identity and
history supporting Israel's
right to exist and defend
itself.
It is an important part of
standing against hate and
discrimination.
This measure is not about
limiting free speech.
It is about ensuring that
anti-Semitism.
Thank you for that was taken.
Thank you for that Concluding
remark.
Maryland Michael Spencer.
After that it will be Elke
Weston.
Carmen Nasser Nicholas.
Tom Hammond.
I'm not sure if I already said
that one before.
Mark Powell allegedly Audra and
Vicki Austria if you can all
please come up to the front
row.
Please proceed.
Hello, my name is Marilyn
Meeker Spencer.
I live in District three and I
voted for some of you.
I am a Jew and it is exactly
because I am a Jew that I came
here to urge you not to support
this definition of
anti-Semitism.
Anti-Semitism is a nasty,
horrible view.
It's worse when this view is
put into action.
I hate it.
All of my grandparents escaped
the antisemitism in Europe.
Many of my relatives didn't
manage to escape and were
murdered.
I've been subjected to
anti-Semitism my entire life.
Most anti-Semitism is based on
the stereotype that all Jews
are the same at their core.
But that's not true.
Many of us have different views
on everything including
the political state of Israel.
Many argue today that the ihra
definition doesn't prohibit
free speech.
But even if it's not legally
binding, adopting this position
defines free speech about
Israel as the same thing as Jew
hate.
>> Thank you for that
concluding comment Elke.
Yes, hello.
My name is Elke Weston and I
know all of you and that's a
fact.
And first let me point out
great job, Ryan to say how El
Cajon a Republican city and
Chula Vista a Republican city
support this just like you
support them and you attack
disabled individuals as well.
>> Right now what I'm here to
urge everybody to do is table
this.
It is not written appropriately
When our black community has
been attacked.
>> Has anything been done?
No.
When our Hispanic community has
been attacked, has anything
been done?
No Muslims have been killed in
the percentage that you cannot
imagine from the people of
the government of Israel.
We are not saying that
anti-Semitism is wrong but it's
very interesting that when
Muslim people are talking about
and you and thank you MR.
PRESIDENT for allowing them to
do that I expect to more I
expect ten more seconds you for
that crowd by you allowing them
to talk out like that
concluding.
>> So I need ten more seconds
because you took it from both
sides.
So they interrupted you on both
sides of the argument.
So you had your time.
I did not have your time
because I give you 10s Thank
you.
You can wrap it up.
>> I want to urge that we table
this right now.
It needs to be rewritten to
include all people including
our Muslim brothers and sisters
because at this point in time
it's racist.
>> Thank you for that
concluding remark.
Carmen Nasser Nicholas Nichols
My apology Carmen Nasser
Nichols are you here After that
Tom McCarron, Mark Powell
allegedly.
>> Thank you.
Please proceed.
Okay, I'll go more Vickie
Estrella.
Kate, you have an ditty If you
can please come up to the front
the other reserved seats And
Amy actor if you can all please
start making your way up to
the front row.
>> Please proceed.
>> My name is Carmen Nasr
Nichols and I am a Semite a
Palestinian Semite.
My parents are survivors of
Nakba.
I find this definition of
antisemitism problematic for
many reasons including that it
disregards and minimizes
the racism and oppression
experienced by the majority of
Semitic people who are not
Jewish.
I believe that Jordi of Judea
phobia Islamophobia, Afro
phobia and other types of
discrimination and bigotry are
all equally wrong.
But allowing one religious
group to define the term to
suit their political agenda
which includes taking away our
First Amendment right to free
speech and silencing and
marginalizing those who do not
have the political power to
have their definitions legally
recognized, deeply insulting
and will create more division
among religious and ethnic
groups in San Diego and beyond
.
I will also not it will also
not protect Jewish people.
>> That concludes your time.
That concludes your time and I
hear you right, Tom McMann that
you've already spoken.
Thank you.
>> Mark Powell and hello
council member, council members
and PRESIDENT LaCava.
My name is Mark Powell.
I'm here to urge you to vote in
favor of the resolution
recognizing the working
definition of anti-Semitism
adopted by the International
Accords Remembrance Alliance.
For me this issue is not
abstract.
It's deeply personal.
I'm a first generation American
Jew.
In 1956 my mother was forced to
leave the Middle East because
of religious persecution.
She came to the United States
seeking safety, freedom and
the ability to live with openly
As a Jew.
But my mom and my mom made San
Diego her home a city where she
believed she could live without
fear.
Today I live in District six
and within District six there's
two synagogues and a Jewish
community center.
These are places where families
gather, where children learn,
where Jewish community thrives.
But when you walk into
the Jewish community center
you'll see something that
should trouble all of us.
Multiple armed security guards
standing there Watch.
They're there to protect
the members of the preschool
and the members of the Jewish
Community Center.
Because people in this world
literally want to kill Jewish
people simply because they're
Jewish.
That concluding statement
allegedly address after that is
Vicki is straight then Kate you
have ended if you can please go
up to the front row.
Amy Actor Sandy have Nicole
Lily all Please come up to
the front row.
Please proceed when ready.
Talk about hypocrisy.
It's interesting because
Palestine is the Holy Land
that's being taken over and I
guess truth seems to be
antisemitic.
Why aren't you guys including
all Semites?
Why are we just saying
the Jewish people are Semites?
It's interesting.
And then you're trying to force
me to accept that pedophilia
has become something that is
you know, something that people
do.
It's written in the Talmud and
we're goyim.
We're animals.
Right.
And it's okay to treat people a
certain way if you're Jewish
but if you're not then you're
anti-Semitic.
>> And there seems to be a lot
of hate that's been spewed
around here by this group of
people And it's very sad
because it's like no, I don't
think that rabbi should
the baby penises when they are
circumcised And I will never
think that that is something
that we should support or
the genocide of people.
It's like if it's these people
it's okay but not if it's them.
You guys need to course correct
and understand that you are
discriminating when you are
saying only Jewish people are
Semites because you're leaving
out a whole class of people.
Your time has concluded Vicki
Ester you thank you for letting
us know there are duplicates in
here.
And Eddie my name is Kevin
Duddy.
I'm with the National Lawyers
Guild.
The Guild nationally has
challenged the adoption and
the misuse of the ihra
definition of antisemitism
although presented as deaf as
simply a definition of
antisemitism.
In fact it has been used to
suppress the free speech of
persons especially those
supporting Palestine and
opposing the genocide committed
by Israel in Gaza.
Locally the Guild has supported
pro-Palestinian demonstrators
including providing legal
support in defense for those
arrested at the usd encampment
and elsewhere.
These demonstrators have been
characterized as anti-Semitic
simply for speaking out against
genocide.
They've been arrested,
physically assaulted by
supporters of Israel,
disciplined at schools And now
many schools are suppressing
their rights to speak out on
Palestine, denying their First
Amendment rights to speech and
assembly.
The problem is about
the definition of antisemitism
that's contained in ira is too
broad.
Your time has concluded Amy
Actor if you can please come
forward.
Now we have people sitting in a
tiny Sydney room.
It is if you can please raise
your hand.
Sydney Thank you And Brian
o'Brien if you can please raise
your hand or are you standing
up?
I think he's in the other room
.
Okay, let's go on time.
Brian o'Brien Oh I see him
coming in waving his hand.
Three minutes.
Please proceed.
Hello, My name is Amy.
I'm a Code Pink, a feminist
grassroots organization working
to end us warfare and
imperialism.
I live in District one and I've
been a resident of San Diego
for 35 years.
The city of San Diego is
attempting to redefine anti
Semitism a definition where
pointing out ethnic cleansing
and the apartheid structure for
Israel has forced on Palestine
would be deemed anti-Semitic to
acknowledge that separate roads
for Palestinians, separate IDs
for Palestinian separate rights
for Palestinians, separate
areas and cities Palestinians
are prohibited from entering in
their own occupied land
separate law of carrying out
executions by hanging only
applied to Palestinians.
To see all of that and to call
it what it is racism in
the highest degree that would
be considered anti-Semitic in
the last 12 days Israel is
turbocharged a genocide in
southern Lebanon with complete
impunity.
They've displaced over a
million people, killed more
than 800 with countless missing
under the rubble.
We've seen schools, churches,
mosques and hospitals all
targeted with Israeli bombs
supplied by the us.
We're watching them use
the same exact tactics that
they have done to Gaza the past
two and a half years.
They forcefully evacuate and
displaced an entire population.
They then carpet bomb and raise
an entire city and prepare it
for military occupation.
Yet it is our speech that is
policed and prosecuted to a
harsher level than the violence
that the state of Israel
commits.
Backed by our own tax dollars
and our weapons from here in
San Diego our taxes aren't
spent in service of us.
Our laws aren't written in
service of us.
Our troops aren't even deployed
in service of us.
We send them to serve
the interests of Israel and
the global elites are sanctions
strangle and starve the people
of Iran as they do the people
of Cuba and Venezuela while we
blockade and steal even more
oil and carpet bomb innocent
civilians in Gaza and Tehran
and now Lebanon.
But we're told our words are
the real violence.
When will those like you.
>> San Diego City Council have
that have sat back and watched
with your authority, comfort
and convenience choose to act?
>> Councilmember Whitburn, you
said you'd support a cease fire
resolution over a year ago.
This council has broken its
promises to keep all of our
children safe.
And in that same time frame
expanded the city's
surveillance apparatus built by
collaborators of an apartheid
state.
And this genocide.
How are your future voters like
my children expected to believe
any of you have any interest in
changing the trajectory of this
city that sends weapons for
genocide and that fights
against their freedom and
future?
>> Sandy Hib sandy have are you
here?
Oh please come up.
Nicole Lilly Liliana Soriano,
Sparky am Joanne Wennberg and
Joe Castiglioni If you can
please come up to the front
row.
Please proceed when ready.
Please start.
Thank you for your time.
You said this bill is about
safety, civil rights building,
social cohesion.
Meanwhile I just witnessed one
of the Zionist community taking
pictures and writing the names
of every person that's against
this item.
So you point out your
statistics are rising.
There are no doubt from the adl
the same adl that when Elon
Musk raised his arm in that
Nazi salute it strangely
defended him.
That's weird.
They're very selective in their
outrage.
They're also been discredited
by the fbi and labeled
unreliable by Wikipedia.
But many people says never
again.
That's very selective too As a
witnessing the ongoing
Holocaust.
Seems like the values of
opinions of a few genocide
scholars that wrote this hra
for a manipulated definition of
anti-Semitism.
But when eight hundreds
scholars unanimously call it a
genocide you don't care about
them.
>> The real question here is
the biggest enemy is
the treatment no matter
the Zionist community because
Nicole Lilly and Israel is no
longer your head.
>> The third sympathies.
>> That's the real thing that
your Nicole Lilly, please come
forward.
Okay.
The next one who does what he
did is going to be escorted out
of the room.
We're all actually we're not
even close to being done.
>> But please bear with us.
Hello.
My name is Nicole Lilly.
I'm a resident of District
three and I'm here today
because I'm deeply concerned by
the ihra definition of
antisemitism.
This definition wrongly and
dangerously conflates
the criticism of Israel and
Zionism with antisemitism to
protect the impunity of Israel
under this definition saying
that Israel is found by
international courts to be
committing genocide in
Palestine to critique their
brutal murder of nearly 200
Iranian schoolchildren.
To say Israel and the U.S.
Poisoning an attempt at
eradication of entire peoples
is abhorrent.
To accurately call Israel an
apartheid state would all be
falsely labeled antisemitism.
As a youth organizer and ucsd
alum, I can tell you firsthand
how such a definition is used
not to protect Jewish people
and students but to strip away
free speech and civil liberties
of those who dare to call it
genocide and real acts of
antisemitism and Islamophobia.
All words matter.
An official resolutions of this
council are binding in ways
that matter.
As you decide today think of
your children and think of
the children in Palestine and
in Iran and around the world.
The ira tells us it is
antisemitic to defend.
Do not complete the critique of
genocidal actors with real
incidents of hatred against
American people.
>> No thank you.
Liliana Soriano.
Liliana Soriano are you here to
see everything from Overflow?
Sparky Am.
Hello Council members I'm
Parking meter a bioengineer
and a resident of District
three.
Let us be clear The I read
definition that is being
considered for adoption
blatantly disregards
the conclusion of several human
rights organizations and
international NGOs and
organizations within Israel
itself such as about Bethlehem
have concluded that
the Palestinian people are
being ethnically cleansed due
to the genocidal acts of Israel
that are being propped up by
American militarism.
My fellow classmates at my alma
maters ucsd and Columbia have
faced constant attacks because
of partial failure to protect
the freedom to protest
genocide.
But I refuse to suspension to
immigration enforcement.
The weaponizing of such an
accurate definition has done
irreparable harm to
the livelihoods of many
Palestinians and allies.
>> Keep in mind many of us have
already lost family to constant
bombardment, kidnaping and
bigotry with the very real rise
of anti-Semitism and
Islamophobia.
It is exceedingly important to
separate the defense of
warmongering states from
the defense of Jewish people.
Please do not adopt this
resolution.
>> Thank you.
Joanna Winberg.
>> Good afternoon.
I am from District one and a
Jewish member of Congregation
Dor Hadash.
Though these views are my own I
care about dismantling
antisemitism but adopting ihra
is not the way.
According to true a rabbinic
human rights collective, even
non-binding adoptions of ihra
can be used to stifle free
speech.
I encourage everyone to consult
APRIL Rosen Bloom's work to
sharpen their understanding of
antisemitism.
I do not claim to speak for all
Jews but neither can any other
Jew here.
The Talmud has a saying of
Leshem shame or argument for
the sake of heaven.
Respecting dissenting opinions
is wholly to Jewish tradition
and I cannot support a
resolution suggesting that Jews
are safe only when dissenting
voices are silenced.
Our safety is bound up
together.
Thank you.
Joe Castiglioni if you can
please come forward.
If I can have the following
individuals please come up to
the front row.
Greg Denham.
Noah Abrahams.
Diana Rosenstein Elmo Larvae.
Ramy Never sad.
Alan Viterbi If you can all
please go to the front row.
Please proceed.
My name is Joe Castilian and
I'm a Jewish resident of
District three.
The Nazi ss leader Heinrich
Himmler said the subhuman has
found its leader the Jew.
The subhuman will always be
subhuman as a Jew remains a Jew
after OCTOBER 7th.
Yoav Gallant Israel's defense
minister announced that there
would be no food, no water for
Gaza.
We're fighting human animals.
A few weeks later Israel's
former ambassador to the United
Nations Dan Gillerman said I'm
puzzled by the concern
the world is showing for
the Palestinian people for
these horrible inhuman animals
.
I've just drawn a comparison
between Nazi leaders and
Israeli leaders dehumanization
of others.
The ihra definition says that
my factual statements are an
example of antisemitism in
public life.
Just look at the 10th bullet in
the definition ihra has
absolutely been used to
suppress First Amendment rights
Look no further than de-funding
universities or initiating
deportations And at the very
least I urge you to continue
this item and to solicit
important additional
perspectives.
>> Thank you.
Greg Denham.
>> Good afternoon everybody.
My name is Greg Denham, Pastor
of Rise Church, also
representing a coalition of
pastors that represent
thousands in San Diego.
It is an honor to stand with
the Jewish community amidst
the radical rise of
anti-Semitism which by nature
is the demonization of an
ethnicity.
It is pure racism.
And this is where your
leadership is needed to take a
stand because anti-Semitism is
not only a threat of
psychological warfare,
reputational harm but also
physical harm to Jews.
It's also cover fire.
It always has been for evil to
advance advance ideology
ammunition to jihadist
movements that openly declared
their intent to dismantle
Western civilization.
We see such rhetoric in our own
backyard So I ask that you
please lead and make San Diego
proud.
Thank you and GOD bless you.
>> Noah Abraham All right.
>> Escort that lady out please
do Do not applaud.
Do not applaud.
I do not take that lightly.
>> Please proceed.
Good afternoon, counselor
Stephen Whitburn.
Thank you.
Look, let's just be clear on
why we want to adopt this
definition in San Diego As a
Jewish community we don't just
want to be protected, we want
to be taken seriously.
We want to make sure that
anti-Semitism is recognized and
addressed with the same
seriousness as other forms of
hate.
And recently I attended an
event where a Holocaust
survivor was drowned out by
the noise disruption caused by
those who refused to who
refused to respect his freedom
of speech.
This a man who survived
concentration camps, a man who
was trying to educate on
the past so that the future
cannot repeat itself But with
no hra protection we were
unable to hear his voice Today
we're here because we deserve
to be heard.
And in adopting this definition
we sent a clear message that
anti-Semitism has no place in
San Diego And crucially that
Jewish residents are valued
members of this community.
>> Ross Rosenstein, Diana Ross
seen there is time seated by
Allah Rev Zion if you can
please raise your hand.
>> Thank you.
Someone is already going out
there to close the door because
I have some hearing loss and
that's bothering me.
A law called Once I get
immunity I'm pausing your time
until they close the door.
Yes, you have time And thank
you.
My name is Diana.
Always interesting.
I am a member of the San Diego
Jewish community from District
seven.
I grew up in Belarus during
the Soviet period where
anti-Semitism was part of
everyday life at the beginning
of each school year teachers
took attendance and students
were asked not only their name
but also their nationality.
When the child said Jewish
classmates laughed and teachers
did nothing.
My parents taught me to say I
was Belarussian to avoid being
singled out.
That was the reality Many
Jewish families lived with so
that officials claim they were
not targeting Jews only
Zionists.
So evidently Estonia's
propaganda frames this as
progressive anti-fascist cause
but in reality Jews were
targeted, harassed, denied
university admissions and job
promotions and blamed for
society's problems.
I thought I had left
anti-Semitism behind when I
moved to the United States in
the early 90s but not anymore.
Today San Diego has its third
highest number of anti-Semitic
incidents in California with
incidents occurring in college
campuses and k-12 schools.
When these situations arise,
educators and administrators
often struggle to determine
when something has crossed
the line from political
expression into harassment
targeting Jewish people.
Clear guidance matters.
It helps distinguish legitimate
discussion about the Middle
East from rhetoric that crosses
the lines into anti-Semitism
across corruption or
harassment.
Having grown up in the place
where simply being Jewish could
make you a target, I know that
hatred can hide behind
political language including
one that is expressed as
anti-Zionism.
Adapting this definition will
help San Diego recognize
antisemitism when it appears
and respond before it harms
children in our community.
I respectfully urge you to vote
yes.
Thank you.
And I want to reply to
the speaker who said that she
was ready to pluck three goals
for you.
Thank you for that particular
comment.
Your time has concluded Jose.
No doubt Jose Jeff and Bren.
Is there a Jose here?
>> I'm sure there's somebody to
speak or something.
>> Elena Levy I will not love
you.
You have people sitting in
timeshare showrooms.
Steinberg.
Please raise your hand.
So thank you And Andy Cohen.
Thank you.
You'll have three minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you, dear council
members.
I'm here today not as a
community member, as a mother.
Antisemitism is not an abstract
debate.
It's not about politics.
It's not about talking point
admitted by some people that
are saying some videos on
Peacock.
I'm going to share with you
today about real daily
experiences my kids are facing.
Our kids are facing.
Last year my daughter was in
our middle school history class
when a teacher referred to as
the Jew kid.
It is not 50, 70, 80 is back.
It is last year.
And history teacher in front of
the whole class called my
daughter the Jew kid.
Imagine being in a class a
child and suddenly being
singled out like that in front
of all of your classmates.
It's not about politics.
And just two weeks ago my son
was a college student at Cal
Poly expelled anti-Semitic
bullying.
I thought a fatality.
It was serious enough that it
was reported.
So you can you can look up you
can see it in the news again,
no politics, no estoy.
It is here now happening in San
Diego in my house in my kid's
schools.
These are not stories from
decades back ago.
This is happening now to our
children.
This is why the walking
definition from the hra
matters.
It gives schools, universities
and communities a clear tool to
recognize antisemitism when it
happens instead of dismissing
it or pretending it's something
else.
No child should be abused as
the Jew kid.
No student should be targeted
for being Jewish.
Please shut up so that when
antisemitism upends
institutions have the clarity
and courage to address it
immediately.
>> Please adopt.
Thank you.
Next is Ramy Neustadt.
>> Thank you.
My name is Romi Newstead and I
live in District one.
Good evening.
My children have been
confronted and called baby
killers and Zionist scum.
They've tried to enter events
right here in this city.
Just a few weeks ago I was at
Trader Joe's and was physically
blocked from reaching for
the Israeli feeder.
The large man said if you buy
that you're supporting
genocide.
Then he was close enough to see
my Star of David and he said
You Zionist disgust me And he
refused to move.
This is what the ihra
definition addresses.
It doesn't silence critics of
any government.
It simply states that targeting
Jews for the actions of a
foreign state isn't political
discourse.
People this is antisemitism.
That's the definition
restriction of speech.
