[0:02] to get this council meeting
[0:03] started.
[0:03] We have a lot of good things to
[0:04] talk about this morning.
[0:05] So good morning.
[0:07] I will now call the city
[0:08] council meeting of Tuesday
[0:08] MARCH 17th, 2026 to order.
[0:12] Clerk please call the roll.
[0:12] >> Thank you.
[0:13] Council PRESIDENT Council
[0:17] Member Campbell Council Member
[0:17] Whitburn here Council Member
[0:18] Foster Council Councilmember
[0:22] Von Wilbur.
[0:22] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
[0:23] Council Member Campos here
[0:26] Council Member Moreno.
[0:27] Council Member Ella Rivera and
[0:31] Council PRESIDENT Look our
[0:32] resident also attending
[0:32] the meeting or Chief Deputy
[0:37] City Attorney Tina Ray Deputy
[0:38] Director in the Abas office
[0:39] Jillian and Delina and myself
[0:40] your city clerk Diana Fuentes
[0:41] Thank you.
[0:41] >> Council PRESIDENT All right.
[0:42] Thank you, City Clerk.
[0:42] A quorum is now present.
[0:45] We will begin this morning with
[0:46] the land acknowledgment and
[0:46] the Pledge of Allegiance led by
[0:54] council member Whitburn.
[0:55] We respectfully acknowledge
[0:55] that the culmination or
[1:00] the original inhabitants of
[1:00] the Unceded land that would go
[1:01] to San Diego despite enduring
[1:04] the horrors of genocide and
[1:05] colonization, the community's
[1:05] spirit remains unbroken.
[1:09] We are the resilience of their
[1:10] ancestors who fought to protect
[1:13] their culture and land Today
[1:13] they carry their legacy forward
[1:14] ensuring that their traditions
[1:15] continue to thrive and
[1:19] gratitude and strength.
[1:19] We stand with covid connected
[1:20] to our past and committed to a
[1:23] thriving future.
[1:24] Please face the flag.
[1:24] Ready?
[1:27] Begin.
[1:28] I pledge allegiance to the flag
[1:32] of the United States of America
[1:33] and to the Republic for which
[1:37] it stands One nation under GOD
[1:38] ,indivisible with liberty and
[1:42] justice for all.
[1:48] >> City Clerk Please go over
[1:49] how the public can offer their
[1:49] testimony.
[1:49] >> Thank you.
[1:50] Council PRESIDENT Like to
[1:53] highlight the slide on
[1:53] the screen that reviews how
[1:54] the public can offer their
[1:55] public testimony during today's
[1:55] meeting.
[1:57] Please note the time
[1:57] allocations for proclamations
[1:58] and consent items for meeting
[2:02] management purposes The order
[2:03] can be found on the agenda
[2:03] summaries found online or at
[2:04] the table in the back of
[2:07] the room If you are in person
[2:07] please complete the speaker
[2:08] slip looking at the entrance of
[2:09] chambers and bring it to
[2:11] the front of the room in
[2:11] the clear box.
[2:12] Council ambassadors are
[2:13] available near the entrance and
[2:16] can assist with questions and
[2:16] speaker slips.
[2:17] No further in-person testimony
[2:18] will be taken once the council
[2:20] begins a virtual testimony.
[2:21] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[2:21] All right.
[2:22] Thank you.
[2:22] We will now dispense with
[2:23] the approval of
[2:25] the proclamation items.
[2:26] Please introduce some clerk and
[2:27] proceed with public comment.
[2:27] Thank you.
[2:30] The public comment period for
[2:31] the proclamation items is now
[2:31] open.
[2:34] Each speaker will have one
[2:34] minute per item per person.
[2:35] If you would like to speak on
[2:36] three or more items you will
[2:39] have a maximum of three
[2:39] minutes.
[2:40] So now is the time to please
[2:40] submit your speaker slip to
[2:41] the clear box.
[2:44] I do see one in the clear box
[2:44] now as well as if you are
[2:45] attending virtually.
[2:46] Please be sure to raise your
[2:49] hand by pressing Star nine or
[2:49] the raise your hand icon.
[2:50] The proclamation items being
[2:53] approved are items 30 through
[2:57] 32 s5o1 and s5o2 starting with
[2:57] Jacob Edwards.
[2:58] If you can please come forward
[3:01] you'll have one minute You're
[3:02] speaking on item 31 after Jacob
[3:07] Edwards We have allegedly
[3:07] addressed if you can please
[3:08] come to the yellow reserved
[3:12] seats as well And then um hi
[3:13] MAY Ryan Hill if you can come
[3:15] up to the yellow reserves seats
[3:16] Jacob you can come up to
[3:20] the podium.
[3:21] Thank you City Council for what
[3:21] you do for the city of San
[3:22] Diego.
[3:25] Um, is this open discussion or
[3:25] is this on 31?
[3:28] This is on 31.
[3:28] Okay.
[3:29] And a very important day to
[3:33] recognize the police department
[3:34] is to serve and protect
[3:38] citizens.
[3:39] My last appearance here I
[3:43] discussed with you and non
[3:43] agenda public comment one of
[3:47] the last assassination attempts
[3:48] against me.
[3:52] I've been through an awful lot
[3:52] .
[3:56] It took police three days to
[3:57] respond three days I met them
[4:00] out front and they gave me this
[4:05] event number.
[4:06] There was nothing but a number
[4:06] and a date on it.
[4:07] I was told Here's your case
[4:10] number and it's going to be
[4:11] fully investigated.
[4:11] I went to the police department
[4:15] later that day to follow up and
[4:15] give more information.
[4:19] I was told this isn't a case
[4:20] number so this is not that
[4:20] number.
[4:25] It won't be investigated at
[4:25] all.
[4:25] >> Thank you.
[4:26] Allegedly order your speaker.
[4:32] Be continued 30 and one.
[4:33] >> Okay.
[4:33] You'll have two minutes.
[4:34] Please proceed.
[4:37] All right.
[4:38] So for this transgender day of
[4:39] visibility, this is probably
[4:43] not going to fall You know well
[4:43] with certain people but we just
[4:47] had Women's History Month and
[4:48] we've redefined what a woman is
[4:48] allowing men to also engage in
[4:49] that.
[4:52] So I find that it's interesting
[4:53] that we can change history in a
[4:57] way like that when there's
[4:58] already days of visibility
[4:59] transgender like all of these
[5:02] days that gets celebrated But
[5:03] it's like it's a disservice to
[5:07] women to change what a woman is
[5:07] and allow anybody to basically
[5:11] engage in that time and I just
[5:12] I feel like it's disrespectful
[5:13] And they're trying people are
[5:17] trying to erase what a woman is
[5:17] And so it's like how can you
[5:18] even be proud of something like
[5:21] that when any of you men up
[5:22] there could claim that you
[5:25] identify as that and then take
[5:26] that day from the women that
[5:26] were born that way?
[5:27] So you know, when we're trying
[5:31] to change things like this, I
[5:32] think it's very dangerous and
[5:33] it leads down a path of erasing
[5:36] people.
[5:36] And then for National Nutrition
[5:37] Month I find it interesting
[5:40] that there's so many things
[5:44] that are toxic in our foods and
[5:45] even in the water that you guys
[5:45] want to give us.
[5:46] But you know, if we started
[5:50] thinking about all of these
[5:51] countries that have actually
[5:51] banned certain foods or
[5:54] chemicals and things that are
[5:55] in our food, I feel like you
[5:58] guys should be concentrating on
[5:59] that kind of stuff and making
[6:00] sure that we don't have that to
[6:04] consume.
[6:05] Instead it's a lot about making
[6:05] money.
[6:08] It's whatever floats the boat
[6:09] of the money machine And that's
[6:10] what's sad is that you guys
[6:11] want to perpetrators though you
[6:13] care about nutrition when in
[6:14] fact there's look at your
[6:18] vending machine.
[6:19] If you did why would you have
[6:19] all of those things in there?
[6:20] Wouldn't you change what was in
[6:23] there and make sure that
[6:23] everything that is is something
[6:24] that is nutritious for
[6:24] the people?
[6:28] I mean all of these things
[6:28] affect people's brains and it's
[6:29] like that's why we have a bunch
[6:32] of zombies that you come and
[6:33] talk to and you can't even, you
[6:34] know, get a reaction except for
[6:37] Stephen Whitburn when I tell
[6:38] him someone died in his
[6:38] district he'll laugh at me.
[6:43] >> So yeah, next time I drink
[6:50] to an item as 5 or 1 I thank
[6:51] you for having me.
[6:51] National Nutrition Month
[6:55] recognizes the important role
[6:55] that nutrition professionals
[6:56] play in improving the health
[6:59] and well-being of our
[7:00] communities.
[7:00] Registered dietitians and
[7:01] dietetic technicians provide
[7:04] evidence based guidance
[7:05] education and programs that
[7:06] help individuals and their
[7:09] families build healthier lives
[7:09] .
[7:10] Organizations like
[7:10] the California Academy of
[7:11] Nutrition and Dietetics, San
[7:14] Diego District support this
[7:15] work by bringing professionals
[7:16] together to advance nutrition
[7:19] education, strengthen community
[7:20] partnerships and promote
[7:21] healthier communities across
[7:21] San Diego.
[7:24] Thank you for having us.
[7:25] Thank you.
[7:26] And Christiane, Christiane
[7:31] Coffman Frank, you always
[7:36] speaking on item 30.
[7:36] >> Good morning.
[7:41] Happy St Patrick's Day.
[7:42] I just want to speak in support
[7:43] of item 30 trans day of
[7:46] visibility.
[7:47] I would like those who are
[7:48] present physically, virtually
[7:51] and maybe watching this later
[7:51] to know trans people are not
[7:52] just having a moment.
[7:53] This is not a trend.
[7:56] This is not a phase.
[7:57] They are here.
[7:57] They are here to stay.
[7:58] They have rights.
[8:01] Everyone has inherent human
[8:01] dignity and I am here to
[8:02] support them.
[8:02] >> Thank you.
[8:05] Thank you.
[8:06] i'm sorry the five minute time
[8:07] are going to those
[8:09] participating remotely and we
[8:10] currently have three speakers
[8:10] in the queue.
[8:11] Please be sure to let me know
[8:13] which item or items you wish to
[8:14] speak to.
[8:14] 8700 if you can please unmute
[8:17] after that is Francine Maxwell
[8:23] Thank you Joyce and the other
[8:27] cd three 3032 and five one 23
[8:27] minutes Please proceed.
[8:32] >> Thank you All right.
[8:33] As the woman who just spoke she
[8:37] said extremely beautiful words
[8:37] and clarity.
[8:41] She said inherent dignity.
[8:41] Wow.
[8:42] Thank you.
[8:46] Inherent dignity.
[8:46] So I wanted to say this almost
[8:51] every day I wonder how did I
[8:56] come into the family into
[8:57] the state, into my life that it
[9:01] is and believe me it's been
[9:05] bumpy And the transgender
[9:06] visibility of course inherent
[9:10] dignity.
[9:11] I just celebrate myself.
[9:15] I celebrate each of you.
[9:16] I celebrate all people.
[9:20] Thank you so much.
[9:21] Love to all Now 32 which is a
[9:25] Ramadan month.
[9:26] For years I have had an
[9:26] opportunity to know a person
[9:30] that celebrates Ramadan and
[9:34] that's celebrated.
[9:35] Does it?
[9:36] He absolutely dedicates himself
[9:40] to the very stringent parts of
[9:41] that that are offered to them
[9:45] And and I'm just amazed at what
[9:46] he does and how he comes out of
[9:46] that month.
[9:49] So I celebrate all of
[9:54] the people that honor that and
[9:54] they're just part of our
[9:55] diverse culture in the world
[9:59] and we love and celebrate all
[9:59] of us.
[10:00] And the last one national
[10:03] nutrition Month Thank you
[10:04] California Academy of Nutrition
[10:08] and Dietetics for your
[10:09] research, for your education
[10:13] and for your advocacy.
[10:14] You help California see
[10:18] the beautiful healthy state We
[10:22] strive for all of us People Yes
[10:23] to discover the power of
[10:23] nutrition.
[10:24] It's going to be a beautiful
[10:28] day.
[10:29] Happy St Pat's Day and St
[10:32] Patrick's Day and love to all.
[10:33] Thank you.
[10:33] Next is Francine Maxwell.
[10:37] If you can please let me know
[10:37] which item or item you wish to
[10:38] speak to.
[10:39] I am so sorry I didn't put my
[10:43] numbers but my captain has dpd
[10:47] and nutrition.
[10:47] >> You'll have two minutes.
[10:48] Please proceed.
[10:49] Good morning Francine Maxwell
[10:52] Southeastern and San Diego want
[10:53] to thank and support fully
[10:56] the Nutrition month Project New
[10:57] Village Food Insecurity.
[11:01] This is an awesome time and
[11:02] we're looking forward to
[11:02] the next generation.
[11:06] They have already become new
[11:06] growers.
[11:07] And so just the fact that
[11:11] they're going to be exploring
[11:11] the agricultural jobs and
[11:15] things like that is just going
[11:16] to be a wonderful thing too.
[11:17] One of my favorite captains
[11:20] Jerry here, thank you so much
[11:21] for the years of service.
[11:21] Thank your family for sharing
[11:25] You with us.
[11:25] You were 21st century policing.
[11:30] You can write the book on how
[11:30] to build a bridge between
[11:31] community and the police
[11:35] department.
[11:36] So much you've done to increase
[11:39] relationships so much you've
[11:40] done behind the scenes helped
[11:44] countless families that did not
[11:45] go on notice but was never
[11:49] spoken in public again For
[11:50] the nights that you would
[11:50] answer the calls of
[11:54] Southeastern San Diego for
[11:55] the opportunities that you have
[11:58] shown people to come and get
[11:58] tours of the dispatch so that
[11:59] they could get their minds
[12:03] wrapped around a career.
[12:04] And even though you have mentor
[12:08] and people that have failed
[12:09] the test, you still give them
[12:13] encouragement You will be
[12:13] missed.
[12:14] >> Well deserve rest and
[12:18] celebration and I am in full
[12:19] support of this proclamation.
[12:23] You are a cut from a different
[12:24] cloth and you know it and just
[12:28] so appreciative of being able
[12:28] to experience the times with
[12:33] you.
[12:33] >> Have a great time.
[12:34] Thank you so much for allowing
[12:34] me to speak.
[12:35] Thank you For the record that
[12:39] was items as 5a1 and as 502
[12:39] zoom user If you can please
[12:42] unmute and let me know which
[12:43] item or items you wish to speak
[12:46] to five oh one and five to and
[12:51] I'm like talking about it's
[12:51] let's make San Diego great
[12:52] again.
[12:56] When I was a kid in the 50s and
[12:57] 60s San Diego was a great even
[13:01] Mexico was great when I was
[13:02] growing up Mexico made their
[13:06] submarines out of Adobe.
[13:07] Now they're making them out of
[13:07] steel and putting drugs in
[13:11] Let's Make Mexico Great Again
[13:12] and San Diego too.
[13:16] Now we've got to clear
[13:17] the board, get some guys that
[13:21] wanted to start defining words
[13:21] just like how can you have
[13:25] dignity with transgendered?
[13:26] It just doesn't make sense to
[13:26] me.
[13:30] You know growing up that was
[13:31] not two words you would speak
[13:35] together but we all could have
[13:35] some more dignity in our lives.
[13:39] But when we start changing all
[13:40] the definitions of everything
[13:44] there is no dignity anyway.
[13:45] I think they need to get some
[13:45] counseling.
[13:49] They need help and they're just
[13:50] hopeless sinners.
[13:50] That's all they are.
[13:53] They need the Lord just like
[13:54] everybody else does including
[13:59] myself and just come to Jesus
[14:00] moment.
[14:01] You don't have to cut off your
[14:04] or grow up Here it is.
[14:05] You know It's just Come on man.
[14:09] Get out and start praying.
[14:09] Get down on your knees and
[14:10] pray.
[14:10] Even the guys that condone that
[14:14] stuff better get down on your
[14:14] knees and pray because GOD
[14:15] might be holding you more
[14:15] accountable.
[14:18] Man You know it's a lie.
[14:19] You know, quit lie And
[14:23] everybody that Anyway, have a
[14:24] good day.
[14:24] Thank you.
[14:28] Our next speaker is Blair
[14:28] Pigman.
[14:29] If you can please unmute and
[14:30] let me know which item or items
[14:30] you wish to speak to.
[14:32] Blair Before Blair before you
[14:33] jump in, please remember that
[14:37] people children might be
[14:38] watching this in the language
[14:38] at you.
[14:39] There's plenty of ways to
[14:41] convey your thoughts and your
[14:42] values but please remember who
[14:43] might be watching.
[14:45] Thank you.
[14:46] Also just not the five minute
[14:47] timer did conclude Blair
[14:47] Rickman is our final speaker
[14:51] Blair please proceed.
[14:51] >> Hi.
[14:52] Thank you.
[14:52] Blair be quiet.
[14:52] Yeah.
[14:53] I'm all for freedom of speech.
[14:56] Good decorum for public
[14:56] meetings.
[14:57] It's nice that a language we
[15:00] can all be agreeable to feel
[15:00] safe with.
[15:01] >> Thank you.
[15:05] I wanted to comment that I am
[15:05] 31 and 32.
[15:09] I think they are the one is
[15:10] the captain.
[15:10] >> Yeah.
[15:14] And the captain.
[15:15] Okay, great.
[15:15] Thank you.
[15:15] Yeah.
[15:18] The 31 is the captain and we
[15:19] had a good public meeting
[15:23] yesterday on public safety
[15:24] issues of police crime issues.
[15:24] Really nice questions by a
[15:29] councilperson on Rupert, by
[15:29] the way.
[15:30] It reminded me that, you know,
[15:34] we can have if we have good
[15:34] conversations with our police.
[15:38] That's so key right now,
[15:38] especially at this time.
[15:39] We're at a very questionable
[15:42] time to practice de-escalation,
[15:47] have that in check and that
[15:48] that option is available and
[15:49] looking towards those things
[15:53] for police it's important And
[15:54] Councilor for someone to ask
[15:56] something of that yesterday
[15:57] it's really important And
[16:02] police are there to want to
[16:02] have those conversations if we
[16:03] want to have them ourselves.
[16:07] So good luck that we have good
[16:08] dialog and it sounds like a
[16:11] really good person is retiring
[16:12] and that's sort of level of
[16:13] conversation and good dialog.
[16:17] We need continuously good luck.
[16:17] We work on those efforts
[16:25] together for the other item 32
[16:26] Ramadan month as we are in we
[16:30] are in a new state of war with
[16:30] a conservative state of Israel.
[16:31] They are basically changing
[16:35] the game of how we're going to
[16:35] be talking about the Middle
[16:36] East.
[16:39] This isn't a progressive lives
[16:40] anymore.
[16:40] We're dealing with a very
[16:41] conservative nature.
[16:45] We have to really be patient.
[16:46] Good luck how we can talk about
[16:46] Ramadan.
[16:47] There isn't any Ramadan
[16:50] speakers here.
[16:51] Well, you're doing public
[16:52] comment first I hope there are
[16:54] people from the Islamic faith
[16:55] here.
[16:55] It's like the majority religion
[16:56] in the world.
[16:56] It's a large proportion of
[17:00] the world religion For them to
[17:01] be here today was included.
[17:04] >> You had only spoken about
[17:05] the two items.
[17:08] >> Yes, that was the two items.
[17:08] Thank you.
[17:09] Thank you.
[17:09] That does conclude public
[17:10] comment on proclamations.
[17:12] All right.
[17:13] Thank you.
[17:13] City clerk will now turn it
[17:14] over to my council colleagues
[17:19] for comments and entertain a
[17:19] motion And we'll start with
[17:20] council member Eli Rivera.
[17:20] All right, Thank you.
[17:24] Council PRESIDENT.
[17:25] I will be speaking about
[17:30] Ramadan month.
[17:35] I will start by saying how much
[17:36] I appreciate everyone who's
[17:40] here from our Muslim community
[17:41] and the deep appreciation
[17:45] respect that I have for the San
[17:46] Diego community.
[17:51] How impressive the commitment
[17:51] not just to faith but to
[17:58] community and family is during
[17:59] all times of the year but
[17:59] especially during this month of
[18:00] Ramadan.
[18:02] There's a little story I want
[18:07] to share because I think it
[18:08] just really embodies the spirit
[18:12] of the Muslim community during
[18:12] again all times but especially
[18:13] during Ramadan.
[18:17] I attended an Iftaar a few
[18:22] weeks ago and after dinner by
[18:22] battery had died in my car And
[18:27] worth remembering that
[18:27] the folks who were there had
[18:28] been fasting all day had just
[18:34] broke their fast and
[18:40] the collective effort from
[18:40] children who were there to
[18:41] elders who were there to help
[18:45] me get my car started and get
[18:50] get home at the end of a long
[18:51] day again that included a
[18:55] daylong fast fast that includes
[18:56] not drinking water.
[19:01] I just think was like it was
[19:01] moving to me because again it
[19:06] was such a demonstration of of
[19:10] putting faith into action and
[19:11] demonstrative of everything
[19:15] I've seen from the Muslim
[19:16] community here in San Diego and
[19:20] my own family as well.
[19:21] So especially during these
[19:26] times when communities are
[19:27] under attack, I think it's
[19:31] important to acknowledge and
[19:36] pay respect to and honor people
[19:37] of all faiths and all
[19:41] backgrounds And today is an
[19:42] important day for the Muslim
[19:42] community.
[19:43] This month is an important
[19:43] month for the Muslim community
[19:46] and I'm glad they were able to
[19:47] bring this proclamation
[19:47] forward.
[19:48] So thank you to everyone in
[19:52] the communities who's here very
[19:52] quickly on Transgender Day of
[19:53] Visibility.
[19:58] Thank you to COUNCILMAN
[19:59] Campbell Councilmember Woodburn
[19:59] and customer on Wolpert for
[20:01] bringing this forward in
[20:06] partnership with Mayor We
[20:07] transgender people are worthy
[20:12] of dignity and respect and
[20:13] appreciation and care and love
[20:13] because they are people and
[20:17] that should not need to be
[20:18] said.
[20:18] But we just heard loud and
[20:23] clear why it's so important for
[20:24] us to to say it and to take
[20:28] action where as a as a city we
[20:29] share our love and appreciation
[20:33] respect for the transgender
[20:34] community.
[20:35] So while First Amendment rights
[20:42] are clearly being exercised,
[20:42] just know that the folks who
[20:47] call in and disparage our
[20:47] members of the transgender
[20:48] community by no means represent
[20:52] a majority of the city.
[20:53] They certainly don't represent
[20:54] the official position of this
[20:54] city.
[20:54] We see you.
[20:57] We honor you.
[20:58] We love you.
[20:59] We appreciate you And no public
[21:02] comment can change that.
[21:03] So with that council PRESIDENT
[21:04] I will move approval of
[21:08] the proclamations.
[21:08] Thank you.
[21:08] All right.
[21:09] Thank you, sir.
[21:10] So we have a motion by council
[21:11] member Eli Rivera to move
[21:13] the proclamation will go next
[21:14] to council member Campbell
[21:15] Thank you so much.
[21:19] Council PRESIDENT First of all
[21:20] I'd like to second the motion
[21:21] to approve the proclamations
[21:25] and I would like to thank
[21:25] Captain Harvey for all
[21:26] the years of service and wish
[21:30] him a happy retirement.
[21:30] I would like to say happy
[21:36] Ramadan and the end of Ramadan.
[21:40] Happy I eat the day of Ramadan.
[21:41] I really have great respect for
[21:46] the Muslim religion.
[21:47] I have family members who are
[21:47] Muslim.
[21:48] I have family members who are
[21:52] everything you name it We not
[21:52] at all.
[21:53] We're like the we're like
[21:53] the rest of the world.
[21:54] You know, we're just completely
[21:57] mixed up with everything and
[21:58] everybody loves everybody And
[21:58] that's how it should be.