It's a tool when already
adopted as you've heard by 40
countries 30 us states in our
neighbors in Chula Vista and
alcohol and we deserve to live
in a San Diego ca that can make
you feel like including
commenters.
Thank you for your island
Viterbi.
You have time to buy Jeff
Schneider if you can please
raise your hand.
And what's your name?
Thank you.
We'll have someone go to sleep.
Three minutes.
Jeff, did you raise your hand?
My apologies.
I think he MAY have left.
Okay, so you have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Alan Viterbi city resident and
the Eagle Regional PRESIDENT
For the American Jewish
Committee, the nation's oldest
and largest Jewish public
advocacy and human rights
organization.
We support the resolution
before you.
Three brief points I'd like to
make today.
One, we commend the careful
wording of this resolution in
its purpose as strictly
educational.
Opponents claim this infringes
on their free speech.
The resolution does no such
thing.
No speech is made illegal.
Even the ugly speech that
the Council has unfortunately
had to experience today.
Opponents of the resolution can
continue to spew hate speech.
This resolution simply educates
others that their speech is
anti-Semitic To every minority
group in America is given
the space to define what they
deem to be hateful and to
educate the broader community
to help create a better society
.
The ihra definition in your
adoption today for educating
educational purposes reflects
our city's desire to embrace
all in three.
Your adoption is timely.
This is the most dangerous and
disturbing moment for American
Jews in my lifetime.
In San Diego, Jews in Jewish
institutions are experiencing
threats and actual violence.
Just this past week when we
witnessed how anti-Semitic
anti-Zionism translates into
anti-Semitic actions with
the attempt to drive a
explosive laden vehicle into a
synagogue with a preschool of
140 children.
I can tell you that night my
daughter here in San Diego
called me and said Is it safe
for me to take your one year
old grandchild to a mommy me
class at a synagogue tomorrow?
Fortunately our San Diego
Police Department is there to
protect our institutions.
But it's time for us to call
out the kind of hatred that
leads to those violent actions
.
And so I urge the council today
that we thank you for that
concluding.
Thank you.
Sarah Brown Sarah Brown If you
can please make your way
forward to the microphone and
then Wayne Harris, Faith
Klinger, Susan or Lasky, Craig
Jones, Valerie Traina and James
Roush if you can all please
come forward.
Sarah you have time to Chew by
Lauren Goodwin.
Lauren if you can please raise
your hand.
No, I understood They do have
to be present per the rules So
you do have one minute.
Please proceed.
I can do that.
You can.
Wayne Harris, thank you so
much.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
As a commissioner on the hrc as
a member of the San Diego State
University Presidential Task
Force on Antisemitism which
already adopted ihra and
the regional Director of
American Jewish Committee.
I am proud of our City Council
for taking seriously the hrc is
unanimous recommendation to
adopt the ira working
definition of anti-Semite ism.
In our letter we wrote We write
to urge the City of San Diego
to adopt the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
Working Definition of
anti-Semite Mutism.
Doing so would be an important
step towards strengthening
safety and inclusion for Jewish
students, families and
communities throughout our
city.
The ira working definition
explains that antisemitism
refers to certain perceptions
of Jews that MAY be expressed
through hatred.
These expressions can appear in
rhetoric or actions directed at
Jewish or non-Jewish
individuals or their property
Jewish community institutions
or religious sites.
The definition also includes
illustrative examples to help
identify how antisemitism
manifests in practice.
With this definition as the end
of the quote now it's just back
to me.
With this definition the city
can implement lasting education
and training initiatives to
identify respond to and prevent
antisemitism.
The ajc State of Antisemitism
2025 report reveals that over 9
in 10 American Jews feel less
safe right now with 56% of them
changing their behavior due to
fear, 31% were personally
targeted by antisemitism and
71% reported seeing it online.
We must take action and this
resolution will be part of
lasting change to benefit our
city.
Guiding Policy.
Education and Training.
Thank you very much to
Councilmember Whitburn for
sponsoring this and to all of
you for consideration and
leadership.
Vote yes.
>> Faith Klinger.
Faith Klinger, are you here?
Thank you, Susan Orlowski for
Thank you for your honesty and
duplicates.
>> Craig Jones.
Craig Jones.
Are you here?
A lot of people put in dupes.
Valerie Traina Thank you.
And if I can ask James Roush
story is better than Pea Dennis
Lee and Abigail Passman.
Nick Pleased to come up to
the front row.
>> Valerie Please proceed.
I'm Valerie Trying to district
for San Diego must not issue a
resolution adopting the ira
working definition of
anti-Semitism.
This definition confuse causes
rather than elucidate due to
its conflation of criticism of
Israel with disparagement of
Jews as a whole.
Israel clearly is committing
ethnic cleansing and genocide
of indigenous Palestine Hence
it can't hide behind this
definition of antisemitism to
avoid criticism of its war
crimes.
That the city of San Diego
believes it should carry water
for that apartheid government
infuriates me.
City Council represents
the residents we the People
want no part in excusing
the genocide of Palestinians by
the state of Israel.
Your proposed infringement on
our rights to free speech is
beyond the pale.
>> Free Palestine.
James Roush.
Doris Guitar.
Okay gentlemen.
What the was that You escort
him out as well.
Is that what he said?
Yes.
Okay.
My apologies then.
>> Oh, Doris Matar.
You have time to buy Tanya.
Ibrahim.
Tanya, if you can please raise
your hand.
>> I believe Tanya.
She's walked in.
She wants to speak herself, I
think.
So you're not Tanya, You're not
setting your time to doors?
>> No.
Okay.
You have two minutes and you
want to speak So then you can't
cede your time to me.
You'll have one minute.
Please proceed.
Okay.
i deeply care about the rights
of all people even those I
disagree with.
But why was this definition not
read?
You took ten minutes and didn't
read the definition Because
it's plain as can be that it
will stifle our speech rights.
My family in Lebanon originally
from the south have never seen
this level of displacement or
destruction.
The Israelis have soaked
aggreko natural lands with
herbicides and phosphorus
making a million people
homeless.
My cousins witnessed smashed
infrastructure the flattening
of entire neighborhoods and
villages.
Israel lured weary Lebanese
refugees to safe zones In
Beirut's Corniche, a boardwalk
adjacent to the American
University of Beirut near where
we lived.
Drones killed many, including
children's hours later.
Over a dozen medical workers
have been murdered.
If this passes when I tell my
personal story I will be
branded as anti-Semitic.
Please read this.
Read it and fix it.
>> Tanya after that is Dan p
Dennis the Abigail.
Please proceed.
My name is Tanya Ibrahim.
Another resident of District
four.
I urge you to vote no to
the ihra definition of anti
Semitism.
I am Semite.
I am a Semite a Lebanese Semite
and one of the original Semite.
And the ihra definition of
antisemitism disregards and
minimizes the racism and
oppression experienced by
Semitic people like me who are
not Jewish.
It's especially troubling that
the city of San Diego is
considering this definition
during ongoing violence
including the genocide in Gaza
and the continued Israel us
Israeli bombing in Iran and
Lebanon.
My home country Israel has
displaced nearly 20% of
Lebanon's population.
Israel is targeting civilians
and infrastructure.
How many people here who are
voting yes for this item have
their country, their homeland
countries destroyed and
bombarded since the day you
were born?
How many of you can say this
and to support by Israel and by
Lebanon.
>> Your time has concluded.
Your time has.
Your time has concluded.
Then if you can please come
forward.
Then you have time to buy Nabil
Sheikh.
Thank you.
And I know that you have
something to show up on
the screen.
So that is going up on
the screen.
We will try to zoom in but
copies are being distributed to
the council as well.
Please proceed.
Yes, City council members.
My name is Dan and I am a
resident of San Diego.
Thank you for considering
the adoption of a resolution.
Several people here came to
Gaslight You and lie about Ira.
They organized by care
organization and support
terrorism And you hear on
the court the day that they
tell their leaders.
Right.
The argument today is that Ira
and Jews are here to infringe
on their freedom of speech
constitutional speech, freedom
of speech.
Right.
So let's look together.
You have a paper there to read.
What I had actually says
nothing in this resolution is
intended to nor shall it be
construed to limit or infringe
upon rights protected by
the United States Constitution
or California Constitution.
Including the right to free
speech and expression.
This is what I says.
I make it clear that adoption
does not infringe on free
speech.
Ira is intended to be used for
educational purposes.
To call out the monetization
and delegitimization of Jews I
am asking you on behalf of my
family and my beautiful Jewish
community in San Diego here to
adopt Ira.
Thank you.
Next Gen z Dennis z.
Would you like to sort that
element out?
We've got two states that are
control and everybody speak.
Let them get their opinion out.
We still probably got at least
another hour if not more at
Dennis please.
>> PRESIDENT.
Hello Council members.
My name is Dennis and I live in
District six.
Thank you Council with Bern for
sponsoring the resolution
today.
Iro does not impede on free
speech.
It is completely constitutional
and has been adopted by
the United States government.
Healthy debate and criticism of
governments and policies are a
normal part of democratic
societies.
People across the political
spectrum regularly express
opinions about international
conflicts including those
involved in Israel.
However, there is an important
distinction between criticizing
a government and targeting
the Jewish people.
Anti-Semitism occurs when
individuals or communities are
blamed, harassed or threatened
simply because are Jewish or
when Jewish identity itself
becomes the target of
hostility.
There are plenty examples of
that when political anger about
events abroad turns into haste.
Thank you.
We support the resolution.
>> Abigail paused.
Abigail is Ariel Heifetz here?
Ariel Heifetz I understand that
somebody wanted to see a time
to you but I don't have that
speaker slip.
Thank you so much.
We'll get those.
You'll have three minutes.
Please proceed.
Hello.
My name is Ariel Heifetz and
I'm here as a 15 year old
Jewish high school student who
has been through many
anti-Semitic incidents.
I shouldn't be in school right
now but I need to speak out.
I've been living here for most
of my life and I'm an American
citizen.
I have no control over what
goes on in other places in
the world.
The OCTOBER 7th tragedy
happened when I was in seventh
grade 12 years old.
I don't think a 12 year old
should have to deal with racial
profiling.
I've been told Hitler was right
and that I should have gotten
gassed with the rest of my
people.
I've been called a dirty Jew
and a baby killer.
I've had to go through physical
attacks to physical and violent
attacks one being with four
boys who are older than me.
I've been spit on but luckily
I'm still here.
I think some people need me to
restate the definition of
antisemitism.
Antisemitism simply means that
you hate someone due to
the fact that they are Jewish.
That is it.
This isn't about politics in
some of the people here are
proving my point.
This is about mine and
the peoples around me of
safety.
I want to feel comfortable and
safe in my country and I want
to feel comfortable with who I
am.
I want to feel like everyone
else does.
You've seen some of
the antisemitism anti-Semitic
lies being spread against us
today.
We defend the rights of every
minority without thinking twice
because everyone deserves to
feel safe.
We just want the right to live
in peace.
Why should I have to fight for
that?
I wish we could learn from our
mistakes.
We say never again but here we
are.
There's a difference between
hate speech and free speech.
Antisemitism is pure hate.
This is disgusting and I am
sick of it.
>> Please vote yes.
Thank you.
>> Margaret Morgan.
Margaret Morgan If you're here
or on marker Andy Tremlett,
Sylvia and Regan we have to for
Sylvia and Ricky Stacey Lynn q
Figure if you can all please
come to the front row.
Margaret you have time seated
by Janet Kay headline If you
can please raise your hand.
Janet Conwy Okay then you'll
have one minute We'll get that.
Please proceed with your two
minutes.
Thank you.
My name is Margaret Morgan.
I'm a San Diego resident
District two.
Thank you Stephen Whitburn and
Ryan for this amazing
presentation today.
And also I'm a non-Jewish ally
standing in strong solidarity
with my Jewish community and
friends.
You've heard the evidence
anti-Semitism at
the unprecedented levels has
been clearly established that
this definition does not limit
free speech.
You've also heard claims about
this definition that are simply
not true.
That is not debate.
That is misinformation.
The question before you is not
whether antisemitism exists.
The question is whether you
will name it Clearly or allow
it to be blurred.
The ihra definition gives you
the ability to draw that line.
History shows us what happens
when that line is blurred.
The decision is in your hands
and in your hands.
You're each also holding a copy
of my father's birth
certificate from Germany
stamped with the Nazi insignia
as he was born in 1937.
I gave that to you as a
reminder.
History is not distance
distant.
It is shaped by the decision of
public officials in moments
like this.
Please vote yes.
While this decision is still in
your hands.
>> Thank you so much.
Darren Malka You have time
Seated by Miriam Penny Shai, if
you can please raise your hand
.
Thank you.
And Laura Lolly Froman, please
raise your hand.
Lauren.
Laura Lolly from from Oh, thank
you so much.
Three minutes Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
Council PRESIDENT And council
members.
My name is Tyrone Malka and I'm
a member of both the San Diego
and the national boards of
the Israeli American Council
representing thousands of proud
Jewish and Israeli American
families in our community.
We've seen the numbers of
the surge in anti-Semitism in
our in our city, in our county.
I have to say I prepared a
speech but I have to say that
what you've experienced today I
think our position clearly made
our case.
What we have experienced today
in some of those comments is
what our members are
experiencing every single day.
Our children, Our students.
Our parents in a place of force
shaping the universities in
the kindergartens.
This is the kind of hate we are
experiencing every single day.
And you've heard just as you
know, an hour or two of it our
law enforcement and our civic
leaders cannot fight this hate
if they don't have a clear
definition of what it is and
how to protect against it.
The definition is not
constructed, is not against
free speech, not in any way
just in the way you have
explained it, in the way it's
written, in the way you've
heard so many witnesses for it.
It is clearly and simply a
diagnostic tool to identify it
and to give some tools to
combat it to allow our our law
enforcement to deal with it and
to try to eliminate it.
We hear a lot about we want
open debate.
We want the healthy debate.
Of course we want a healthy
debate.
But the debate that we are
asked to do is as long as we
are not we're not yarmulke as
long as we don't speak Hebrew,
as long as we don't put our
mezuzah in our doors, as long
as we do not go with our star
of David.
Now let's have a debate.
That's not a healthy debate.
>> That's Jew hatred in any
form that you can express It.
You have a very simple choice
to make today.
>> You can join the 47 nations
in 37 U.S. States and establish
a standard that will protect
your Jewish constituents and
the Jewish community overall or
you can make the day for those
anti-Semitic oppressors who are
hoping praying that you reject
it.
And any word about let's delay
it?
It's not a clear it's not an
honest request to delay it.
>> It's a hope to bury it.
>> I urge you to vote yes.
Thank you.
Andy Tremlett Today you were
aiming to take a stand against
anti-Semitism.
That is a noble goal But this
is not the way no country in
the world deserves protection
from the First Amendment of
the Constitution.
Yes, this resolution declares
it.
It doesn't restrict criticism
of Israel.
But then it goes on to list
specific ways that you can and
can't talk about the state.
You can't have your cake and
eat it too.
On Saturday a Palestinian
family was driving home after
getting sweets and new clothes
for the kids.
Israeli soldiers opened fire on
the family car killing
the mother, the father and two
young boys.
Only two children survived.
Imagine that happening to your
family.
Now imagine being one of
the surviving kids and hearing
that politicians were voting to
restrict criticism of
the forces who killed your
family.
Please do not take a chisel to
our rights as Americans.
>> Sylvia Andrea, Sylvia and
Rico.
I was on your feet.
>> Please speak when you get up
to the microphone.
Zoom can hear you as well.
I'm sorry.
You'll have one minute.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
Almost going into Good evening.
I am here to confess that I was
not listed here to speak on
this issue.
However, it is a very important
issue.
This divide between me as human
beings needs to stop.
And the only way we can do it
is to respect each other and
respect each other's existence
here and respect that all of us
all of us to some degree in
the evolution of this
civilization have suffered.
What you are know will be
suffering.
We have been suffering.
I pray for my people for
thousands of years in many ways
but specifically for the last
500 years with the European
invasion on this land.
So it is not new and I beg
everyone particularly
the Council to be inclusive and
to get out in view.
Thank you for that Concluding
reminding everyone.
Stacie Lehmann Caffe over
Kiefer Stacie Lana and then
Cynthia are Connor Duncan.
Blair Beakman.
Ronnie Levy.
Stephanie Neeson.
David Whitmore.
If you can all please come up
to the front row.
Stacy Lynn you can come up to
the microphone if you're here.
Is there no Stacy Lynn.
Cynthia Art, please come up to
the microphone.
Cynthia you have time to buy
Terry Next time.
Terry Thank you so much.
You'll have two minutes.
Please proceed.
>> Honorable council members
Thank you for having your
agenda.
The adoption of
the International Holocaust
Remember Remembrance Alliance
Definition of anti-Semitism.
With anti-Semitism rising there
needs to be a way to define
this particular racism in order
to combat it.
Protecting all citizens alive
with civility and with our
state and local laws
prohibiting discrimination
other than the incredible
racism against Jews it would be
a non-issue.
But here we are.
You have this mob opposing this
with their unending hate of
Jewish race, religion and
national origin and add to that
language after the Santa Fe
attacks.
>> Antisemitism was the term
coined to explain this
irrational crazy Jewish hatred.
That's what the term was
coined.
It's not a separate word or
meshing of words.
That's what the word was coined
and it's meaning to invent.
Imagine you needed an armed
guard to go to your church to
walk outside to send your kids
to preschool.
Imagine needing armed guards to
send your kids to preschool
because some crazy might come
and assassinate your
kindergartners or your
preschoolers for the crime of
being born of Jewish blood.
This definition merely defines
a hate.
It doesn't work against anybody
.
It doesn't act against anybody.
It merely defines what
antisemitism is so that we can
combat it.
It is not.
It is a double step when it's a
double standard applied to Jews
only Jews.
That is when the definition
works.
It has nothing to do with
attacking Israel.
>> You have your free speech.
It is not affected and impacted
in any way.
There is no reason why racist
Jew haters should be able to
define what antisemitism is as
a problem.
I would not accept that and it
should not be a double standard
But this applies to do the Jew
people either.
Thank you for protecting
offending against and not
applying a different standard
to Jews.
>> Thank you for putting this
on the agenda.
Please vote yes.
>> Connor Duncan if you can
please go forward.
>> Thank you.
i want to start by saying that
I actually do support the vast
majority of the hra definition
and particularly example number
11 which I think is the most
salient example today which is
that Jews are not collectively
responsible for the actions of
the state of Israel.
That these are two distinct
entities.
However, the second half of
example seven example eight and
example ten directly contradict
this by saying that any speech
in opposition to the State of
Israel is a reflection on all
Jewish people.
This is you know, 11 examples
given here It can't even be
maintained a degree of
consistency across 11 examples.
I would also say that you know,
the rise of Semitism is a very
real thing And I've heard
the stories today and I have
been moved by them But we do
not need to have on one hand
the discussion of this and
stifle debate of America's
role, its relationship with
Israel and the ongoing status
quo that I think is
unacceptable.
If you don't I think your time
examples are designed to
curtail your time has
concluded.
I need to be fair to everybody
.
Blair Bachmann After Blair It's
Ron Levy.
Stephanie Mason, David Whitmire
,Stephen Schneider, Laurie
Lipson, Tamar Caspi if you can
all please come up to
the yellow reserved seats.
Blair Please proceed when
ready.
Thank you.
Please proceed already.
Blair Please proceed.
Hi.
The incident earlier was
cleared up.
The woman is going to be
released downstairs,
thankfully.
I wanted to offer anything I'm
trying to say for the majority
of my public comment actually
isn't true in terms of absolute
I'm trying my best to figure
things out along the way.
I was I would like all parts of
our San Diego community to feel
protected and safe and how
we're making our decisions for
these sort of items the ideals
of love and diversity those
should be kind of basic things
we're all trying to work
together towards And I was for
this item at first and I read I
read the guidelines of what
it's trying to offer and
the guideline process is
important.
I use it with the aclu Step for
accountability But these
guidelines they lack a certain
human rights aspect to them.
I think it needs to be brought
back a full community
discussion to work on this
together and come up with
solutions that the community
and I can run it live.
>> You run it.
Let me David a bit more.
Thank you.
And I just have to say for
the record there could be two
people with Joe Smith of
the same name if they don't
come up and they don't come up.
David Vidmar, Stephen Schneider
,you have time.
See the two by Nancy Dozier If
you can please raise your hand
.
Nancy, are you still here?
You'll have a thank you.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon And thank you,
Councilmember Whitburn for
bringing this to the city.
I have to say I'm so impressed
by all of you to be so patient
through this procedure and so
open to all of the comments.
My name is Steven Schindler.
I'm a native San Diego and a
resident of District three and
importantly the son of child
orphaned Holocaust survivors
Rose and Max Schindler.
I was here with my mom and
other survivors in 2018 when
the city council adopted on
JANUARY 27th as International
Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I want to thank council members
Marino for that moment as well
as council member Campbell And
I just want to share
the proclamation with everyone
here today.
I'm here to ask for the entire
City Council's leadership in
support of adopting the I r a
definition of antisemitism for
those speaking in support of
free speech.
I hear you.
However, I'd like to share how
as a child as a child my family
and other Holocaust survivor
families who gathered on
Sundays at the high school
during the summer were chased
out at the threat of violence
by neo Nazis parading up Lauria
Boulevard.
We never returned to the Cove
as a family for fear for our
safety incidents As dramatic as
this seem probable again more
than ever without the adoption
of this resolution.
Can you imagine how my parents
and their survivor friends felt
in that moment?
Hate speech and threats cross
the line.
Why is the adoption of this
critical?
It creates a shared
standardized definition as it
has been discussed and it can
guide schools, universities
inform hate crime analysis.
Thank you for that concluding
comment.
Was that to me it was two
minutes Yes.
Laurie Lisman two minutes.
Good afternoon Council members.
Yesterday I listened to
the city's crime report.
Well while overall crime is
down, hate crimes are rising
and we must address this to
protect all as a second
generation Jewish-American
having experienced
anti-Semitism throughout my 70
years, I oppose antisemitism,
antisemitism and hate in all
forms but the I h r a
definition conflates anti.
I more them with legitimate
criticism of the Israeli
government putting free speech
at risk.
We have laws against harassment
discrimination and violence
Anti Semitism requires
education and accountability
and the district three resident
I urge you to not adopt this.
Thank you to Mark Cosby If you
can please come forward.
You have people sitting your
time Leslie Cosby to come
Please raise your hand as well
as Jordan Rosenfeld, Jordan, I
believe you already see
the time but we'll double
check.
Please proceed.
Hi, my name is to Marcus.
Be a proud resident of District
seven home of Hanukkah Hill.
Again, all these testimonies
are exactly why we need this.
This is gaslighting.
They are making our case for us
by criticizing Israel to
justify anti-Semitic them here
and purposely misconstruing
the definition of
anti-Semitism.
All of these Kafirs and
watermelons are symbols calling
for the genocide of Jews.
It is very triggering for me
especially as we just got word
the couple was just killed in
Israel by a rocket from Iran.
Please don't leave Henry.
I am a co-founder of Year k-12
advocating for Jewish students,
parents and teachers civil
rights in k through 12 schools
throughout San Diego.
We have students, parents and
teachers calling daily with
concerns about antisemitism on
campus but without a definition
of antisemitism it is that much
harder for us to fight it and
get consequences for bad
behavior.
Forget about trying to prevent
it these past few weeks while
everyone else was probably
wearing their Dominican
Republic and Puerto Rico and
Italy and of course the usa
baseball hats the school Jewish
kids were scared to wear their
team Israel hats those that did
have them knocked off their
heads.
They were called baby killers
and genocidaires.
Not only are these lies being
perpetuated but these young
kids are being blamed for
the false actions of a
government halfway around
the world but they have no
control over that would fall
under the definition of ira and
allow students to advocate for
themselves and their civil
rights.
This Cuba doesn't have a star
of David on it or an Israeli
flag on it So why are students
that we're at a public school
in San Diego getting beat up
and berated and always in
classrooms under the guise of
hating bp or being against war
that would fall under ira as
well.
And the student would be able
to advocate for themselves for
civil rights.
This is happening in k-12
public private independent
schools around San Diego every
day.
If you deny Israel's right to
exist, hold all Jews
responsible for Israel's
actions or single out
the Jewish state with double
standards that is antisemitism
and ira helps us to find that
Please adopt ira so that more
power more people can be
empowered to stand up against
antisemitism.
Thank you.
All right.
Shannon Lieberman and Laura is
tomorrow.
Looky here.
Did you want to see your time
for someone else or speak to
me?
Okay.
Thank you.
I will have it here taped Sean
,please come forward.
Robert De Hernandez, Roberto de
Hernandez, Patricia Gregson,
Rose Markowitz and Grace Rojas
Jimenez All please come up so
yellow to preceding her time to
me But you already spoke sir We
don't go back.
It's not a backstage thing.
Sorry.
Good.
Try to taint a short please
Come up.
>> Good evening.
Shame on you.
COUNCILMAN Whitburn, this
definition is ridiculous and
harms the fight against
anti-Semitism.
The ira website gave examples
of anti-Semitic acts implied
from the definition.
An example is denying
the Jewish people the right to
their self-determination by
claiming that the state of
Israel is a racist project.
I think that any state that
uses segregated highways like
Road 4370 and Israel occupied
West Bank is a racist project
on par with Jim Crow America.
But according to the ihra
definition I just committed an
act of antisemitism on par with
slander against our Jewish
neighbors.
Surely you can see how this
disarms the fight against
antisemitism and enables
genocide at the same time
aligned with humanity and
the oppressed.
Vote no on this resolution.
>> Thank you.
Robert Fernandez.
Roberto Fernandez, are you
here?
Thank you.
Patricia Garcia.
Patricia Garcia And you
actually had already ceded time
to somebody else So I will
marry your slip.
Rose Markowitz Hello.
>> My name is Rose Markowitz
and I am a Jew and I strongly
oppose this resolution as
you've heard so many times
today anti Semitism and Zionism
are distinct Zionists do not
speak for all Jews.
Zionism is a shanda.
It is racism, it is
colonization, it commits
genocide.
The resolution centers on my
right as a Jew to voice this
opinion freely.
An ethno state sustained by
obscene amounts of violence is
not moral and it is not Jewish.
Displacing people from their
homes is not moral and it is
not Jewish An apartheid state
where access to food, water and
medicine is regulated and often
denied by a hostile government
is not moral and it is not
Jewish.
I do not believe that
the existence of Israel makes
Jews safe or protects us from
antisemitism.
The definition must exclude
anything that conflates Judaism
and Zionism That is your time.
Thank you Rose.
Great Assimil\s Great stroke.
A few minutes.
Are you here?
Great source of minutes Jesse
Gomez j I ap Asi Gomez Jesse
Gomez Octavio Cifuentes Please
come forward.
And then after that we have La
Law So Bella and I think
finally Philip ginsburg Julie
Corrales please make your way
up to the front row.
Anthony Rose and Eliza Bradford
all Please come up to the front
row.
>> Octavia Please proceed.
>> Good evening everyone.
Sorry.
Please speak into
the microphone.
Sorry.
It's a little.
Good evening everyone.
My name's obviously Fuentes.
I'm a Navy veteran resident of
District One, a graduate
student at the University of
San Diego and the PRESIDENT Of
the local chapter of Veterans
for Peace.
I'm here to ask you to vote no
on this 500 as the are a
definition was never designed
to be used as a binding
definition of anti Semitism nor
to be adopted as legislation.
The creators of the working
definition have since abandoned
it due to its flawed framework
but it has since been
weaponized to silence any
critique of Israel The rise in
hate in this country is deeply
concerning and it pains me to
hear the stories that I heard
today so it would be great to
see this city take the lead on
real change by passing a
resolution that actually
addresses the problem.
So I ask you to not perpetuate
the cycle of hate and vote no
comment.
Thank you for your time.
La la la la.
If you can please come forward
here La la.
There was severe If you were
seeding time to la la did you
want to speak as if your belief
came moving on so green So let
.
My name is Sabrina.
>> I'm a resident of the San
Diego City.
i strongly oppose the adoption
of the ihra definition of
antisemitism.
The ira bill does not address
anti Semitism but rather
conflates anti lane ism with
antisemitism.
Completing the two creates a
dangerous precedent and
criminalizes any legitimate
critique of Israeli criticism
that is protected under our
First Amendment right to free
speech a right we see being
criminalized all across this
nation under this
administration.
Voices supporting Palestinian
human rights will be targeted,
harassed And if we adopt this
resolution, adopting this
resolution without the need for
criminalizing and violating
free speech, it's your
responsibility to take a stand
and ensure that free speech for
all San Diego residents is
protected.
Uninsured for all San Diego
residents.
Thank you for leave for life f
r.
My name is Farida.
So I'm going to start I
strongly oppose this
resolution.
It is disgusting and abhorrent
that during the holy month of
Ramadan we are forced and
that's why there aren't more
Muslims than ever.
The Palestinians in this room
not just because someone was
detained and arrested
violently.
We have to leave and deal with
that while fasting.
But because the city continues
to choose times while our
people are bleeding and
struggling while Iran is being
bombed with u.
S strikes, while Lebanon is
being waged and demolished
while those facing starvation
emaciation massacre ethnic
cleansing call it whatever you
want.
You all can read You all know
what the definition says Don't
play dumb.
We are not dumb.
You are not born into these
positions to pretend that you
don't know what the definition
says.
So we will continue to stand in
opposition or not and we will
continue to organize.
And all of these comments of
people being so confused about
what the definition says show
that it was never meant to be
used in this way And I will
continue to critique Israel
until I die because Israel is
the point that cleansing
the Middle East your time has
come about people.
>> Your time has concluded.
Philip.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
Hello.
Your parents?
Okay.
Settle down.
The standard is not double
standards.
My actions are about being
disruptive to the context of
the meeting.
If people say things quietly
from one to another, I despise
that.
I condemn that.
But we're talking about
disrupting the meeting.
It's not about political It's
not about picking fights.
It's about being disruptive.
And they have it.
I would condemn that.
But as long as you're not
disrupting the meeting, that's
my responsibility.
>> And that's exactly why we're
having this conversation today
Like Philip Ginsberg If we can
proceed, Philip Ginsberg,
please proceed.
>> Do you have a minute?
Council members I'm sorry to
have participated precipitated
that.
Thank you for considering this
resolution.
I'm speaking in favor of this
resolution.
I've been a resident of San
Diego County since 1973.
I happen to be in the district
of council PRESIDENT.
You've heard stories.
And I have a story.
It's a small story.
I'm 74 years young.
I've been married to my lovely
wife for 55 years.
>> Do you see the story, David
I'm wearing?
She will not go out with me if
I'm wearing that star of David.
I can't wear it.
She's afraid that someone's
going to come up and punch me
or punch her.
Please.
I implore.
Time is right.
Vote yes on se 500.
>> Thank you.
Next is Julie Corrales.
Julie Corrales if you're still
here Anthony Ralphs if you come
please come up after that.
Eliza Bradford.
Chris Lopez.
Liam Stanton.
Kayla Timothy Dombrowski.
Leah Gavin Sklar.
And then Eliot Cohen.
Reese is our last speaker here
in Council chambers.
Please proceed.
>> Hello Counsel Good
afternoon.
I think we're all familiar with
the saying sticks and stones
can break my bones but words
can't bring back all the slain
Palestinians that have been
erased from the genocide that's
actively going on.
And what I want to know is why
Zionism gets to claim a
monopoly on Semitism when we
know that Palestinians are
Semites too.
Yet this definition does not
include Palestinians or any
other people of Arabic descent
in it and that's why it's
flawed and that's why I'm
speaking in opposition to it
today is because we know those
of us that have studied history
that Israel is a colonial
apartheid settler state that
was founded on the premise of
reparations for the Holocaust.
By that same standard, if
reparations for Holocaust are
the basis for creating a nation
,this nation would be more
appropriately named the United
States of Native Americans.
But it's not.
And there was 50 million Native
Americans killed in this
country and they're not around
today to state that they
deserve a nation of their own.
Your time has come.
GOD's chosen.
>> Your time has come.
Don't go away.
Come back.
This is nice lady giving you
another minute.
Is that why you're standing
there with your hand up?
>> No.
I listed about ten individuals
Still will go and come.
Thank you, Anthony.
>> Sorry.
Elijah Bradford.
>> Good afternoon, Counsel.
My name is Elijah Bradford.
I'm here representing that
introduce.
Recently separated Marine Corps
veteran for five years and I
served with marines and sailors
that were Jewish Arab that
followed Judaism that followed
Islam and I cherish all of them
And I would stand up for all of
them if they were discriminated
against.
But I'm here to say that we
should vote no on this prop.
And the reason is it very
clearly conflicts anti-Zionism
with anti-Semitism which is not
the same.
And I will say that the plight
of the Jewish people is not one
that is unique.
There is genocide and there has
been holocaust against black
and brown people multiple times
throughout history.
So that is not an excuse to
somehow get preferential
treatment.
And I'll also say that counsel.
No matter what happens today,
one day people like me my age
are going to be in your seats.
Remember that?
Remember that you work for us
and no matter what you do today
once we get in power this will
be fixed.
>> Remember that Chris Lopez.
How's everyone doing?
I'm Chris Lopez.
I am a proud union
representative and co-host of
the Union Robust podcast And in
the labor movement we care
about people we don't know.
That's the probably the crutch
of the labor movement.
That's the foundation that
holds everything up.
When I was a young dad I was
about 28.
I took my daughters to the zoo
for me to go see a cheesecake.
Its application of the trees in
there and everything But I'll
never forget for the rest of my
life there was a dog a golden
retriever in that cage with a
cheetah and it was barking at
the children.
The cheetah was all scared by
what's going on.
You told me that the cheetah
thinks the dog is dominant
because the cheetah was born in
captivity So I asked all
the council members Remember
who you are.
You're part of the labor
movement San Diego County Labor
Council.
We declared a genocide.
We declared Israel's an
apartheid state.
And I asked you just reported
Thank you, Liam Stanton.
Liam Stanton if you're here.
Okay.
Thank you.
After that we have Kayla
Timothy Dombrowski, Leah Gavin
Sklar, Julianne Gustafson if
you can all please come forward
to the reserve seats please.
PRESIDENT Thank you, Counsel
Men and women it's been a long
day like everyone still
standing or sitting.
Um, first and foremost I'd like
to say that all hateful acts
against any person and all
violence inflicted against any
human being in whatever form or
way or shape is taken is
obviously contemptible and
unacceptable.
The hideous and truly
anti-Semitic actions that we've
seen in Michigan and around
the world are worthy of
condemnation from all insult
people including me even as an
opponent of this resolution and
children especially are most
especially off limits.
That being said, the ihra
definition of antisemitism is
clearly overly broad and
incompatible with the free
speech standards of a free
people and in particular
the points amounting to a
prohibition on criticizing
Israel for being in its methods
genocidal or likened to a state
which is ethnically racist are
obviously beyond the pale.
I urge no on this resolution
Your time has concluded Kayla.
>> Katie I l l k are here.
Timothy Dombrowski Thanks for
saying it is unacceptable and
unreasonable to hold the one
group to a different standard
than another.
No country no state has
the right to exist.
They exist.
I am not being anti-Christian
when I criticize the anti-trans
rhetoric of this country.
I am not being anti-Islamic
when I criticize the slavery
practices in the U.S. Because I
do not represent those
religions.
We cannot use a standard that
calls one group different from
the other which is built into
that age definition.
It is self contradictory and
therefore it is inappropriate
to use Leah.
Why are you here?
>> Gavin Sklar.
There is no last name address
as Lynn.
>> Gavin Sklar.
Thank you And then Julianne.
You'll be after Lynn.
I just need you to come make
sure you're up at the front row
and let Cohen race.
Please come up to the yellow
reserved seats.
Please proceed.
Can I start?
Hi, my name is Leah.
I am a Jewish San Diego and And
you've heard a lot today a lot
of words.
I'm just here to remind you
that we've been watching for
over two years a genocide
inflicted by Israel.
Okay.
So people want to be able to
get in the streets.
They want to be able to speak
about this.
And your job is to not infringe
upon people's freedom of
speech.
Okay.
So before you feel like you
have to respond to the Israel
lobby to a park you know, we
have we heard from
the PRESIDENT Or whatever pac
the adl you work for us.
Okay.
You do not work for the Israel
lobby.
You work for your American
constituents.
People who live here in San
Diego to start working for us.
Start working for us And don't
throw Jews under the bus
because we don't all think but
a few people here think.
>> Okay.
Thank you, Julianne, if you can
please come up.
Good afternoon.
Thank you for allowing me to
speak.
You see this t-shirt here?
Okay.
It says Gaza.
I was in Gaza in 2009 after
Israel had killed over 1500
people.
About 300 and some were burned
alive with white phosphorous.
I got home and I had ptsd.
I couldn't talk about it for
about 3 or 4 weeks.
I went back to the West Bank
this time and it was a 2011.
Again, I should not have gone
because I couldn't deal with
it.
I was supposed to be there six
weeks.
I was.
I got home after three weeks.
All I'm saying is that I will
be darned if you will close my
mouth and not be able to say
what I heard, what I saw which
was very traumatic and
horrible.
I should be allowed to speak
and say what I saw that it was
horrible.
>> Thank you.
Please.
Eliot Cohen Reese you have time
ceded to you by Giovanni
Sorrentino.
Yeah.
Thank you.
You'll have two minutes And I
know we have a video for you.
Yes.
Did you want to speak first?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Good evening, Counsel and thank
you so much, Councilmember
Weprin for sponsoring the vote
today.
I am Liat Cohen was
the director of
the Antisemitism task force at
Stand With Us and I would love
to please share a video with
you if it begins with the gas
chambers.
It begins with words that make
evil feel righteous.
Yes, the Jews.
Hitler was right.
It begins with Jewish buildings
defaced swastikas in the night
just like in 1958.
It begins with mobs and campus
sieges in San Diego,
anti-Semitic incidents exploded
139 reported in 2024 alone
rising and 2025 at ucsd and
most protesters surrounded
events, pounded doors and
chanted Death to Jews At
the Legacy International Center
.
Jews cars were surrounded and
attacked at a downtown gala.
Jews were harassed in downtown
San Diego, an Israeli man was
beaten for speaking Hebrew in
the corner.
The Jewish doctor was murdered
in the mesa.
Hundreds of anti-Semitic fliers
spread.
But how about a Pele?
Jews were murdered while
praying.
We have seen this before in
the 1930 as the world called it
protest.
Then came 6 million dead.
But I got a definition of
anti-Semitism in the name to
protect your Jewish neighbors.
History will remember how you
vote.
Our last speaker is Charles
hellickson Charles Hellickson.
>> For those on the virtual now
is the time to please be sure
to raise your hand.
The five minute timer will be
starting and if you do not have
your hand raised within those
five minutes your comments will
not be taken.
Please proceed.
Hello.
I think it's really important
that we make a distinguish
between antisemitism and
anti-Zionism.
As we know there are horrible
things going on in our world
today one where an ideology
that is conflating the Jewish
identity with atrocities being
done this must be allowed to be
distinguished and allow for
discourse to go unabated from
suppression of those voicing
our First Amendment and
allowing us to have public
discourse on these matters.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
So the five minute timer will
go to those participating
remotely before I do it before
I do.
I just wanted to note for
the record that we did receive
20 speakers slips in favor that
registered their position but
did not wish to speak.
As well as for speakers of some
opposition that registered
their position but did not wish
to speak.
And we did receive 271 comments
in favor and 169 comments in
opposition via our economic
forum which have been
distributed to the Council
starting with those
participating online.
We currently have 44 speakers
in the queue with their hands
raised starting with Nadia.
If you can please unmute.
Now.
Hi can you hear me?
Yes please proceed.
First I'd like to highlight how
many tiny speakers admitted
that the ihr definition
conflates antisemitism with
anti-Zionism.
Second, I want to emphasize
the anti-Palestinian
anti-Muslim hate and censorship
is also on the rise.
Third, the fact that we stand
with me video showed
the Palestinian flag in their
video to support the definition
makes it crystal clear of its
intent.
But now I want to list as many
losses as I can get through
which show how the ihra
definition is already being
used and invoked to censor and
discipline Palestinian related
speech.
There are over 15 Woodcock
versus University of Kentucky
George Mason University
Students Speech Censored under
ihra Definition a professor
Discipline threat University of
Michigan Federal lawsuit
targeting Professor San
Francisco State University
Classroom Investigation George
Washington University Speaker
Event Center at Arizona State
University Pressure Campaign
against Curriculum University
of Vermont Antisemitism Lawsuit
Settlement Harvard University
That's.
I think I've made it pretty
clear it's already been used to
do what we said that it will
do.
All these places have already
adopted the definition.
>> I'm sorry your time has
concluded.
Nicole Howard After that is
Myra and then Shalom Myra
please on mute.
>> Hi.
This is how my recipe with
Pana.
I'm calling to urge the council
to vote no on the adoption of
the ihra definition.
Jewish communities deserve
safety and protection from hate
and discrimination.
And all communities and
councils should take hate
crimes very seriously.
However, civil rights
organizations have warned that
the ihra definition has been
used in ways that conflate
antisemitism with any criticism
of Israel.
This definition is overly broad
and incorrectly equates
protected political speech with
with discrimination.
I urge you to look at
the examples in the definition
yourself and test it.
Israel is killing children and
starving them similar to Nazi
Germany.
That statement is a fact.
However under this definition
it would be considered
anti-Semitic to make this
criticism of the state of
Israel.
Criticism of any government Is
political speech protected
under the First Amendment?
San Diego has the opportunity
to make a more thoughtful
approach.
There are more accurate and
beneficial alternative
definitions of anti Semitism
that address the harm directly
and center Jewish voices.