[22:02] Everyone is their authentic
[22:03] self And guess what Lady Gaga
[22:08] said We're born that way And so
[22:09] that's the way we need to be in
[22:10] order to find our fulfillment
[22:14] in our happiness as human
[22:14] beings.
[22:15] So first of all, I want to
[22:16] speak about National Nutrition
[22:20] Month because I'm a family
[22:20] physician and we know food is
[22:21] medicine, right?
[22:26] All the mothers here know that
[22:26] .
[22:27] All the kids know that I hope
[22:28] all the dancing they are to it
[22:30] is one of the most basic things
[22:31] to improve a person's life
[22:32] Access to healthy nutritious
[22:37] food from newborns to older
[22:37] adults, proper nutrition
[22:38] prevents long term health
[22:39] conditions like heart disease
[22:43] and diabetes On a day to day
[22:44] basis it can boost your immune
[22:48] system and keep you healthier.
[22:49] National Nutrition Month is
[22:49] also a good time to recognize
[22:50] organizations that provide
[22:55] nutritional like Meals on
[22:55] Wheels.
[22:56] Some of my favorites love to
[22:56] deliver meals with them.
[23:00] I think when I retired it's
[23:01] going to be one of the things
[23:02] the service allows residents
[23:05] who need it to have a healthy
[23:06] nutritious meals delivered
[23:07] right to their front door to
[23:11] improve their health and giving
[23:12] them moments of connection with
[23:12] those who volunteer to do
[23:13] the deliveries.
[23:17] There's so many wonderful
[23:18] organizations across our city
[23:18] who provide access to proper
[23:23] nutrition for those who need
[23:24] who need it and I want them to
[23:24] keep up the good work and know
[23:29] that another volunteer is on
[23:29] the way.
[23:29] Pretty soon she retires.
[23:34] I'd like to speak on
[23:35] Transgender Day of Visibility.
[23:36] I want to thank Mayor Gloria
[23:41] and my colleagues council
[23:42] members with Burnaby for
[23:43] joining me in proclaiming this
[23:46] MARCH 31st, 2026 Transgender
[23:51] Day of Visibility MARCH 31st is
[23:52] international observed as this
[23:53] day of visibility a day we
[23:57] observe the silver and
[23:58] celebrate the rich history and
[23:59] culture of transgender
[24:03] individuals and paving the way
[24:04] for greater recognition and
[24:04] affirmation of transgender
[24:05] people.
[24:09] I think it's just a matter of
[24:10] people understanding that some
[24:15] of us are not born in the body
[24:15] That is their their inner
[24:16] knowing is their body and
[24:21] that's where transgender comes
[24:22] in and that people are people
[24:27] And it doesn't matter if you're
[24:27] transgender you were born that
[24:28] way And currently
[24:29] the transgender community is
[24:33] being attacked and we have to
[24:34] stand up for them to be their
[24:34] authentic selves.
[24:39] Today the city confirms its
[24:40] responsibility to stand in
[24:41] solidarity with our transgender
[24:46] community, to speak out against
[24:47] hate of anyone and to foster a
[24:47] culture of belonging and
[24:51] respect for all.
[24:52] And as I have said before and I
[24:53] will always say I want
[24:58] the transgender community to
[24:59] know that I see you, I hear
[25:00] you, I love you, I respect you
[25:04] and more importantly this city
[25:04] council and mayor honors and
[25:05] celebrates all the wonderful
[25:10] contributions you bring to our
[25:11] city of San Diego.
[25:11] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[25:12] All right.
[25:12] Thank you.
[25:18] Council member So we have a
[25:18] motion by Councilmember Eli
[25:19] Rivera and a second by Council
[25:20] member Campbell to approve
[25:20] the proclamation.
[25:24] So we'll go next to
[25:24] Councilmember Camp here.
[25:25] Thank you, council PRESIDENT
[25:26] Thank you members of the public
[25:28] for being here today in
[25:29] chambers.
[25:29] First I want to start with
[25:30] Captain Jerry Hora said it
[25:31] before and I'll say it again
[25:33] Those who risk their lives for
[25:34] others deserve our praise and
[25:34] our salute.
[25:35] And you did that for 33 years.
[25:40] So thank you so much for that
[25:40] to lose such a great leader
[25:41] with so much experience and
[25:42] quite frankly one of our most
[25:45] trained sworn officers in
[25:46] the entire department.
[25:47] But congratulations on your
[25:47] retirement and GOD bless you
[25:51] and your family.
[25:52] On Transgender Day of
[25:52] Visibility I want to thank
[25:53] the various organizations that
[25:54] are here today in support of
[25:57] folks who are doing nothing
[25:57] more than just trying to be
[25:58] themselves Trans family support
[25:59] Services, Proyecto Trans
[26:04] Latinas Transgender Health and
[26:04] Wellness Center.
[26:05] San Diego Pride Hillcrest Youth
[26:05] Center.
[26:09] San Diego lgbt Community Center
[26:10] Many many more organizations as
[26:10] well.
[26:11] They don't just help only trans
[26:11] people.
[26:12] They help everyone who walks
[26:15] through their doors with
[26:15] education and food and
[26:16] resources funding job support
[26:16] many other more important
[26:21] things you name it.
[26:22] So I want to thank them and
[26:22] wish them strength On
[26:23] Transgender Day of Visibility
[26:27] Today I'm also bringing forth a
[26:28] constituent of mine who's been
[26:29] a leader for many, many years
[26:33] Shane Hogg.
[26:34] He is I'm honored to proclaim
[26:34] APRIL 6th, 2016 Hogg Day She
[26:39] has been driving been a really
[26:39] an important leader throughout
[26:44] decades in L.A. Gardens and in
[26:45] Granville on the community
[26:45] council.
[26:46] He's brought so many people
[26:47] together and he makes sure
[26:50] residents have a voice in
[26:51] the decisions that shape their
[26:51] neighborhood And he has
[26:52] certainly educated me on many
[26:53] things in the neighborhood
[26:56] under his leadership,
[26:56] the council strengthened
[26:57] communication and outreach
[26:58] creates more opportunities for
[27:02] engagement champion projects
[27:03] that make a real difference in
[27:03] the beautification of
[27:04] the neighborhood tree planting
[27:05] in support of
[27:09] the rehabilitation of Navajo
[27:09] Canyon and so much more.
[27:10] What stands out to me the most
[27:11] is his dedication since before
[27:15] I took office he has
[27:16] consistently shown up and
[27:16] listened and worked to improve
[27:17] the quality of life for
[27:21] everyone in the Navajo region
[27:22] as he stepped down as chair We
[27:22] recognize not just his
[27:23] accomplishments but the lasting
[27:26] impact of his leadership And
[27:27] I'm honored to proclaim APRIL
[27:28] 6th in his honor.
[27:28] So Shayne, thank you for your
[27:29] service and everything you've
[27:33] done for Allied Gardens and
[27:34] Granville in all of San Diego.
[27:34] And lastly for Ramadan we
[27:35] recognize the holy month of
[27:35] Ramadan.
[27:39] We honor our time of reflection
[27:39] and compassion and community
[27:40] for Muslim families here in San
[27:44] Diego and across the world of
[27:45] course, Ramadan is rooted in
[27:46] the values of faith and
[27:46] generosity, sacrifice and
[27:47] service.
[27:51] And after my comments last
[27:51] week, these are values that
[27:52] strengthen our neighborhoods
[27:53] and bring San Diego together.
[27:56] This recognition is deeply
[27:57] personal to me as well with my
[27:58] Muslim family members being a
[27:59] vital part of my life and who i
[28:03] am and what many of them have
[28:03] been fasting this month
[28:04] engaging in a day fast was
[28:08] difficult enough for me as an
[28:09] ordinary person.
[28:09] I did not go all day without
[28:10] drinking water So just imagine
[28:14] how hard it is to do that for a
[28:15] month and whether it's Persian
[28:16] or Arab or Somali or any other
[28:20] ethnicity every ethnicity has
[28:20] members of the Muslim faith.
[28:21] The common thread of sacrifice
[28:22] and service during this month
[28:27] is inspiring And in District
[28:27] seven I want to highlight
[28:28] the Sierra mesa community home
[28:29] of the Afghan Community Islamic
[28:32] Center which serves as a vital
[28:33] gathering place for many local
[28:33] families During Ramadan.
[28:34] Spaces like this become even
[28:38] more meaningful as they bring
[28:39] people together for prayer,
[28:39] reflection and shared meals.
[28:40] Ramadan reminds us of
[28:44] the importance of empathy,
[28:45] community and building a more
[28:46] inclusive San Diego for all.
[28:47] So to everyone who is observing
[28:51] Ramadan, Mubarak Thank you.
[28:52] Council PRESIDENT Right Thank
[28:53] you Council member Carpio We'll
[28:54] go next to Council member Von
[28:57] Wolpert Thank you to my
[28:58] colleagues that always bring
[28:58] forth wonderful proclamations
[28:59] for wonderful things to
[29:02] celebrate in our city,
[29:03] wonderful people to celebrate
[29:03] in our city.
[29:04] I'll start with item 30 which
[29:05] is transgender Day of
[29:09] visibility.
[29:10] I am very proud to join Mayor
[29:11] Gloria and councilmembers
[29:11] Jennifer Campbell and Kim
[29:12] Woodburn in recognizing
[29:14] transgender Day of visibility
[29:15] once again in the city on March
[29:15] 31st.
[29:16] Today we get to celebrate
[29:20] the lives resilience
[29:21] achievements of transgender and
[29:21] non-binary people in our
[29:22] community and we affirm that
[29:23] they belong in every part of
[29:27] our civic life whether it's
[29:28] here in the city hall up to
[29:28] Congress in state government,
[29:33] transgender and non-binary
[29:34] residents contribute every day
[29:34] to our cultural, civic and
[29:35] economic strength of San Diego
[29:38] educators, health care workers
[29:39] ,artists, producers and public
[29:40] servants including police
[29:40] officers.
[29:41] Transgender Day of visibility
[29:45] was created in 2009 by activist
[29:45] Rachel Crandall to celebrate
[29:46] trans people while raising
[29:46] awareness about
[29:51] the discrimination and violence
[29:51] people still face today
[29:52] the city of Seattle remains
[29:52] committed to policies that
[29:57] promote dignity, safety and
[29:58] inclusion so that all of us can
[29:59] live authentically and free
[29:59] from fear.
[30:02] I am grateful for
[30:03] the leadership of our local
[30:04] organizations including trans
[30:04] family Support Services, Trans
[30:05] Latinas, transgender health and
[30:09] wellness Center including
[30:09] ourselves The Pride our lgbt
[30:14] Center who is here as well and
[30:15] all the individuals who are
[30:15] affirming that the city of San
[30:20] Diego stand against hate in
[30:20] with community where everyone
[30:21] is valued And as DR. Jen
[30:22] Campbell said, we were all born
[30:22] this way.
[30:27] Thank you, lady Gaga.
[30:28] Also for Ramadan month And item
[30:29] 32 thank you to my colleagues
[30:32] for item 32 today.
[30:33] i also want to take a moment to
[30:34] recognize the beautiful
[30:39] observance of Ramadan.
[30:39] Ramadan is the ninth month of
[30:40] the Islamic lunar calendar and
[30:41] as a sacred time of fasting,
[30:45] prayer and reflection for
[30:45] Muslims around the world As
[30:46] this month continues, many have
[30:47] been observing a daily fast.
[30:52] This council for Campos that is
[30:52] very hard to do.
[30:53] I too have attempted to fast
[30:57] and I can even go have a date
[30:58] out in water So I appreciate
[30:59] the sacrifice it takes.
[31:02] Also Ramadan emphasizes service
[31:03] to others including supporting
[31:03] those in need and giving back
[31:04] to the community at the time of
[31:08] connection as family
[31:09] the neighbors gather in
[31:09] the evening to break their fast
[31:10] and spend time together here in
[31:14] San Diego We are very fortunate
[31:14] to have a very vibrant Muslim
[31:15] community to contribute in
[31:16] meaningful ways across our city
[31:20] and I feel that it's more
[31:21] important than ever that we are
[31:22] celebrating Ramadan in this
[31:26] chambers because of the rise in
[31:27] unadulterated bigotry we are
[31:27] seeing in this country against
[31:28] our Muslim brothers and
[31:28] sisters.
[31:33] There are elected officials
[31:34] United States Senate and United
[31:35] States House of Representatives
[31:35] mainly in state in the Deep
[31:39] South who are making
[31:39] unadulterated bigoted
[31:40] statements about our Muslim
[31:41] community right now.
[31:44] It is extremely dangerous.
[31:45] It's not only dangerous for our
[31:46] mothers, for our Muslim
[31:51] community but also for America
[31:52] fomenting bigotry And he can
[31:52] lead to violence that will
[31:57] impact all of our communities,
[31:58] put our public safety
[31:58] responders at risk and take
[31:59] away our rights to freedom of
[32:03] expression, of freedom of
[32:04] religion.
[32:04] So I am very proud we are
[32:05] celebrating our diverse
[32:06] cultures here in San Diego,
[32:09] including our beautiful Somali,
[32:09] Afghan, Persian and all
[32:15] community members today finally
[32:16] with item 31 Captain Jerry
[32:16] Hara, I cannot believe it's
[32:17] time for you to retire.
[32:21] I am very, very proud to join
[32:22] Meritorious in recognizing
[32:23] Captain Jerry Hara in
[32:23] celebrating his outstanding
[32:28] career to the serving people
[32:28] City of San Diego.
[32:29] I also know we have some
[32:30] incredible 901 dispatchers in
[32:30] the room today So our
[32:31] dispatchers could please stand.
[32:43] >> We love to recognize you.
[32:44] >> I highly encourage
[32:49] the public to go on a tour of
[32:50] our number one dispatch center
[32:51] because those are the folks who
[32:51] answer the phone in our most
[32:55] harrowing moments And I've seen
[32:56] them have to use multiple
[32:57] computers and phones that are
[33:01] on either side of their head
[33:02] for the public to call in
[33:03] the victims stories and
[33:03] the dispatch to pd or
[33:04] the ambulance the information
[33:08] going on Some of them even have
[33:09] foot pedals in addition to hand
[33:09] controls.
[33:10] It's very impressive.
[33:13] So Captain Hart began his
[33:13] career with the senior police
[33:14] department as a police cadet
[33:17] and joined as a recruit in
[33:18] the 25th Regional Academy class
[33:19] in 1993 when he was ten
[33:23] overboard.
[33:24] Over more than three decades he
[33:25] built a career defined by
[33:25] leadership, dedication and
[33:26] service.
[33:29] He has served in many roles
[33:30] including patrol operational
[33:31] support, air support, watch
[33:31] commander background
[33:36] investigations and in-service
[33:36] training.
[33:37] And he twice led the dispatch
[33:37] division as a commanding
[33:38] officer.
[33:41] Captain Hara also took on some
[33:42] of the department's most
[33:43] challenging assignments
[33:43] including serving on a special
[33:44] weapons and tactical teams
[33:47] the honor guard and the peer
[33:48] support and all the team
[33:49] supporting his colleagues at a
[33:49] very difficult moment in their
[33:50] lives and careers.
[33:54] He invested in the professional
[33:55] development as a graduate of
[33:55] the Federal Bureau
[33:56] Investigation Academy and
[33:56] through his leadership as a
[33:59] past PRESIDENT Of the National
[34:00] Peace Officer Association and
[34:01] all of them over the years his
[34:07] service has been recognized
[34:07] with numerous commendation
[34:08] certificates for the awards.
[34:09] Captain Hart had mentored more
[34:09] than a thousand department
[34:10] members to the city's
[34:11] promotional process helping
[34:11] guide to prepare the next
[34:15] generation of Captain Hart
[34:16] retires on APRIL 2nd.
[34:16] We thank him dearly for more
[34:17] than 30 years of service,
[34:18] mentorship and dedication to
[34:22] public safety.
[34:23] We are proud to proclaim this
[34:24] day Captain Jerry Hardy and
[34:24] the city of San Diego.
[34:25] Jerry, come on up if you want
[34:39] to make any more comments to
[34:40] Ballou.
[34:40] Thank you so much.
[34:41] I apologize.
[34:41] I tweeted my uncle just a
[34:44] couple days ago said I'd be in
[34:45] uniform but it's part of
[34:46] getting old first and foremost
[34:50] I just want to thank GOD and
[34:51] Jesus Christ my savior who's
[34:51] got me through 33 years of
[34:55] incredible fighting but also
[34:56] incredible evil or hardship.
[34:57] I want to thank my wife, my
[35:02] family.
[35:03] They're all here my best
[35:03] friends, my best friend Jeff
[35:09] right there and my brother.
[35:10] This this work is hard.
[35:10] There are birthdays that I
[35:11] missed.
[35:15] There's Christmases I missed
[35:15] the 4th of JULY picnics I
[35:16] missed But it was all for a
[35:16] great great cause.
[35:21] It's to keep San Diego safe.
[35:22] There's a reason why San Diego
[35:22] is one of our the largest,
[35:23] safest city in the United
[35:26] States.
[35:27] So because all those people
[35:27] right there in blue and
[35:31] the dispatchers right there in
[35:32] my 33 to 35 years on this
[35:33] department, you guys have one
[35:37] of the best command staffs I
[35:38] have ever seen in 35 years.
[35:38] So even though I'm retiring I
[35:39] know and I've trained and
[35:44] mentored a lot of chiefs and a
[35:45] lot of captains there you guys
[35:45] are going to be just fine.
[35:50] My last thing is Dispatcher
[35:51] week is next month so please
[35:51] come on.
[35:51] Bye.
[35:52] Come and check us out.
[35:56] I know several council members
[35:56] came last year.
[35:57] Thank you for that.
[35:57] They do a harrowing job.
[36:01] You have the second largest
[36:01] community in the state of
[36:02] California at the highest
[36:07] performing com center in all of
[36:08] California.
[36:08] We are answering No one in 30s
[36:09] or less.
[36:12] That is incredible.
[36:13] We've come a long way.
[36:13] So again, I want to thank
[36:14] the city council for all your
[36:15] support over the years.
[36:16] You guys have been amazing and
[36:17] GOD bless you.
[36:41] >> Well thank you.
[36:41] Thank you.
[36:44] Council PRESIDENT I will add
[36:45] one more thing I encourage
[36:46] folks to come up on Christmas
[36:52] to House court which is I think
[36:53] in the lead district now.
[36:54] But I will say that Captain
[36:54] Hara has the most incredible
[36:57] Star Wars Christmas display you
[36:58] ever want to see including a
[36:58] talking Wookie.
[37:03] So thank you again, Captain,
[37:04] for your service and thank you
[37:05] Got the PRESIDENT All right.
[37:06] That's a date marked out
[37:10] the under calendar.
[37:11] Thank you, Council member Von
[37:11] Wilpert.
[37:12] We'll go next to Councilmember
[37:12] Whitman.
[37:13] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[37:15] Congratulations to all of those
[37:16] who are being honored with
[37:16] proclamations today.
[37:21] I'll speak to a few of them.
[37:22] I did throw I am pleased to
[37:22] join the mayor and council
[37:23] members.
[37:23] Campbell and I both worked in
[37:26] bringing forward
[37:27] the proclamation declaring
[37:28] MARCH 31st Transgender Day of
[37:28] visibility in San Diego as
[37:33] transgender individuals face
[37:33] growing challenges at
[37:34] the federal level and in some
[37:38] cases here in San Diego we must
[37:39] stand together and affirm their
[37:40] dignity, acknowledge their
[37:45] experiences and defend their
[37:46] right to live openly and
[37:46] authentically.
[37:47] I have great grateful that this
[37:50] council and our mayor remain
[37:51] committed to speaking out
[37:52] against discrimination and
[37:52] standing in solidarity with our
[37:56] transgender community.
[37:57] Whether those challenges arise
[37:58] at the federal level or here at
[37:59] home, our transgender community
[38:03] is vibrant, resilient and
[38:03] essential to our city.
[38:04] Over 20 years ago the city of
[38:08] San Diego added protections for
[38:09] the transgender community to
[38:10] our human dignity ordinance.
[38:10] I think that is a point of
[38:15] pride for our city And I want
[38:16] to thank some of the many
[38:17] community organizations here in
[38:20] San Diego who work every day to
[38:21] uplift and support our
[38:21] transgender community including
[38:22] the San Diego lgbt Community
[38:28] Center Proyecto Trans Lives,
[38:28] Titus Trans Family Support
[38:29] Services, the Transgender
[38:33] Health and Wellness Center, San
[38:34] Diego Pride and a number of
[38:34] others.
[38:35] And I would like to invite Kyle
[38:39] who is the center's project
[38:39] trans case manager and peer
[38:40] support advocate to come up and
[38:50] say a few words.
[38:51] Hello everyone.
[38:57] Thank you for having us here
[38:57] today.
[38:58] Transgender visibility was
[38:58] created in 2009 by activist
[39:03] Rachel Crandall Crocker.
[39:04] She founded this day in
[39:04] response to the lack of lgbtq
[39:09] plus recognition specifically
[39:10] for transgender people And out
[39:10] of the frustration that
[39:11] the only widely known trans
[39:15] centered observance at the time
[39:16] was transgender remembrance.
[39:16] She envisioned a day that not
[39:21] only honor those lost to
[39:22] anti-trans violence but also
[39:23] celebrated the lives, joy and
[39:28] resilience of transgender
[39:28] people who are here today.
[39:29] Transgender visibility is meant
[39:29] to do exactly that.
[39:34] Its purpose is to promote
[39:35] visibility, empower transgender
[39:35] people including those who MAY
[39:40] feel unseen even within their
[39:40] own communities and including
[39:41] the face of adversity and
[39:41] bigotry.
[39:46] Mother's Day concerns remind us
[39:46] that transgender, non-binary
[39:47] and gender very and people have
[39:48] always been at the forefront of
[39:52] movements for justice and
[39:53] liberation meaning serve as a
[39:53] reminder that our leadership,
[39:57] our creativity and our courage
[39:58] continue to shape our future.
[39:59] Thank you to mayor and council
[40:04] members Campbell Webber and
[40:05] Bolivar for bringing this
[40:05] forward and recognizing Tdot
[40:09] and the city of San Diego.
[40:10] I hope that everyone in this
[40:11] room continues to show up as
[40:12] comrades to the community and
[40:15] to stay engaged in
[40:15] the movement.
[40:16] >> Thank you.
[40:17] Thank you for those beautiful
[40:21] words and thanks to each of you
[40:22] for being here.
[40:23] Council chambers Today It is an
[40:27] honor and privilege to have you
[40:27] with us this morning.
[40:28] Thank you for all that you do
[40:29] to contribute to our San Diego
[40:33] community.
[40:33] Thank you again.
[40:34] i am 31.
[40:34] Jerry Holiday in the city of
[40:35] San Diego.
[40:39] I too want to congratulate
[40:40] Captain on his well-deserved
[40:43] retirement after 33 years of
[40:43] service to our city.
[40:44] Thank you for all those years
[40:44] of helping to keep our
[40:49] community safe and helping
[40:50] the Eagles in their most
[40:51] difficult moments.
[40:55] I am sure that your leadership
[40:56] is one of the reasons that you
[40:56] were recognized with a lifetime
[41:01] membership by the National
[41:02] Latino Police Officers
[41:03] Association and certainly all
[41:03] would agree that you will be
[41:04] greatly missed.
[41:09] The police force also I think
[41:10] council PRESIDENT Notably in
[41:13] council members Foster Castillo
[41:14] and Isla Rivera for bringing
[41:15] forward item 32 Robert Albert
[41:15] this month serves as an act of
[41:20] worship for millions of Muslims
[41:20] around the world and here in
[41:21] San Diego.
[41:21] And I want to recognize and
[41:25] thank our opportunity for
[41:25] the many contributions they
[41:26] make to the cultural and civic
[41:27] life of our city.
[41:31] I wish everyone observing a
[41:31] meaningful and peaceful
[41:32] Ramadan.
[41:32] Ramadan Mubarak.
[41:32] Thank you.
[41:37] Council PRESIDENT.
[41:37] All right.
[41:38] Thank you, Council member
[41:38] Whitburn.
[41:39] We'll go next to Councilmember
[41:39] Fuster.
[41:43] Yes, thank you, council
[41:43] PRESIDENT.
[41:44] And just congratulations to all
[41:49] of the proclamation recipients.
[41:50] I do have comments on just a
[41:50] few.
[41:54] I'll start with item 30
[41:55] Transgender day of visibility.
[41:55] Thank you to the mayor.
[41:56] Councilmember Campbell
[42:00] Councilmember Whitburn and Von
[42:01] Wilbert for bringing forward
[42:01] this recognition.
[42:02] Trans Transgender Day of
[42:06] visibility is an opportunity to
[42:07] recognize the contributions of
[42:07] transgender and nonbinary
[42:11] individuals who help strengthen
[42:12] communities across San Diego
[42:12] and beyond.
[42:13] Today also serves as a reminder
[42:17] of the importance of continuing
[42:18] to build a city where every
[42:19] resident is treated with
[42:19] dignity and respect.
[42:23] I join my colleagues in
[42:24] acknowledging Transgender Day
[42:24] of Visibility and the many
[42:25] individuals and organizations
[42:30] who continue working toward a
[42:31] more inclusive San Diego.
[42:31] Moving on to Captain Jerry
[42:35] Hardy.
[42:36] Congratulations Captain Hara
[42:37] for your many years of service
[42:42] to the city of San Diego.
[42:43] Captain our dedicated more than
[42:44] three decades of public safety
[42:47] serving in a wide range of
[42:48] roles and helping support both
[42:49] the officers he worked
[42:49] alongside and the communities
[42:50] they serve.
[42:53] Throughout his career he spent
[42:54] time serving neighborhoods
[42:54] across the city including
[42:59] communities in southeastern San
[43:00] Diego helping ensure residents
[43:00] felt protected and supported.
[43:04] Captain Hora enjoy your
[43:05] retirement and thank you to you
[43:06] and your family for 33 years of
[43:10] service to the people of San
[43:10] Diego.
[43:11] And I'll say you were one of
[43:12] those captains that I made
[43:16] those late phone calls to 10
[43:17] P.M. And beyond and you always
[43:17] took my call.
[43:18] He took care of what needed to
[43:18] be taken care of.
[43:21] So thank you for your service
[43:22] and your commitment to
[43:23] Southeastern Division.
[43:26] Also moving on to item 32
[43:27] Ramadan month.
[43:27] Today I'm proud to join Council
[43:32] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Ken Lee Campo
[43:33] and Councilmember Ila Rivera in
[43:33] bringing forward this
[43:34] recognition of Ramadan and
[43:38] acknowledging the many Muslim
[43:39] neighborhoods neighbors
[43:39] observing this month in San
[43:40] Diego.
[43:44] San Diego is a diverse city and
[43:45] part of our responsibility as a
[43:46] council is to recognize and
[43:46] respect the traditions and
[43:50] cultural practices that are
[43:51] important to the communities we
[43:52] serve in District four and
[43:52] across Diego.
[43:56] Our Muslim neighbors are an
[43:57] important part of the fabric of
[43:57] our neighborhoods contributing
[44:01] every day as educators small
[44:02] business owners, health care
[44:03] professionals, community
[44:03] leaders and public servants.
[44:07] Recognitions like this help
[44:08] ensure that the traditions and
[44:08] experience of all communities
[44:09] are acknowledged and respected
[44:09] in our city.
[44:14] That kind of respect and
[44:15] understanding help strengthen
[44:15] connections between neighbors
[44:16] and across our city.
[44:20] I'm honored to join my
[44:21] colleagues in recognizing
[44:22] Ramadan month and extending our
[44:22] well-wishes to everyone
[44:27] observing.
[44:28] And lastly, I'd like to make
[44:28] some quick comments on National
[44:29] Nutrition Month.
[44:32] Thank you to Council PRESIDENT
[44:33] Lee Carver and Councilmember
[44:34] Campbell for bringing forward
[44:34] this recognition and for
[44:35] highlighting the importance of
[44:39] nutrition and public health for
[44:40] residents across San Diego.
[44:40] The food we have access to and
[44:41] the choices available in our
[44:45] neighborhoods play a major role
[44:46] in overall health, well-being
[44:47] and quality of life in many
[44:51] areas of our city including
[44:51] neighborhoods and district For
[44:52] access to healthy and
[44:53] affordable food continues to be
[44:53] an important issue which is why
[44:57] education advocacy around
[44:58] nutrition are so critical.
[44:59] This conversation is especially
[44:59] important for black and brown
[45:03] communities that have
[45:03] historically faced barriers to
[45:04] healthy food access and
[45:05] experienced higher rates of
[45:09] diet related health conditions.
[45:09] National Nutrition Month is an
[45:10] opportunity to recognize
[45:11] the professionals, advocates
[45:15] and organizations working to
[45:16] expand nutrition education,
[45:16] improve food access and support
[45:22] healthier futures for families
[45:22] across San Diego.
[45:27] And in closing, I just want to
[45:33] say council PRESIDENT I think
[45:33] we must never lose what makes
[45:34] America great.
[45:42] And that is freedom of speech.
[45:43] We MAY not be perfect.
[45:44] The city of San Diego MAY not
[45:49] be perfect but I do believe if
[45:54] we come from a place of love we
[45:55] can be the best San Diego that
[46:00] we can be and that we should be
[46:01] .
[46:01] So please just remember that as
[46:02] we continue to move forward,
[46:06] let's not buy into the rhetoric
[46:07] and the divisiveness that we
[46:13] are currently feeling as
[46:13] neighbors, as community members
[46:14] as we deal with the federal
[46:14] level.
[46:19] So please, please remember what
[46:19] makes us great as we
[46:24] communicate as we deal with one
[46:25] another and as we love one
[46:25] another.
[46:26] So thank you, Council
[46:26] PRESIDENT.
[46:30] Thank you, Councilmember Foster
[46:30] .
[46:31] That's worth a round of
[46:31] applause.
[46:37] So we'll go down with Council
[46:37] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Ali.
[46:38] >> Thank yous PRESIDENT.
[46:41] I'll start with item 31 and
[46:42] just congratulate Captain Hara
[46:43] and wish you the best in your
[46:46] next chapter and especially
[46:47] congratulate your family and
[46:48] hope that means less missed
[46:53] birthdays, holidays and more.
[46:54] Turning to item 30, I want to
[46:55] thank Gloria and councilmembers
[46:56] Campbell would bring about
[46:56] Oprah for recognizing
[46:59] transgender Day of visibility a
[46:59] day to celebrate the strength,
[47:00] contributions and resilience of
[47:01] transgender people in our
[47:04] community.
[47:05] Today's proclamation is also a
[47:06] reminder that visibility alone
[47:06] is not enough.
[47:10] Everyone deserves safety,
[47:11] dignity and the opportunity to
[47:12] live as their full authentic
[47:12] selves.
[47:18] And if you we thrive to be a
[47:18] city where everyone is
[47:19] respected and where no one is
[47:19] left behind.
[47:23] So I'm proud to stand with our
[47:23] transgender community and
[47:24] affirm that they are seen,
[47:25] valued and belong here.
[47:29] For I am 32 I don't think I
[47:29] want to thank Councilmembers
[47:34] Foster Campo and Eula Rivera as
[47:35] we proclaim Ramadan month in
[47:35] the city of San Diego observed
[47:39] this year between FEBRUARY 18th
[47:40] and MARCH 20th.
[47:40] Ramadan is a sacred time for
[47:41] more than 20,000 San Diego and
[47:45] for billions of people around
[47:45] the world.
[47:46] At a time of reflection,
[47:46] discipline and generosity
[47:47] centered on faith, community
[47:52] and care for others.
[47:53] During this time Muslims fast
[47:53] from dawn to sunset breaking
[47:56] that fast are amongst family
[47:57] and community And it's also a
[47:58] time to practice kindness and
[47:58] to show support for our most
[48:03] vulnerable neighbors.
[48:03] That spirit of compassion and
[48:04] shared responsibility is
[48:05] something that resonates far
[48:05] beyond any one community.
[48:09] And that spirit of Ramadan is
[48:10] something we can all learn
[48:10] from.
[48:11] Join my colleagues as we
[48:15] recognize this holy month and
[48:15] celebrate the Muslim community
[48:16] as a key and valued part of San
[48:17] Diego's cultural and civic
[48:17] fabric.
[48:22] Thank you.
[48:23] >> All right.
[48:23] Thank you.
[48:24] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
[48:27] I think everyone had a chance
[48:27] to speak.
[48:28] I want to close out by
[48:33] recognizing all
[48:33] the proclamations,
[48:34] the organizations,
[48:34] the individuals, the issues
[48:39] that are highlighted there.
[48:40] Thank you to my council
[48:41] colleagues for bringing these
[48:41] proclamations forward.
[48:42] This is kind of a unique
[48:45] opportunity to share our values
[48:46] as a council and what we
[48:52] believe in and such beautiful
[48:52] eloquent words by each of my
[48:53] colleagues.
[48:58] I'll fill in a couple of spaces
[48:58] with that as 5 or 1 National
[48:59] Nutrition Month.
[49:03] Honored to join Councilmember
[49:03] Campbell proclaiming the month
[49:04] of MARCH to be National
[49:04] Nutrition Month.
[49:05] Those costs continue to rise.
[49:10] The reasons a compromise on
[49:10] nutrition goes up as well
[49:11] through organizations like
[49:15] the California Academy of
[49:16] Nutrition and Dietetics.
[49:16] Researchers to find
[49:17] professional nutritionists and
[49:18] educational resources are more
[49:22] important than ever from
[49:22] providing opportunities to
[49:23] increase nutrition policy
[49:27] awareness and helping those who
[49:28] fight to find the right
[49:28] nutrition As the field of
[49:29] attrition goes further than
[49:30] just the food we eat.
[49:33] Thank you to everyone who
[49:34] specializes as a nutritionist
[49:35] or dietitian to the educators,
[49:40] educators and food banks for
[49:40] their work in making healthy
[49:41] foods sensible and to
[49:41] volunteers.
[49:42] Your efforts ensure that
[49:43] everyone is able to receive
[49:47] the resources they need to eat
[49:47] well.
[49:47] A quick shout out to
[49:48] Councilmember Campo for
[49:54] bringing us five hour tutoring
[49:54] all day.
[49:55] I had only a few opportunities
[49:56] to work with Shane.
[49:58] I always found him to be a
[49:58] scholar and a gentleman and
[49:59] the very definition of what a
[50:00] community leader is all about
[50:05] and always brings me back to
[50:05] the neighborhood I grew up of
[50:06] Aligarh and so thank you for
[50:10] recognizing him on Earth.
[50:10] Excuse me Item 31 Jerry
[50:11] Holiday.
[50:15] Thank you to my colleagues for
[50:15] recognizing Jerry.
[50:16] We're not I'm not going to come
[50:17] back up again.
[50:21] Wish you a speedy recovery.
[50:22] Kind of a funny way to go out
[50:23] on retirement given what you've
[50:26] done over your many, many years
[50:27] in the department.
[50:28] But you also want to recognize
[50:32] that with your experience and
[50:33] knowledge from your time over
[50:33] those many years and many
[50:34] assignments you have
[50:38] singlehandedly prepared a new
[50:39] generation of competent
[50:39] officers and dedicated public
[50:40] servants within the department.
[50:44] As you said, you believe us in
[50:45] very good shape and we're
[50:46] eternally grateful for that.
[50:46] The work that you've
[50:51] accomplished is nothing short
[50:51] of impressive and commendable.
[50:52] I also as you mentioned that as
[50:56] my colleagues mentioned, I want
[50:57] to personally thank you for
[50:58] guiding me through the real
[50:59] time operations of the Dispatch
[50:59] Center.
[51:01] It was one of the most
[51:02] memorable experience I've had
[51:03] as a council member something
[51:04] that I knew the city did but
[51:07] never really experienced
[51:07] firsthand.
[51:08] But to witness the most calm
[51:09] and caring city employees guide
[51:13] people through a call they
[51:14] never wanted to make.
[51:14] That atmosphere and
[51:15] the responsiveness a reflection
[51:19] of your leadership.
[51:20] So thank you for your service.
[51:20] Thank you to your family for
[51:23] sharing with us for the past 30
[51:23] plus years and everything
[51:24] you've done to make San Diego
[51:29] safer.
[51:30] And with that we have a motion
[51:34] by council member Eli Rivera in
[51:35] a second by Council member
[51:35] Campbell to move
[51:36] the proclamations.
[51:36] Clerk Please call the roll.
[51:38] That's sorry the voting system
[51:42] Please cast your vote That
[51:43] passes unanimously 8 to 0 with
[51:44] Councilmember Moreno absent.
[51:49] Thank you Council PRESIDENT.
[51:49] All right.
[51:50] Thank you, City Clerk And we
[51:51] will now pause for photos
[51:52] starting with f5a1 National
[53:02] nutrition month
[55:03] and
[1:00:01] the okay.
[1:00:02] >> We're going to continue on
[1:00:06] with the rest of today's or
[1:00:07] this morning's meeting So I
[1:00:10] don't want to be in
[1:00:11] the position of telling
[1:00:12] the police officer what to do.
[1:00:14] >> But yes, could
[1:00:19] the dispatchers kind of All
[1:00:19] right.
[1:00:20] In all seriousness, we will now
[1:00:23] proceed with the approval of
[1:00:24] the consent items.
[1:00:25] But first I believe staff has a
[1:00:28] corrective statement for
[1:00:37] the record for item s504 Is
[1:00:38] there anybody removed?
[1:00:42] Oh, there we go.
[1:00:48] Good morning Ryan Barbara Parks
[1:00:51] and Recreation on item as 504
[1:00:51] Subsequent to the release of
[1:00:52] the agenda the staff report was
[1:00:56] revised to update
[1:00:57] the environmental analysis.
[1:00:57] Thank you.
[1:00:57] All right.
[1:01:00] Thank you for making that
[1:01:01] statement.
[1:01:06] So this is items 1050 through
[1:01:09] 50 to 100 through 1 or 2 as 5
[1:01:10] or 4 and as 5 or 7 With that,
[1:01:11] are there any request to pull
[1:01:14] an item by a council members
[1:01:15] Not seen any request?
[1:01:15] >> clerk Please proceed with
[1:01:19] public comment that you Council
[1:01:19] PRESIDENT Please note each
[1:01:20] speaker will have one minute
[1:01:21] per item per person If you
[1:01:24] would like to speak on three or
[1:01:24] more items you will have a
[1:01:25] maximum of three minutes.
[1:01:26] The consent agenda includes
[1:01:29] items 1050 through 50 to 100
[1:01:32] through 1 or 2 as 504 through
[1:01:33] as 507.
[1:01:34] Also let me note for the record
[1:01:37] the potential appointments that
[1:01:38] is on the agenda this morning
[1:01:39] or sorry the potential
[1:01:39] reappointment that is on
[1:01:44] the agenda this morning I don't
[1:01:44] want to One is the potential
[1:01:45] reappointment of Michael Zika
[1:01:48] to the San Diego Unified Port
[1:01:48] District Board of
[1:01:49] Commissioners.
[1:01:49] Also let me note that we
[1:01:51] received one comment on item 50
[1:01:52] in opposition v r e comment
[1:01:53] form which has been distributed
[1:01:57] to the Council starting with
[1:01:57] those that have public comment
[1:01:58] allegedly.
[1:01:59] Audra if you can please come
[1:02:02] forward you will be speaking on
[1:02:06] items 5051 50 to 100 as 501 as
[1:02:09] 5o6 You'll have three minutes.
[1:02:10] Please proceed.
[1:02:10] I would like to mention
[1:02:11] something about ten in
[1:02:14] the minutes as well If I could.
[1:02:15] It's just on one of the meeting
[1:02:18] minutes I was saying I was
[1:02:19] asking for compassion and for
[1:02:20] you guys to talk to
[1:02:20] the homeless.
[1:02:23] Of course I'm doing that.
[1:02:24] But when you guys paint a
[1:02:25] certain picture about what was
[1:02:28] said it seems like I'm not
[1:02:28] bringing up the egregious
[1:02:29] deaths and rapes that are
[1:02:33] taking place and your guys's
[1:02:34] inability to have compassion as
[1:02:37] Stephen always laughs at that
[1:02:38] But for the as needed dam
[1:02:39] design service agreements it
[1:02:42] seems that our dams have been
[1:02:43] left to basically fall apart
[1:02:47] and it's pretty sad that a lot
[1:02:48] of the infrastructure that
[1:02:48] would be used to help us
[1:02:52] through life and be able to get
[1:02:53] us water and things like that
[1:02:57] are intentionally being not
[1:02:57] kept up with the needed
[1:03:01] maintenance and that's what's
[1:03:02] really sad because now we're
[1:03:03] getting sewage back and that's
[1:03:07] good for us, right?
[1:03:07] And then for 51 with this
[1:03:08] software service agreement for
[1:03:12] Smart energy water Web for all
[1:03:13] this stuff, it's like we should
[1:03:16] be concerned about all the data
[1:03:17] that is being shared across
[1:03:21] the board not just with Alpers
[1:03:22] but when we're putting in even
[1:03:23] smart meters and things like
[1:03:23] that.
[1:03:26] Our water can be controlled by
[1:03:26] it being shut off with this
[1:03:27] type of infrastructure And it's
[1:03:28] people really need to start
[1:03:31] paying attention to what's
[1:03:32] really going on and don't just
[1:03:33] buy the that you guys tend to
[1:03:36] give us and make it seem really
[1:03:37] good like calling sewage pure
[1:03:41] water And with the building
[1:03:41] standard codes it's like we're
[1:03:45] constantly changing these codes
[1:03:46] and different things and it
[1:03:46] literally keeps things from
[1:03:47] being built.
[1:03:50] Much of the time And it's sad
[1:03:50] because it's like you're saying
[1:03:51] it has to be this way.
[1:03:54] We do all these environmental
[1:03:55] reviews and stuff like that and
[1:03:56] it's like people are literally
[1:03:56] suffering.
[1:03:59] Somebody died just outside
[1:04:00] the chambers last week, right?
[1:04:01] Nobody really talked about that
[1:04:04] homeless person because you
[1:04:05] just wanted to sweep it under
[1:04:06] the rug And then 100 it's
[1:04:10] concerning whenever we get
[1:04:10] money and do things for youth
[1:04:11] when it's a cash for kids type
[1:04:15] of thing that happens
[1:04:15] especially in juvenile
[1:04:16] detention they literally get
[1:04:20] money to put children there And
[1:04:20] it's just sad to see the kind
[1:04:21] of exploitation that takes
[1:04:24] place and the conflict of
[1:04:25] interest codes.
[1:04:25] It's like I don't even think
[1:04:26] you guys are equipped to be
[1:04:29] able to be determining anything
[1:04:30] like that when you guys are
[1:04:31] constantly engaged in conflicts
[1:04:34] of interest And it's just
[1:04:35] interesting to see the things
[1:04:35] that you guys do.
[1:04:39] You paint a really nice picture
[1:04:40] much of the time but when you
[1:04:44] really see what's going on it's
[1:04:44] sad to see that you guys
[1:04:48] repeatedly ignore things that
[1:04:49] you should be addressing.
[1:04:53] People are suffering again
[1:04:54] someone who shouldn't have died
[1:04:58] outside of the chambers last
[1:04:58] week but it's happening on a
[1:04:59] regular basis and you guys move
[1:05:03] these homeless people around
[1:05:04] just so people don't see them
[1:05:04] instead of helping them.
[1:05:08] It is extremely egregious to do
[1:05:09] that because imagine if that
[1:05:10] was you and you just wanted
[1:05:13] help and it wasn't enough money
[1:05:14] to help you has concluded.
[1:05:18] >> Rhonda Farrar And then after
[1:05:19] that we have Rubber Dudley if
[1:05:19] you can please come up to
[1:05:23] the yellow reserved seats in
[1:05:23] the front run.
[1:05:24] I have one minute on item 50.
[1:05:28] Please proceed on 51 as well.
[1:05:28] You want to Thank you.
[1:05:29] You'll have two minutes.
[1:05:29] Please proceed.
[1:05:32] Thank you.
[1:05:32] Good morning.
[1:05:33] I'm Rhonda Farrar and I'm
[1:05:34] PRESIDENT Of the Friends of
[1:05:37] Lake Hodges.
[1:05:38] As the city of San Diego
[1:05:38] considers its options for
[1:05:41] replacing Lake Hodges Dam,
[1:05:41] the Friends of Lake Hodges
[1:05:42] along with the Rancho Bernardo
[1:05:45] Rancho Bernardo community
[1:05:46] Council, the Friends of San
[1:05:50] Diego Lakes raised Lake
[1:05:50] hodges.Org and the North County
[1:05:51] Climate Alliance want to
[1:05:55] express our strong support for
[1:05:55] a new Lake Hodges Dam with
[1:05:59] construction to begin no later
[1:05:59] than 2029 as mandated by
[1:06:00] the state of California We
[1:06:04] supported dam at the same
[1:06:05] height as the current dam but
[1:06:09] at least of sufficient height
[1:06:10] to allow the water from San
[1:06:10] Diego's largest watershed to be
[1:06:14] available to the entire region
[1:06:14] through the operation of
[1:06:15] the pump storage facility.
[1:06:18] The $208 million ratepayer
[1:06:19] investment in the Hodges Pump
[1:06:22] storage facility, our region's
[1:06:23] region's largest battery for
[1:06:24] clean energy would once again
[1:06:27] be generating electricity to
[1:06:28] power 26,000 homes and would
[1:06:32] provide the ability to move
[1:06:33] water where it's needed during
[1:06:33] the drought for the next 100
[1:06:37] years with the pump storage
[1:06:37] facility in operation, the lake
[1:06:38] level would not experience
[1:06:41] the large fluctuations that
[1:06:42] affect the region's wildlife
[1:06:43] and overgrowth of education
[1:06:46] that presents increased fire
[1:06:46] danger.
[1:06:47] The lake at this level would
[1:06:51] allow fishermen to return to
[1:06:52] the lake using the existing
[1:06:55] boat ramp facilities Rainwater
[1:06:56] stored at Lake Hodges is
[1:06:57] the best source of drinking
[1:07:00] water for downstream water
[1:07:01] districts and the lowest cost
[1:07:02] water available to the region.
[1:07:06] We asked the city of San Diego
[1:07:07] ,the San Diego County Water
[1:07:07] Authority, the Rancho Santa Fe
[1:07:10] and Rancho Santa Barbara Water
[1:07:11] districts and the state and
[1:07:12] federal agencies to collaborate
[1:07:12] to build the new Lake Hodges
[1:07:15] Dam as soon as possible to
[1:07:16] minimize the risk of
[1:07:16] catastrophic failure of
[1:07:19] the agent Dam.
[1:07:20] Every month we wait
[1:07:21] constructions cost rise
[1:07:24] the risk of catastrophic
[1:07:25] failure increases on behalf of
[1:07:26] the thousands who live, work
[1:07:30] and play around Lake Hodges.
[1:07:31] >> We urge you to act now.
[1:07:37] Thank you Robert Dudley You
[1:07:38] have time to you to by Stephen
[1:07:39] Booth songs that if you can
[1:07:40] please raise your hand Stephen
[1:07:43] thank you so much You'll have
[1:07:43] two minutes Speaking on item 50
[1:07:44] Please proceed.
[1:07:44] >> Good morning.
[1:07:47] Council members.
[1:07:48] I'm Robert Dudley.
[1:07:49] I represent the raised Lake
[1:07:53] Hodges group and I'm really in
[1:07:54] favor of a low cost plan to try
[1:07:58] to reduce the prospect of
[1:07:58] forest fire.