I urge you to look at those
your time has concluded Share
them If you can please unmute.
As a Jewish constituent of
Councilmember Whitburn and I
urge you to vote no on adopting
the ihra definition of
antisemitism.
>> Antisemitism is real and
ever present especially in
moments following acts of
violence like the one we all
saw last week.
As a parent I felt this acutely
when I sent my son to Jewish
Sunday School This past week.
I entrusted him with his
teachers and security staff and
that's why I'm speaking here
today.
Jewish safety is strongest in a
healthy democracy where
the rights and dignity of all
people are protected.
A more effective approach is
one that confronts antisemitism
while allowing for open dialog
and accountability.
One example is a framework
offered by the Jewish
Federation on antisemitism.
There are better path forward
to protect the Jewish
community.
I urge you to vote no and
pursue approaches that
strengthen democracy.
Address real antisemitism and
support communities impacted by
hate including racism,
transphobia, xenophobia and
Islamophobia.
Our safety and our future are
bound together.
Thank you.
Next is activist If you can
please unmute.
Oh hi This is for Frances
Yasmeen Multiwall.
So first I want to say I also
abhor antisemitism and don't
think it has a place in our
society.
>> But none of us who came here
today to speak against this
resolution came here because we
don't We hate Jews.
That's just not true.
First I want to state that this
resolution clearly if it is
passed is going to lead to
confusion because we've already
heard folks who are speaking in
support of it say that somehow
the remarks that others made
opposed it or somehow hateful
or hate construed as hate
speech I don't see how they can
claim that.
And it seems like they're
taking it personally our
criticisms of the Zionist
settler state.
They're taking personally so
that's weird.
And also we got to be anti
settler I mean is this what is
anti settler?
Where does that fall in this?
I'm curious that does conclude
your time.
And that also concludes
the five minute time for
hearing council chambers.
We have 46 speakers with their
hands raised.
No additional speakers will be
taken.
Aliza if you can please unmute
Eliza you are in we can I hear
you here in council chambers.
>> Maybe the device that you're
speaking into is muted.
I will have to move on If you
cannot fix your technical
difficulties.
Okay.
Can you hear me now?
We can hear you now.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
I'm Alisa Lewin, PRESIDENT Of
U.S. Affairs for the coming
Anti Semitism Movement.
I'm an attorney with over 30
years of experience countering
religious discrimination and I
urge you to adopt the ihra
definition.
One of our greatest challenges
is that many people are unable
to distinguish between a good
faith political debate about
the Middle East on the one hand
and the vilification of Jews on
the other.
They mistakenly think that when
the term Israel or Zionist is
mentioned that it's about
politics not Jews.
They fail to recognize that
the overwhelming majority of
Jews see themselves as part of
a people with a shared
ancestral heritage rooted in
the land of Israel.
Today those who recognize that
the Jews are a people
indigenous to Israel are
branded as Zionists blamed for
the world's misfortune and
treated as pariahs.
Those who target Zionists want
you to believe it's about
politics but it's not.
For example, the men who were
beaten up in San Jose last week
were not targeted for their
political opinions.
They were targeted because they
were speaking Hebrew.
The ihra definition provides a
framework for recognizing Jew
hatred and distinguishing time
periods concludes Next to Zoom
user If you can please unmute
it.
There's a lot of haters
everywhere like the whole city
council hates Trump.
That's Trump.
Hate is a bigot.
It's called td's mantra
delusional syndrome or whatever
is what disease do the Jews
have?
If you're older, if you're a
Jew and you're older, there's a
reason why everyone hates you
because you're bomb and the
out of people and killing them
just like they did at
the Holocaust.
Little young kids you're
killing with a 6,000 pound
bomb.
Maybe it's appropriate for
somebody to spit at your kid
and called few names when he's
in junior high school.
You want a bomb on your house?
Or do you want to be spit on?
You got to It's not like coming
out of nowhere this Jew hatred.
Hector I think Crossing
the line Please dial it back.
You've got some good points to
make, but please dial it back a
second.
I have a military again.
Okay.
I did use that.
I actually shopped at Rose
Fabrics during the high school
and I met the two guys Mom Rose
and very sweet person in
the 70s.
>> Your time has concluded now
Amanda, if you can please
unmute.
>> Yes.
I urge you to vote no on item
as 500.
I volunteered in Gaza last year
treating hundreds of patients
all deliberately targeted
infants children and
the elderly dying from
starvation infections and bombs
as well as shrapnel and severe
burns all coming in agony due
to the Israeli blockade
preventing medical aid.
These attacks are systematic,
ongoing still and meet
the factual threshold of
genocide.
Hundreds hundreds of
professionals including myself
have submitted documentation to
the icc actively pursuing
prosecutions for these Israeli
war crimes.
So criticism of Israel is not
antisemitism weaponising this
term Silence is human rights
advocacy and suppresses free
speech.
This bill is deeply
discriminatory normalizing
bias.
So let me be clear
The Palestinian and human
rights community in San Diego
is organized, influential and
diligent.
Do not underestimate our
resolve Your silence in
the face of injustice will not
be forgotten.
>> Please vote no.
Your time has concluded.
Iqbal, if you can please unmute
Iqbal a pop up should have come
up for you to unmute If you can
unmute I will have to move on
to academy before you I cube al
I will need to move on.
Will you Tran if you can please
unmute we tran I can unmute for
you a pop up should have come
up.
I will need to move on.
There you go.
>> So thanks both for your new
and all right know each other i
can hear you please proceed I I
remember them with Lee Chan and
I I'm sitting in in this
conversation today with a lot
of reflection and I'm those
trying to be you know how
the balance is conversation
because on the one side we do
have to you know call out and I
some manage something but at
the same time how do we also
not using the language is that
will blocking people from you
know criticizing Israel because
the thing that we're seeing in
the world right now happening
coming out of that government
is not acceptable.
I don't know anybody be able to
go to sleep walking children
being murdered, the entire
population being wiped out.
Please consider either change
language or voting on on that
item.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Next is Asra if you can please
on mute Asra Hi, my name is
Asra and I'm a constituent of
District two.
I'm also a survivor of
the Bosnian genocide.
Seven out of the 11 exemplars
who our age are definition
focus on Israel which she of
the state of Israel from
accountability and confuses
criticism of Israel policy with
anti-Semitism respected
organizations such as Amnesty
International Human Rights
Watch and U.N. Investigators
have accused Israel of acts to
genocide.
We mean to be able to criticize
actions of Israel as much as
partially Well, they're
committing genocide.
Please vote no.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Next is Jonathan If you can
please unmute Jonathan I can I
There you go.
>> Here we go.
I just want to say I emphasize
completely of those in our
community experiencing acts of
hate.
I abhor anti-Semitism and
attacks on people for their
identities.
It's because I have for these
attacks on these innocent
people that I urge the Council
to reject this ihra definition
conflating antisemitism and
anti-Zionism as the definition
does I believe will worsen
the attacks on Jewish people
locally as the state of Israel
acts without restraint in its
violence against the other
countries in the Middle East
they're committing internation
recognized acts of genocide
against the Palestinian people,
particularly against women and
children And the people of
Palestine deserve to have life
and liberty and to be free from
the oppression of the state of
Israel.
It's because of these actions
that I think we've seen both
that rising hatred against our
Jewish neighbors and the rising
hatred and violence against all
odds are oppressed communities.
Please reject this definition.
Thank you Adam.
If you can please unmute if
you're raising your hand if I
MAY a timer has already
concluded we won't be taking
those additional speakers but
you can always email in to City
Clerk at San diego.Gov and your
comments will be distributed to
Adam.
Please proceed.
By My name is Adam and I
strongly recommend you all to
listen to the majority of your
constituents protect our rights
and oppose this proposition.
Enough has been said about
the atrocities Israel has and
continues to commit.
Please reconsider.
Force is not always election
Oppose us 500 Free San Diego
from Zionism and Free
Palestine.
Thank you Chris.
If you can please unmute
Christmas Yes please unmute.
There you go.
>> Hi, my name is Christopher
Macias.
I am a concerned citizen in
opposition to se 500.
I've heard a lot of character
characterizations about myself
but please know I come from a
place of love.
The one thing that comes to
mind is the fact that this is a
working definition.
You wouldn't eat a meal That
was a work in progress, would
you?
So why would we rush to
something that is still being
worked out?
That said, it has been shown
that this has been abused in
other areas and I think it's of
real concern.
The types of behavior that has
been experienced by this
community is abhorrent and I
and I do not condone it.
But that is unfortunately
the reality of being a minority
here in America.
We must bind together and
please vote now.
Thank you.
>> I pad if you can please
unmute.
>> I strongly oppose
the adoption of the ihra
definition of antisemitism.
I read doesn't address real
anti-Semitism but rather
conflates anti-Zionism and
antisemitism.
This is dangerous because it
increases the risks of
antisemitism violence by
associating all Jewish people
with Israel and you heard from
several Jewish community
members who also voiced their
opposition to this definition.
As was mentioned, seven of
the 11 examples in the ihra
definition involve shielding
Israel an apartheid genocidal
state from accountability
falsely assuming that all
people hold the same views on
Israel and Zionism.
Why is the City of San Diego
preventing critique of a
foreign government?
My critique of the us is
allowed and also the definition
has a lack of validity.
It was never designed to be
used as a binding definition of
antisemitism nor adopted into
legislation or policy.
The creators of the working
definition.
Thank you Your time has
concluded Alex if you can
please unmute.
My name is Alejandro Waterman,
District four and I'm not here
to lift the sins of Zionism.
This is about free speech.
This is an issue that has to do
with the definition of
the conflation of two separate
and distinct things.
It is not a clear tool as we
said earlier.
Vote no on f 500 Your vote will
be remembered.
Does that conclude your
comments?
Yes.
Thank you.
8813 if you can please unmute
it 813 and then it's after that
.
>> Okay come follow here.
I am coming from a place of
love So is it and I say that
easily true and dumbest species
on the planet a species
controlled by fear.
It's both a hoot and a tragedy
to witness that time while
the people are distracted by
things that keep us divided
like this item.
The corrupt system that keeps
us all fighting continues to
win.
The more we stay divided
the more we ignore the obvious.
The system does not work or
the people.
Are you getting it yet?
Are you getting it?
Wake up.
The bedroom in the front.
Everybody It will do everything
it can to on its parts carrying
out globalist agendas that do
not serve us in any way, shape
or form.
It's a big club and you ain't
in it.
We're just ex cattle indentured
servants.
We continue to fund their wars
and overlook pedophiles.
>> Our time has concluded.
Janine, if you can please
unmute.
After that will be Eric b
Janine.
>> Hello.
Good afternoon.
My name is Janine.
i'm a resident of District one
and I am shocked by some of
the comments I heard today.
Today's a clear example from
hateful comments that have been
made why we need to oppose this
measure, this adoption This
measure is confined to anti
Israel hate with anti Semitism.
Anti Semitism is wrong just
like so many other hate such as
Islamophobia which I personally
experienced in San Diego.
This is not the way to go about
it but the I h r definition it
goes against our civil
liberties and our civil rights.
If we as Americans can
criticize Donald Trump, why
can't we criticize Israel and
the harm that it's committing
and has been committing for 75
years using our tax funded
dollars?
The reason we criticize Israel
is because we don't want to be
complicit in the genocide of
the Palestinian people and it
would be shameful today if
the council after hearing so
many people speak against us
voted yes on this.
So again, I oppose this bill
and I hope that you don't vote
on it.
Eric b if you can please
unmute.
All right Eric b if you can
please unmute after that will
be so here.
Okay.
Can you hear me?
Yes please proceed.
Thank you.
I'm a resident of District
nine.
I have ancestors who are Jewish
and I have experienced anti
Semitism.
If Zionists do not want to be
compared to Nazis in Germany
Galba large in France, Phelan
in Spain Mustafa in Croatia
Quislings in Norway or fascist
in Italy They should be
lobbying the Israel government
to stop carrying out the same
policies as them not asking
this body to redefine reality
and redefine what people with
people who have hate to see are
allowed to call genocide.
States do not have a right to
exist.
They do not have a right to
exist.
They have a responsibility to
preserve the rights of
the people and that my working
definition of states includes
this body San Diego Never
forget the rights of
Palestinians Lebanese Iranians.
Yesterday was the anniversary
of the murder of American
protester Rachel Corrie in 2003
Never forget Vote no on 500.
So Harry, if you can please
join me after that is phone
number ending and 9999.
Thank you.
I want to take you back in time
to a time when boatloads of
mostly Jewish people were
arriving in Palestine by
the thousands seeking refuge
from persecution Palestinians,
Christian, Jewish and Muslim
Palestinians welcomed them with
open arms.
Little did they know this was a
calculated move by the newly
founded Zionist movement based
on the ideology of ethnic
cleansing and massacring of
the indigenous Palestinians to
create the state of Israel.
It is a disgrace to use
the memory of the victims of
the Holocaust to politicize
the Holocaust in defense of
the crimes committed by
the state of Israel.
Judaism is over 2000 years old.
Zionism was founded in
the 1880s.
You do the math and you decide
what you wish to worship.
I have the right to hate and
criticize that ideology whose
intent is to make sure I do not
exist that as a genocide is
the epitome of Israel's crimes.
Before you both think of Gaza
and of the panel who would
inevitably meet 50 years from
now to discuss
the International Genocide
Remembrance Alliance, Your
grandchildren MAY be sitting
right where you sit today.
What is the legacy you leave
behind standing there?
Our time has concluded.
Phone number ending in 9919 If
you can please unmute after
that is Yasmeen.
Hello?
Hello.
Can you hear me?
Yes Please proceed.
Yes My name is Hala.
I cannot share my full name
because my family members
continue to be murdered in Gaza
and I do not want them
targeted.
My organization is based in San
Diego focuses on equity for all
marginalized communities I work
on definitions all day to
ensure the voices of
the marginalized are not
silenced or raised All hate
against any group or individual
deplorable and unacceptable
definitions do matter.
This definition is not
equitable Full stop full police
This definition the entities in
the room who believe criticism
of Israel or Zionism is
anti-Semitic or the San Diego
Police Department who train
with the Israeli Defense
Forces.
Over 100 of my family members
have been brutally murdered in
the genocide in Gaza.
Why is my pain and grief
subject to a definition to
police and silence?
Why is my family's pain
politicized or demonized?
We are the victims and we
continue to be gaslit and
demonized.
I have the right to share their
names, their stories and our
history and every place and a
space.
Their memory and stories
deserve to live and not be
erased.
They will never be erased to
help concluded Yes mean if you
can please them you alone?
Can you hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Hello.
This is Yasmin.
I'm a constituent of San Diego
and I'm also a muslim
Palestinian and city of San
Diego employee.
I'm calling to urge my council
members to oppose this
resolution.
I know a lot of you if not all
of you are ready decided on
what you're going to vote And
I'm all I'm going to ask is
that you actually listen to
the people speaking and you
reconsider.
Do not let today be a day
that's going to stay in your
legacy in 20 years or 30 years
when supporting Israel on
the genocidal state is no
longer kill.
You don't want your name
associated with that.
So I urge you to vote no today
and you little if you can
please And you really will
the Academy for you I will have
to move on.
There I go.
You hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Oh, hi.
My name is Lily.
I am a Jewish parent and a
resident of District four.
It should be clear to you that
this is an issue that affects
many diverse San Diego
communities that you will be
ignoring by voting for this
resolution.
To my fellow Jews we do not
fight anti-Semitism by
silencing dissent.
Eight years ago I visited
Israel and Palestine for
the first time and saw
apartheid at work separate
roads for Israeli colonizers
and Palestinians Palestinian
hospitals with insufficient
supplies suffering from
Israel's crippling economic
blockade.
This starkly contrasted
the narrative I grew up with
and Hebrew School of Israel is
the promised land for the Jews
And if you passed a definition
my Jewish child's ability to
learn the truth about Israel's
ethnic cleansing in the San
Diego schools will be
curtailed.
While you MAY feel that you are
representing Jewish
constituents, you are actually
representing an increasingly
fringe group of Jewish
Zionists.
Many speakers here today tried
to portray Jewish critics of
Israel as fringe but
the numbers prove their lie
Only 28% of American Jews,
according to a recent poll
report Their time has concluded
.
Christine Love If you can
please unmute.
>> Good afternoon.
My name is Christy chief
program and strategy officer at
the aclu of San Diego.
The First Amendment protects
everyone including those who
criticize domestic or foreign
governments.
The definition however
undermines that right by
wrongly treating protected
political speech as
discrimination.
Anti-Semitism must be addressed
but this resolution is
dangerous.
It will not combat
discrimination and it will
chill protected speech.
The resolution states that it
is non-binding but that does
not fix the issue.
Discrimination, including
antisemitism is already
prohibited under federal state
and local law.
The resolution risks replacing
a constitutional understanding
of antisemitism for an
unconstitutional framework.
People reasonably hesitate to
speak at Council meetings
applying for permits,
particularly as residents
engage in debate over a variety
of issues.
These concerns are not
hypothetical.
The federal government has
targeted individuals for their
viewpoints.
A policy that singles out
certain viewpoints increases
the risk to immigrants and
refugees.
>> We urge you to vote no.
8700 if you can please on mute
after that is Ryan Fan 8700
star six.
I can't mute for you.
I want you to move on to
the next caller if you can
unmute Star six.
I will need to move on.
>> Ryan fan if you can please
unmute.
Can you hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Good evening.
Council members please vote no
on the ira resolution.
I'm a resident of District nine
and I've seen as an educator
how of course 97 Autism is a
very real issue as is
anti-black racism anti-Asian
hate, anti-Muslim hate and so
on.
However, we don't see
definitions and examples of
these other forms of hate
enshrined into resolutions and
legislation.
We also don't see the same kind
of turnout at City council
meetings for these issues.
The lead author of the ihra
Definition has spoken out over
and over again about how this
definition has been weaponized
to silence free speech.
People speak in hypotheticals
but it's very real how this is
happening.
He even said the data to date
has not had the transformative
effect on the collection and
hate crime analysis that people
had hoped for when they created
the definition.
If this definition is to go
through it would also label
Holocaust survivors who spoke
out against Israel as
anti-Semitic.
How ironic is that?
It's also ironic because
the city council wants to pass
a Ramadan proclamation on
the same day that this is going
through.
>> As Israel continues to
attack Muslim majority
countries.
Thanks for your time.
Zakaria If you can please
unmute.
After zakaria as Michael, I
urge you to vote no.
Israel is a racist apartheid
state which is both built on
genocide and cannot survive
without it.
To be very clear, that has
nothing to do with the Jewish
community and that discussion
should not be part of
the discussion of
anti-Semitism.
The reason why we have to start
with that discussion of Israel
is precisely because of
the ihra definition.
Why?
Because the definition
explicitly includes examples
related to Israel.
I agree with the proponents of
the definition the proponents
of the definition that we
should not have to litigate
Israel when discussing
antisemitism.
But the ihra definition forces
us to do exactly that.
Counsel You've heard from
Jewish members on both sides of
this issue who have said very
clearly that they don't want to
be conflated with the actions
of Israel and that is exactly
what the ihra definition does.
Why would we adopt a definition
that does exactly that?
I'm confident that we can adopt
a definition of antisemitism
that does not require us to be
Israel in order to recognize
hate that allows us to address
antisemitism directly, clearly
and effectively.
Don't adopt a definition that
by design brings Israel into
the conversation.
Your time is concluded Michael
if you can please unmute.
Hi I am a Jewish resident of
District eight.
I opposed the adoption of
the hrc working definition of
antisemitism.
I care a great deal about
the threat of antisemitism but
I find the definition to be
overly vague, contradictory and
problematic.
I appreciate that the ira
attorney definition claims
criticism of Israel similar to
that leveled against any other
country cannot be regarded as
antisemitic.
But what follows in
the definition is vague and
even contradicts that as others
have noted.
You cannot say that this
definition does not provide
cover for criticism of Israel.
As the comments in favor of
this definition today clearly
illustrate the comments by
individuals like the woman
talking about her son's team
Israel baseball cap in support
of the definition.
Demonstrate clearly why this
definition is harmful as our
advocacy against Israel even in
this chamber is being used to
call us antisemitic.
You're witnessing in real time
the definition being used to
conflate antisemitism with
the criticism of Israel.
I also want to say regarding
the propaganda video that was
shown I was at the encampment
at ucsd and there were no
people chanting death to Jews
or anything remotely similar.
Actually Manager Time has
concluded calling user one if
you can please unmute.
After that is Liliana calling
user.
Please proceed.
Hello.
Yes Concerned San Diego
resident calling to oppose s
500 We reject this problematic
definition being used as a tool
to suppress legitimate speech
which invokes international law
human rights and being used to
target those who are engaging
in protected right to protest
assembly and political speech.
And on a practical level this
will lead to more lawsuits
increased police state in San
Diego and a chill on free
speech and Donald Trump's
America.
We urge you to strengthen
existing anti-discrimination
protections.