[1:07:59] You guys have the opportunity
[1:08:02] here to have seen what happened
[1:08:03] in L.A. We don't want to have a
[1:08:07] repeat of that.
[1:08:07] And one of the lowest cost ways
[1:08:08] to reduce that possibility is
[1:08:12] to raise the level of the lake.
[1:08:13] I ask for your support in going
[1:08:16] to to the legislature, to
[1:08:17] the governor to to support a
[1:08:21] plan to allow the lake to be
[1:08:22] raised to to to ensure that
[1:08:25] there's adequate water for fire
[1:08:26] for firefighting and a buffer
[1:08:26] against fire.
[1:08:30] This is a common sense solution
[1:08:31] .
[1:08:31] It has no cost But we need your
[1:08:36] help to recognize that in L.A.
[1:08:40] The reservoirs were left empty
[1:08:40] .
[1:08:41] There was not sufficient water
[1:08:42] pressure to fight the fire.
[1:08:45] This was a catastrophic
[1:08:46] condition that we have to deal
[1:08:46] with.
[1:08:47] And for ten years we won't have
[1:08:51] anything to prevent fire or to
[1:08:51] reduce the prospect of fire.
[1:08:55] We're going to have a fire one
[1:08:56] way or the other.
[1:08:57] It's just how serious it will
[1:09:00] end up being.
[1:09:01] So if these group can come up
[1:09:03] with an interim plan to deal
[1:09:04] with the ten years of what is
[1:09:05] happening for the future so
[1:09:08] that we can reduce the prospect
[1:09:09] of fire.
[1:09:13] So I thank you very much And
[1:09:13] thank you.
[1:09:14] >> That does conclude
[1:09:15] the public comment hearing
[1:09:15] council chambers going to those
[1:09:19] participating remotely.
[1:09:20] We have six speakers and
[1:09:21] the kids with their hands up.
[1:09:21] Blair Beckman If you can please
[1:09:23] unmute and please let us know
[1:09:24] which item or items you wish to
[1:09:29] speak to.
[1:09:30] >> By Blair Beekman I would
[1:09:36] like to speak to items 5051 101
[1:09:39] and se five four three minutes
[1:09:40] Please proceed.
[1:09:44] Thank you.
[1:09:48] Blair Beekman Um I had good
[1:09:49] conversations with police
[1:09:49] officers yesterday.
[1:09:50] It was helpful.
[1:09:53] So good luck in our
[1:09:54] conversations as a community at
[1:09:58] this time.
[1:09:59] >> I think it's a hopeful sign.
[1:10:00] A hopeful thing.
[1:10:02] I am 50.
[1:10:07] Award needed design services
[1:10:07] Agreement with nj hdr
[1:10:08] Engineering.
[1:10:12] Thank you that you're talking
[1:10:13] about issues and working on
[1:10:13] them.
[1:10:13] It sounds like a really
[1:10:17] difficult issue to navigate.
[1:10:17] Keeping the community informed
[1:10:18] every step of the way.
[1:10:22] Thank you for those efforts.
[1:10:23] Good luck in continuing that
[1:10:23] program.
[1:10:27] 51 is existing software for
[1:10:28] the Smart Energy Water put in
[1:10:31] my water web portal.
[1:10:32] This is ongoing.
[1:10:36] It's being returned here a few
[1:10:37] times to council for our guest
[1:10:40] review and further
[1:10:41] understanding.
[1:10:41] Thank you for
[1:10:42] the clarifications.
[1:10:43] I think it's a nice feature to
[1:10:46] bring items back continuously
[1:10:47] to city council agenda items.
[1:10:48] I'm okay with that.
[1:10:51] It provides a chance for
[1:10:52] the public to learn more what
[1:10:52] your further agreements are
[1:10:56] about.
[1:10:56] What you're more talking about
[1:11:01] good luck and how this item can
[1:11:01] be better and better developed
[1:11:02] with community and public
[1:11:02] input.
[1:11:09] Thank you for item one.
[1:11:09] 101 is Redeployments to San
[1:11:10] Diego Unified Port District
[1:11:13] Board of Commission Persons You
[1:11:14] had a Climate Action Plan
[1:11:18] annual report last week I
[1:11:19] really forgot to mention I
[1:11:19] wanted to mention port
[1:11:23] districts persons Where is
[1:11:24] their part in this climate and
[1:11:28] climate review process that
[1:11:29] we're going through for San
[1:11:29] Diego?
[1:11:30] Can they add anything of value?
[1:11:33] I think the dialog you can have
[1:11:34] with them can be helpful.
[1:11:37] You know the projects we can
[1:11:38] work on I think there's a new
[1:11:38] head person that can be
[1:11:42] interesting from the city of
[1:11:43] San Diego who might make for
[1:11:47] good conversation and that
[1:11:48] the Port Commission has been
[1:11:48] working on a more open public
[1:11:53] process which I think would be
[1:11:53] of much interest to things like
[1:11:54] the water board agency that has
[1:11:57] it having a difficult time
[1:11:57] creating a more open public
[1:11:58] process.
[1:11:58] >> They could learn good
[1:12:02] lessons from what the Port
[1:12:02] District commissioners have
[1:12:03] been trying to learn as public
[1:12:07] accessibility and engagement
[1:12:08] and good luck in that And I
[1:12:11] know council person one who
[1:12:12] works on those things good luck
[1:12:13] what can be developed there And
[1:12:16] to conclude with a Speigel for
[1:12:17] Rancho Bernardo Community Park
[1:12:21] funding my goodness gracious
[1:12:22] you're getting $2.5 million to
[1:12:27] do the same thing a memorial
[1:12:27] park beings from the state you
[1:12:31] know you know upgraded security
[1:12:32] and sports lighting what we
[1:12:36] really have to learn to have
[1:12:36] more open conversations on
[1:12:37] the future of biometric
[1:12:41] technology in our communities.
[1:12:42] We have to not fear that
[1:12:42] conversation to be open and not
[1:12:43] give it dog whistles.
[1:12:46] We have to be clear.
[1:12:47] >> Good luck in those efforts.
[1:12:48] Thank you.
[1:12:48] Thank you.
[1:12:50] 8700 if you come please on mute
[1:12:55] after that is 813 Oh thank you.
[1:12:59] 5051 100 and 101 please.
[1:12:59] >> Please proceed.
[1:13:07] Three minutes 50 hdr and stand
[1:13:11] tech subcontracts total of 51
[1:13:12] All of them are t b d to be
[1:13:17] decided Trends please
[1:13:17] Transparency Oversight
[1:13:25] Accountability and monitoring
[1:13:26] 150 million for the to
[1:13:30] agreements 268 Total employees
[1:13:30] underrepresentation African
[1:13:34] American Latino Asian and
[1:13:35] female in four categories
[1:13:39] Progress is being made Thank
[1:13:44] you 51 Smart Energy Water I
[1:13:44] want to suggest something new
[1:13:48] from my perspective We control
[1:13:49] contracts, agreements and so
[1:13:49] forth.
[1:13:54] I did it for this company that
[1:13:58] is this to Google the company
[1:13:59] reviews and rating of
[1:14:02] the company Try it.
[1:14:07] You might be surprised As I was
[1:14:12] number 100 Yes to initiative to
[1:14:13] fund employ and empower youth
[1:14:17] workforce I'm I jumped up and
[1:14:22] down yes to apply for those
[1:14:23] grant funds This is a golden
[1:14:27] opportunity that lifts up Lift
[1:14:32] up Not only that, it's only our
[1:14:33] youth.
[1:14:36] It lifts up all of us up, up
[1:14:37] and away love and blessings to
[1:14:41] our youth When I see you at
[1:14:42] the microphone Dear youth I'm
[1:14:46] just blown away by your power,
[1:14:46] by your empowerment and what
[1:14:50] you can do for us now and to
[1:14:51] create our beautiful future.
[1:14:55] Keep up the work 101 Big Yes to
[1:15:00] confirming the reappointment of
[1:15:01] Michael Catt to the San Diego
[1:15:05] Unified Port District Board of
[1:15:09] Commissioners ending JANUARY
[1:15:09] second of 2031.
[1:15:14] That's a great date and covers
[1:15:18] four years of excellent service
[1:15:19] from a high quality person and
[1:15:24] Commissioner thank you MR.
[1:15:25] Zukin for your beautiful work
[1:15:29] and for your service to
[1:15:29] the people of San Diego.
[1:15:34] >> Love to all Thank you.
[1:15:35] Next is 8813 if you come please
[1:15:37] on mute after that will be Tony
[1:15:38] The five minute timer has also
[1:15:38] concluded there were six
[1:15:39] speakers in the queue.
[1:15:40] No additional speakers will be
[1:15:43] taken.
[1:15:43] Please proceed and when three
[1:15:44] let me know which item or items
[1:15:48] you wish to speak to.
[1:15:49] Okay I couldn't follow here And
[1:15:52] this Let's see that this
[1:15:53] pertains to pretty much all of
[1:15:56] them.
[1:16:01] Please proceed.
[1:16:02] Okay.
[1:16:02] Thank you.
[1:16:03] So let's see with this consent
[1:16:04] calendar item I wanted to
[1:16:06] remind the people how
[1:16:07] government actually works.
[1:16:08] People continue to come here
[1:16:11] asking even begging government
[1:16:12] to do the right thing.
[1:16:15] But somewhere along the way
[1:16:16] people have forgotten something
[1:16:17] very important.
[1:16:20] Government is supposed to
[1:16:21] answer to the people not
[1:16:25] the other way around And yet
[1:16:26] what do we continue to see More
[1:16:27] and more homeless families
[1:16:31] living on the streets not in
[1:16:31] homes, not supported, not
[1:16:35] stabilized but pushed further
[1:16:36] into survival At the same time
[1:16:40] we watched government stand
[1:16:41] here and present solutions
[1:16:45] programs, plans, initiatives
[1:16:46] What are they really Bandaid
[1:16:50] solutions temporary fixes that
[1:16:51] never seem to resolve the root
[1:16:54] of the problem Because if
[1:16:55] the problems were truly solved
[1:16:56] there would be nothing left to
[1:16:59] manage.
[1:17:00] So instead what happens?
[1:17:04] The issues get prolonged kicked
[1:17:05] down the road pass from
[1:17:05] administration to the from one
[1:17:09] administration to the next year
[1:17:10] after year budget after budget.
[1:17:10] Meanwhile the people continue
[1:17:13] to struggle.
[1:17:14] Government does not resolve
[1:17:14] problems.
[1:17:18] Let's be clear with that It
[1:17:19] manages them, it sustains them
[1:17:24] and in many cases it expands
[1:17:25] them And it's that bring And
[1:17:25] that brings me to the hardest
[1:17:29] truth People need to hear.
[1:17:29] Our local government is not
[1:17:30] working for the people they are
[1:17:34] working for broader agendas,
[1:17:38] globalist agendas, systems and
[1:17:38] priorities that do not reflect
[1:17:43] the immediate needs of San
[1:17:44] Diego, the city of San Diego
[1:17:45] Nor the county can be right
[1:17:48] even in front of them.
[1:17:48] And until people remember who
[1:17:49] government is supposed to
[1:17:52] answer to, the cycle will
[1:17:53] continue.
[1:17:57] So remember that I'll repeat
[1:17:57] that until people remember who
[1:17:58] government is supposed to
[1:18:02] answer to This cycle will
[1:18:03] continue The begging,
[1:18:07] the asking, the continuous all
[1:18:12] of it will continue.
[1:18:13] Remember that Pay attention.
[1:18:13] Look at the pattern.
[1:18:17] See what they do, See what they
[1:18:18] don't do on purpose.
[1:18:18] See what they prolong.
[1:18:22] Look at all the conflicts of
[1:18:22] interest.
[1:18:23] Look at the blame game.
[1:18:23] It's all a game.
[1:18:27] That's what it is a game.
[1:18:27] Wake up to it.
[1:18:28] We were never meant to be
[1:18:31] governed the way we're being
[1:18:32] governed, the way they are
[1:18:33] doing it.
[1:18:33] It's all corrupt.
[1:18:35] It's all sick.
[1:18:36] If one person suffers we all
[1:18:36] suffer.
[1:18:40] Remember that.
[1:18:40] >> Thank you.
[1:18:41] Our next speaker is Tony.
[1:18:43] After that is Ernie Casco.
[1:18:48] If you can please unmute Tony
[1:18:49] again I'm here for you.
[1:18:52] I will need to move on if you
[1:18:52] cannot.
[1:18:57] There you go.
[1:18:57] >> Please let me know which
[1:18:58] item or items you wish to speak
[1:18:58] to.
[1:19:02] This would be speaking to the
[1:19:05] project number item 15 You'll
[1:19:06] have a minute.
[1:19:06] >> Please proceed.
[1:19:07] Thank you.
[1:19:10] I wanted to start out this
[1:19:10] morning by thanking City
[1:19:11] Council.
[1:19:11] I know that the job that you
[1:19:14] have is a tremendously
[1:19:15] difficult one and I know that
[1:19:16] no matter what you do and no
[1:19:21] matter what good is done and no
[1:19:21] matter what progress is made,
[1:19:22] people are going to still
[1:19:25] disrespect you and they're
[1:19:26] going to find ways to tear you
[1:19:30] down and say things that aren't
[1:19:31] always necessarily rooted in
[1:19:31] the truth because a lot of
[1:19:35] things that they place blame
[1:19:36] upon you for things that
[1:19:36] happened before your time that
[1:19:37] you're not necessarily
[1:19:40] responsible for.
[1:19:41] And I think that from what I've
[1:19:42] seen this has been one of
[1:19:45] the most progressive councils
[1:19:46] that San Diego has ever had And
[1:19:50] with your help and with your
[1:19:51] guidance and with your
[1:19:51] leadership, we've been able to
[1:19:52] raise the minimum wage for
[1:19:54] hotel workers.
[1:19:55] We've been able to put on
[1:19:59] the ballot the empty homes tax
[1:19:59] .
[1:20:00] We've been able to do a number
[1:20:01] of things including now
[1:20:04] repairing this dam which are
[1:20:05] greatly in need and service of
[1:20:05] the people of San Diego.
[1:20:09] So please take the criticisms
[1:20:10] with the greatest your time has
[1:20:10] concluded.
[1:20:14] >> My apologies If you have
[1:20:15] additional comments you can
[1:20:16] definitely email them in
[1:20:18] the City Clerk at San diego.Gov
[1:20:18] and they will be distributed.
[1:20:19] >> Ernie Castro if you can
[1:20:20] please unmute.
[1:20:23] Yes I'd like to speak on items
[1:20:24] 31 through 1 or 2 Consider
[1:20:28] recommending our rights
[1:20:28] volunteer and team management.
[1:20:33] >> The 31 was the proclamation
[1:20:33] so you can spend two 5252 And
[1:20:37] then what was the other items?
[1:20:38] >> All the items.
[1:20:39] Please make sure you stick to
[1:20:43] the items.
[1:20:43] >> We do have to document this
[1:20:44] for the record.
[1:20:45] If you can let me know.
[1:20:50] Presenters 3131 through 102
[1:20:51] okay so 50 through 1 or 230 is
[1:20:51] proclamations.
[1:20:52] >> Please proceed.
[1:20:55] Okay.
[1:20:55] There are guidelines.
[1:20:56] I'm Ernie Casco La Hoya
[1:20:58] resident Torrey Pines Glider
[1:21:03] Port Senior Pilot.
[1:21:04] There are guidelines and laws
[1:21:04] to protect public when making
[1:21:08] decisions.
[1:21:09] City council has failed to
[1:21:09] protect me, my family, my
[1:21:12] public rights.
[1:21:13] The same thing going on at
[1:21:14] Torrey Pines Glider port Your
[1:21:17] decisions have legal
[1:21:18] consequences.
[1:21:22] It is illegal for anyone
[1:21:23] including your city leaseholder
[1:21:24] to turn our freedom into an
[1:21:27] access pass and waiver for a
[1:21:28] license and fee to use a free
[1:21:31] public park When city
[1:21:32] liabilities are already covered
[1:21:32] by California recreational
[1:21:33] laws.
[1:21:37] This is insurance fraud and
[1:21:38] misappropriation of public
[1:21:38] funding going into private
[1:21:41] accounts which demands a full
[1:21:42] transparent city audit that
[1:21:43] would end the corruption going
[1:21:46] on at the glider port and other
[1:21:47] areas in the city.
[1:21:47] We have a letter of support
[1:21:52] from the Town Council Shores
[1:21:52] Association to permanently
[1:21:56] reconvene the Torrey Pines Port
[1:21:57] Advisory Board but the Torrey
[1:22:00] Pines Glider Support Advisory
[1:22:00] Board historically allowed
[1:22:01] the commercialization and
[1:22:05] privatization of our park to
[1:22:06] continue.
[1:22:06] It is irresponsible for City
[1:22:10] council to put the glider park
[1:22:11] in the hands of a business that
[1:22:11] knowingly exploits our
[1:22:15] constitutional recreation
[1:22:15] rights and freedoms.
[1:22:20] It is a City council job to
[1:22:21] stop the crime first and then
[1:22:21] address the victims who have
[1:22:25] been damaged by discrimination,
[1:22:26] assault, battery and false
[1:22:30] reports and arrest The San
[1:22:31] Diego recreational waiver stops
[1:22:36] that crime illegally Secure
[1:22:36] city liabilities isolate safety
[1:22:40] constraints, safety concerns
[1:22:41] and restores recreational
[1:22:45] rights and freedoms back to
[1:22:46] what it originally was The San
[1:22:50] Diego recreational waiver stops
[1:22:50] the illegal collection of
[1:22:55] public funds going into private
[1:22:55] accounts by separating
[1:23:00] the business from normal free
[1:23:01] public access access It allows
[1:23:05] the business to stay paying
[1:23:09] their own bills operating like
[1:23:10] every other business in public
[1:23:10] parks and lands.
[1:23:14] This breaks the corruption.
[1:23:15] This breaks the corruption
[1:23:18] going on at the glider Port
[1:23:19] Management Where are the police
[1:23:23] reports that provide justice
[1:23:24] for the witness for the victims
[1:23:25] and witnesses who have been
[1:23:29] damaged?
[1:23:29] There are common laws to
[1:23:30] protect the public.
[1:23:34] How business should be run in
[1:23:38] public parks and land You need
[1:23:39] to set a precedent on how that
[1:23:39] happens.
[1:23:43] This is a win for city council
[1:23:44] liabilities using common
[1:23:47] contract laws that legally
[1:23:48] restores our recreational
[1:23:49] rights and freedoms for years
[1:23:49] to come.
[1:23:53] It is the best decision that
[1:23:53] City Council and you could
[1:23:54] make.
[1:23:58] Joe LaCava thank you.
[1:23:59] >> Next is Kathleen Lippert.
[1:24:02] After that is Judy Strang and
[1:24:03] then 7499.
[1:24:04] >> Thank you for letting me
[1:24:07] speak to item 50.
[1:24:08] If ever there were an
[1:24:12] opportunity for the city to
[1:24:12] take a proactive step on behalf
[1:24:16] of the public good prioritizing
[1:24:17] the replacement of Lake Hodges
[1:24:18] would be it.
[1:24:21] The city was warned four years
[1:24:21] ago that the dam was in bad
[1:24:25] need of a critical repair or
[1:24:26] postponing and redirecting
[1:24:26] funds to other projects
[1:24:30] reserved for addressing dam
[1:24:30] safety would replace a
[1:24:35] potentially clean source of
[1:24:35] water for a system that will
[1:24:39] require hundreds of gallons for
[1:24:40] another system that would
[1:24:41] require hundreds of gallons of
[1:24:44] chemicals We are told that
[1:24:45] those chemicals will be removed
[1:24:49] but I don't know if that's
[1:24:49] possible.
[1:24:50] It is far better to look at a
[1:24:54] potential source that has been
[1:24:55] used.
[1:24:55] It just needs to be protected
[1:24:59] and postponing required
[1:25:00] maintenance is not in your best
[1:25:03] interest and is certainly not
[1:25:04] in the public's.
[1:25:05] So I hope that you will look at
[1:25:08] this and do something that is
[1:25:09] in the best interest of
[1:25:09] the public.
[1:25:14] >> Thank you.
[1:25:14] Thank you.
[1:25:15] Next is Judy Strang After that
[1:25:15] is 7499 Judy Strang Please
[1:25:17] unmute.
[1:25:22] I can't unmute for you.
[1:25:23] I will need to move on And
[1:25:24] there you go.
[1:25:27] Can you tell me what your item
[1:25:28] or items you wish to speak to?
[1:25:31] >> Yes, I wanted to speak to 50
[1:25:31] and 100.
[1:25:32] >> You'll have two minutes.
[1:25:32] Please proceed.
[1:25:36] You bet.
[1:25:37] Thank you for the opportunity
[1:25:38] to call from my work place And
[1:25:39] I'm sorry to hold you up while
[1:25:41] I was feeling connected.
[1:25:42] i'm very excited to speak to
[1:25:45] item 50 The dam design Great
[1:25:45] gobs of money.
[1:25:46] I would have loved to have seen
[1:25:50] a staff report on it but all of
[1:25:50] us who live downstream from
[1:25:55] the Lake Hodges Dam are excited
[1:25:55] by any sorts of repairs that
[1:25:56] are happening there.
[1:25:57] I'd love to have a I tried to
[1:25:59] read the staff report and
[1:26:00] understand it but I came away a
[1:26:01] little confused.
[1:26:04] It is after all a ten year
[1:26:07] grant and it seems to be first
[1:26:11] for $150 million to which $75
[1:26:12] million is being added.
[1:26:13] That's a lot of money just to
[1:26:16] put on consent and and let us
[1:26:17] not understand what we're going
[1:26:20] to get over a ten year period
[1:26:21] for this money.
[1:26:24] I also wanted to speak to item
[1:26:24] 100 Oh yay.
[1:26:25] Let's apply for this grant I
[1:26:29] always wonder about these
[1:26:30] common sense situations whether
[1:26:34] we really need to ask whether
[1:26:35] we should do it.
[1:26:35] Of course we should do it.
[1:26:36] I guess we should be glad that
[1:26:39] we have the clarity and
[1:26:40] the opportunity to speak to it.
[1:26:41] Yes, if there was ever a city
[1:26:44] this young people need an
[1:26:45] influx of cash to help
[1:26:49] implement the programs that
[1:26:50] you've so aggressively put in
[1:26:50] place to help them.
[1:26:54] The age of 16 to 30 is a
[1:26:55] critical age in the life of a
[1:26:59] young person speaking as a
[1:27:00] grandmother I can tell you that
[1:27:01] it is an age that is just any
[1:27:04] day with bad influences about
[1:27:05] choice making And as a public
[1:27:09] health advocate I have to again
[1:27:09] express my concern When you
[1:27:10] look at this age group to
[1:27:14] realize the role that
[1:27:14] the normalization of high
[1:27:19] potency cannabis products has
[1:27:19] done to this age group and
[1:27:20] affecting their ability to be
[1:27:25] successful at school and these
[1:27:25] tutor ship opportunities and
[1:27:26] internship opportunities
[1:27:29] they're going to be provided if
[1:27:29] we receive this money.
[1:27:30] Let's look at the source of
[1:27:33] the problems our children have
[1:27:34] as well as try to find
[1:27:34] solutions.
[1:27:35] >> Thank you.
[1:27:38] Thank you.
[1:27:39] Our final speaker is 7499
[1:27:39] please.
[1:27:40] I'm here to let me know which
[1:27:43] item or items you wish to speak
[1:27:43] to.
[1:27:45] >> Item 51 Please proceed.
[1:27:50] >> You have one minute Bob
[1:27:50] Kozinski here.
[1:27:51] I've been writing software
[1:27:55] since the 1970s back when we
[1:27:55] were using punch cards.
[1:27:59] I appreciate the reduction of
[1:28:00] this item from $16.3 million
[1:28:03] down to $5.5 million but that's
[1:28:08] still far too much for any
[1:28:08] software as a service.
[1:28:09] End quote.
[1:28:13] Contract in the era of widely
[1:28:13] available free software free
[1:28:17] and open source software.
[1:28:18] The people creating these
[1:28:22] agreements in contracts do not
[1:28:22] negotiate as if they were
[1:28:23] spending their own personal
[1:28:27] money as they should send this
[1:28:27] item back for further
[1:28:31] negotiation.
[1:28:32] Also I endorse the comments of
[1:28:33] the earlier caller who asserted
[1:28:36] that this current city
[1:28:37] government does not serve
[1:28:37] the people and it does not
[1:28:41] answer to the people.
[1:28:42] >> Thank you.
[1:28:42] Thank you.
[1:28:43] That concludes public comment
[1:28:46] on the consent agenda.
[1:28:47] All right.
[1:28:47] Thank you, City clerk.
[1:28:48] With that we will go to my
[1:28:52] colleagues for any questions
[1:28:52] and comments and will entertain
[1:28:53] a motion And we'll start with
[1:28:54] Councilmember Campo.
[1:28:57] Thank you.
[1:28:57] Council PRESIDENT I'll move
[1:28:58] approval of the consent agenda
[1:29:01] Briefly just call the public's
[1:29:02] attention to item 51 where
[1:29:02] we're reducing the term amount
[1:29:05] of a contract from 16.3 million
[1:29:06] to 5.5 million.
[1:29:06] I appreciate Staff's work on
[1:29:10] helping us with the smart
[1:29:11] energy water software there.
[1:29:11] So that's a that's you know we
[1:29:15] get some things done we save
[1:29:16] some money around here And on
[1:29:19] item number 1 or 1
[1:29:19] the reappointment to the San
[1:29:20] Diego Unified Port District
[1:29:21] Board of Commissioners.
[1:29:21] I want to thank MR. Michaels
[1:29:24] who kept for his service a
[1:29:24] little bit more than two terms
[1:29:28] coming on a third term here.
[1:29:29] I just do want to say this week
[1:29:30] and I had relatives from from
[1:29:33] Iowa visiting San Diego we went
[1:29:34] on a boat tour of the harbor
[1:29:34] and the port They were
[1:29:39] commenting on on how much fun
[1:29:40] they were having And I said all
[1:29:40] the credit goes to Sid Vaccaro
[1:29:41] who's sitting right next to
[1:29:41] you.
[1:29:44] MR. Ticket So you know, keep
[1:29:44] following his lead and I
[1:29:48] appreciate you very much.
[1:29:49] Quite frankly folks from all
[1:29:50] over the world come to our port
[1:29:53] for tourism, for food, for art
[1:29:54] And the experience of San Diego
[1:29:59] is a cornerstone of our local
[1:29:59] economy.
[1:30:00] And MR. Speaker, it is one of
[1:30:00] the reasons it is doing so
[1:30:01] successfully.
[1:30:02] So thank you very much for your
[1:30:03] service And with that I will
[1:30:04] conclude my motion.
[1:30:07] Council PRESIDENT All right.
[1:30:08] Thank you.
[1:30:09] So we do have a motion by
[1:30:09] Councilmember Camp here to move
[1:30:10] the consent items.
[1:30:13] We'll go next to Council member
[1:30:13] Lipman.
[1:30:14] Thank you Council PRESIDENT I
[1:30:16] will second the motion item 100
[1:30:17] This item accept state funding
[1:30:18] for the city is internship
[1:30:21] program Ensuring that interns
[1:30:22] are paid is essential to
[1:30:22] removing barriers to public
[1:30:26] service and opening the door
[1:30:26] for more young people to
[1:30:27] explore Explore careers in
[1:30:31] local government.
[1:30:31] I want to take a moment to
[1:30:32] recognize our outstanding
[1:30:33] District three interns Rigo
[1:30:36] Tage and Adan whose dedication
[1:30:36] and service make a real
[1:30:37] difference in our community
[1:30:41] Every day and item What a one
[1:30:42] The reappointment of Michael
[1:30:45] Zook head to the San Diego
[1:30:45] Unified Park District Board of
[1:30:46] Commissioners.
[1:30:46] MR. Zuccato currently serves as
[1:30:50] vice Chair of the Board of Port
[1:30:50] Commissioners.
[1:30:51] During public comment MR.
[1:30:55] Beekman was asked about
[1:30:56] the port's role in addressing
[1:30:56] climate change.
[1:31:00] Well I have good news.
[1:31:01] Vice Chair Zoo Cat has been
[1:31:01] instrumental in the development
[1:31:04] and success of the Maritime
[1:31:05] Clean Air Strategy and
[1:31:06] the electrification of port
[1:31:06] operations which have been
[1:31:10] recognized globally as well as
[1:31:10] many other initiatives.
[1:31:11] His contributions have helped
[1:31:13] to grow the blue economy in San
[1:31:14] Diego and create many good
[1:31:14] paying jobs.
[1:31:19] In fact he was a renewable
[1:31:19] energy economist at
[1:31:20] the Department of Energy back
[1:31:20] of the day.
[1:31:21] So for all of us who are
[1:31:24] concerned about climate change
[1:31:25] ,we are fortunate to have vice
[1:31:25] chairs the cat representing our
[1:31:29] city, the board of Port
[1:31:29] Commissioners and MR. Ferrara
[1:31:30] is with us in chambers as well.
[1:31:34] We're fortunate to have
[1:31:35] Commissioner Veronica and
[1:31:35] Commissioner Board also
[1:31:39] representing our city of San
[1:31:39] Diego.
[1:31:39] >> Thank you, Council
[1:31:40] PRESIDENT.
[1:31:40] All right.
[1:31:41] Thank you, sir.
[1:31:43] So we have a motion by
[1:31:44] Councilmember Campi on
[1:31:45] the second by council member
[1:31:45] Whitburn to move The consent
[1:31:48] items will go next to council
[1:31:48] member Campbell.
[1:31:49] Thank you so much, Council
[1:31:49] PRESIDENT.
[1:31:53] I would like to comment also on
[1:31:58] item 101 the reappointment of
[1:31:58] Mike Zoo Care to the San Diego
[1:31:59] Airport Board of Commissioners.
[1:32:03] Michael Zukor who grew up near
[1:32:04] the ocean in Ocean Beach in my
[1:32:07] district, currently serves as
[1:32:08] vice chair of the San Diego
[1:32:08] Board of Commissioners.
[1:32:11] He is in line to become
[1:32:12] the chair in 2027 Commissioners
[1:32:16] Hackett is the general manager
[1:32:17] for the San Diego mta Municipal
[1:32:21] Employee Association, now
[1:32:22] representing over 5000 of our
[1:32:22] city employees.
[1:32:27] He served as Sandy Count a San
[1:32:30] Diego city COUNCILMAN For
[1:32:31] District two Yay where he
[1:32:36] served on many and did many
[1:32:36] things including serving on
[1:32:37] the Public Safety Committee
[1:32:41] natural Resources and land Use
[1:32:41] committees.
[1:32:42] Prior to being a council member
[1:32:46] commissioners Zoo cat was
[1:32:47] the Director of government
[1:32:48] Affairs for the San Diego
[1:32:51] Firefighters Union Local 145
[1:32:52] And he did all those other
[1:32:55] things My other colleagues have
[1:32:56] mentioned as well.
[1:33:00] It's amazing in his young life
[1:33:00] given his dedication to serving
[1:33:01] the community I support
[1:33:05] the reappointment of Michael
[1:33:06] who kept to the San Diego Board
[1:33:07] board of Commissioners and
[1:33:10] appreciate his willingness to
[1:33:11] continue to serve our wonderful
[1:33:11] port.
[1:33:15] And thank you commission member
[1:33:20] Rocco for being here escorting
[1:33:20] him at this important moment.
[1:33:21] Thank you very much.
[1:33:26] Council PRESIDENT.
[1:33:26] All right.
[1:33:27] Thank you, Council member
[1:33:27] Campbell.
[1:33:28] We'll go next to Councilmember
[1:33:28] Isla Rivera.
[1:33:29] Thank you.
[1:33:30] Council PRESIDENT.
[1:33:30] Just a couple of quick
[1:33:31] comments.
[1:33:34] First I want to say thank you
[1:33:39] to MR. Yet for your interest
[1:33:39] and commitment to continue to
[1:33:40] serve and represent San Diego
[1:33:47] at the Port.
[1:33:47] I'm going to be nice the whole
[1:33:51] time this time I promise
[1:33:55] The work that you've done to
[1:33:56] make sure that the port is a
[1:34:00] responsible and good partner to
[1:34:01] the communities around the port
[1:34:02] is extremely meaningful.
[1:34:06] advances that are made around
[1:34:10] clean energy super important
[1:34:14] The port is oftentimes I think
[1:34:15] in government we talk about
[1:34:20] being leaders at a national
[1:34:20] level or a global level And
[1:34:21] I'll be honest I think there's
[1:34:24] a lot of hyperbole in most of
[1:34:25] that.
[1:34:25] That's actually not the case at
[1:34:26] the port.
[1:34:29] It's not hyperbole.
[1:34:29] There are advancements being
[1:34:30] made and actions that have been
[1:34:33] taken that really are
[1:34:34] groundbreaking.
[1:34:35] And I know that you played an
[1:34:35] important role in that and
[1:34:38] that's why I said came here to
[1:34:39] support you and keep an eye on
[1:34:43] you.
[1:34:44] But just thank you again for
[1:34:44] your willingness to step up and
[1:34:48] continue to serve in that in
[1:34:48] that role.
[1:34:49] I also wanted to say how glad I
[1:34:53] am to see item 100 in front of
[1:34:54] us and the Employment Power
[1:34:57] Program is one of the best
[1:34:58] things the state has done over
[1:34:59] the last several years and I'm
[1:35:02] very glad that San Diego has
[1:35:03] leaned into it from Roberta who
[1:35:07] is now leading our community
[1:35:07] empowerment efforts to Deanna
[1:35:08] who's behind me and Kanoa.
[1:35:12] These are folks who came
[1:35:13] through the employee and
[1:35:14] completed in power program and
[1:35:14] now work as a staff and in
[1:35:15] leadership positions in our
[1:35:17] office v and Evie who are
[1:35:21] behind me as current interns in
[1:35:22] our cohort along with Eva,
[1:35:26] Izzy, Owen and Summer.
[1:35:27] They're doing incredible work.
[1:35:27] They're learning about
[1:35:28] government.
[1:35:31] They're contributing their
[1:35:32] community and the state's
[1:35:33] investment in our young people
[1:35:37] is is a great short term and
[1:35:38] long term investment.
[1:35:42] So very, very glad to see us
[1:35:45] accepting these additional
[1:35:46] grant funds and want to see
[1:35:47] this program not only continue
[1:35:51] but continue to grow in
[1:35:52] the years ahead because really
[1:35:56] the city wins our offices when
[1:35:57] the residents win And obviously
[1:36:01] there's benefits for the young
[1:36:02] folks who are here as well.
[1:36:03] So I want to say thank you to
[1:36:06] our employing and power cohort
[1:36:06] cohort.
[1:36:07] And I'm very supportive of
[1:36:11] continuing to continuing to see
[1:36:12] this program thrive in
[1:36:12] the city.
[1:36:12] Thank you.
[1:36:16] Council PRESIDENT.
[1:36:16] All right.
[1:36:17] Thank you, Councilmember
[1:36:17] Rivera.
[1:36:18] We'll go next to Councilmember
[1:36:21] Von Wolpert.
[1:36:22] Thank you.
[1:36:22] I will just add on item 1 to 1
[1:36:23] Mike to get we're very excited
[1:36:25] to be appointed to the port.
[1:36:26] You've done an excellent job.
[1:36:26] My colleagues have already
[1:36:27] talked about all the wonderful
[1:36:28] things you've done for
[1:36:30] the community but I'll also add
[1:36:31] all the wonderful things you do
[1:36:35] for our city Leading mta as
[1:36:36] the leadership has been quite
[1:36:36] incredible.
[1:36:37] We've had some hard years and
[1:36:40] we have a hard budget year now
[1:36:40] and so thank you for standing
[1:36:41] up to be the voice of our
[1:36:42] workers who we depend on every
[1:36:45] day to literally even open this
[1:36:45] building and make sure it's
[1:36:46] functioning which is a tall
[1:36:50] order these days.
[1:36:51] So I appreciate you very much
[1:36:51] And Sid Baraka, always good to
[1:36:54] see you too.
[1:36:55] Thank you for the excellent
[1:36:56] work you're doing as well And
[1:36:59] my continued request to both of
[1:37:00] you is to help us as a city and
[1:37:00] a port and a region really make
[1:37:04] the convention center
[1:37:04] everything that it can be and
[1:37:05] helping to turn our new win of
[1:37:09] the measure c money into a long
[1:37:09] term infrastructure investment
[1:37:10] for our convention center to
[1:37:13] modernize it, to expand it to
[1:37:14] keep Comic-Con in San Diego so
[1:37:14] that everyone can come see
[1:37:18] the brand new Seaport Village
[1:37:18] when it is finally ready.
[1:37:19] So thank you for your work.
[1:37:23] I appreciate you very much.
[1:37:24] And item 50 thank you to
[1:37:24] everyone who came in to speak
[1:37:25] about Lake Hodges Dam.
[1:37:28] You know I've grown up watching
[1:37:29] this dam unfortunately start to
[1:37:33] crumble and Lake Hodges is now
[1:37:33] the worst rated dam in
[1:37:37] the entire state of California
[1:37:37] which has quite a bit I too
[1:37:39] would love to see a new dam
[1:37:42] constructed and the water level
[1:37:43] raised because we're seeing
[1:37:44] increased risk with fire when
[1:37:47] the water goes down the brush
[1:37:48] explodes.
[1:37:48] Luckily this year Assembly
[1:37:49] member Darshan Patel worked
[1:37:52] with our office to secure over
[1:37:53] $1 million to do brush
[1:37:54] management in this area and our
[1:37:57] fire department has been great
[1:37:57] about making sure we are
[1:37:58] controlling brush But what
[1:38:02] happens next year and since
[1:38:03] the County Water Authority has
[1:38:03] decided that they no longer
[1:38:07] want to participate in building
[1:38:08] a new dam which they are
[1:38:08] contractually obligated to pay
[1:38:09] for half of the cost of Lake
[1:38:12] Hodges That would leave
[1:38:13] the city on the hook to find an
[1:38:13] entire construction of a new
[1:38:17] dam which I know is not
[1:38:17] necessarily possible.
[1:38:18] So I tell all of my neighbors
[1:38:21] and community members who have
[1:38:22] actually been through fires
[1:38:23] before the Bridge Creek fire
[1:38:23] came through this area and many
[1:38:26] of them saw their homes burned
[1:38:27] to the foundations.
[1:38:28] So this is not a theoretical
[1:38:31] fear for them.
[1:38:31] This is a fear they have
[1:38:32] experienced in the past to keep
[1:38:36] advocating and also advocate
[1:38:37] with the county water authority
[1:38:38] because they are another
[1:38:38] government entity that's going
[1:38:41] to control the fate of this dam
[1:38:41] .
[1:38:42] So thank you everyone.
[1:38:43] Thank you to you for investing
[1:38:46] in our dams and let's make sure
[1:38:46] that we start the initial focus
[1:38:47] with this money coming in on
[1:38:48] solutions really colleges
[1:38:52] because it is the one that
[1:38:52] needs the most care.
[1:38:53] So I'll support like I said.
[1:38:53] All right.
[1:38:56] Thank you, Councilmember Van
[1:38:57] Wilpert.
[1:38:57] >> We'll go next to council
[1:38:58] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
[1:38:58] Thank you.
[1:39:02] Council PRESIDENT Like to speak
[1:39:02] to item 100 and just I'm glad
[1:39:03] to see that these state funds
[1:39:06] come to the city to support our
[1:39:07] employee and Empowering Youth
[1:39:11] Workforce Program which it is
[1:39:12] as COUNCILMAN Gila River said,
[1:39:12] an incredibly important program
[1:39:16] that I've had the opportunity
[1:39:17] to observe its impact firsthand
[1:39:17] including our current interns
[1:39:18] in our office.
[1:39:21] We've had the privilege of
[1:39:22] working with more than 20
[1:39:23] interns through this program
[1:39:26] over the course of the last
[1:39:27] three years.
[1:39:27] Some of them have gone on to
[1:39:28] become full time staff while
[1:39:29] others have moved on to
[1:39:32] positions in various elected
[1:39:32] offices and agencies at
[1:39:33] the local and state level
[1:39:37] during their time with us they
[1:39:38] joined their local planning
[1:39:39] groups shown up at protests
[1:39:42] research policy initiatives,
[1:39:43] painted murals in our
[1:39:43] communities and tracked data
[1:39:44] patterns that impact our
[1:39:47] constituents.
[1:39:48] Several have also continued on
[1:39:49] to law school or other graduate
[1:39:49] programs whether they choose to
[1:39:52] stay in government or pursue
[1:39:52] other paths.
[1:39:53] They have all made valuable
[1:39:54] contributions to our work while
[1:39:57] gaining a deeper appreciation
[1:39:57] for public service.
[1:39:58] It's been a truly rewarding
[1:40:03] experience for me and our team
[1:40:03] to see them grow and explore
[1:40:04] their interests their entire
[1:40:08] time with our office And I'm
[1:40:08] glad to know that we will
[1:40:09] continue to be able to provide
[1:40:10] this valuable experience to
[1:40:13] future students.
[1:40:14] Also give a shout out to
[1:40:14] Kimberly Heng and Jacob Vantage
[1:40:18] Vantage who are working in our
[1:40:18] office right now and probably
[1:40:23] tuning in to this meeting for
[1:40:24] item 1 to 1 I will take a
[1:40:28] moment to think Commissioners
[1:40:29] who cared for willingness to
[1:40:29] continue serving.
[1:40:34] I'll admit I asked Commissioner
[1:40:34] Bharara for some bullet points
[1:40:38] of what to share and to that he
[1:40:39] said only say nice things as
[1:40:43] long as you have them to say
[1:40:44] okay, well with that thank you.
[1:40:49] >> I think everyone's already
[1:40:49] repeated quite a bit of our
[1:40:50] gratitude for your willingness
[1:40:50] to serve.
[1:40:51] >> I think most folks in
[1:40:54] the public forget and don't
[1:40:55] recognize that serving as a
[1:41:00] commissioner for the Port is
[1:41:00] not a light task.
[1:41:01] It is it is just as rigorous in
[1:41:05] many of the policy areas that
[1:41:06] we deal with here on this
[1:41:07] council And to you and your
[1:41:07] fellow commissioners that
[1:41:11] represent the city, while very
[1:41:12] grateful that you dedicate your
[1:41:13] time and energy to practically
[1:41:16] volunteer in that capacity to
[1:41:17] better our port and all
[1:41:18] the properties along the coast
[1:41:22] that we value in our region.
[1:41:23] >> So thank you for your
[1:41:23] service.
[1:41:27] I think it's Oh thank you.
[1:41:27] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem.
[1:41:28] We'll go next to Council member
[1:41:32] Foster Yes, thank you.
[1:41:37] >> Council PRESIDENT.
[1:41:38] Just some quick comments.
[1:41:39] I would like to thank
[1:41:43] commissioners of Cat for his
[1:41:43] willingness to continue to
[1:41:44] serve.
[1:41:49] It is greatly appreciated and
[1:41:49] just really want to thank
[1:41:50] the port commissioners for all
[1:41:54] the good work that you are
[1:41:55] doing in continuing to ensure
[1:41:59] that we are a top destination
[1:42:00] location.
[1:42:01] A lot of transformative work is
[1:42:05] happening along our shoreline
[1:42:05] there.
[1:42:06] I mean you guys are leading
[1:42:07] the way and leading that charge
[1:42:11] So I just want to thank you for
[1:42:11] all of those efforts.
[1:42:16] With that I will be supporting
[1:42:17] the consent agenda.
[1:42:17] Madam Clerk, I would like to
[1:42:25] register a no vote for item 50
[1:42:26] .
[1:42:26] All right.
[1:42:27] Thank you, Councilmember
[1:42:27] Foster.
[1:42:28] Not see anybody else in
[1:42:28] the life section?
[1:42:31] I think everybody spoke.
[1:42:31] I'll add a couple of thoughts
[1:42:32] on my own.
[1:42:33] I want to build on the comments
[1:42:37] of my colleague Councilmember
[1:42:37] about item 50.
[1:42:41] There was some concern about
[1:42:41] that one being on consent
[1:42:42] actually item 50 that's
[1:42:47] the contract with consultants
[1:42:51] for dam improvements that
[1:42:51] actually two full public
[1:42:55] hearings wanted 80 and one at
[1:42:56] the full city council.
[1:42:59] The item in front of us is a
[1:43:00] mandatory second reading to
[1:43:00] make sure that we got
[1:43:01] the ordinance just right and
[1:43:06] that's why it's it's on consent
[1:43:06] and on item 51.
[1:43:11] Just a friendly reminder this
[1:43:12] is the contract for the my
[1:43:13] water portal That is a contract
[1:43:18] authority not necessarily how
[1:43:18] much will be spent on that
[1:43:23] particular item item 5o5.
[1:43:24] This is a resolution
[1:43:25] authorizing the marketing
[1:43:25] agreement between the city of
[1:43:29] San Diego and Hyundai Motor
[1:43:29] America.
[1:43:30] Thank you to Sara Brennan from
[1:43:31] Economic Development for
[1:43:31] negotiating This deal was a
[1:43:34] rather extraordinary
[1:43:35] improvement over previous deals
[1:43:36] in the same space Our
[1:43:41] lifeguards deserve the best and
[1:43:41] this agreement delivers that.
[1:43:42] So thank you Sara for that Good
[1:43:46] work And I suspect Chief
[1:43:47] Gartland had a hand in there as
[1:43:48] well So I'll wrap up the many
[1:43:52] accolades.
[1:43:53] I think it's getting
[1:43:54] embarrassing How many of us are
[1:43:57] talking about item 1 to 1 MR.
[1:43:58] Kept As everybody has said your
[1:43:58] accomplishments are certainly
[1:44:03] numerous and impressive I to
[1:44:04] laud your commitment to
[1:44:04] environmental advances
[1:44:05] including electrification of
[1:44:09] our marine terminals positive
[1:44:09] results for the port cities,
[1:44:10] the city of San Diego and our
[1:44:14] most impacted communities And I
[1:44:15] want to recognize we're not
[1:44:16] here to save the planet.
[1:44:20] We're here to save ourselves
[1:44:21] and our way of life and where
[1:44:21] we work and where we play and
[1:44:26] MR. To get your efforts are
[1:44:32] geared 100% to that to minimize
[1:44:32] the impact to those waterfront
[1:44:33] communities to make sure that
[1:44:37] we have a strong and vibrant
[1:44:38] water working waterfront and
[1:44:39] you find that balance and
[1:44:44] the things you've done and as
[1:44:45] one somebody ask about what
[1:44:46] role you have the port has
[1:44:49] you're leading the way and
[1:44:50] the city here is trying to
[1:44:51] catch up with the good work
[1:44:51] that you're doing every day.
[1:44:55] For those who missed the three
[1:44:56] commissioners talking about
[1:44:57] the work at the port, I urge
[1:44:57] you to go back and watch that
[1:45:02] presentation for the City
[1:45:02] Council.
[1:45:03] So I look forward to your
[1:45:06] continued efforts for cutting
[1:45:06] edge first in the Nation
[1:45:07] Environmental Advances.
[1:45:08] Thank you for your willingness
[1:45:13] to continue to serve and I know
[1:45:14] you've been itching in that
[1:45:15] seat to perhaps come up and say
[1:45:17] a few words to wrap it all up
[1:45:24] I've got to thank you Council
[1:45:25] president members of the city
[1:45:30] council I'm only grateful and
[1:45:30] and happy to have
[1:45:31] the opportunity to serve.