Not not then not to pass this
problematic resolution and
definition.
And one final point.
Judaism existing long before
the concept of Zionism and it
existed in Judaism existed
before the state of Israel and
Palestinians are also Semite So
thank you so much.
Protect our communities and
reject this definition.
>> Thank you.
Our next caller is Lilliana.
After that is Tristan very
early on if you can please me
Lilliana.
Hello?
Yes, Please proceed.
Hi.
Okay.
Hi.
I am a community member born
and raised in City Heights, a
community that's home to
hundreds of ethnicities,
religions and cultures who have
learned to coexist and support
one another.
Do the same lens I recognize
the Jewish community is no
different.
They face historical atrocities
and they deserve safety.
However, this definition does
not guarantee safety.
It shields Israel from
accountability, ignores
the root causes of harms of
racism and colonialism and risk
labeling.
All Jewish people are saying
this which we know is not true.
The San Diego Human Relations
Commission and Council needs to
reflect heavy on the priorities
because for the past two years
Palestinian communities have
been calling for a resolution
to recognize the ongoing
genocide in Palestine and they
have been ignored.
If the true intention is to
protect people then there would
be accountability upheld in our
own city.
There is no real accountability
right now or justice for Noah
Wilson which is a young person
who was murdered at the hands
of the department.
The city funds the most.
So who are you really choosing
to protect?
I urge you all to abide with
our strong community team has
concluded My apologies Kristen
Berry if you can please unmute
.
After that is phone number
ending a9396 person?
Please proceed.
Counsel My name is Tristan
Berry and I'm here to speak in
opposition to the adoption of
the ihra definition.
While I stand alongside my
Jewish neighbors against any
persecution they received, I
cannot in good consciousness
advocate for a nation state of
Israel to have this layer of
immunity from any sort of
criticism.
It is important to note that
not all Jews are Israeli All
Israelis Jewish.
The ira while protecting
the Jewish people takes things
a step too far By restricting
my restricting my ability to
criticize a nation that is
engaged in the Nazi cleansing
not unlike that of Nazi
Germany.
With one large difference being
that this one's been ongoing
for 78 years if not longer.
We love to bring up all
the trauma inflicted since
OCTOBER 7th but downplay
the ongoing impacts of
the Nakba and the imperialist
expulsion of Palestinians today
which led to those events.
Fun fact under the ihra
definition for now be
considered anti-Semitic for
comparing Israel and Nazis.
Notice at no point in time did
I say that Jews were tendencies
to be Israeli regimes instead.
But that matters not the United
States is currently trying to
push imperialism on three
different fronts in Venezuela,
Iran and Cuba.
Much like the Nazis did.
But that doesn't make me
un-American to notice that It
just makes me historically
observant.
Your time is concluded just as
an update There are 25 speakers
in the queue.
No additional speakers will be
taken.
39969396 If you can please
unmute star 69396.
I can't unmute for you Star six
a prompt should have come
forward.
>> There you go.
Yeah.
Good evening Council member
Foster I'm Kathleen McLeod and
also to the chair la and
COUNCILMAN.
I'm a resident of District four
and oppose premature action
today.
I'm encouraged to hear that
the Human Relations Commission
wants to reconsider this
proposal.
Also your Rules Committee which
handles policy language and
definitions of terms hasn't
vetted this proposal per
the city's resolution adoption
process.
So anti-Zionism and
anti-Semitism are global issues
and often completed our
international affairs Board
should weigh in due for
informed decision making We
need more mark inclusive public
discourse on this contentious
topic.
If the intent of this action is
to shield Israeli policy from
grassroots diplomacy, it makes
the world less safe.
Given our massive $6.82 billion
in military aid to Israel.
Action Today is premature.
>> Please pull it.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Nancy.
Please unmute.
>> Hi.
I live in District nine and I'm
asking you to vote no or
abstain on this agenda item.
No one deserves to experience
hate or violence.
Thanks.
Which are Jewish neighbors,
anti-Muslim neighbors and our
immigrant and black and brown
neighbors.
And I wish we could be unified
enough at face value.
The definition seems like a
good one if it were also to
include the Palestinians.
The seven manifestations are
examples that explicitly name
the state of Israel are
the primary problems.
This is suppressing free speech
and a speedy train to the idf
and who murdered 16 year old
Noah Wilson is going to be
the enforcers.
Yikes.
Countless public comments today
made it clear or rather how
unclear the definition of
antisemitism is.
Countless commenters who
identify as Jewish have stated
that criticism of Israel does
make them feel less safe.
>> Or responding to a thumbs up
or down.
Many of the women showing up on
the livestream in fact in
the first couple rows who
support this resolution have
been thumbs down or even
laughing at the state of Israel
murdering children.
I wish they were thumbs down in
the actions of a government
murdering entire families with
their tax dollars.
But the state of Israel is
doing is a genocide.
They're also starting another
one with Iran.
>> Your time has concluded
Nikki, if you can please unmute
.
Camera.
There you go.
I thank you so much.
My name is Nikki and I am a
resident of the city of San
Diego and District nine.
I am urging you all to vote no
on se 500.
The definition limits
the criticism of Israel as many
folks here have stated.
I want to know that all people
deserve protection and this
includes Jewish comrades as
well.
And to some it's really scary
and a really real thing that is
happening in our world today.
People also deserve protection
who are being bombed in Iran,
Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon
as well.
There are so many ways that we
can protect our Jewish
neighbors and this does not
include adopting.
I tried by definition we are
all hurting in the room.
I can see as hurting now
the pain of Jewish people from
the violence that you've
endured, the pain of
Palestinians from the violence
that you've endured.
Please vote no and go together
not based in fear but in love.
>> Thank you.
>> Next is Lili.
If you can please join me after
Lili is a true Hi My name is
Lily Ronnie and I'm
the PRESIDENT Of the three and
my heart aches of anti-Semitism
of those who might make
assumptions about Jewish people
support the actions of Hitler
which is completely disgusting
.
And just as my heart aches for
the people of Gaza and the West
Bank being ethnically cleansed
by Israeli settlers tacitly
condoned by the state of
Israel.
My heart aches for my own
family in Tehran right now
trying to survive under the us
and Israel's bombs falling on
them for weeks.
The city adopting ihra would
prevent me from expressing this
in our city as Christine all of
aclu has pointed out to you ira
over focuses on criticism of
Israel and examples of
antisemitism is an affront to
the idea of equity for all San
Diegans.
Please urge the Human Relations
Committee to reconsider this
issue and consider
the Jerusalem Declaration on
antisemitism instead.
The Jerusalem Declaration
responds to the ihra definition
and specifically many problems
with the ihra definition and
that is open to widely
different interpretations and
it has caused confusion and
weaken your time has concluded
Drew Vector If you can please
unmute you are there and we can
hear you now.
>> Okay Thank you.
Honorable Council members City
Attorney, City Clerk and MR.
Smith.
My comments center on
the declaring discrepancies
found in the 11 examples that
are provided.
Several speakers have already
addressed them and provided
really excellent examples As
these 11 examples are written
into the actual resolution.
I'm hoping one of you can ask
the city attorney to reconcile
that for us and what it means
for the city of San Diego for
you to adopt those examples as
well as if the first statement
is true That criticism of
Israel is a-ok.
Why are the examples even in
their and why don't we just
take out any reference to
Israel or simply omit the 11
examples altogether?
The last thing I'll add is that
several speakers have said
European countries us cities
have adopted the definition but
many of them have done exactly
what I'm proposing here and
suggesting that we just remove
those 11 examples.
>> Thank you for your time.
Lidia if you can please unmute
.
Over the past several hours of
comments proponents of ihra
have continued to make several
of the same claims and I want
to address three of these.
First they say that
antisemitism is on the rise.
This is true and it must be
condemned.
Next they point to the dozens
of states and nations who have
already adopted events.
Also true.
Then they go on to say that
the ihra definition will have
no effect on free speech and is
just an educational tool.
So let's take a look at those
states and nations that have
adopted Iran.
There are dozens if not
hundreds of documented cases of
ira being weaponised to silence
and criminalize pro-Palestinian
protests.
Is the Jewish community any
safer?
The rising rates of
antisemitism say no.
This is a demonstrable outcome
from the Trump administration's
assault on college campuses to
the 700 plus peaceful
protesters arrested in the uk
for carrying signs saying they
oppose genocide.
So the two Australian
protesters arrested on hate
speech charges are seen from
the river to the sea.
I think our answer is clear.
It's not clear your time has
concluded for you If you can
please unmute free academy.
For you I can unmute for you.
A pop up should have come up to
me yourself.
I will have to move on to
the next caller if you can
unmute yourself.
Moving on to the next caller
Nicole if you can please unmute
.
>> I'm Nicole Howard, District
three resident.
I've lived in San Diego for 19
years.
I'm a veteran Navy officer
protecting our Constitution
from domestic enemies some of
whom are sitting in this room
today.
This council is eroding our
civil liberties proposing a
policy that singles out one
religion as more special than
others Despite existing hate
crime laws.
Our Constitution guarantees
freedom of and from religion
and this policy ignores other
religious groups subject to
hate crimes and discrimination
including Muslim Sikhs,
Christians, atheists and others
who in San Diego Watch this.
We're tired of corporate
Democrats wasting resources,
passing policies pandering to
special interest groups.
Councilmember Whitburn I'm
disappointed but not surprised
that this is your priority
while you ignore your community
Council member Von Wilpert I'm
sure you support this member.
Since per track a pac you take
money from the Israel lobby.
Others adopting this policy is
not a good reason to adopt it
here.
>> Nick Reem z Reem if you can
please unmute and my name is
Reem and I urge you to reject
the adoption of the ira
definition of antisemitism.
We are asked to adopt a
definition that conflates
criticism of a foreign
government the state of Israel
with hatred of a people which
is a dangerous precedent to
set.
Antisemitism like Islamophobia,
anti-black racism and other
forms of hatred is a real issue
that must be fought.
But this definition is a
political weapon in disguise.
It's a blatant attempt to use
the authority of the city to
silence people who are
exercising their First
Amendment rights And it's being
done under a federal
administration that is actively
working to dismantle free
speech across the nation.
This is being done now because
there's a genocide being
broadcast in real time from
Gaza because for decades we've
watched wars, occupation and
systematic human rights
violations unfold against
the Palestinian people.
Those behind this definition
don't want to stop antisemitism
as much as they want to stop
you from talking about
the negative side in Gaza and
criticizing the Israeli
apartheid regime's policies and
silencing anyone who says free
Palestine.
Please do not be complicit in
this.
Don't let San Diego become a
city That weapon your time has
concluded.
Logan If you can please unmute
.
Logan Yeah, hi.
I'm urging the council to
reject the ira working
definition of antisemitism.
Antisemitism is serious and it
needs to be opposed wherever it
occurs.
However the hybrid the ihra
definition raises concerns
amongst legal scholars civil
liberties organizations, human
rights advocates and because
some of the examples use
conflating legitimate criticism
of the policies of the state of
Israel with antisemitism.
Any city actions to address
religious hatred should be
applied consistently for all
faiths.
San Diego should also ensure
equal efforts to combat
anti-Christian sentiments,
Islamophobia or any other
discrimination against any
other religious group so that
policies protecting one site
don't go into unintentionally
create inequality or confusion
about protected speech.
We already have federal and
state laws in place to protect
people against antisemitism.
There's you know if the council
wants to adopt your time has
concluded.
My apologies Natalie, if you
can please unmute.
After that is Valentina Natalie
.
Natalie I probably should have
come up I can't unmute for you
.
I will need to move on.
Oh hello.
There you go.
Please proceed.
I would like to point out how
Zionism or Zionist or Zio is
being used as a code and slur
for Jew.
Many of us in the Jewish
community are Zionists.
We believe in
the self-determination of Jews
and their ancestral homeland
which is the definition of
Zionism.
The truth is the Middle East
would be safer if more people
embraced Zionism.
The uae and Saudi We're going
to do the stage before OCTOBER
seven.
Let's criticize Netanyahu's
government and the far right.
Let's criticize Hamas and
the irgc.
That's my myopic focus on
Israel as an evil scapegoat of
the world is reaching
pathological levels compared to
the compare to the silence on
Sudan and the irgc.
The war in Gaza was the direct
result of the OCTOBER 7th
attack.
And many of these commentators
calling Israelis baby killers
should take a hard look at
Hamas that literally fired from
residential buildings and hid
in tunnels under schools and
won an information war by
nonstop screaming their quote
unquote martyrs online.
We need this pass because
antisemitism is showing up in
anti-Zionist rhetoric.
Thank you.
My apologies.
Valentina, if you can please on
mute After that will be Matthew
Valentino.
You hear me?
Yes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
Hello.
My name is Valentina.
I'm a constituent of MR.
Whitman's.
I'm calling here today to urge
you to oppose this.
I'm deeply moved by everything
everything's been talking about
so far.
And I'm a Jewish resident.
But this does not make me feel
safer in my town of San Diego.
I am deeply critical of
the state of Israel and that
that is what I fear.
That I cannot speak openly
about my feelings towards this
foreign state and another
speaker said that this
definition could can be used
but it has been used The Trump
administration has used this
very definition to silence
speech on campuses.
So I urge you to oppose it.
Thank you for your time.
Next is Matthew.
If you can please unmute
Matthew.
Yes.
Yes I'll be there.
Yes, Please proceed.
Thank you.
I am a Jew and resident of
District two.
The people on this call do
understand that antisemitism
which denies Jews the right to
the same self-determination
aspired to by other groups
actually is antisemitic in its
essence the antisemitic double
standard that falsely applies
the terms of genocide in
Naziism to Israel while
unsurprisingly ignoring worse
atrocities by other nations in
the antisemitic slurs and
comments of many of the people
on this call themselves are
the exact reason why
the adoption should why this
should be adopted.
This is not about the Middle
East conflict.
It's about the safety of Jewish
standing against hate crimes
affect Jews disproportionately
in the U.S. Population.
Yes, even worse than
Islamophobia despite
antisemitic attempts to equate
the two.
Here's the key point.
Jews are not safe to worship or
organize in San Diego because a
feverish purposely engineered
anti-Zionist focus and
rhetoric.
Please adopt this definition
figure.
>> Next is Claire Snyder.
If you can please send me a
clear.
>> Good evening Councilmembers.
My name is Claire Snyder and
I'm a resident of District
three.
I urge you to vote no on this
item.
Antisemitism is real but this
definition conflates it with
Zionism and it would be
reducing our free speech to
make comments against the state
of Israel and Zionism which is
currently actively genocide
adding millions of people
across Palestine and across
the Levant.
I do not believe that
the people living in Palestine
or Iran in Syria and
Afghanistan would feel safer if
they accepted Zionism.
That's best for the call here.
So I urge you to vote now so
that we can continue to engage
in our peaceful advocacy and
free speech across this issue.
Thank you.
If you can please email Garrett
.
>> Yeah, I can't.
I mean there you go.
Hello.
Please proceed.
Yes, we can hear you.
Yeah.
Um, during the first Trump
administration, Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo offered
the idea of using hra
definition to declare Amnesty
International and Human Rights
Watch anti-Semitic which would
threaten their funding.
So even if this resolution says
it doesn't want to affect free
speech, it will have effects.
Surely any definition of
antisemitism that declares
Amnesty International and human
Rights Watch anti Semitic is
barred.
While some MAY say that they
are purposefully
misinterpreting the definition
that does not matter Any
definition that can so easily
easily an opportunist It could
be interpreted as calling
Amnesty International and Human
Rights Watch anti Semitic is
what we have already seen its
misuse already so we can't
claim ignorance.
I implore you not to accept a
definition like this.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Netanyahu Yeah.
If you can please unmute
Netanya, Netanya Hi, this is
Netanya.
I am in District six with
Cantley.
I am asking for you to please
approve this resolution and
pass it.
I am a Jew and I am an American
and I am Marine veteran and
this is super important to me
to have a definition that we
can work with here in San
Diego.
We are not all like I'm no
foreign policy expert.
I love Israel.
I do not love their current
government just as I'm not so
keen on our current government
here in America.
But this doesn't mean that we
don't put down a definition to
help the Jews not deal with all
the antisemitism they're
dealing with.
Please pass this resolution.
Thank you.
Next is the If you can please
unmute.
Oh can you hear me?
Yes please proceed.
I am summer.
I am a graduate student in
public administration and I
hope to study law and I know
that I don't need a law degree
to know that this is infringing
on my First Amendment right.
Well but I define the anti
semitism as hostility towards
Jew its Jews It supplements
that definition with 11
illustrative examples seven of
which focus on Israel and
Zionism rather than on
discriminatory conduct directed
at Jewish people under its
framework even speech
condemning mass civilian
killing or using the term
genocide in reference to all
that can be construed as
anti-Semitic.
International law enshrines
the right of return for
Palestinian refugees United
Nations General Assembly
Resolution 194 states that
refugees can essentially return
to their homes and live at
peace with their neighbors and
should be permitted to do so
really predictable deeds.
And despite this legal
foundation, some prominent
organizations have misconstrued
schools like the Jewish United
Fund for the Right of Return
along with depictions of Israel
as a colonial state as
undeniable proof of
antisemitism.
We must Your time is included
if you can please And you more
.
>> Yes.
Thank you.
My name is Mark and I'm San
Diego.
i'm here to urge the council to
vote no When Agenda item 500
Yesterday we comedy to the 23
year since the killing of
Rachel Corrie a Jewish American
citizen and activist She was
killed by the Israeli military.
All three Americans were killed
during the past few years by
the Israeli army especially
over the past two years.
So how will this 500 limit
the criticism of the cameras
here if we see such crime and
other ongoing crimes were
committed by Israel, this 500
would say you are targeting
the only Jewish state and
that's anti Semitic.
Yes, we need to address anti
Semitism.
But another point to address
it, it is completely
insensitive and racist.
The city council is telling
those who lost 70,000 of their
own people including 20,000
children what they should or
should not say Please vote no
your time.
Thank you.
Sara Everingham Please unmute I
Can you hear me?
Yes please proceed.
I Good good.
Good evening.
Couple members I just want to
say I urge you to vote no on
this resolution and reject
the ihra definition of
antisemitism.
I find it confusing that all of
a sudden we want to talk about
Israel and foreign governments
Yet when we ask our city
council members to pass a
ceasefire resolution
acknowledging the genocide and
murder of Palestinians, our
city council members were
concerned that this was a
foreign issue.
We talk about Israel and this
is a core issue because this
very definition said that
incomplete This definition
conflates Judaism with
scientism.
So I urge you to listen to
those who have been calling in
those who have showed up to
the city council member
chambers to tell you that this
definition is harmful.
We will be replicating
the harmful impact that the of
the fascist federal government
is doing in our own city.
We do not want that and we want
to believe in our Democratic
leadership that they can
protect our freedom of speech.
This will be your legacy so
please vote no on this.
>> Thank you MRS. Yaron if you
can please unmute.
Hello, my name is Karen and I
am a resident of the city and
my partner and I oppose
the adoption of the definition
of Semitism because it only
serves to undermine and
legitimize pro-Palestine
movements.
The Israeli definition
wrongfully conflicts Zionism
with Judaism by equating
criticism of Israel's genocide
of Palestinians with
anti-Jewish sentiment.
Are we not allowed to stand
against the genocidal and
apartheid state of Israel?
Because that is what
the definition seeks to do.
I cannot morally stay silent at
the total massacre and violence
against Palestinians and I
urgently ask you all that item
as 500 is opposed.
Thank you Rebecca If you can
please unmute Rebecca.
>> Thank you.
My name is Rebecca Marks and I
live in District one.
I am a Jewish resident and I'm
urging you to please vote in
favor of adopting the dietary
definition of antisemitism.
I have friends who are afraid
to attend services or go to
Jewish events here in San Diego
in fear of antisemitic violent
attacks.
Being harassed I personally
have been called an f ing Jew.
People have called me a
genocidal offer.
I definitely know people who
have been spit on and harassed
at our universities, threatened
kids who are afraid to wear
their kippah.
And I you know, adopting
the definition would definitely
help address these issues that
we're having And I really hope
that you do the right thing and
you vote in favor.
Thank you.
And if you can please unmute
and I count on you for you.
There you go.
Hi, my name is Andy and I
resigned 1010 year ago.
I just want to say I am a
Somali and I have family and
people who live in Bethlehem.
Have been suffering from
dizziness.
So asthma is not Jewish and
asthma is not a Zionist.
So I would oppose this and I
would say do not vote for it.
Thank you.
>> Next is Lawrence if you can
please on you.
Yes.
Please proceed.
Thank you.
>> I noticed that long I lived
in Hillcrest for 15 years.
I am a Jew and being Zionist is
part of my identity.
I have an example at the San
Diego airport in Terminal one
last year.
This morning Star David
necklace and a shirt with only
Hebrew letters on it Nothing
political.
And I'm about to board my
flight and someone approached
me said Free Palestine and I
had to take a second look.
And I said to him I'm sorry.