[1:45:36] Thank you very much.
[1:45:37] I so appreciate your support
[1:45:38] and your partnership and your
[1:45:42] faith and I work as hard as I
[1:45:43] can to to reward that faith and
[1:45:48] how we serve.
[1:45:49] I so appreciate your come and
[1:45:49] stay.
[1:45:50] I am definitely humbled and I
[1:45:54] do find them a little
[1:45:54] embarrassing in part because we
[1:45:55] have such a great team at
[1:46:01] the port As many of you
[1:46:01] mentioned.
[1:46:02] We've got a commissioner
[1:46:02] sitting right here who's not
[1:46:07] only here as a colleague but as
[1:46:07] a friend.
[1:46:08] I think he was going to hold my
[1:46:08] hand if anybody said anything
[1:46:09] mean about me.
[1:46:12] He's such a such an incredible
[1:46:13] and just absolutely a decent
[1:46:17] human being And it's such a
[1:46:18] pleasure to be his friend and
[1:46:19] to serve with him And also
[1:46:23] Commissioner Moore and and and
[1:46:24] Commissioner Castellanos before
[1:46:24] them.
[1:46:25] So thank you very much for
[1:46:26] those efforts.
[1:46:29] To your point, Councilmember
[1:46:30] Lee also wanted to thank my
[1:46:31] wife and family my day job
[1:46:37] bosses at the Senior Employees
[1:46:37] Association who allow me
[1:46:41] the time to to to engage in
[1:46:42] the service which is only an
[1:46:43] honor and I'm super grateful
[1:46:43] for it.
[1:46:48] So thank you all very much and
[1:46:48] thank you council PRESIDENT And
[1:46:49] especially to your incredible
[1:46:54] support staff member Vicky
[1:46:55] Jones for for coordinating this
[1:46:56] report And thank you Really
[1:47:03] welcome.
[1:47:03] All right.
[1:47:04] No one else in the lights We do
[1:47:10] have a motion by council member
[1:47:11] committee and second by council
[1:47:12] member Woodburn clerk Please
[1:47:12] call the roll.
[1:47:13] I start the voting system.
[1:47:22] Please cast your vote That
[1:47:23] passage unanimously 8 to 0 with
[1:47:23] Councilmember Foster voting no
[1:47:24] and item 15 and Council member
[1:47:27] Moreno Thank you Council
[1:47:28] PRESIDENT All right thank you
[1:47:29] City Clerk With that Will let's
[1:47:34] move quickly That's turning out
[1:47:34] to be a long morning.
[1:47:35] We have both knowledge and
[1:47:39] public comment as well as a
[1:47:39] presentation under the Housing
[1:47:40] Authority.
[1:47:40] But first are there any
[1:47:46] comments by the mayor's office,
[1:47:46] city council member, city
[1:47:47] attorney, independent budget
[1:47:50] analyst or city clerk Not
[1:47:51] seeing any I'll make one
[1:47:51] comment.
[1:47:57] I made some comments yesterday
[1:47:58] relating to the appeal process
[1:47:58] for environmental
[1:48:04] determinations and I MAY have
[1:48:04] been a little bit too generous
[1:48:05] In my words environmental
[1:48:06] determinations are unique
[1:48:09] Animal Of all the things that
[1:48:10] we do someone should not take
[1:48:15] that as consulting advice but
[1:48:16] I'm certainly happy to have a
[1:48:16] conversation with anybody who
[1:48:17] is considering the appeal an
[1:48:21] environmental determination and
[1:48:22] always stand ready to work with
[1:48:22] my colleagues or operation side
[1:48:27] if we can improve how our
[1:48:28] municipal code is written and
[1:48:28] give good direction for both
[1:48:33] applicants and appellants see
[1:48:33] no one else.
[1:48:34] We will now adjourn as the City
[1:48:38] Council to convene the Special
[1:48:39] Housing Authority meeting And
[1:48:39] first we will start with
[1:48:44] the approval of the Housing
[1:48:45] Authority minutes of both
[1:48:49] JANUARY 13th, 2026 and
[1:48:50] the special session on JANUARY
[1:48:50] 26th, 2026.
[1:48:51] Clerk Please proceed with
[1:48:51] public comment.
[1:48:57] Thank you.
[1:48:57] The public library for
[1:48:58] the Housing Authority minutes
[1:48:59] is now open.
[1:48:59] Please note each we will have
[1:49:01] one minute per item per person
[1:49:02] The minutes being approved are
[1:49:03] for the meeting of Tuesday
[1:49:03] JANUARY 13th, 2026 Regular and
[1:49:07] Monday JANUARY 26, 2026 a
[1:49:08] special allegedly order if you
[1:49:13] can please come forward.
[1:49:14] You'll have two minutes.
[1:49:14] Please proceed.
[1:49:15] I'm surprised I thought I was
[1:49:20] going to get one minute.
[1:49:20] >> Look at you guys.
[1:49:21] It's interesting that sometimes
[1:49:22] you guys will write what is
[1:49:25] written said in public comment
[1:49:26] like in the meetings and
[1:49:26] sometimes you don't And I'm
[1:49:31] wondering when you don't Why is
[1:49:32] that is because you don't want
[1:49:32] the people to know what was
[1:49:37] said, you know or you you wind
[1:49:38] up spinning it in a certain way
[1:49:42] or taking away words or adding
[1:49:43] some.
[1:49:43] So it seems like what is being
[1:49:48] said is not as intense or
[1:49:49] whatever And it's like I think
[1:49:54] it is very important that when
[1:49:54] you are taking somebody's words
[1:49:55] and spinning it like that that
[1:49:56] that changes exactly what was
[1:50:00] said.
[1:50:01] And I'm curious to know what's
[1:50:02] going to be written in
[1:50:02] the minutes when the two men
[1:50:07] Paul and I believe Derek it was
[1:50:07] that came from Tent City Did
[1:50:08] any of you guys go talk to him
[1:50:12] Stephen did you send your staff
[1:50:13] out to see if you could help
[1:50:18] them not get evicted?
[1:50:18] Right.
[1:50:19] So it'll be interesting to see
[1:50:24] what is written when with their
[1:50:25] comment is it going to say that
[1:50:26] they came from b lots and that
[1:50:26] they're potentially getting
[1:50:30] kicked out for no reason that
[1:50:31] nobody's helping them that this
[1:50:34] man's been there since 2023?
[1:50:35] Wow.
[1:50:35] Seems like it's working, right?
[1:50:40] Yeah.
[1:50:41] And those men are still
[1:50:42] suffering and nobody wants to
[1:50:42] go and talk to the people with
[1:50:46] lived experience.
[1:50:47] So it'll be interesting to see
[1:50:48] the way the minutes are written
[1:50:48] then because any time you guys
[1:50:49] write things about what I'm
[1:50:53] saying it changes what it says
[1:50:54] and it doesn't show that there
[1:50:54] are extremely egregious events
[1:50:59] taking place on your guys's
[1:51:00] watch that you refuse to
[1:51:00] mitigate.
[1:51:06] I have people coming to me on a
[1:51:07] daily basis Either they're ex
[1:51:07] employees, people that live
[1:51:11] there.
[1:51:12] >> There's a lot of stuff
[1:51:12] coming down the pike and you
[1:51:13] guys should be concerned
[1:51:13] because you're not doing
[1:51:18] anything about it and it
[1:51:18] continues to happen and we're
[1:51:19] going to have to pay for
[1:51:20] litigation because of it.
[1:51:20] >> You're going comment I'm
[1:51:23] going to those participating
[1:51:24] online.
[1:51:24] I have five minutes on
[1:51:25] the queue.
[1:51:26] Robin, if you can please unmute
[1:51:27] and let me know which minutes
[1:51:33] you're speaking to.
[1:51:34] I will be speaking to non
[1:51:35] agenda public comment.
[1:51:39] We'll come back to you during
[1:51:40] that time.
[1:51:41] >> Blair Beekman Please let me
[1:51:41] know which minutes you're
[1:51:45] speaking to.
[1:51:46] Both minutes Please proceed.
[1:51:46] All right.
[1:51:47] Thank you.
[1:51:50] I won't need the full two
[1:51:51] minutes but I just wanted to
[1:51:56] quickly offer from meeting
[1:51:57] minutes of JANUARY I felt that
[1:52:02] the important theme and
[1:52:03] conversation and dialog was how
[1:52:04] the housing authority people
[1:52:08] can have a good clear
[1:52:09] conversations with the new
[1:52:14] federal administration and to
[1:52:14] not reject good thinking and
[1:52:21] good attempts at dialog that
[1:52:21] we're trying to create here at
[1:52:22] the local level towards our
[1:52:22] housing policies.
[1:52:27] They're making really honest
[1:52:27] decent attempts towards
[1:52:28] negotiating in good dialog here
[1:52:29] at the local level at
[1:52:29] the Housing Authority to
[1:52:33] the Federal level with hud
[1:52:34] funding and the like.
[1:52:34] So just an overall good luck
[1:52:38] that we can continue those good
[1:52:39] effort and that a place of good
[1:52:39] conversation can be taking
[1:52:40] place for all of us.
[1:52:44] Thank you.
[1:52:45] Thank you.
[1:52:46] 81 three If you can please let
[1:52:47] me know which minutes you're
[1:52:54] speaking to.
[1:52:55] I cannot unmute for you there
[1:53:01] you Excuse me are we on not
[1:53:05] agenda?
[1:53:06] No this is the minutes Another
[1:53:07] agenda will be later.
[1:53:11] I can come back to you then.
[1:53:11] Oh no.
[1:53:12] Okay.
[1:53:12] So is this the Housing
[1:53:13] Authority Housing Authority
[1:53:18] minutes?
[1:53:18] Oh the housing authority
[1:53:19] minutes.
[1:53:19] Okay.
[1:53:19] Got it.
[1:53:20] Yeah, I have something for
[1:53:20] that.
[1:53:23] Just a second, please.
[1:53:24] We got 1 minute or 2 minutes.
[1:53:28] It's one minute per
[1:53:29] the minutes.
[1:53:30] >> There's two minutes on
[1:53:30] the two minutes so please
[1:53:30] proceed.
[1:53:34] Oh gosh, I'm sorry.
[1:53:35] >> I'm not even building up my
[1:53:35] speech for that.
[1:53:45] I mean, I'm both pretty much in
[1:53:54] version but I usually have to
[1:53:55] say so you know, I'm sorry.
[1:53:56] I don't mean to take up your
[1:53:56] sense of it.
[1:53:57] Just go ahead Wait for an on
[1:53:58] agenda.
[1:53:58] >> Thank you.
[1:53:59] That does conclude public
[1:53:59] comment on the housing
[1:54:03] authority minutes.
[1:54:03] All right.
[1:54:04] Thank you, City clerk So we'll
[1:54:05] take up agency members
[1:54:05] questions and comments
[1:54:10] entertain a motion just to get
[1:54:10] things started to go ahead and
[1:54:11] move the adoption of
[1:54:11] the minutes.
[1:54:14] Can I get a second
[1:54:15] Councilmember Wicker not see
[1:54:16] anybody else in the lights?
[1:54:21] I'll have the comment.
[1:54:22] I don't think those minutes are
[1:54:22] still an adequate two for you
[1:54:23] want to find out what people
[1:54:24] said You go to the video that's
[1:54:26] where you get the straight
[1:54:26] story So encourage people to do
[1:54:27] that if they're curious what
[1:54:27] anybody said.
[1:54:32] So with that motion by myself
[1:54:33] in the second by Council member
[1:54:33] Whitburn to move the minutes
[1:54:36] clerk please call the roll.
[1:54:37] >> That's right the voting
[1:54:42] system Please cast your vote
[1:54:48] That passes unanimously 8 to 0
[1:54:49] with Councilmember Moreno
[1:54:49] absent.
[1:54:50] >> Thank you.
[1:54:50] That's all that.
[1:54:51] All right.
[1:54:51] Thank you to be talking with
[1:54:53] that clerk please introduce.
[1:54:54] Housing Authority Item one
[1:54:54] Housing Authority Item one is
[1:54:59] an informational item one
[1:54:59] informational report from
[1:55:00] the Housing Authority executive
[1:55:01] director.
[1:55:01] If you'd like to speak on this
[1:55:05] item, now's the time to submit.
[1:55:06] Your speaker slips to the front
[1:55:07] of the room in the clear box.
[1:55:07] If you're participating online
[1:55:11] now's the time to raise your
[1:55:12] hand by pressing Star nine or
[1:55:13] the raise your hand icon.
[1:55:13] Thank us, PRESIDENT.
[1:55:17] Thank you, MS..
[1:55:18] Jones As you certainly
[1:55:18] introduce yourself for record
[1:55:19] and let us know how much time
[1:55:28] you need for your presentation
[1:55:29] .
[1:55:29] Good morning.
[1:55:30] Council PRESIDENT And Council
[1:55:34] members.
[1:55:35] There we go.
[1:55:35] That's better.
[1:55:36] Good morning.
[1:55:36] Council PRESIDENT Corbin
[1:55:40] Council members.
[1:55:41] I'm Lisa Jones, the Senior
[1:55:42] Housing Commission's PRESIDENT
[1:55:44] And ceo And I'm only about
[1:55:45] eight minutes from acting.
[1:55:50] >> I'll begin this morning with
[1:55:51] some difficult changes that
[1:55:51] occurred recently for
[1:55:52] the Housing Commission and our
[1:55:52] staff.
[1:55:57] Last month we unfortunately had
[1:55:57] to make the difficult decision
[1:55:58] to reduce our workforce.
[1:56:02] And the tough reality is that
[1:56:03] this was necessary It was
[1:56:03] necessary for us to remain a
[1:56:07] reliable source of assistance
[1:56:08] in the coming years for
[1:56:09] the tens of thousands of
[1:56:09] families in our programs and
[1:56:14] also to be able to sustain our
[1:56:15] remaining staff who serve those
[1:56:16] families in our community every
[1:56:16] day.
[1:56:20] As I've shared over the past
[1:56:21] several months as the agency
[1:56:21] like many other public housing
[1:56:22] authorities and many other
[1:56:26] public sector agencies across
[1:56:26] the country is experiencing
[1:56:27] financial challenges like we
[1:56:28] have not seen as an agency in
[1:56:32] the past.
[1:56:33] Much of this is due to shifts
[1:56:34] in federal government
[1:56:34] priorities in the past year and
[1:56:39] budget uncertainty at
[1:56:40] the federal, state and local
[1:56:40] levels.
[1:56:41] Nothing That's not a surprise
[1:56:44] to I know the council and
[1:56:45] the city team.
[1:56:46] Additionally, like many other
[1:56:46] organizations our costs are
[1:56:47] rising and the need for our
[1:56:50] services continues to grow But
[1:56:51] our financial resources are
[1:56:51] fixed or in some cases
[1:56:56] declining.
[1:56:57] Our goals are to ensure our
[1:56:57] rental housing voucher programs
[1:56:58] or homelessness programs and
[1:57:02] services and our affordable
[1:57:02] housing units remain available
[1:57:03] for the individuals, families
[1:57:04] and families currently in those
[1:57:08] programs who need them.
[1:57:09] We have taken a variety of
[1:57:10] steps in recent months to
[1:57:10] contain costs in this
[1:57:11] environment.
[1:57:15] These include eliminating
[1:57:15] performance incentives and cost
[1:57:16] of living adjustments for
[1:57:17] senior leadership Last year
[1:57:21] having to make changes to
[1:57:22] the family contribution amount
[1:57:22] in the voucher program and rent
[1:57:23] adjustments in our affordable
[1:57:26] housing programs and having to
[1:57:27] reduce or end some of our
[1:57:27] ancillary services and
[1:57:32] activities.
[1:57:33] Our strategic plan contains
[1:57:34] many more initiatives that we
[1:57:34] are currently working on to
[1:57:38] both reduce costs and to
[1:57:39] increase revenue.
[1:57:39] But the unfortunate reality is
[1:57:43] even with all of those efforts
[1:57:44] we have also needed to reduce
[1:57:45] our workforce.
[1:57:45] This means that we made
[1:57:50] the tough decision to eliminate
[1:57:51] 33 occupied staff positions and
[1:57:55] will not be filling 25
[1:57:55] positions that were vacant
[1:57:56] which is a reduction of about
[1:57:56] 14%.
[1:58:00] So that means that 33 staff
[1:58:01] that used to work for
[1:58:02] the Housing Commission were
[1:58:05] laid off on FEBRUARY 27th.
[1:58:05] About 60% of the eliminated
[1:58:06] positions were supervisory
[1:58:11] level positions or about.
[1:58:12] And as I've shared in briefings
[1:58:13] previously, none of the layoffs
[1:58:13] were represented were
[1:58:18] represented staff staff who
[1:58:19] occupied those eliminated
[1:58:24] positions were notified, as I
[1:58:24] said on FEBRUARY 27th and they
[1:58:25] were provided two weeks paid
[1:58:25] leave.
[1:58:30] We know this is a difficult
[1:58:30] time for each of them.
[1:58:31] We know this is a difficult
[1:58:32] time for the staff that remains
[1:58:32] as well.
[1:58:36] There's a lot to process but we
[1:58:37] do care about those staff and
[1:58:38] we are offering a variety of
[1:58:38] assistance to help them through
[1:58:42] this transition.
[1:58:43] While I will not go into
[1:58:43] details I can let you know that
[1:58:44] we have also offered severance
[1:58:48] commensurate to their service
[1:58:49] time to each laid off employee.
[1:58:50] And while this extension of
[1:58:50] health benefits in addition to
[1:58:54] what the state provides, we
[1:58:54] also are providing them with
[1:58:55] access to support and resources
[1:58:56] to assist them with their
[1:59:00] career transition.
[1:59:01] These include job coaching
[1:59:01] sessions, meetings with a
[1:59:02] workforce development
[1:59:03] specialist and a recruiter and
[1:59:06] access to job resources with
[1:59:07] chc covering the costs for
[1:59:07] these services.
[1:59:12] We're also continuing to make
[1:59:13] our employee assistance program
[1:59:13] available to our staff who were
[1:59:14] laid off.
[1:59:15] The program includes counseling
[1:59:18] for mental health and emotional
[1:59:19] needs as well as referrals for
[1:59:19] free or reduced cost programs
[1:59:20] like child care, health care
[1:59:24] and employment services.
[1:59:24] And our employee assistance
[1:59:25] program is available to assist
[1:59:26] our remaining staff during this
[1:59:30] time as well.
[1:59:31] We do not anticipate any
[1:59:31] further workforce reductions
[1:59:32] beyond these steps.
[1:59:36] This workforce reduction along
[1:59:36] with many other measures will
[1:59:37] help support ongoing financial
[1:59:42] stability of the agency.
[1:59:43] And with that increased ability
[1:59:43] we will continue to provide
[1:59:44] housing assistance and person
[1:59:45] centered customer service to
[1:59:47] the thousands of families with
[1:59:48] low income that rely on
[1:59:48] the Housing Commission.
[1:59:49] We also continue to implement
[1:59:53] and explore additional measures
[1:59:54] to contain costs and where
[1:59:54] possible to continue to
[1:59:58] generate revenue.
[1:59:59] Although this is a difficult
[2:00:00] time for our agency, we must
[2:00:00] continue to advocate for state
[2:00:05] and federal resources that is
[2:00:06] more important now than ever.
[2:00:06] Last month we met with
[2:00:11] the California Association of
[2:00:11] Housing Authorities, state
[2:00:12] officials and San Diego's
[2:00:13] legislative delegation in
[2:00:13] Sacramento.
[2:00:17] We discussed relevant state
[2:00:17] legislation around housing
[2:00:18] the latest from hud and federal
[2:00:19] administration as well as
[2:00:23] the latest innovations around
[2:00:23] the state.
[2:00:24] And we advocated for continued
[2:00:25] stable funding from the state
[2:00:25] for homelessness programs and
[2:00:29] for affordable housing
[2:00:30] development.
[2:00:31] And this month we are engaging
[2:00:31] in Washington, D.C. With
[2:00:35] federal officials as well as
[2:00:36] the Council of Large Public
[2:00:36] Housing Authorities and
[2:00:37] the National Association of
[2:00:37] Housing and Redevelopment
[2:00:41] Officials.
[2:00:42] These opportunities to meet in
[2:00:42] person are really important for
[2:00:43] us to make sure that state and
[2:00:47] federal lawmakers in particular
[2:00:48] know what funding and policies
[2:00:48] we and other housing
[2:00:49] authorities need to continue to
[2:00:53] support our communities and
[2:00:54] that they understand the true
[2:00:55] impact inadequate funding has
[2:00:57] on our agency stability and
[2:00:58] the families we serve as well
[2:01:03] as our staff.
[2:01:04] We also continue to deliver our
[2:01:05] core services providing
[2:01:05] affordable housing
[2:01:06] opportunities in our community
[2:01:10] for families that need them.
[2:01:10] This includes supporting
[2:01:11] the development of additional
[2:01:12] new affordable rental homes
[2:01:15] such as the Skyline Development
[2:01:16] Skyline celebrated its grand
[2:01:16] opening on MARCH 5th.
[2:01:22] Affirmed housing developers
[2:01:23] property which provided 99
[2:01:23] affordable rental apartment
[2:01:24] homes for families with very
[2:01:24] low income.
[2:01:28] It's important to remember that
[2:01:28] this new housing stock so we
[2:01:29] are adding to our housing
[2:01:30] supply which is so critical
[2:01:30] with both the tax credit
[2:01:35] program and the project freeze
[2:01:36] vouchers that we share with
[2:01:36] them.
[2:01:37] The Housing Commission awarded
[2:01:38] 30 project based vouchers to
[2:01:41] help pay rent for families
[2:01:41] earning up to 30% of San
[2:01:42] Diego's area median income.
[2:01:43] And with the housing authority
[2:01:46] approval we also authorized
[2:01:47] authorized the issuance of
[2:01:48] multifamily housing revenue
[2:01:48] bonds for the financing for
[2:01:49] Skyline.
[2:01:53] It was built on an under
[2:01:53] utilized parking lot at
[2:01:54] the Metropolitan Transit
[2:01:55] Systems Rancho Bernardo Transit
[2:01:59] Station.
[2:02:00] And a special thank you to
[2:02:00] Councilmember Whitman as
[2:02:01] the chair of the mta and also
[2:02:05] to Councilmember Van Wilpert
[2:02:05] whose district includes Skyline
[2:02:06] for their support of this
[2:02:06] project.
[2:02:07] We also think Mayor Gloria and
[2:02:11] his staff for their efforts to
[2:02:11] make Skyline possible.
[2:02:12] Finally, I have some housing
[2:02:16] commission leadership updates
[2:02:17] to share with you.
[2:02:17] After 30 years of exceptional
[2:02:18] service to the Housing
[2:02:18] commission.
[2:02:19] Our deputy ceo Jeff Davis will
[2:02:23] be leading us in just under
[2:02:24] three weeks.
[2:02:24] I have had the privilege of
[2:02:29] knowing Jeff as a boss, a
[2:02:30] mentor, a colleague and as a
[2:02:30] friend and I have deeply
[2:02:31] appreciated his leadership
[2:02:34] perspective and support
[2:02:35] especially during his tenure as
[2:02:36] interim PRESIDENT And ceo and
[2:02:37] throughout the transition to my
[2:02:41] role as ceo where he has been
[2:02:41] invaluable support.
[2:02:42] His insight and expertise have
[2:02:46] been invaluable to our agency
[2:02:47] and he has touched many lives
[2:02:48] clients, peers, staff at every
[2:02:48] level of the organization over
[2:02:53] his long tenure.
[2:02:54] We will MISS Jeff and we wish
[2:02:54] him all the best in his next
[2:02:55] adventure.
[2:02:59] And as Jeff prepares to depart,
[2:03:00] it is my true pleasure to share
[2:03:01] with you that I just antiviral
[2:03:01] It is now our Chief Operating
[2:03:05] officer as well as the center
[2:03:06] will ensure ongoing effective
[2:03:07] operations across the agency as
[2:03:11] well as fiscal stability and
[2:03:12] operational compliance for all
[2:03:12] our core functions.
[2:03:13] As I said, I will also oversee
[2:03:16] the rental assistance and
[2:03:17] workforce development division
[2:03:18] information technology and
[2:03:18] property management and asset
[2:03:23] management departments.
[2:03:24] In addition to my duties as ceo
[2:03:24] i will continue to oversee
[2:03:25] the policy homelessness
[2:03:28] innovations and community
[2:03:29] initiatives divisions and will
[2:03:29] take on oversight of our real
[2:03:30] estate finance and Development
[2:03:35] division and communications
[2:03:35] department.
[2:03:36] After just departure Assistant
[2:03:37] will also oversee the financial
[2:03:41] services and human resources
[2:03:41] departments.
[2:03:42] This is not a new position
[2:03:43] that's been created for us, he
[2:03:43] said.
[2:03:47] This is not backfilling her
[2:03:48] previous position so she
[2:03:48] remains essentially the same
[2:03:49] role.
[2:03:53] The title change and we're also
[2:03:54] not backfilling Jeff's
[2:03:54] position.
[2:03:55] So this is a consolidation
[2:03:55] across those positions.
[2:03:59] As I said, I felt for many
[2:04:00] years as our executive vice
[2:04:01] PRESIDENT Of rental assistance
[2:04:02] and workforce development and
[2:04:05] has been a key leader in our
[2:04:05] executive team.
[2:04:06] Taking on her new ceo role is a
[2:04:11] natural transition for both her
[2:04:11] talent and her expertise.
[2:04:12] And I'm very much look forward
[2:04:13] to the leadership in insight
[2:04:13] and innovation.
[2:04:17] As I said, I will provide our
[2:04:17] ceo.
[2:04:18] Well, that concludes my report
[2:04:18] this morning.
[2:04:18] Thank you.
[2:04:22] All right.
[2:04:23] Thank you for your work in
[2:04:23] difficult decisions on
[2:04:28] the presentation this morning.
[2:04:28] >> Afternoon.
[2:04:29] With that Clark, please proceed
[2:04:30] for public comment.
[2:04:34] Council PRESIDENT We have
[2:04:35] allegedly ordered here if you
[2:04:35] can please come up to
[2:04:36] the microphone.
[2:04:40] After that we have Aaron warm
[2:04:41] up if you can Please come to
[2:04:42] the other reserved seats and
[2:04:43] then the like scene And you can
[2:04:43] also come up to the yellow
[2:04:46] reserved seats.
[2:04:47] We do have quite a number of
[2:04:48] speakers so it is one minute.
[2:04:52] Please proceed.
[2:04:53] I guess when you say f-you to
[2:04:54] the federal government they're
[2:04:54] going to say a few too and it's
[2:04:58] sad that these people had to
[2:04:59] get laid off because of your
[2:04:59] choices.
[2:05:00] I don't know that this program
[2:05:04] has ever been succeeding.
[2:05:05] As we can see homelessness
[2:05:05] rises.
[2:05:06] People are not being hurt.
[2:05:07] Nobody can afford anything
[2:05:07] especially rent.
[2:05:11] So when you say you're saying
[2:05:11] you have affordable housing,
[2:05:12] that's a lie.
[2:05:16] It's a complete.
[2:05:17] It's funny, right?
[2:05:17] Yeah.
[2:05:18] You're so funny and you're so
[2:05:18] right.
[2:05:21] You're not one on the street
[2:05:22] having to beg and plead just to
[2:05:22] get help, are you?
[2:05:27] So it's just up to the council
[2:05:27] please.
[2:05:28] Yes.
[2:05:28] Well and it's like I mean
[2:05:29] seriously, how are you going to
[2:05:32] put these people in danger of
[2:05:33] needing the assistance from
[2:05:34] this program Because you're
[2:05:39] like we're going to we got help
[2:05:39] for you.
[2:05:40] You don't because you're not
[2:05:41] going to going to be able to
[2:05:41] put them in or you will just
[2:05:44] like you take illegal
[2:05:45] immigrants and you put them
[2:05:45] directly into housing When
[2:05:50] people that have lived here and
[2:05:51] waited for decades should have
[2:05:51] gotten it.
[2:05:52] So it's your choices that have
[2:05:56] led to this and you just waste
[2:05:57] our money.
[2:05:57] >> Aaron, if you can please
[2:05:58] come forward and if
[2:05:59] the following individuals can
[2:06:02] please raise their hand.
[2:06:03] Armando Castaneda please raise
[2:06:03] your hand.
[2:06:08] Caitlin Bears versus bears and
[2:06:14] Mike thank you Pro Martinez You
[2:06:19] should shoot Jeanette for us
[2:06:20] Mandy Stevens, Yasmeen and
[2:06:25] Laura and Katherine Cusick
[2:06:26] You'll have nine minutes.
[2:06:27] Please proceed.
[2:06:31] People standing behind me are
[2:06:32] the people that serve our
[2:06:32] community of San Diego from
[2:06:33] the rental assistance
[2:06:37] department Real estate
[2:06:38] department and homeless
[2:06:38] division.
[2:06:39] Also we have people online as
[2:06:40] well that couldn't be here
[2:06:43] present and also people that
[2:06:44] can be present in the meeting
[2:06:44] because their work doesn't
[2:06:45] stop.
[2:06:49] My name is Aaron.
[2:06:50] One is a proud seiu member I'm
[2:06:50] serving as the chapter
[2:06:55] PRESIDENT For over a year and a
[2:06:56] steward for the last four
[2:06:56] years.
[2:06:59] I also have been an employee at
[2:07:00] the Housing Commission for
[2:07:00] the last five years in a
[2:07:01] homelessness division San Diego
[2:07:05] Housing Commission is facing a
[2:07:06] financial crisis and has
[2:07:07] proposed cuts on employees
[2:07:12] compensations, cost of living,
[2:07:12] flex credit and performance
[2:07:18] incentives totaling about $4.5
[2:07:19] million in savings next fiscal
[2:07:19] year.
[2:07:24] During this process the housing
[2:07:24] Commission has respectfully
[2:07:25] provided information and
[2:07:26] flexible release time allowing
[2:07:30] space for collaboration and a
[2:07:31] special thanks to the sap Argus
[2:07:31] for taking the time for
[2:07:35] collaboration and scheduling
[2:07:36] and communicating.
[2:07:36] We really appreciate it.
[2:07:37] However, despite
[2:07:42] the collaboration we have not
[2:07:42] reached that agreement.
[2:07:43] There is also concern about
[2:07:47] PRESIDENT Being set to reopen
[2:07:48] the mou yearly and doing more
[2:07:53] with less consistently.
[2:07:54] After multiple attempts to
[2:07:55] develop a proposal that that
[2:07:59] support represents not
[2:08:00] represented in management
[2:08:01] staff, the Housing Commission
[2:08:01] has made it clear that we must
[2:08:06] focus on represented employees
[2:08:07] only represented staff does pay
[2:08:12] the dues and they make these
[2:08:12] agreements possible.
[2:08:13] If you review the material that
[2:08:18] I was able to provide at
[2:08:19] the bottom chart I know if you
[2:08:20] guys have if you don't it kind
[2:08:23] of breaks down our proposal
[2:08:24] You'll see our proposal So
[2:08:25] generate a significant savings
[2:08:29] for the agency.
[2:08:30] We understand that sacrifices
[2:08:35] are necessary which is why seiu
[2:08:35] has proposed freezing
[2:08:36] the performance incentive an
[2:08:37] annual proposal saving
[2:08:41] approximately $2.15 million.
[2:08:47] However, we are not willing to
[2:08:48] sacrifice cost of living and
[2:08:48] flex credit increases for
[2:08:52] represented staff.
[2:08:53] We have a petition with a high
[2:08:59] majority of members that do not
[2:09:00] agree what is happening while
[2:09:05] vp's and above have chosen to
[2:09:06] take their not taken their cola
[2:09:10] an incentive It's a softer blow
[2:09:11] for them.
[2:09:11] These are individuals earning
[2:09:17] over 200,000 annually receiving
[2:09:17] guaranteed incentives like car
[2:09:22] allowance and up to 20% more in
[2:09:23] flex credits than many
[2:09:23] frontline workers.
[2:09:24] That's the chart in the middle.
[2:09:27] Given the breakdown of all
[2:09:28] the flex credits, the total
[2:09:28] contractual cola and flex
[2:09:33] credit obligation is about 2.4
[2:09:38] million under our proposal call
[2:09:39] it would be reserved for
[2:09:39] representing staff only while
[2:09:40] flex credit increases would
[2:09:45] support the agency as a whole,
[2:09:48] this proposal will cost 661,659
[2:09:53] instead of the 2.4 million.
[2:09:53] We've also proposed
[2:09:58] the additional 3% increase for
[2:09:58] full time onsite workers who
[2:09:59] are paid less.
[2:10:02] This cost would be about
[2:10:08] 127,450 which is less than
[2:10:08] $179,040 spent on car allowance
[2:10:09] for executives.
[2:10:14] This fiscal year.
[2:10:15] We also suggested multiple zero
[2:10:15] cost benefits that could
[2:10:18] relieve the reduction in pay
[2:10:25] for workers although it was on
[2:10:30] a budget although our proposal
[2:10:34] say as a proxy $3.75 million
[2:10:34] $3.75 million.
[2:10:40] Yet the Housing Commission has
[2:10:40] maintained its position that a
[2:10:44] full 4.5 million must come from
[2:10:45] these cuts.
[2:10:50] We strongly believe it is not
[2:10:50] the responsibility of
[2:10:51] the frontline workers to
[2:10:51] address the Housing
[2:10:59] Commission's projected $23.5
[2:10:59] million deficit by the end of
[2:11:00] next fiscal year.
[2:11:05] Recently the Housing Commission
[2:11:06] has made the difficult decision
[2:11:07] to lay off 33 employees.
[2:11:10] Two weeks ago, three weeks ago
[2:11:11] about 30% were management while
[2:11:13] the remaining were largely
[2:11:20] non-management roles.
[2:11:20] In one case the G.M. Academy
[2:11:24] was reduced to just five
[2:11:25] frontline employees who are
[2:11:30] expect to deserve approximately
[2:11:35] 800 applicants in JULY under
[2:11:35] the new Path to Success
[2:11:35] program.
[2:11:40] So the question is how can five
[2:11:41] workers provide a level of
[2:11:41] person center service Our
[2:11:46] communities serves?
[2:11:47] We are being asked to do more
[2:11:51] now with less but with
[2:11:51] significantly less.
[2:11:56] We remain committed to working
[2:11:56] collaboratively with
[2:11:57] the Housing Commission
[2:12:01] leadership to find solutions
[2:12:02] that are equitable, sustainable
[2:12:06] and truly centered on
[2:12:07] the people we serve and
[2:12:07] the people that do the work.
[2:12:12] I thank you for all your time.
[2:12:13] >> Thank you.
[2:12:15] That does And we have Dave
[2:12:22] Langston as well.
[2:12:22] >> Okay.
[2:12:22] Good afternoon.
[2:12:23] I'm Dave Langston from us.
[2:12:23] How are you?
[2:12:24] 2 to 1.
[2:12:27] Eric said most of it so I just
[2:12:28] want to amplify it.
[2:12:28] Our PRESIDENT Chris Irving is
[2:12:31] traveling but just want to
[2:12:32] emphasize I'm in addition to
[2:12:32] the employees that you've heard
[2:12:36] from here our 14,000 members in
[2:12:36] the region and the communities
[2:12:37] we work with stand behind these
[2:12:41] workers, stand behind
[2:12:42] the important services that
[2:12:42] they do And again want to
[2:12:45] acknowledge Lisa and the team
[2:12:46] working collaborating with us
[2:12:47] in a very difficult
[2:12:47] circumstances by all accounts.
[2:12:52] But as you've heard here, we
[2:12:52] think there's more work to do
[2:12:53] that's honoring the work of our
[2:12:57] frontline employees and getting
[2:12:58] to an agreement that continues
[2:12:58] the important work in a
[2:13:02] difficult environment.
[2:13:02] And one more piece that I want
[2:13:03] to share for historical
[2:13:03] reasons.
[2:13:04] There are a number of folks
[2:13:07] that were in those 33 layoffs
[2:13:07] that are frontline workers that
[2:13:08] do not happen to be represented
[2:13:12] by seiu.
[2:13:13] So we can kind of get you that
[2:13:14] data and they have it as well.
[2:13:17] So again, there's sort of
[2:13:18] management and of course we
[2:13:18] don't celebrate any layoff but
[2:13:19] the importance of kind of
[2:13:23] preserving the frontline
[2:13:23] workers in terms of
[2:13:24] the staffing and in terms of
[2:13:24] the benefits.
[2:13:25] Thank you.
[2:13:27] The five minute timer has
[2:13:28] started and one of those
[2:13:30] participating remotely starting
[2:13:31] with 8700 If you can please
[2:13:40] unmute It is 700 sorry six
[2:13:40] You'll have a minute.
[2:13:41] There you go.
[2:13:44] Thank you so much.
[2:13:44] Sorry about that.
[2:13:50] The cd3 items for my comment
[2:13:51] and I'm going to save this one
[2:13:52] minute.
[2:13:52] First of all I didn't fill out
[2:13:53] this one.
[2:13:57] I am over the moon thrilled by
[2:14:03] the change in title four as you
[2:14:07] see now to see the oh congrats
[2:14:07] your nation She's a phenomenal
[2:14:12] human being and leader and I'm
[2:14:13] just thrilled for her and for
[2:14:14] all of us in San Diego.
[2:14:14] Okay.
[2:14:17] Yes.
[2:14:18] What's happening here is
[2:14:22] perfect because it's an example
[2:14:22] of uncertain times.
[2:14:23] We have to follow this.
[2:14:27] This is what's going to happen.
[2:14:28] This is what is happening.
[2:14:29] Let's not make it be just
[2:14:33] person centered.
[2:14:33] It has to be family centered.
[2:14:37] We have to have that.
[2:14:38] The family has to come to
[2:14:38] the kitchen.
[2:14:42] Sit around the table and try to
[2:14:43] figure this out together.
[2:14:49] I don't know what's going to be
[2:14:49] your time.
[2:14:50] >> It's concluded so eight
[2:14:50] eight, one three and then after
[2:14:52] that as a buyer pick 113 please
[2:15:01] And you Okay Come Swallow Here
[2:15:01] .
[2:15:02] So you okay?
[2:15:02] Isn't it something that with
[2:15:03] all these agencies under
[2:15:05] the government umbrella we
[2:15:06] still have people living in
[2:15:07] their cars and on the streets
[2:15:11] with all the funding, all
[2:15:12] the programs, all
[2:15:12] the departments Nothing is
[2:15:13] being resolved.
[2:15:16] In fact, it's getting worse.
[2:15:16] And now we're hearing that
[2:15:17] you're even losing your own
[2:15:17] staff.
[2:15:20] I mean I don't mean to laugh
[2:15:21] but that just adds to my
[2:15:21] point.
[2:15:25] So if the system isn't stable
[2:15:26] enough to retain the people
[2:15:30] working inside it, how is it
[2:15:30] supposed to stabilize
[2:15:31] the people?
[2:15:35] It's meant to help.
[2:15:36] So what we're seeing is
[2:15:39] solutions and more management
[2:15:40] of crisis that never seems to
[2:15:40] end.
[2:15:41] Meeting minutes reports While
[2:15:44] real people are outside trying
[2:15:45] to survive.
[2:15:45] So again with all these
[2:15:50] resources, all the purple
[2:15:50] shirts, why are people still on
[2:15:54] the street and how is this
[2:15:55] system expected to work when
[2:15:59] even your own staff can't be
[2:16:00] kept?
[2:16:00] Oh my GOD.
[2:16:05] Thank you.
[2:16:06] Never didn't wake up.
[2:16:07] Your time has concluded.
[2:16:07] Next is Blaire Beekman You can
[2:16:08] please on mute After that is
[2:16:09] Robin.
[2:16:09] >> All right.
[2:16:09] Thank you.
[2:16:13] Where Beekman.
[2:16:13] Yeah.
[2:16:14] Important lessons I've learned
[2:16:14] from public comment.
[2:16:17] Good luck that we can continue
[2:16:18] to really work towards truly
[2:16:19] affordable housing.
[2:16:22] I think it's possible and we
[2:16:23] just have to be really adamant
[2:16:27] and hopeful and knowing that
[2:16:28] it's a good thing and want to
[2:16:29] work towards it.
[2:16:32] Good luck on those efforts.
[2:16:33] >> Really sad You've had to cut
[2:16:37] 33 people from the staff here
[2:16:37] and that I don't quite know how
[2:16:41] it's related to the city of San
[2:16:42] Diego issues but in cutting
[2:16:46] supervisor positions that's
[2:16:47] cutting out middle management
[2:16:47] and I hope it is successful.
[2:16:51] It's sad.
[2:16:51] Thank you.
[2:16:52] From the clarifications from
[2:16:52] LaCava he wants to talk more
[2:16:56] about upper echelon Are people
[2:17:00] cut off from city government
[2:17:01] middle management This is
[2:17:02] middle management being cut so
[2:17:06] good luck to this.
[2:17:06] This can work and I'm sorry
[2:17:07] it's happened.
[2:17:09] You've offered good
[2:17:10] compensation packages.
[2:17:10] >> You've tried.
[2:17:11] Thank you for your efforts.
[2:17:11] Thank you.
[2:17:15] Next is Robin If you can please
[2:17:18] unmute after Robin is seven for
[2:17:19] 99 and then for Francine
[2:17:19] Maxwell Those are our final
[2:17:20] speakers.
[2:17:23] Please proceed.
[2:17:24] >> Did you call Robin Davidoff?
[2:17:24] Yes.
[2:17:27] Please proceed.
[2:17:28] Okay.
[2:17:28] I'm Robin Davidoff.
[2:17:29] I'm Sierra Club Society chair.
[2:17:33] There are 51 days from
[2:17:33] the start of the 2026 Robin
[2:17:37] Robin Yes This is actually
[2:17:38] housing authority.
[2:17:38] We haven't started Not a
[2:17:39] general public comment yet.
[2:17:39] Got it.
[2:17:42] Thank you.
[2:17:43] >> We'll come back to you 7499
[2:17:52] If you can please unmute Bob
[2:17:53] because I ski here whenever I
[2:17:56] hear about issues affecting
[2:17:57] the city due to shortages of
[2:17:58] just a few million dollars here
[2:18:01] or there, I can't help but
[2:18:02] remember that the Torrey Pines
[2:18:05] glider port has been documented
[2:18:09] as bringing in approximately
[2:18:10] $1.4 million every year from
[2:18:14] over a decade ago through this
[2:18:15] very day and virtually none of
[2:18:20] that money is going to this
[2:18:20] city even though the business
[2:18:24] could not exist without using
[2:18:25] the city's land.
[2:18:25] So when people hear our
[2:18:26] speeches about
[2:18:30] the mismanagement of the Torrey
[2:18:30] Pines glider port, remember
[2:18:31] that this kind of mismanagement
[2:18:34] affects everyone in this city.
[2:18:35] It's all connected.
[2:18:39] Thank you.
[2:18:40] >> Thank you.
[2:18:40] And Francine Maxwell is our
[2:18:41] final speaker.
[2:18:44] Please unmute.
[2:18:44] >> Thank you.
[2:18:45] Francine Maxwell Southeastern
[2:18:49] San Diego I was unable to speak
[2:18:50] earlier in the week when you
[2:18:50] had the Jeff Davis day.
[2:18:53] We are at a a joyful time for
[2:18:54] Jeff Davis to go away.
[2:18:58] He was approving illegal rent
[2:19:03] increases under the law section
[2:19:04] eight landlords were not
[2:19:04] complying with the rent
[2:19:07] increases law and he was
[2:19:08] consistently approving.
[2:19:08] So when everyone sits on
[2:19:09] the diocese and continues to
[2:19:13] give each other cuddles and
[2:19:13] pats on the back lawsuits under
[2:19:17] Jeff Davis none of those were
[2:19:18] in in the proclamation that was
[2:19:22] stated We have to call out what
[2:19:23] was done.
[2:19:23] Everything is not cookie cutter
[2:19:28] everything was not roses with
[2:19:28] him And we look forward to
[2:19:32] working with the new ceo and
[2:19:33] making sure things are done in
[2:19:33] decency and order.
[2:19:38] Thank you so much for allowing
[2:19:38] me to speak.
[2:19:39] >> Thank you.
[2:19:40] That was all the color on each
[2:19:41] one.
[2:19:41] All right.
[2:19:45] Thank you, City clerk As a
[2:19:46] reminder, this is an
[2:19:46] informational item and no
[2:19:47] motion is required But we'll
[2:19:50] turn it over to agency members
[2:19:51] for questions and comments And
[2:19:52] we'll start with Councilmember
[2:19:55] Ellenberger.
[2:19:56] Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
[2:19:56] Thank you, Lisa as always for
[2:19:59] for the update.
[2:20:00] Definitely appreciate that.
[2:20:04] The update the transparency on
[2:20:05] the difficult decisions that
[2:20:05] you and your leadership team
[2:20:08] have had to make to address
[2:20:13] the structural deficit that
[2:20:14] the Housing commission is
[2:20:14] facing.
[2:20:18] I do think it's important that
[2:20:19] we to bunk some myths that were
[2:20:22] stated here today and our
[2:20:27] commonly stated Is it true that
[2:20:28] undocumented immigrants are
[2:20:32] ineligible for Section eight
[2:20:32] housing vouchers?
[2:20:37] Most undocumented immigrants
[2:20:37] are ineligible for Section
[2:20:38] eight housing vouchers?
[2:20:41] >> That's correct.
[2:20:42] Well, they are They are
[2:20:43] ineligible And we can only we
[2:20:46] can only subsidize either
[2:20:47] citizens or eligible immigrants
[2:20:51] according to the federal
[2:20:51] definition.
[2:20:51] Correct.
[2:20:52] I just think that that's
[2:20:55] important to know.
[2:20:56] So that's that's the those are
[2:21:05] the facts And it is also true
[2:21:05] that we would be in a better
[2:21:10] position if there were local
[2:21:10] dedicated funds that
[2:21:11] the Housing commission could
[2:21:13] depend on a regular basis and
[2:21:14] would make us less vulnerable
[2:21:19] to the whims of the federal
[2:21:20] government.
[2:21:20] And nonetheless I you're
[2:21:24] addressing the problem as it's
[2:21:24] presented to you.
[2:21:25] You're trying to get ahead of
[2:21:25] other problems that you are
[2:21:28] anticipating coming to
[2:21:29] the housing Commission And
[2:21:29] that's all done in service of
[2:21:33] protecting the immediate and
[2:21:34] long term services that
[2:21:34] residents depend on.
[2:21:37] And so thank you for that.
[2:21:38] I do want to say how important
[2:21:42] I think it is for
[2:21:43] the Commission to continue to
[2:21:44] work with our frontline workers
[2:21:47] to make sure that they know
[2:21:48] that the solutions that they're
[2:21:52] being offered are given serious
[2:21:53] consideration and as well as
[2:21:54] that any concerns that they
[2:21:54] raise about the impacts of
[2:21:57] proposals that they receive
[2:22:01] that on the ground front line
[2:22:02] experience also brings with it
[2:22:06] expertise and a intimate
[2:22:07] understanding of what decisions
[2:22:11] will mean both for the services
[2:22:12] that are delivered and in
[2:22:12] the lives of of of the workers
[2:22:16] And that's super important
[2:22:17] needs to step right and center.
[2:22:18] So I know we've had that
[2:22:18] conversation before.