Why are you targeting me and
getting harassing me like this?
I don't even know you.
And then my husband stepped in
the way to separate us before a
fight broke out.
And then he said You dirty Jew.
And I was like, wow.
The whole crowd was appalled.
I had to get off my flight
instead of calling the police
to not MISS My flight.
But I could have had him on a
no fly list.
But in reality without this icj
being voted on it gives
the green light for
anti-Semites like that to hide
behind and still target
assault.
So please I scarred for life
because I experience and I need
this to be passed to improve me
and every Jew in San Diego's
life to be protected from
discrimination like that is
uncalled for and it's needed.
Thank you.
Next is Orrin again.
If you raise your hand after
the beginning of time or you
won't be taken but you can
definitely submit your speaker
tips to city clerk at San Diego
Taco or Anne Robinson If you
can please unmute My apologies
please.
>> Again, please proceed.
Hi, my name is Warren Robinson
and another Jewish constituent
I live in district for and I
live in District nine.
Please vote no or send back to
the commission Who is chair
Tyler Duncan has requested this
and a few questions for
the council members.
Do you support the expulsion of
750,000 indigenous Palestinians
from their land and homes?
Yes you are a Zionist then Do
you support exclusive rights
for Jews above others Even on
their own lands then yes you
are a Zionist so you will vote
yes.
Do you instead support
liberation and justice for
Palestinian people including
the right to return to their
homes and land?
Then you are an anti Zionist so
you should vote now Do you
believe in a future where all
people in the land live in
freedom, safety and equality
Then your anti-Zionist vote no
.
True safety is built through
slowing down listening and
fighting against injustice Not
excusing it we keep us safe not
definitions.
>> Thank you for if you can
please unmute for you free If
you can please unmute.
Moving on Julia if you can
please on your.
Hi my name is Julia and I live
in District five.
I am a Jewish American and
the granddaughter of a
Holocaust survivor.
My grandmother narrowly escaped
the Nazis in Europe when she
was 18 years old and went into
hiding.
And I know firsthand what it
means to from hurt.
She knew firsthand but I know
from her experience what it
means to have dangerous
anti-Semitic rhetoric go
unchecked and go unchecked for
so long and gain so much power
that it leads to the murder of
6 million Jews in
the Holocaust.
And I'm telling you right now
as a Jew in America that that
exact process is happening in
America and the rhetoric
against Jews is extremely
dangerous.
My step father was beat up on
the street by a couple of guys
who pushed him down and killed
him.
And I think Jew because he was
carrying grocery bags with
Hebrew writing on them.
In 2002 your time has concluded
.
We have our last three
speakers.
Daniel if you can please unmute
and zoom user and then Eva
Daniel please unmute.
I thank you for taking my call.
I would like to ask you to vote
against that 500.
We know that major human rights
and civil rights organizations
have come out against adopting
this definition including
Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch, the aclu which
you heard earlier,
the International Federation
for Human Rights.
I think it does open up some
new kinds of litigation.
In addition, it's been used as
a tool for Trump's defunding of
our institutions of higher
learning to the tune of several
billion dollars.
It's included in his executive
orders.
So we know that it is used to
silence and defund institutions
that are important to us in
general.
>> And we know that adopting
this resolution leads to
decreased interest in funding
and which certainly conflict
and does nothing to combat
anti-Semitism.
So please vote no.
>> Thank you for your time has
concluded.
Eva if you can please unmute I
thank you for listening.
Council members please approve
and vote yes for s500.
This is a resolution to pass
the definition of antisemitism
but free speech and then
there's antisemitism in.
We don't need examples from
human rights Foundation of
United Nations statutes.
Why does the Palestinian Muslim
problem here in America?
This resolution is for Jewish
members We are Jews in
the United States and we this
is freedom of religion and we
as you need you to protect us
And this is to be protected
from discrimination and from
hatred And it's beef with
hatred.
Please vote yes on this.
Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
And our final speaker for
4934493.
Star six Academy for you star
six One more time I sent you
the prompt.
>> Why weren't you when you did
star six time you I can you Yes
please proceed Yes yes.
Sorry about that.
Hi there.
My name is Joshua.
I'm a resident of San Diego,
California And I think that a
lot of people were mentioning
that the definition of
antisemitism is wrong or really
missing the point.
It specifically says within
the definition that criticized
the criticism of Israel is as
long as it's similar to any
other country is not generally
anti-Semitic.
And if you actually look at
the statistics of what most
Jews are as I am a Jew and I'm
saying that majority of Jews in
this country according to polls
at least 80% of Jews in this
country are Zionist standard of
living means that the Jewish
people have the right to
self-determination and to
self-determination I mean and
to Israel That doesn't mean
that they all respect the Likud
Party or that they believe in
Netanyahu that just means that
you live in Israel.
That does not mean that
antisemitism is against
Palestinian.
Thank you.
That does conclude public
comment an item of 500 Thank
you.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you to the clerk for
hours 20 minutes before we
continue on let's give a big
round of applause for our city
for and all the city clerk
staff of course.
A little bumpy there but I
think we made it through.
I appreciate everybody's
patience and will enough to
participate in our informal
rules in chambers.
So with that we will now turn
it over to my council
colleagues for any questions,
comments and entertain.
Excuse me undertake a motion
and we will start with Council
member Whipper Thank you
Council PRESIDENT Thank you to
all of you here in chambers And
who called in who shared your
thoughts on this today And I
got to thank my council
colleagues as well and to
the entire city team.
This has been a lengthy
discussion as we heard today
for far too many Jewish
families including thousands
who live right here in San
Diego.
Anti-Semitism is not an
abstract concept.
It is something they live with
every single day and that is
why I am bringing this forward.
There have been anti-Semitic
incidents in my cultural
district and there has been a
rise in anti-Semitic hate
crimes citywide crimes that I
think everybody here would
agree are rooted in
anti-Semitism.
Again, I want to thank the City
Services and Task Force for
meeting with me about the rise
in anti-Semitic, the importance
of this action to so many
people in the Jewish community
And I want to thank our city of
San Diego Human Relations
Commission which is a diverse
body of community leaders
dedicated to confronting
discrimination at our city For
considering this and forwarding
a request to the city council
that we adopt this resolution
as have many other cities like
Los Angeles and Chicago and
what we can take Right Darcy,
for your work on this I'm sorry
that a couple of people
attacked you.
Those should have been directed
at me And I want to thank all
the members of the public who
made the comments on this
resolution this afternoon.
I appreciate all the people who
shared with us today how
important this resolution is to
them, how meaningful it is to
them that the city council
stand with the Jewish community
against anti-Semitism.
I also appreciate those who
want to protect free speech and
specifically those who want to
protect the right to criticize
the actions of Israel's
government or any government.
We should protect that right.
My view is that the resolution
does protect that right.
I will reiterate that
the resolution specifically
says quote Nothing in this
resolution is intended to nor
shall it be construed to limit
or infringe upon rights
protected by the United States
Constitution or the California
Constitution, including
the right to free speech and
expression.
My view is that this definition
of antisemitism also does
protect that right.
I think the language it says
quote criticism of Israel
similar to that leveled against
any other country should not be
regarded as anti-Semitic.
It's pretty straightforward.
I heard concern about a few of
the examples in the definition
too that I would point out that
the language introducing those
examples does not say that
those examples should always be
construed as antisemitism.
It does not say that those
examples are always
antisemitism.
It says that the examples could
taking into account the overall
context be viewed as
antisemitism And I think it is
true that there are times where
those examples could take into
account the overall context be
viewed as antisemitism.
As I read it this definition
makes a point of allowing for
criticism and allowing for
context.
I do not see that it restricts
free speech.
We've just had hours of free
speech here in these chambers
and nothing about this
resolution would prevent anyone
from coming to our next City
council meeting and saying
whatever they want.
No resolution this City council
passes will ever restrict
anyone's free speech.
But I will tell you what does
restrict free speech
anti-Semitic hatred when people
are literally afraid to speak
in Hebrew that is an actual
inhibition of their speech
where people are afraid to wear
their star of David.
That is an actual inhibition of
their religious freedom.
Make no mistake it is precisely
because members of the Jewish
community in San Diego are
experiencing hate in a way that
restrains their speech, their
freedoms that I believe we must
send a message that this city
council stands with the Jewish
community against
anti-Semitism.
I think that is an important
message to send and that is
what this resolution does And I
will make a motion that
the city council adopt a
resolution recognizing the rise
of anti-Semitism.
Affirming the city's commitment
to combating hate and
discrimination and adopting
the international Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance's working
definition of antisemitism.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you.
Council member Whitburn you
didn't use your last three
minutes.
If you want to be generous with
your colleagues, feel free.
>> So we have a motion by
Council member Whitburn to move
the recommendation.
We'll go next to council member
area.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I think you
have also participated today.
I'll be honest I'm really
struggled today As everyone
knows I come from a
multi-ethnic and
multi-religious family and I am
a Jew a proud you and I know
anti-Semitism.
I know it as a descendant of
Sephardic Jews who spent over
400 years hiding and running in
search of safety to be who they
were and worship their GOD.
I know that the descendant of
Ashkenazi Jews who fought
the programs in Ukraine and I
don't just know for my lineage
I know it in life from growing
up in a community where actual
neo-Nazi skinheads felt more
comfortable being proud bigots
that I felt safe and felt safe
walking into my temple or my
Jewish identity be known by
those who hate us for being us
.
I know it from
the anti-Semitism I hear and
feel in these chambers and in
my day to day life.
And I want to say thank you to
the folks who share their
stories especially the young
folks that courageously shared
your story that resonated very
much with me because I know
anti-Semitism.
I hate it.
Anti-Semitism like any form of
hate and discrimination is vile
and should be fought fiercely
and relentlessly.
It's also a growing problem
across the political spectrum
and around the world.
Donald Trump and his maga
movement has provided a haven
for racists, bigots,
homophobes, allies of
Islamophobes and anti-Semites.
Nazis have been invited to dine
with Trump and he has regularly
perpetuated anti-Semitic
stereotypes while claiming to
be our quote unquote protector
.
And sadly the rise has not been
exclusive to far right
extremists more and more often
anti-Semitism has been accepted
or not appropriately rejected
and progressive spaces After
years of feeling like the world
is becoming safer for Jews, we
are we are slipping backwards
rather than the world being
safer for my son than it was
for me.
It actually feels more
dangerous.
The travesty and it must be
recognized.
It must be combated.
Unfortunately this resolution
in the examples contained
within the ihra definition are
not the way to do that.
There are two examples in
particular that are vague
reason answerable questions and
that could be used to label
speech rooted in Jewish
identity including my own as
anti-Semitic The first traits
apply in a double standard to
Israel as antisemitic I asked
proponents of this definition
questions loudest First, how
does one know when a double
standard is being applied?
Second, I'm a Jew.
I'm told I have a stake in
Israel.
Am I antisemitic for holding
Israel to a higher standard
than nations I have no
connection to?
Am I anti-American for holding
the United States to a higher
standard than any other
country?
I could not give clear answers
to the quote to those questions
from proponents.
I know what it looks like when
that question goes I answered
because I've already landed.
Last summer I wrote a piece
expressing my horror at
the violence in Gaza while also
condemning Hamas and calling
for the release of hostages a
representative of
the organization that presented
the human rights violations
Commission and who spoke here
today published a piece calling
me a feature of antisemitism
for writing it.
That's not hypothetical.
That's real.
That happened to me.
It's exactly what this
definition enables not by
everyone but by the bad actors
who purposely want to use it
that way.
The second example I raised in
the second second example I
raised concerns about tweets
comparisons of contemporary
Israeli policy to Nazi policy
as anti-Semitic.
I cannot support a definition
that makes any such comparison
categorically off limits If a
government called for the total
extermination I mean I think
people are forbidden from
calling it what it is.
The most important moral
reference point in modern
Jewish history cannot be placed
beyond reach.
>> It does not protect Jews.
It is honored.
It dishonors the concept of
never again.
Last week a man drove his truck
through the doors of Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield,
Michigan of more than 140
children more than five years
old and younger were inside an
act of violence against
the Jewish community
the anti-Semitic.
No place is safe at a school
and house of worship not even a
room full of babies.
My Iranian Muslim cousin who
lives near there responded to
that attack by joining with
members of her community to
write notes of love and support
the Jewish community of Temple
Israel.
They are working to make sure
those children know they are
loved.
She did this because she
recognizes the humanity in all
people that same love could
also move her to speak out
against actions taken by
the Israeli government that she
believes cause harm.
Under this definition that
speech could be labeled
anti-Semitic not because she
hates Jews but because someone
could argue her standards are
uneven and she cannot prove
otherwise.
A definition that cannot hold
both of these things at once is
not a tool for for fighting
anti-Semitism is a tool for
silencing people who care about
everyone.
>> They MAY have three
additional minutes as has been
said and be dropped or
testified before Congress four
times saying this definition
was never intended for
government adoption.
It was a data collection tool,
not a speech a speech standard.
And he has said he's watched
this weaponize for 15 years.
It's not an extremist critic.
It's an author.
He's not alone.
There have been a call for
human rights.
An organization of hundreds of
rabbis and cantors opposes this
definition for the same reasons
.
And Rabbi Michael Rathbun, who
leads a congregation right here
in San Diego, asked me to share
this with you today.
Jewish culture is built on open
dialog and respectful debate
which is also a foundation of
democracy.
This resolution is both bad for
both Jews and democracy.
It sends the false message that
the only way for Jews to be
safe is to criminalize others
opinions about Israel and
Palestine rather than trying to
chill dialog and discussion.
We insist Jews are safe when
democracy is safe and all
marginalized people are safe.
It simply cannot be that those
from within our community who
offer an alternative
perspective are automatically
dismissed as French Catholic
whitburn As I understand it.
The Human Relations Commissions
discussion to recommend
the adoption of this definition
did not include external
scholars, free speech experts
or Jewish committee members
outside of organizations that
are already staked a position
on this.
I see no evidence in the record
that alternative definitions
were presented to
the Commission.
>> Am I wrong about any of
that?
I would ask Nikole Maria
Ramirez who is a past chair to
share what that discussion
looked like if you would like
him to come up who by all means
okay.
>> I would invite the Colby
Ramirez to call Maria Ramirez
as a past chair of the San
Diego Human Relations
Commission and made the motion
to advance definition And
the question had to do with
the discussion and
participation around
the resolution.
Yeah.
If I if I MAY.
Go ahead.
If the conversation included
external scholars, free speech
experts or Jewish committee
members outside of
organizations that had already
stake the position in support
of this, we had we had public
announcement that this would be
discussed.
You have to remember that this
was first brought in in MARCH
of last year over a year ago
months and months and by
another former chair is that we
went through this for a whole
year and we had discussions on
it.
We met privately, individually
and publicly with different
people on both sides of this
issue.
We did our duty and we covered
every type of opinion, every
input that we could get.
Do you want to say something?
I'm not going to give you a
back and forth but I will say
that I do not hear an answer to
the question about whether
external scholars, free speech
experts or Jewish consumers
outside of organizations that
are already staked a position
on this were included in
the conversation from
the minutes they weren't.
I also say and gather what you
and I spoke about this It was
deeply frustrating that this
recommendation came forward
without any conversation with
me.
One of the two Jewish members
of this body.
It's not a personal complaint.
I think it's a reflection of
the same failure of inclusivity
that has defined the process as
a whole.
So I'm asking COUNCILMAN
Whitburn if you'd be willing to
return this item to the Human
Relations Commission with
specific direction to conduct a
more robust and inclusive
process one that includes
scholars, free speech experts,
religious leaders and Jewish
committee members representing
a diversity of perspective
perspectives We were prepared
for over a year on this.
It's time for you to do this
council to do its duty and to.
I'm going to let that slide.
But the disrespect of someone
from the disrespect is not oc
that you gave me.
>> It's not okay.
We worked for over a year on
that.
All right.
Let's let's hang tough.
I think you are going to
entertain an amendment or
something that was offering I
was offering consideration.
I am I am appalled right now.
Councilmember Rivera and I did
discuss this and I have a lot
of respect for his
thoughtfulness around this
subject, his own personal
experience with the subject
matter and the discussion that
we had around it And his
question has to do with whether
I would recommend sending this
back to the Human Relations
Commission for further
discussion.
I will say that my sense is
that if we were to do that
there would be a discussion
very similar to what we heard
today that there would continue
to be very different
perspectives on this that this
would once again be forwarded
to the City Council and that we
would have another discussion
very similar to the one that we
had today.
So I don't believe that there
would be value in setting this
back to the Human Relations
Commission.
I do think we heard a robust
variety of perspectives on this
and and that we should take
action this evening.
>> Thank you, Councilmember.
I appreciate that.
I think it's important to note
that multiple members of
the commission have said that
after learning what they've
learned and hearing more
perspectives, they would like
to reconsider this.
I don't think that that should
be dismissed out of hand.
I don't.
I'm going to be honest.
I don't know that folks realize
the depth of the waters that
they were stepping into when
they took this action.
I think some did and I think
others didn't And that is clear
from the request from those
folks to have another
opportunity at that.
But I respect that you brought
this forward.
I want to vote yes on something
today.
Anti-Semitism is obviously a
problem.
It is real.
It's a threat to my community.
It's a threat to my family.
But I cannot support something
that I do not believe in And
the definition as presented
with the examples that are
included.
I have seen weaponized against
my own speech in real life by
folks who are in this chamber
right now so I can't vote yes
on this as presented.
Again anti-Semitism is real.
The threat to my community is
real.
My son deserves to grow up in a
world that takes that seriously
And that's why I can't vote yes
for a definition that falls
short and why I'm asking my
colleagues to demand something
more inclusive and more worthy
of this very important
conversation.
>> Thank you, Council
PRESIDENT.
All right.
Come on.
Let's hold tight.
Let's see if we can get through
this.
So Councilmember Ella Rivera,
you got one additional minute
from one of your colleagues
because I want to keep all
the bookkeeping and COUNCILMAN.
We're not going to count
variance against your three
minutes.
So you still have that three
minutes in the bank.
So thank you, Councilmember
Rivera.
We'll go next to council member
Campo.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
Thank you to the District three
staff for your presentation and
thank you to all the members of
the public for your
participation.
On either side of the debate I
appreciate you being here and
telling us what you think For
thousands of years the Jewish
people have battled for their
existence.
The Jewish people should never
have had to fight those battles
alone.
i support this motion and I
will second this motion today
not because I'm the council
member for the original Jewish
neighborhoods of San Diego
though I am and not because I
have to.
Soon to be three synagogues and
the forbade of East County in
my district though I do I
honestly believe this is
the right thing to do.
The resolution is clear Free
speech will not be curtailed.
Council member Whitburn just
explained it very clearly This
resolution is a tool to protect
people from anti-Semitism a
society that cannot protect its
Jewish citizens cannot protect
democracy and a society that
won't protect its Jewish
citizens can hardly call itself
a democracy.
Protecting the Jewish community
begins at the very least with
clearly defining the harm it
faces.
Last summer I visited Israel.
I visited Yad Vashem.
That's the world's Holocaust
Remembrance Center.
It's a memorial to the name of
those lost to the Holocaust.
And to this day only about 5
million of the 6 million Jews
murdered in the Holocaust have
been identified by name.
1 million remain unidentified.
So to me remembering
the Holocaust is a duty and
defining antisemitism clearly
is the first step in living out
that duty.
The resolution before us which
is the ira definition at its
core is about defining
antisemitism and where it shows
up here in our communities.
>> It's about standing with
historically marginalized
communities that is that are
reeling from yet another
horrific violent attack which
far too many are quick to
minimize and even worse justify
.
So let me be clear merely
criticizing any government
including Israel's is not anti
Semitism.
The Jewish people like any
community are not monolithic.
There is a wide range of views
including Significa in
criticism of the Israeli
government.
>> I saw that in Israel from
Israeli citizens.
But when that criticism crosses
into hatred of Jewish people
that's where our responsibility
to name it comes up.
So I understand the concerns of
some of my colleagues and
members of the public about
this resolution.
I understand.
And when people express good
faith concerns about free
speech, I absolutely listen And
I believe those concerns are
addressed here within
the language of the resolution
.
And we have a responsibility to
confront antisemitism clearly
and directly.
>> anti-Semitism is the oldest
hatred in the world and it
never truly disappears.
It waits for moments of
complacency to return.
We've seen it rise in different
forms across the centuries.
Sadly, even in our own
community here in San Diego in
2023, in my neighborhood on my
neighbors doorsteps,
individuals replacing fliers
filled with conspiracies and
lies about the Jewish people in
an attempt to radicalize people
to inspire violence.
>> We stood up.
We proposed new rules.
California passed ab 3024 in
response.
And one reason I took that
exercise so seriously is
because when I was meeting with
members of my Jewish community
in Del Cerro in one person's
living room, Daron Schwartz
pleaded with me that day that
the Jewish community should not
be left to fend for themselves
.
I believe the word he used was
We should not have to be a
shield all on our own.
He said We need more voices
people of different races,
people of different
generations, people like me,
everyone to speak up against
antisemitism.
And he's right Of course firing
is a small thing compared to
what happened in 2019 when
the harbor out of Poway just
miles from here was the site of
a deadly anti-Semitic Semitic
attack.
On the last day of Passover.
Lori Gilbert Kaye MAY her
memory be a blessing.
That tragedy reminds us that
anti-Semitic tism is not a
distant problem that belongs to
another country or another era
.
It's a scourge that's here in
our community, in my community
and we need tools to combat it.
Tools like the ihra Definition
which provide a framework.
Historically antisemitism has
been described as the canary in
the coal mine of society
because hatred towards Jews
when it begins to spread it
rarely stays confined to
the Jewish community for long.
It's a warning sign that
tolerance, intolerance and
extremism are taking root more
broadly because we cannot name
the hatred Clearly we cannot
protect the democracy we claim
to serve.
The noted Jewish sage and
teacher Hillel once wrote and I
quote If I am not for myself,
who will be for me?
And if I am only for myself,
what am I?
That wisdom speaks not to just
millennia of Jewish identity
but to civic responsibility for
everyone.
Today this Council has
the opportunity to say clearly
that standing against
antisemitism is not only about
protecting one community, it's
about protecting all
communities.
It's about defending
pluralistic values.
Folks in this room also know
that Hill's quote did not end
there.
He goes on to ask the all
important question If not now
when will I say to my
colleagues and to my
constituents and to
the thousands of members of
every community in San Diego
standing before us physically
and virtually?
I have an answer to that
question.
The time is now.
Stand against antisemitism now.
Right now the fight against
antisemitism is not a
responsibility for some distant
future.
It's a responsibility for now
the moment to stand against
hatred is not someday or when
it's politically comfortable.
It is now.
Attacks against the Jewish
community are happening right
now.
Synagogues are being firebombed
and vandalized right now and
young people are being fed
conspiracies right now being
taught Holocaust denialism
right now.
So we need frameworks to combat
that right now.
Let us not leave Hill's final
question unanswered.
We should answer it with
clarity and with conviction.
The question before us is
whether we will stand against
antisemitism.
The answer must be now.
I'll be voting in support.
Thank you.
>> All right.
So we have a motion by
Councilmember Whitburn and a
second by council member Camp
Hill to move.
The recommendation will go next
to council member Campbell.
>> Thank you Council PRESIDENT
And thank you Ryan Dorsey for
the presentation and thank you
specially to my colleague
Councilmember Whitburn for
bringing this forward.
And I want to thank you and
COUNCILMAN Campo for your
excellent words and for delving
so deeply into the entire
matter of this resolution and
taking all that you did into
consideration.
And I want to start by
explaining that this item
before us is a resolution.
It is not a law.
a resolution is not a law.
Freedom in America still
exists.
This resolution will only stand
against hatred of the Jewish
people.
We're living in a time when two
of the world's leading
democratic nations the U.S. And
Israel due to their current
leadership have lost
the respect of many of their
own people and their own
citizens and other citizens
from around the world.
Most people believe Israel is a
democracy.
The detail escort the gentleman
out.
>> We've been doing so well You
as an out.
>> I've already explained that
I'm not going to go back and
talk about it again.
>> Okay.
So very simple.
I didn't say that.
You know I didn't say that.
And that's the problem with why
you're going on here today.
And okay, that's good.
But then what?
I haven't spoken yet.
And okay.
>> I've been accused of a
double standard.
We'll invite you to leave
the room as well.
We need to get on.
We're so close to wrapping our
briefing up.
Please don't clap.
This is only about disruption.
It is not about any party.
>> But okay.
Double standard And Parker.
See I got it.
My apologies.
Council member Campbell And
there anyone?
All of you.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT.
We are living in a time when
two of the world's leading
democratic nations the United
States and Israel due to their
current leadership have lost
the respect of many of their
own people and citizens from
around the globe.
Most people believe in
the right of all people to live
in peace and free from
discrimination and hatred.
To quote PRESIDENT Lincoln,
this too shall pass the good
people of the United States and
hopefully Israel will prevail
at the voting booth.
As an American, I feel
compelled to speak today
against the harassment or
discrimination based on actual
or perceived Jewish identity,
ancestry or faith.
When rhetoric crosses the line
into harmful stereotypes,
collective blame or
dehumanizing language it does
real harm.
It creates fear.
It isolates members of our
community.
And it undermines the values we
are here to uphold as Americans
.
Let me be clear This is there
is no place for anti-Semitism
in this council chamber in
the city of San Diego or in
the entire world.
We can and should have
thoughtful, respectful dialog
but hate in any form against
any group cannot be part of
that conversation.
This is exactly why adopting
this working definition of
antisocial modernism from
the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance is so
important.
The I h r a is an
intergovernmental body made up
of 35 different countries.
It serves as a global forum to
share best practices and
develop practical tools to
identify and as to address
hate.
They adopted this particular
definition in 2016 ten years
ago long before the current
battles that are going on in
the world now long before
the terrible current political
climate.
As the definition states quote
anti-Semitism is a certain
perception of Jews which MAY be
expressed as hatred toward Jews
.
It helps institutions and
communities to recognize that
anti-Semitism can be present in
its many forms.
Sandy Eggo is a city that
stands firmly against hate in
all its forms against anybody
including the Muslim community
.
By adopting this definition we
reaffirm our commitment to
protecting religious freedom,
confronting antisemitism and
ensuring that every member of
our community can live without
fur, without fear.
I will support this resolution.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you, Council member
Campbell.
And again, apologies for
the interruption.
We'll go next to council member
Von Wilpert.
>> Thank you And thank you to
the volunteers on the Human
Relations Commission and to my
colleagues and to all who
participated in our democracy
Today.
I want to start with a very
uncomfortable truth that
antisemitism is not a relic of
the past.
Anti seven anti Semitism is
rising to levels rising to
levels we have not seen in
generations.
Last year we watched in horror
as the news broke on DECEMBER
14th of a shooting at Sydney's
Bondi Beach where two gunmen
opened fire on a Jewish
celebration killing 15 people
celebrating Hanukkah.
Less than a month later, a
violent anti violent anti
Semitic act hit home especially
for me.
When arsonists heavily damaged
Mississippi's largest synagogue
before dawn, I lived in Jackson
for three years when I worked
there as a civil rights lawyer
in Mississippi.
When I reached out to my
friends there to express my
condolences.
They told me this was the same
synagogue in Jackson that
the Ku Klux had bombed in 1967
because the rabbi had supported
civil rights at the time In our
own community in San Diego in
2019 the Polish bombed
synagogue attack laid bare
the deadly reach of
antisemitism.
Even here as a self-proclaimed
white supremacist armed with an
air of 15 killed one worshiper
and injured three others
including the rabbi.
That shooter lived in my
district.
Synagogues were attacked with
disturbing regularity.
Last week in seven days we saw
seven attacks on synagogues
here and around the world.
And just a few weeks ago on
JANUARY 30th in this very room
my public safety committee held
a hearing on the prosecution of
anti-Semitic felony hate crimes
committed here in San Diego.
We heard members of this body
heard firsthand how Jewish
schools, community centers have
to operate behind security
checkpoints.
We heard how many students were
bullied in their classrooms
just because they were Jewish.
For many Jewish families today
simply participating in their
life going to Temple, sending
kids to Hebrew school,
attending a Hanukkah party
means going under armed guard
and through metal detectors.
Participating openly in your
culture and your history, your
identity should never require
armed protection.
>> During our time on
the council this council has
worked to confront
anti-Semitism and all forms of
hate directly by shining a
light on it by pushing for
stronger coordination between
law enforcement or Jewish
community leaders to expand
Holocaust education even here
in San Diego.
With Ruth Remember Us
The Holocaust Project.
Today's resolution sends a
simple message that hate and
violence towards Jewish people
has no place in our community.
But we need to be clear about
something else.
In America, the right to free
speech is fundamental.
People have the right to
express views.
We disagree with even if that
speech makes our blood boil.
Adopting this definition is not
about policing.
Speech in the city should never
use it for that purpose.
It's about making clear where
our values are and recognize
that anti-Semitism when it
crosses that line into
violence, vandalism or
harassment.
For many people Jewish people a
connection to Israel is part of
their identity faith and story
As a people.
And I know we all have very
deep and passionate views about
Israel and Palestine and for
good reason.
But this comes down to basic
decency with each other
compassion and respect for one
another.
Whether you support Israel, our
passion about Palestinian
rights or support both as many
of us do, we all have to be
better to each other.
And words matter.
Criticizing policies of
the Israeli government just
like criticizing any other
government including our own.
Here in this room in this
nation is protected speech and
part of a healthy debate.
The very definition of
anti-Semitism we are adopting
today says that criticism of
Israel similar to that leveled
against any other country
cannot be regarded as
anti-Semitic.
I've been clear on this too.
I believe that policies like
annexation and settlement
expansion and settler violence
are wrong.
Palestinians deserve dignity,
security and a state of their
own.
And for Jewish people I also
believe that Jewish people
deserve to live safely and
securely in Israel and not be
demonized for it.
These values are not mutually
exclusive.
In fact they are mutually.
We need to do this together for
security and peace for all
people.
>> And when the very definition
of anti Semitism the way I read
it has room for distinguishing
between speech That is
criticism of Israel similar to
that leveled against any other
country and criticism of a
Jewish homeland that is
dangerous and often crosses
the line into anti-Semitism.
In fact I'm reading it here.
This definition includes 11
examples that describe ways
that Jews MAY experience and
says anti-Semitism today MAY
experience taking into account
the overall context.
So under this definition I do
not view anything that you said
today.
Counsel Elie Rivera and I very
much appreciate your passion
how hard this is for you.
>> I don't do anything you said
today is anti-Semitic.
But the caller who called in in
this public comment tonight and
said that in his view because
of the actions of the Israeli
government Jewish children in
public schools in San Diego
deserve to be spit on is
anti-Semitic.
And this definition stated that
context matters and we must
also reject those who cynically
weaponize it said Semitism for
their own political agendas.
Starting with PRESIDENT Donald
Trump, what Trump is doing to
attack our universities go
after asylum seekers in
the name of combating and anti
Semitism is as shameful as it
is transparent.
It has nothing to do with
protecting Jewish people's
safety but advancing Trump's
extremist agenda and further
dividing our country.
Donald Trump called
the neo-Nazis and white
supremacists at the 2017 Unite
the Right rally in
Charlottesville quote very fine
people.
>> He has hosted Holocaust
deniers for dinner at Mar a
Lago.
>> Trump is normalizing
the very forces fueling anti
Semitism and I oppose in
Washington and I won't stand
for it here in San Diego.
But for me tonight there is
also something missing from
this whole conversation today.
As I said at the very beginning
of my comments last month I
held a hearing here in this
very room at my public safety
committee on how the city can
do more to fight anti-Semitism
,act of hate and acts of
violence.
We weren't discussing just a
genuine definition.
We were discussing real action
and real victims.
They were some of you were here
with us and we shared very
touching stories.
But I have to say this room was
virtually empty for that
hearing.
So yes, I very much appreciate
the passion we are seeing here
today and I'm glad people are
engaged in our government.
These are serious issues.
But I'll be honest I'm also
disappointed because we should
all be here and just as
passionate and engaged if not
more about actually confronting
anti-Semitism as we are about
how to define it.
>> So I know this hrc
definition is not perfect.
It is a working definition.
I welcome other perspectives
and continued input from
the community.
But as part of the public
comment on this item we all
received an email.
We read the written comments to
you and I received a very
thoughtful letter from Rabbi
Jason Nevarez, the senior rabbi
a congregation Beth Israel here
in San Diego who had hoped to
meet the day of the Tree of
Life Memorial after a shooting
the worst shooting against
Jewish people in this nation.
So many people came to mourn at
Congregation Beth Israel that
night and 2023 that I couldn't
even get in.
And I warned the people in
the parking lot of all races,
all faiths, all identities.
He wrote to us and said the I h
r a definition provides
guidance not punishment and
serves as an educational tool
to help civic leaders,
educators and law enforcement
respond more and more
effectively when anti-Semitism
appears.
And we ask my colleagues for a
minute if anyone has one.
>> Okay.
Adopting the hra definition.
Rabbi Navarro's writes Also
does not place Jewish concerns
above those of other
communities.
San Diego must remain vigilant
against racism, Islamophobia,
xenophobia, anti-black hatred
and every form of bigotry.
Naming antisemitism clearly is
one part of that broader
commitment to protecting every
community in our city.
I want to thank the rabbi for
his leadership and beautiful
words.
And I want to thank everybody
for being here tonight.
I support this resolution
because I support free speech
in this country and I support
the need to have
the responsibility to call out
hate and protect our
communities even when
the issues are difficult and
complex.
Everyone, including the Jewish
community deserves to feel safe
here in San Diego.
Just like every community.
>> Thank you.
All right.
Thank you.
Council member Von Wilpert.
We'll go next to council member
Foster Thank you Council
PRESIDENT And thank you to my
colleagues to Council member
Whitburn and his staff for
the work that has gone into
this thus far and also I just
want to acknowledge my my
colleagues.
I haven't seen this emotion
that I'm seeing here from
the members so I feel a little
I must say I feel uncomfortable
at this present moment but just
as I begin I just want to say
clearly and intentionally that
I denounce all forms of racism
,discrimination, hatred,
bigotry and that includes
anti-Semitism.
This is not something that I
take lightly.
It's something that I discuss
every day here at the city of
San Diego And it's something
that I'm very passionate about
.
I've been at the city of San
Diego now for going on 12 years
And quite honestly I think
sometimes it's easier to walk
away but I keep getting drawn
back because I truly believe we
can be a better San Diego and
often you hear me say as a
black man in America life is
difficult.
I'm 54 years old and I am still
met with hate and it's hate
that my people feel daily.
We don't have the ability to
not wear a certain piece of
jewelry or to wear certain
pieces of clothing.
We are viewed on the color of
our skin and that's something
that we have to walk in every
day.
I remember the stories of my
family in Georgia and being
light skinned and certain
family members being able to
pass but not everyone had that
ability But it was a real
reality.
Violence was a real reality.
I say I went to Hampton
University as a young man early
in my years at Hampton.
There was a young black boy
that was found hung at a park.
It was something that I will
never ever forget and that was
in my freshman year.
And it's something that I never
thought that I would see or
have to experience.
I lived in Chicago for a period
of time where a young man rode
his bike into the wrong
neighborhood by White Sox Park
and was almost beat to death.
>> And these are real realities
And it goes back to my comments
where I said America's not
perfect but it's about how we
conduct ourselves and what we
bring to the table.
I think we can all say that I
don't think any of us have an
issue with a definition for
anti-Semitism.
I think all of us will agree
that this is wrong.
Anti-Semitism is wrong.
Any type of hate is wrong
whether it's race, religious,
gender identity.
I think you have consensus
amongst this council and
the mayor.
I don't want to speak on behalf
of the mayor but I think I know
him pretty well.
Unexcelled table.
Um, I do have some questions.
Um, I am a process person and I
do understand, um, what we are
trying to accomplish here today
.
But one thing that my office
did find difficult as we tried
to go through and prepare for
this hearing we tried to go
back and look at just exactly
what the hrc did.
And as we went back through
the record I didn't I was not
able to find a copy of meeting
minutes.
I can have a little more time
please.
I did not find meeting minutes.
I could not access the video to
watch the actual meeting that
took place to see what
the conversation was.
Who was included in
the conversation?
Um so Ryan if you can help me
to understand um, what took
place, what did not take place,
why is that information not
available for the public to see
is based on what I sat through
and have seen today.
This is a very important
conversation on all sides of
the discussion.
And so I would think that that
type of transparency is
necessary as we are talking
about something that is so
impactful to everyone's lives
in the city of San Diego.
So can you help me to
understand what took place
because no information was
available And thank you Council
member for the question.
Um, I received that information
from the executive Director
that works with the Human
Relations Commission.
And I would invite anyone
that's from the Human Relations
Commission that's here today.
And I can tell you I don't know
about the process in which, you
know, minutes are uploaded.
That's a process question for
the commission.
But I would invite any of them
up to here today to know what
that or really what that
process like.
But I see the executive
director here if we can
understand.
I just as I was sitting on
the dais went to the website to
look for the information and I
saw other than the agenda from
the MARCH meeting.
i have not seen any other types
of documentation.
Good evening Council members
and thank you for your question
.
Councilmember Posture.
If you if you do in fact go to
the website MARCH is there
the MARCH when we had this
meeting when we had
the individuals come forward
before the commission to give
testimony as well as we also
did the actual minutes
the minutes showed up in JUNE
for the MARCH meeting.
And so that was on the website
And it did in fact see
the unanimous decision that was
made up by all the commission.
And then you have copies of
the minutes that are that are
here for MARCH 19th.
And then we will get you a copy
of the ones from JUNE as well.
So if I can clarify I'm on
the website now, sir.
Yes sir, I am at the 319 2025
meeting that says MARCH 19th
2025.
It's a pdf When I open that
file it only shows the agenda
for said meeting.
Right.
You said it came up in JUNE.
When I go to the JUNE meeting I
see a 618 2025.
What I see is a link that says
to JUNE 18th 2025.
And it says Adjourned.
And it it is an adjournment of
the meeting.
So I do not see the meeting
minutes or the appropriate
documentation that details out
the conversations that took
place.
I do understand your statement
sir and the minutes for that
meeting are in fact I sent
those out to both college here
as well as the new chair for
for those minutes And they were
they I found both of minutes
clearly covered the actual
MARCH meeting.
So they are there sir.
And if you'd like me to send
those to you I can put to you.
Right.
Well I don't think it's again
I'm looking at it now, sir and
I'm telling you they are not
there.
Okay.
And so I can appreciate what
you're indicating.
But my question is where would
one find that documentation?
Well, sir, it seems like I have
before the documentation to you
if you didn't me on
the website, sir.
But how would the public find
that information?
Well, we publish that that
actual information that we
published the minutes that is
there and for whatever reason
if you can't find them I don't
know but I will send those to
you and to the general public
as well.
This is a mayoral This is a
mayoral commission, correct?
Yes, sir.
Cora, can you take a moment and
see what you see on the website
and what's there and direct me
to where it's at?
Or am I incorrect?
I'm seeing the same thing
you're seeing here.
You're seeing the same thing
I'm seeing.
That's correct.
Council member.
Okay.
I think we'll have to follow up
afterwards and check with
the Office of Boards and
Commissions to make sure all of
our commissions are trained
properly on how to post meeting
minutes and meeting recorded
recordings as required.
Okay.
Thank you for that.
And and I'm just making this
this I'm bringing this to light
because again as we are talking
about something significant as
this, I think it's important
that we are transparent, we are
inclusive and that we have a
documentation trail as we talk
about robust conversations.
Right.
My colleague mentioned that it
appears that there was a one
sided conversation that
the conversation was not
inclusive.
Is that accurate?
Somewhat accurate.
I'd like to think Ryan, if you
were staffing this and you guys
are championing this this item
that you did your due
diligence, can you respond to
that?
Yeah.
Thank you for the question
Councilmember.
I would take that from exactly
the Commissioner's that I heard
from which was that there was
in fact a robust discussion in
fact there was both sides
represented on this issue And I
would take those commissioners
who were sworn in commissioners
for the city of San Diego I
would take them at their word
that that was what happened.
Okay.
Um, I guess my next question
would be in just as I'm
gathering my thoughts and as I
look at what the discourse that
i saw play out in this room and
I want to go to the letter that
two commissioners recently
submitted and in here it says
The mission of the standing of
the city of San Diego's Human
Relations Commission is to
create an atmosphere that
promotes amicable relations
among all members of the San
Diego community.
And I just have to say as you
look at the conversation,
the discourse that took place
on all sides, it really left me
with the impression that this
conversation was is not done.
And so that is concerning to me
as you are representing to me
that there was an inclusive
process and open process and
all sides at the table or all
sides of this conversation were
representative at the table.
So I do find that concerning.
The other thing that I must say
as I listened to the public
comment and what I haven't been
able to connect to is truly
what the intentions of what we
are trying to accomplish.
As you have heard that this is
nonbinding, that this does not
solve the issue or diminish
anti-Semitism at anti Semitic
activities.
You hear a young person come
and say I experienced this and
I want to be able to go to
school and not have
the problems.
Can you explain to me how this
solves those concerns and those
safety issues?
Yeah, I think Councilmember I
think you know, because cities
are not just zoning bodies.
They also set norms.
They respond to hate incidents.
They support affected
communities and they try and
stop a city I think cannot
respond coherently to anti
Semitism if it refuses to
define what it's trying to
recognize.
And so I think a city that
wants to confront anti-Semitism
should be willing to define it.
Otherwise every incident start
from scratch.
>> So let me ask this question
of the city attorneys.
Does this document solve
the issue of someone driving a
vehicle into a synagogue
prosecution of hate crimes or
crimes in general would fall
under the penal code?
So we have the existing I think
the aclu called in and said we
have existing penal codes, hate
crimes, things of the sort that
take care of these issues.
Correct.
Yes.
Thank you Council member.
There are penal code sections
on point that do address in
defining crimes.
>> Okay.
So so at the end of the day as
we are trying to deal with
the uptake of anti-Semitism,
the actual violent acts, things
of that nature, we do have
things in place and I'm asking
from a position of is there
something else we need to do to
make sure that we are creating
a safe environment?
That that's where I'm going
with my question.
I would say that existing civil
rights law prohibit
discrimination but they do not
provide a clear framework for
identifying modern forms of
antisemitism.
Ira Help ira helps institutions
understand how antisemitism can
manifest today including
through conspiracy theories,
Holocaust Holocaust denial and
certain forms of anti-Jewish
rhetoric.
Existing law and ira are not
are are complementary tools.
>> I don't I don't know if I
necessarily connected the dots
And I just as I listen to my
colleague from the public
safety the public safety chair,
I think she did put a call a
very specific call that I do
believe as to what actions can
we take to actually look at
curbing antisemitism.
And the two issues I think my
colleague other probably took
some action on.
What was it The fliers and
the hate mail and certain
things like that.
I guess I'm asking are there
other things that we need to be
considering in addition to
something like this to actually
see what I think is going to
address the concerns of a young
person being able to be
themselves who they are
represent their culture.
Are there other things that we
need to do or other things that
are going to come about this?
You know, I'm driving this
question because I feel like
there's as I look at it again I
go back to being an African
American.
I feel like there's other
things that we need to do.
I don't see I see similarities
in the issues in the concerns
and the safety of what our
Jewish friends go through.
And so that's why I'm asking
the question in the manner in
which I'm asking.
So Council Member to be fair to
everyone you've had your five
plus three and plus someone
give you another two.
I understand and I appreciate
that But we'll give you what
somebody is giving you one more
minute.
I appreciate that.
I would say, you know, I think
one of the first things we do
recognizing when we have a
problem is defining it And
that's what exactly this
resolution does.
I would invite up we have
the executive director of
anti-Semitism Task Force.
I could speak more to it if
you'd like The answer like oh,
I'm going to be with Ryan.
We need to define antisemitism
before we can do anything with
it.
So first we need to have an
understanding.
The second thing is work with
people Now that we have a
definition of antisemitism and
work with law enforcement.
Make sure they receive
the right training.
They understand what
antisemitism looks like in
the city of San Diego.
Now we work with the school
boards and with educators.
We bring in Holocaust
education.
We bring in, you know,
Holocaust survivors.
We do that all the time.
Stand with us.
Introduce them to schools.
We first need a definition
though Without a definition we
can't even have these
conversations because if
everybody has in their mind a
different definition of what
antisemitism is, then we can
actually address it and this is
why we're here voting on it
today.
So I guess I'll end here.
I appreciate that.
I think at the end of the day
what I hear is no matter if we
still have more work to do to
do what I think is to really
address the concerns and
the issues that exist.
And I will say this Not only do
we need is there more work to
do as we talked about
the Jewish community but I
think there's more work to do
as a whole which is why I think
the conversation of being
inclusive is so important.
And I think at times that we
try to address one offs we tend
to do a great disservice.
The other thing that I will ask
is and I haven't had
the information but it's my
understanding that there are
other definitions that exist.
I did not see it in the in
the documents.
Why Can you tell me why this
very specific one was picked
versus other things that exist
or that are being that are
discussed and are out there
that other organizations tend
to promote and use?
>> Yeah I think Councilmember
because I was the most widely
adopted governmental framework
and gives the city a recognized
already usable tool that does
not mean alternative frameworks
are worthless.
It just means as the broader
institutional uptake that when
I mentioned in my presentation
that throughout the world that
has been widely used.
So just simply it's broader.
>> Again, I would just say
the ira is the most widely used
governmental framework.
So the city is choosing
the most established
operational tool not trying to
end every academic disagreement
but it's just obviously
the standard.
Did I misunderstand you at
that?
You use the word broader
previously?
I said I said broadly used
across the world.
Yes.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
That concludes my line of
questioning at this moment.
Okay.
Thank you, Councilmember
Foster.
We'll go next to Council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
Thinking as PRESIDENT I want to
start this discussion by being
clear which is that anti
Semitism is real, it is
persistent and it has been
rising in very troubling ways
in recent years.
We've seen this not just
nationally but here locally as
well.
I'm certainly appalled by some
of the stories members of
the public have shared about
their experiences in our
community with anti-Semitic
hate in our district as you
might have heard from one of
the earlier public commenters.
Our office is working directly
with the local about after hate
fliers were distributed at
their doors scattered in their
parking lot into the street
picked up by other residents
and even middle schoolers next
door.
These kinds of incidents have a
real impact on people's sense
of safety and belonging.
I've also visited multiple
congregations and a Jewish
community center all in my
district and I've seen
firsthand the level of security
that is now necessary which in
itself speaks to the reality of
what many in our Jewish
community are facing.
I just want to acknowledge that
this is not unique to one
community.
We've seen similar patterns of
increased hate and targeting in
recent years in the form of
Islamophobia anti lgbtq hate
and even anti-Asian hate.
When one community is targeted
it undermines safety and
belonging for all of us.
Anti-Semitism must be addressed
and challenged.
I also think it's important to
acknowledge the concerns that
are being raised today about
First Amendment rights, about
free speech and about
the ability to express views
including criticism of any
government including Israel.
Those are fundamental
principles and they should not
be dismissed.
I do not believe that those
speaking in favor of the very
definition should be assumed to
be seeking to suppress free
speech when they are simply
seeking to protect their
community.
Similarly, I do not believe
that those speaking out against
this definition or expressing
criticism of Israel should be
broadly labeled as
anti-Semitic.
It is concerning to me that
Councilmember Isla Rivera as a
Jewish community member of this
council has expressed
frustration about not being
engaged in this discussion and
I recognize that not everyone
MAY agree but no one should
have their Jewish identity or
heritage questioned based on a
difference of opinion.
At the end of the day I do
believe that this resolution
presents a nonbinding framework
that defines anti-Semitism
while also stating that nothing
in this action changes or
limits constitutional
protections.
I firmly believe that we can
both take a clear stand against
anti-Semitism and continue to
uphold and protect
the fundamental rights that are
core to who we are as a member
of this Council.
I will always respect any
speaker's right to criticize
any government body including
this one.
With all this in mind that I am
supporting this item today.
More importantly, I don't
believe this is the end of
the discussion.
There's more work to be done to
address anti-Semitism to ensure
that our efforts do not do so
and suppress the rights of
those who might disagree.
Today's discussion has made
clear how deeply and divergent
our communities feel even how
around how antisemitism is
defined.
That divide is real and it must
be addressed as we move
forward.
I'd like to ask that our Human
Relations Commission continue
the difficult work of helping
us navigate how we protect free
speech while upholding
fundamental rights.
I would also ask that we ensure
that other forms of hatred are
equally addressed and even
defined including but certainly
not limited to Islamophobia
anti lgbtq hate, anti-Asian
hate and that we continue to
engage a broad range of
perspectives so that we truly
stand for all of our
marginalized communities.
I think what I'd like to ask
the council PRESIDENT Of
the City Attorney's office is
whether it would actually be
appropriate to propose an
amendment to today's item to
include that request of
the Human Relations Commission
.
I've always had a particular
bias just to make the request
and get an acknowledgment
rather than building it into
the motion.
That's my personal bias.
Is it possible for
the attorney?
Yes.
Thank you.
It is generally preferred to
make the request but not
include it in the motion but it
is certainly permissible to
make the request.
>> I can't remember which
friend I would ask if you would
include an amendment to
the motion that includes a
request of the Human Relations
Commission to be sure I just
have it right from what I wrote
to ensure that other forms of
hatred are equally addressed
and even defined including but
certainly not limited to
Islamophobia anti lgbtq hate as
well as anti-Asian hate.
Rather than conflate that with
the motion that is in front of
us.
I would like to take that up as
a separate motion.
I would support it.
Is that possible?
I will allow it.
Let's deal with this motion,
get a vote and then we'll go
back to you.
Council PRESIDENT Bottomley
That concludes my comments.
All right.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
Thank you to all my colleagues
for your powerful words.
I want to thank each of you
that came before council
especially those who have stuck
it out for the entirety even
the four that were escorted out
over the course of that
meeting.
I appreciate their willingness
to come and talk and certainly
those who participated
remotely.
I want to thank the Human
Relations Commission for their
work on Councilmember Lipman
and the d3 team for bringing
this item forward.
I'm not looking for a lot of
love but I had to make a
decision about whether to talk
at this and as soon as council
member Whitburn said I want to
bring this forward I said yes
and we scheduled it for
the earliest possible date.
I recognize that this
discussion is taking place amid
uncertainty in the Middle East.
It is impossible to ignore
the reverberations of those
military actions here at home.
Many of our communities are
facing real concern, real hurt
and real trauma in the face of
this conflict.
And as a council we strive to
hear from all our constituents
above all to ensure that every
single resident feel safe and
welcome in our city.
The spirit of today's
conversation is to consider
adopting a working definition
is not a departure from our
values.
It presents an opportunity to
reaffirm our commitment to
stand against hate and to
foster communities that care
for one another.
It is clear that hate and in
particular hate against Jewish
communities is on the rise
globally, nationally and
locally.
This trend to support it must
end and it must be reversed.
Hate has no place in our city.
As many have have has
acknowledged this action won't
stop anti Semitism but it does
offer the possibility of hope
and a reaffirmation of our
city's values and a commitment
to safety.
One of the privileges of going
last is also to put a context
in this conversation.
I think you've heard despite
each my council members in
their own particular way that a
unanimous feeling about
anti-Semitism is unacceptable
and that we as a council are
committed to do everything
within our power, our
jurisdiction to fight against
anti-Semitism.
I also did not hear any
criticism about the mayor's
office City hall or police
department our working
definition of hate before we
got here and how we've
addressed the rise in hate
crimes clearly has dramatically
an unacceptably risen.
But I didn't hear anybody
complain or city employees and
how the city employees behave
And I think that's an important
distinction that we should all
recognize.
This is going in a different
direction.
Above and beyond what the city
is already doing and doing well
with the resources we have.
We are in challenging times.
The mayor is committed.
The council is committed.
Our police force is committed
as well.
And it's a struggle we'll
continue to face and meet head
on.
My thought I'd have to I
struggle a little bit because
I'm a little bit of a policy
wonk and I think perhaps a
little deeper in about words
because I have found council of
ministers or council members
and administrations in the past
have somehow gotten lost when
they think about the big idea
and then they forget
the details about how they
actually execute.
I would have felt despite
the amazing work by the Human
Relations Commission, despite
the good work by District three
and the 4 or 5 six hours now
going on, I don't think anybody
spent more time on this than
the ira in putting forth their
work.
I reflected on the work that
they did and the careful
language they put in to their
document.
On MAY 26th, 2016 210 years to
get it in front of us I find
this language and the adoption
of this language to be a much
more powerful action by us.
I actually see some thumbs up.
Thank you.
It goes beyond just the non
legally binding working
definition.
They said it twice non legally
binding working definition of
an asset as separatism in this
document.
They also took the time to say
to guide our hra in their work.
The following examples MAY
serve as illustrations.
A much softer tone than what
our resolution says.
They also included additional
language at the end.
Anti-Semitic acts are criminal
when they are so defined by
law.
Criminal acts are anti-Semitic
when the targets of attacks and
I won't read the whole thing.
And I Semitic discrimination is
a denial to dual and I'll take
my three minutes.
>> This is the language I would
have preferred.
I think this really reflects
what H.R. A ira was really
doing and what everybody spoke
to eloquently about what was so
very important.
In a perfect world this is what
would have gotten written up in
the resolution.
I am a little concerned and
there is always an opportunity
As council member Campbell said
it's only a resolution.
It is.
Let me be very blunt The lowest
form of what we can do and it's
the easiest thing We don't have
to go to committee.
It can be direct talking to
the council which gives us
opportunity to change if it's
causing problems And I would
look to each of you no matter
which side you are on to let us
know if it is causing problems
.
If it is causing the police
department to go off into
different directions if it is
causing other groups to accuse
people of things that this
thing was not intended to.
So your work is not done yet
and I know for many of you your
work is never done in this
conversation.
Having said that, a different
resolution in a different era
and something less passionate
about.
I was on the border of seeing
voting no on this because I
wanted the ira work and not
the resolution and that means
no respect to my council
colleague going forward.
But I will be voting in support
of this with the understanding
that we MAY come back if it
turns to be problematic for
some.
I have predicted we can always
go back and fix something that
is not cast in concrete.
That is not legally binding and
as I would have said is a
working definition, not
the definition going forward.
So please come back.
Please keep us informed.
The Human Relations Commission
I also ask you to take that
input and to bring us back
going forward.
Part of my reason for voting
yes is we have an awful lot of
advisory boards staffed by
volunteers.
I want to show a level of
respect.
I think it missed the mark a
little bit but I want to show
the respect and take some
action today so I will be
supported of that as I said.
>> Council member Ila
PRESIDENT.
There's just one thing I do
want to say and I mean this
with complete respect.
Because this is my truth.
The definition is already being
weaponised and I know that.
So there's this conversation if
you're happening about this
this conversation if you're
having about that as a
hypothetical and if it happened
in the future we need to
address it.
And what I'm sharing is that
since the presentation to
the Immigration commission,
the proponents of this
the folks who are associated
with those who presented have
weaponized my words against me
to say that I despite all
the stories experiences that I
shared and feeling antisemitism
through my through the words
and actions that I've taken.
So I want to get that on
the record again because I have
it feels quite honestly like
it's being not dismissed by
everyone but dismissed by too
many.
And I do have a problem with
that.
Thank you.
All right.
I have about 35 seconds left.
I think he has worked very
seriously at seeing what he's
talking about.
i know what he's talking about.
For all of you that came stay
the entire six hours, whatever
it's been who fought so very
hard for this.
I'm holding you to account to
do self-control And to those
who are opposed to this
the same for you and to let us
know we are a city that does
not invite hate.
I do not understand why haters
are going to hate and are going
to find somebody to hate.
But this is a big pivotal
moment and it's going to take
every one of us to actually
deliver what Councilmember Eli
Rivera has been exposed to,
what each of you have been
exposed to your families, your
kids, your relatives, your
friends is unacceptable And
we're only going to get there
if we're all joining in
respecting what each of us says
I'm going I'm going to get off
my soapbox.
But I think you get my point
going forward and do not
disappoint those of us who are
voting on this.
Do not disappoint Councilmember
Lipman for bringing this
forward.
The city attorney wants to talk
to Yes.
Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
Just to clarify before the vote
is taken there was some mention
of a potential additional or
second motion.
Once the vote is taken on
the motion currently on
the floor, the item will be
concluded and there cannot be a
second motion.
But can you give us legal
advice about how to get council
PRESIDENT Pro tem Because i
think there is a general level
of support for that.
The two options would be to
make the request of the mayor's
office to work with
the commission to address those
questions or alternatively you
could put the request in
the motion.
The first option would be
preferred but you could put it
in a motion that would be
legally permissible.
Well as Robert rolls in his
grave I'll leave it up to you.
Council member Whitburn but
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
could you again reiterate what
your request was?
I've talked about it.
We're clearly at the moment but
it is to request Human
Relations Commission to address
and define additional forms of
racial discrimination and hate
ensuring we continue to engage
a broad range of perspectives
in order to support all
marginalized communities.
I would be comfortable making
that request from the dais and
I think that there would be
consensus about making that
request.
I would be reluctant to
incorporate it into the motion
that's on the floor.
But to the members of the Human
Relations Commission I would
respectfully ask if you would
be willing to consider at
the commission that which
the Council PRESIDENT Pro tem
is requesting.
>> Yes.
Thank you.
I want to introduce you to our
newest chair.
Uh, Chair Jones.
Stephen Jones.
And he can make that decision.
One thing that I had mentioned
to Ryan was that possibly we
could provide you with a list
of the things that we are
currently working on that
address this sort of thing hate
within the very various
communities and then provide a
way that we can, you know, have
some discourse about what you
would like to see more of.
And thank you Chair Jones.
>> You heard the request of
the council PRESIDENT Pro tem
Would you be willing to docket
consideration of his request?
>> Sure.
My name is DR. Stephen Jones.
I am the new chair of the Human
Relations Commission.
It is an honor to be before you
.
Let me say that Thank you for
the deliberation.
Yes, we as a commission will
take that on because hate in
any direction weakens us all.
Thank you.
I would like to take the time
to apologize to COUNCILMAN
Saylor There there I think in a
heated moment I misspoke and
certainly did not mean to
disrespect you So I sincerely
apologize.
All right.
We generally recognize Robert's
Rules of Order but we have
allowed the maker of the motion
to control the motion going
forward on the floor.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Katz
for PRESIDENT I'm going to
respectfully request that if
it's not going to be included
in the motion because I think
it's important here today I'm
supporting the item as it is.
I think it's important and
we've made the case for that
But I think it's also fair to
that there we actually
acknowledge the work that needs
to be done.
The Human Relations Commission
has already said that there are
embarking on that work and so
us putting it in writing even
if the resolution is the lowest
form of what this council can
do is a commitment that I think
deserves to be made and that I
believe would be broadly
supported by this Council.
The PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee you
have the commitment from
the mayor's office to charge
the hrc to take those actions
and the Office of Boards and
Commissions will track and
monitor that to ensure that
that's delivered.
Council PRESIDENT I will
respectfully ask for a vote on
that amendment if it is not
going to be accepted.
>> Okay.
Well let's give the city clerk
is there a second to his
amendment?
I'll give it to Councilmember
Foster So we'll need to take a
moment and let the city clerk
get that up on the screen so
everybody and if you have
anything that you can share a
point of clarification I guess
as an amendment we can bring it
without pre public information
72 hours ahead of the meeting
That is right agenda.
Okay.
Just wanted to get that
clarified since it's a request
it's a request or amendment
which is what It's an amendment
to embed the request into
the motion.
Then it's not really a request.
It's and you know the council
has in many cases input it
requests as a part of our
motions And so council
PRESIDENT Notably I the second
of my motion and I just
conferred we believe that
including your language in
the motion in addition to
the resolution that we are
bringing forward is in line
with what we would like to see
the city advance So we will
incorporate that into
the motion.
Okay.
Without objection from Council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem and a second
agree?
Yes.
Council PRESIDENT I'll explain
why the resolution as drafted
by Council member weapons team
and what to put in front of us
is still exactly what was
before us.
There's just an additional
level of addressing what
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Pro
Tem Lee was talking about.
So the resolution supporting
the ihra definition condemning
antisemitism and directing
the city clerk and the mayor's
staff to use the ihra
definition as an educational
tool in helping identify
antisemitism remains completely
intact.
Nothing about that is changing.
What's added in there is
the additional direction which
I from what I could hear
council member would say if it
was a separate motion
altogether it would have passed
anyway.
So because the ihra definition
is not a changed the resolution
as is printed by the city
attorney presented to the city
clerk and ultimately delivered
to the mayor is going to remain
exactly the same.
I think that it's an
appropriate adjustment and I
think that we should move
forward.
>> All right.
Without objection, can the city
clerk put up a new screen that
adds both the original motion
as well as this new language
that's been added?
Yes.
Give us two minutes.
Do you have additional
comments?
Yeah, I will Just thank
Councilmember Cappo for making
that point.
I think it is right.
I will explain my additional
hesitation being that this is
all about language and so I
want to be cautious about
adjusting language on the fly.
But I do think that
Councilmember Campo is correct
in his assessment of the fact
that both things continue on
And so I think it makes sense
to include it.
So thank you.
Thank you
.
I'm sorry.
Are you back on the lights?
Yes.
Sorry.
I just I want to I appreciate
the amendment put forward by
council PRESIDENT Pro tem.
I think it's important and I
think this is a better action
as a result of it At the same
time because in my opinion
the item be before us
the resolution before us did
not include the broad range of
perspectives that we were
asking to be included in the in
defining other forms of hate.
The other efforts to combat
discrimination because I do not
from the record see that that
broad range of perspectives was
included in the drafting of
the resolution before us.
I still will not be supporting
the motion although I do
believe that it's better as a
result of the amendment.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you.
Council member Ella Rivera Not
to anybody else like Thank you
Council member Whitburn Thank
you.
Council Member Campo Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
So that is the motion on
the screen which includes both
the original proposal,
the original action as well as
the additional request to
the Human Relations Commission
.
So with nobody else in
the lights.
Clerk Please call the roll.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I've started
the voting system.
Please cast your vote and that
passes 8 to 1 with council
member Ella Rivera voting no
Thank you Council PRESIDENT
Just two times for applause.
So with that we will now
adjourn Council to the next
regularly scheduled council
meeting on Monday, APRIL 6th,
2026 at 10 A.M. We are