[2:22:21] I know you've made significant
[2:22:22] efforts to make sure that
[2:22:22] the line of communication is
[2:22:26] open with our frontline workers
[2:22:27] and I strongly encourage for
[2:22:32] that to that effort to be
[2:22:32] maintained.
[2:22:33] It's just again critically
[2:22:36] important both for the lives of
[2:22:36] our workers and for the our
[2:22:40] ability to deliver services to
[2:22:41] these folks know what impacts
[2:22:46] will be felt when changes are
[2:22:46] made.
[2:22:47] Thank you.
[2:22:47] Council PRESIDENT Please if
[2:22:48] you'd like to respond by all
[2:22:50] means.
[2:22:51] Thank you, Councilmember And I
[2:22:52] just I hear your comments and I
[2:22:54] also just want to acknowledge
[2:22:55] the staff and seiu that are
[2:22:59] here today And thank you, Erin
[2:22:59] for making the time.
[2:23:00] I I feel like we are working
[2:23:04] collaboratively and we MAY not
[2:23:05] be where we need to be yet and
[2:23:06] we can't say much because we're
[2:23:09] in negotiations but but I
[2:23:09] respect and appreciate how
[2:23:10] we're working together and and
[2:23:14] the desire of both you and many
[2:23:15] other staff in seiu to show up
[2:23:15] today.
[2:23:19] Thank you.
[2:23:19] >> All right.
[2:23:20] Thank you.
[2:23:20] Council member Ella Rivera.
[2:23:21] We'll go next to Councilmember
[2:23:21] Weprin.
[2:23:24] Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
[2:23:24] Thank you, MS..
[2:23:25] Jones for this update.
[2:23:28] Appreciate the latest on
[2:23:29] the Housing Commission's
[2:23:29] financial challenges and
[2:23:33] the steps that you've been
[2:23:33] taking to address them.
[2:23:37] You have shared with me how
[2:23:38] difficult this has been and I
[2:23:42] appreciate the seiu members who
[2:23:43] work at the Housing Commission
[2:23:46] who joined us to share how
[2:23:47] these challenges are impacting
[2:23:52] you and your colleagues.
[2:23:52] I'm glad to hear that there is
[2:23:53] collaboration, that there is
[2:23:57] dialog here and try to figure
[2:24:00] out a fair agreement for f y 27
[2:24:01] And while doe represented
[2:24:05] employees lost their jobs last
[2:24:06] But I appreciate you making
[2:24:06] the point that the loss of
[2:24:10] frontline workers represented
[2:24:11] or not impacts other workers
[2:24:14] who are represented.
[2:24:15] And lastly I just want to thank
[2:24:16] you for the work that you do as
[2:24:19] the representative for District
[2:24:19] three.
[2:24:20] A lot of the people who you
[2:24:24] help are here in my district
[2:24:24] housed or unhoused.
[2:24:25] It is hard work but know that
[2:24:30] it is very much appreciated So
[2:24:30] thank you.
[2:24:31] Thank you Council PRESIDENT
[2:24:31] Thank you Council member
[2:24:34] Whitburn We'll go next to
[2:24:34] Council member Campbell Thank
[2:24:35] you.
[2:24:38] >> Council PRESIDENT Lisa thank
[2:24:43] you for your report.
[2:24:44] These are tough times amount of
[2:24:48] ever question about the amount
[2:24:49] of people who will be made
[2:24:49] homeless if the federal
[2:24:52] government continues to not
[2:24:53] send us what we're supposed to
[2:24:57] have.
[2:24:58] >> And so based on our current
[2:25:02] estimates we are supporting
[2:25:03] about 1700 more families on our
[2:25:03] program today than we are
[2:25:07] actually receiving funding for.
[2:25:08] That's based on our funding
[2:25:12] estimates right now from
[2:25:12] the emergency housing voucher
[2:25:13] standpoint, Those vouchers we
[2:25:16] have about 390 families in that
[2:25:17] program Still that funding also
[2:25:21] is anticipated to end around
[2:25:21] OCTOBER.
[2:25:24] So that's separate from
[2:25:25] the 1700 households that we're
[2:25:26] supporting today that we're not
[2:25:28] getting sufficient funding for
[2:25:34] so that families are.
[2:25:35] Yes, I'm trying to add this
[2:25:40] real quick that 2090 almost
[2:25:41] 2100 households how many people
[2:25:42] would that generally be on
[2:25:46] average our household size is
[2:25:46] around three just under three
[2:25:47] person per household.
[2:25:51] So you can almost triple that
[2:25:55] as a as a broad estimate.
[2:25:58] So about 66,000 6000 people
[2:26:03] your 6270 people or thereabouts
[2:26:04] And actually homelessness has
[2:26:08] been decreasing in the city in
[2:26:09] the past year maybe even year
[2:26:13] and a half and a great deal of
[2:26:14] the housing of those who are
[2:26:18] who are unable to afford
[2:26:19] housing otherwise has been due
[2:26:23] to the Housing Commission who
[2:26:28] amazingly have housed so many
[2:26:29] people with so little money
[2:26:32] that they have to work with and
[2:26:33] so I just want to tell you how
[2:26:34] much I appreciate you and your
[2:26:37] staff and your front line
[2:26:38] workers being willing to
[2:26:42] squeeze those pennies and do as
[2:26:43] much as you can to help our our
[2:26:47] fellow citizens to be housed.
[2:26:48] And I hope that in the future
[2:26:51] we're able to continue to help
[2:26:52] people who need our help.
[2:26:53] A lot of these are working
[2:26:56] people who are still able to
[2:26:57] work but not able to make a
[2:27:01] large amount of money And then
[2:27:02] a lot of these people are
[2:27:02] disabled and absolutely cannot
[2:27:03] work.
[2:27:06] So they have to be have to have
[2:27:07] some help and that's okay.
[2:27:11] That's what we're that's what
[2:27:11] we're made for.
[2:27:12] That's why we're here is to
[2:27:16] help each other So I thank you
[2:27:16] very much for everything that
[2:27:20] you do And I pray every day
[2:27:24] that the federal government
[2:27:25] will change its mind and try to
[2:27:29] help people who need help.
[2:27:34] And I, I, I really I, I feel
[2:27:35] like I should share.
[2:27:35] I remember the first time we
[2:27:38] talked about what was coming I
[2:27:39] actually it was actually on
[2:27:44] Zoom we had a zoom meeting and
[2:27:45] when it was over I turned off
[2:27:48] the computer, cried.
[2:27:49] It's just heartless and I feel
[2:27:57] so bad for the people So you
[2:27:57] know we're going to stand up
[2:27:58] and do the best we can help
[2:28:02] help out and again, that's why
[2:28:03] I say that's why GOD made us So
[2:28:04] we'll do our best.
[2:28:10] Thank you so much.
[2:28:11] Thank you.
[2:28:11] Council member Campbell not
[2:28:12] seeing anybody else in
[2:28:15] the lights So just kind of wrap
[2:28:15] up.
[2:28:16] Thank you, Lisa for you your
[2:28:19] entire team I know how personal
[2:28:20] you take this and how committed
[2:28:24] you are to the mission of
[2:28:24] the Housing commission And
[2:28:25] those were very difficult
[2:28:29] decisions going forward and to
[2:28:30] the good folks from the seiu
[2:28:34] that do the work every day And
[2:28:38] despite incredible odds against
[2:28:39] the work that you do, you show
[2:28:43] up to work every day and
[2:28:43] continue your efforts to try to
[2:28:48] bring some relief and some hope
[2:28:49] to folks that are on either
[2:28:52] just hopeless or on the verge
[2:28:53] of hopelessness And you remain
[2:28:57] undaunted though I just can't
[2:28:57] even begin to imagine what
[2:29:02] the daily work life is like for
[2:29:02] you and what you do.
[2:29:07] You know nobody is celebrating
[2:29:07] .
[2:29:07] You MAY might recognize
[2:29:11] the tiny victories that
[2:29:12] motivate everyone but there is
[2:29:16] so much work to do and it's so
[2:29:17] challenging And yet year after
[2:29:18] year neither the city nor
[2:29:21] the state nor the federal
[2:29:22] government has ever committed
[2:29:25] to sustained funding to do this
[2:29:26] work And even the funding that
[2:29:30] has been provided is not nearly
[2:29:31] enough to meet the challenge in
[2:29:35] front of you all on the front
[2:29:35] lines the executive team at
[2:29:39] the Housing Commission And
[2:29:40] actually you know my hope is
[2:29:45] not even is so low right now in
[2:29:45] terms with the federal
[2:29:49] government that they don't
[2:29:49] actually move forward with some
[2:29:50] of the changes that they have
[2:29:51] been talking about because I
[2:29:54] just can't even imagine what
[2:29:55] that would do and undermine
[2:29:58] that good work.
[2:29:59] Thank you for the cobbling
[2:30:00] together you're able to do to
[2:30:03] provide truly affordable
[2:30:03] housing affordable to
[2:30:04] the individuals who now have a
[2:30:08] place to live and close
[2:30:09] the door behind them every
[2:30:09] night.
[2:30:10] It's not nearly enough but
[2:30:13] we're grateful for the ones
[2:30:13] that are produced.
[2:30:14] We appreciate the efforts Your
[2:30:17] work to provide new land for
[2:30:22] that to happen going forward
[2:30:22] and all the other vocational
[2:30:26] grants that we get at the state
[2:30:27] level that make new projects
[2:30:27] like that possible.
[2:30:31] So I wish you all the best and
[2:30:36] keep fighting the good fight
[2:30:37] and let us know how we can be
[2:30:38] an asset which I know we can't
[2:30:41] be much of one But nevertheless
[2:30:41] thank you for taking the time
[2:30:42] to come out and telling your
[2:30:42] story.
[2:30:45] Thank you Lisa for your
[2:30:46] willingness to come out and do
[2:30:50] your monthly update here.
[2:30:51] So with that again this was an
[2:30:51] information item and no motions
[2:30:54] required.
[2:30:55] We will now adjourn the special
[2:30:55] meeting of the housing
[2:30:59] authority and reconvene as
[2:31:00] the city council and we will
[2:31:04] now take up non agenda public
[2:31:05] comment.
[2:31:06] The council members respect and
[2:31:06] appreciate the public Some
[2:31:10] point and are fully committed
[2:31:10] to protecting every
[2:31:11] participant's free speech
[2:31:14] rights at Council and committee
[2:31:14] meetings And with that clerk
[2:31:15] please proceed with public
[2:31:18] comment.
[2:31:19] >> Thank you.
[2:31:19] Taking on general public
[2:31:20] comment from those that have
[2:31:23] not participated recently
[2:31:24] starting with Javier Santi So
[2:31:25] if you can please come forward
[2:31:28] you will have two minutes After
[2:31:32] that we have Stephen Prescott,
[2:31:33] Anthony Ralphs allegedly order
[2:31:37] and Jacob Edwards Then we'll be
[2:31:38] moving on to those
[2:31:38] participating remotely And
[2:31:42] please proceed.
[2:31:43] When I start this PRESIDENT
[2:31:43] LaCava Council members thank
[2:31:46] you all for the service that
[2:31:47] you guys provide for our
[2:31:48] neighbors our constituents.
[2:31:51] My name is Carrier Sandy so I'm
[2:31:52] a representative with
[2:31:52] the Western States Regional
[2:31:56] Council of Carpenters.
[2:31:57] It's good to be home.
[2:31:58] I've been on an Odyssey for
[2:32:00] the past three years and today
[2:32:04] I bring a two hour community
[2:32:04] The awareness of tax fraud in
[2:32:08] the negative impact that it
[2:32:09] brings to our communities.
[2:32:10] Tax fraud is not a victimless
[2:32:13] crime and although it is good
[2:32:18] to be home I don't expect for
[2:32:19] things to be like this in my
[2:32:19] hometown.
[2:32:23] But nonetheless things happen
[2:32:24] and I refuse to believe that
[2:32:24] San Diego is missing leaders
[2:32:28] because I know the majority of
[2:32:29] you on this board has done
[2:32:33] everything in their power to do
[2:32:34] their constituents right.
[2:32:34] And so thank you for that.
[2:32:37] But when we talk about funding,
[2:32:42] let's not forget that in
[2:32:43] the construction industry there
[2:32:45] is ten billions $10 billion
[2:32:46] that goes unaccounted for,
[2:32:47] unaccounted for and those are
[2:32:50] dollars that pertain to our
[2:32:51] communities.
[2:32:51] Our children's schools are
[2:32:56] homeless programs, Our first
[2:32:56] responders, our officers that
[2:32:57] were here this morning, our
[2:32:57] fire departments.
[2:33:01] There is a lot more that we
[2:33:05] could do And to be honest and
[2:33:06] just blunt you guys know that
[2:33:10] the carpenters union Local 619
[2:33:11] has always stayed vigilant.
[2:33:14] We live by our seal.
[2:33:15] We are the police in our
[2:33:16] industry and our construction
[2:33:19] sites and we are ready to put
[2:33:20] boot to rear end for these
[2:33:24] criminal contractors because it
[2:33:25] is unfair that the men and
[2:33:29] women that build our skylines
[2:33:29] have to endure tax fraud that
[2:33:33] our communities suffer because
[2:33:34] there is criminal contractors
[2:33:35] that feel that they're able to
[2:33:38] operate, that they're able to
[2:33:39] operate lawlessly.
[2:33:39] >> And so there is things that
[2:33:43] we could do collaboratively.
[2:33:44] >> And with that I, I just want
[2:33:45] to say thank you for that
[2:33:45] concluding comment.
[2:33:50] Stephen Prescott Thank you very
[2:33:51] much.
[2:33:55] Stephen Prescott City Resident.
[2:33:56] I really appreciate all
[2:33:57] the service and the good work
[2:34:00] you do and really appreciate
[2:34:01] everybody here and
[2:34:01] the comments.
[2:34:02] This is what makes democracy
[2:34:02] great.
[2:34:05] A lot of pain, a lot of pain
[2:34:06] between city governments, state
[2:34:07] governments, federal
[2:34:10] governments Everybody's out of
[2:34:10] money.
[2:34:10] Just wanted to offer some
[2:34:11] ideas.
[2:34:14] Being an entrepreneur in
[2:34:15] the city and a and a person a
[2:34:19] San Diego State graduate with
[2:34:20] any kind of degree.
[2:34:20] We have America's finest city
[2:34:24] here.
[2:34:25] That's what we talk about.
[2:34:25] And when you travel around
[2:34:29] the country everybody agrees
[2:34:30] You go to Oklahoma, you go to
[2:34:30] the Midwest, everybody agrees
[2:34:33] we still have even though
[2:34:34] the city is making great
[2:34:35] strides in downtown San Diego,
[2:34:35] we still have a lot of problems
[2:34:38] in downtown.
[2:34:39] It's still considered gritty
[2:34:43] for various reasons and one of
[2:34:44] the things if we can become
[2:34:48] America's cleanest city and
[2:34:49] advertise that and we can do
[2:34:50] that through other programs
[2:34:52] that might be more citizen led
[2:34:53] like private contracts that are
[2:34:53] benchmarked by third party
[2:34:58] organizations to make us
[2:34:58] America's cleanest city And we
[2:35:02] start advertising that all of a
[2:35:03] sudden we're going to get
[2:35:03] people coming back to downtown.
[2:35:04] All of a sudden we're going to
[2:35:06] get more tourists in downtown
[2:35:07] staying at the hotels, paying
[2:35:11] more hotel taxes to fill
[2:35:12] the city's budget gaps.
[2:35:13] The other thing we do have
[2:35:17] assets in this city Council
[2:35:17] PRESIDENT Joe LaCava said.
[2:35:18] We like to be an asset.
[2:35:21] We do have assets in the city.
[2:35:22] We have wonderful assets.
[2:35:23] One of those is Marina Village.
[2:35:26] It was not put on the city's
[2:35:27] auction block or lease
[2:35:31] the lease rfp process.
[2:35:31] Marina Village is a wonderful
[2:35:32] asset.
[2:35:32] The city doesn't have to spend
[2:35:36] any money on that.
[2:35:37] Private developers can come
[2:35:37] take that over, pay the city
[2:35:40] money to redevelop that asset,
[2:35:41] that asset.
[2:35:45] And then also we have a parking
[2:35:46] situation's Parking has been
[2:35:46] tried and true or tried and
[2:35:49] tested over Above all Balboa
[2:35:50] Park with mixed results.
[2:35:54] However, other municipalities
[2:35:55] have implemented parking.
[2:35:55] >> Thank you for that
[2:35:56] concluding comment.
[2:35:59] Anthony Ross.
[2:36:04] >> Good morning Council.
[2:36:05] How are you doing today?
[2:36:05] I just wanted to share some
[2:36:09] things from Plato's Republic.
[2:36:10] It's the dialog that Socrates
[2:36:10] is having with on.
[2:36:13] And the reason why I wanted to
[2:36:14] share it is because we're
[2:36:15] backtracking a little bit.
[2:36:18] It was a class that I took last
[2:36:18] semester.
[2:36:19] I'm a student and it was a
[2:36:20] philosophy of justice class And
[2:36:20] yesterday when we had
[2:36:23] the meeting about the or
[2:36:24] the with the presentation that
[2:36:27] was given by d there was so
[2:36:28] much in policing and
[2:36:32] the attitude in policing goes
[2:36:33] to apprehending criminals and
[2:36:33] goes to the physical aspect and
[2:36:37] there is not enough regard to
[2:36:37] the components that are
[2:36:42] intellectual that are have to
[2:36:43] deal with knowledge and they
[2:36:43] have to deal with sociology
[2:36:46] that have to do with psychology
[2:36:47] .
[2:36:47] I Googled yesterday what
[2:36:48] the requirements are to join
[2:36:50] the study and I learned that
[2:36:51] one is not required to have
[2:36:52] more than a high school diploma
[2:36:55] or a ged.
[2:36:56] I did see that there are
[2:37:00] positions that are offered in
[2:37:00] leadership if one has a degree
[2:37:01] in sociology and psychology And
[2:37:02] I do think that that's
[2:37:05] something that we really need
[2:37:05] to emphasize with our police
[2:37:06] force is a more comprehensive
[2:37:06] training.
[2:37:10] I'm concerned that a lot of
[2:37:10] the training that is given to
[2:37:11] the police force goes towards
[2:37:14] funding for swat vehicles, more
[2:37:15] armament, more weapons And
[2:37:16] that's not what is necessarily
[2:37:19] needed when we go into
[2:37:20] communities that are struggling
[2:37:20] just to put food on the table,
[2:37:24] They don't need like like I
[2:37:25] think it was Maxine Walters who
[2:37:26] said in public comment
[2:37:28] yesterday she said we need more
[2:37:29] women on the force.
[2:37:30] We need more people of color on
[2:37:33] the force because that enables
[2:37:34] people in these communities of
[2:37:38] color people in these
[2:37:39] underrepresented communities to
[2:37:39] feel like they have a
[2:37:40] connection to the people that
[2:37:43] are coming into their
[2:37:44] communities for whatever reason
[2:37:44] or for whatever purpose.
[2:37:48] And I don't know I only have 15
[2:37:49] seconds left so I guess I'll
[2:37:49] have to save the reading for
[2:37:52] another time But to be
[2:37:53] continued I guess And thank you
[2:37:53] for your time.
[2:37:54] >> Thank you.
[2:37:56] Allegedly Andre After that will
[2:38:06] be Jacob Edwards.
[2:38:07] >> The devil is always in
[2:38:12] the details Socialist Shaun I'm
[2:38:12] not talking about just heard
[2:38:13] you wanted to, you know, brush
[2:38:17] things under the rug.
[2:38:18] But let's be real here most
[2:38:21] right I mean all Yeah exactly.
[2:38:21] It is interesting speaking
[2:38:22] about the devil and say
[2:38:26] the synagogue of Satan that has
[2:38:26] occupied our nation.
[2:38:27] I'm wondering if it's anti
[2:38:31] Semitic to say that Israel has
[2:38:31] occupied our nation.
[2:38:35] Is it anti Semitic to say that
[2:38:36] pedophilia is a problem when we
[2:38:37] have people like Scott Wiener
[2:38:40] who rapes children?
[2:38:40] Is that anti Semitism?
[2:38:44] I'm wondering if saying that
[2:38:45] Jewish Family Services
[2:38:46] trafficked children, men and
[2:38:49] women across our border and
[2:38:50] lost a bunch of children.
[2:38:50] Right.
[2:38:54] Is that I'm wondering if you
[2:38:55] know talking about Israel being
[2:38:58] created by the Rothschilds in
[2:38:58] 1948 and it being the synagogue
[2:39:02] of Satan I'm wondering if that
[2:39:07] is is it anti Semitic to talk
[2:39:08] about the Talmud and how it
[2:39:09] talks about having sex with
[2:39:12] children um or that rabbis like
[2:39:17] to copulate young boys who have
[2:39:17] been circumcised Is that anti
[2:39:18] Semitic?
[2:39:21] I'm wondering when we're going
[2:39:22] to actually address the thing
[2:39:26] because this is not a general
[2:39:27] public comment Anti Semitism is
[2:39:31] on the afternoons I know but
[2:39:32] you're talking about
[2:39:32] anti-Semitism involved.
[2:39:36] Okay, that's fine But you can
[2:39:37] speak this afternoon during
[2:39:40] that item.
[2:39:40] Okay.
[2:39:41] Talk about non agenda things
[2:39:45] that are not on today's agenda
[2:39:46] You're talking about anti
[2:39:46] Semitism.
[2:39:47] You said it several times.
[2:39:47] Okay.
[2:39:52] Finish your comments.
[2:39:57] Okay.
[2:39:58] So I'm just it's interesting
[2:39:58] that people will care about
[2:40:02] certain things like that But we
[2:40:07] allow children to be abused
[2:40:08] like this and everybody wants
[2:40:12] to brush it under the rug.
[2:40:13] San Diego has a huge problem
[2:40:17] with pedophilia And why is it
[2:40:17] that you want to silence me on
[2:40:18] that?
[2:40:21] >> That's very interesting
[2:40:22] because you want to pretend
[2:40:23] that it's like because we have
[2:40:26] another item about that now you
[2:40:26] just don't want to hear
[2:40:27] the truth about what's being
[2:40:28] done to children that you guys
[2:40:33] all support.
[2:40:34] What happened to the children
[2:40:35] that were at the convention
[2:40:38] center?
[2:40:38] >> Okay.
[2:40:39] You guys know they were
[2:40:39] trafficked.
[2:40:40] Even people that were working
[2:40:43] there know that It is very
[2:40:44] disturbing to see the way you
[2:40:44] guys do things.
[2:40:45] >> Your devil's in the details
[2:40:45] .
[2:40:51] >> Jacob Edwards I got to say
[2:40:56] with that last speaker Wow.
[2:40:57] Let me start by saying thank
[2:41:01] you for the kind of work you do
[2:41:02] for the city of San Diego and
[2:41:06] serve.
[2:41:06] Thank you, COUNCILMAN, for your
[2:41:10] recognition of the divisiveness
[2:41:15] federal activity is causing And
[2:41:16] I have shared with city council
[2:41:20] events on the East Coast that
[2:41:21] led to some things that have
[2:41:25] seriously affected our country
[2:41:25] .
[2:41:26] I've shared with you a little
[2:41:30] bit what I've gone through with
[2:41:31] my family.
[2:41:32] I've shared with you and
[2:41:35] attempted assassination against
[2:41:35] me.
[2:41:36] I don't stand in front of you
[2:41:40] share and you do things to to
[2:41:41] come down on you to come down
[2:41:45] the city of San Diego.
[2:41:46] I share them with you to bring
[2:41:49] them to your attention through
[2:41:50] being victimized, terrorized
[2:41:54] and some sense thoughts.
[2:41:59] I'm fully aware of what our
[2:42:00] federal government and agencies
[2:42:04] are up to and it's for who's in
[2:42:04] the driver's seat.
[2:42:08] I know how they are
[2:42:08] The fiercely using grant money
[2:42:09] with conditions behind
[2:42:13] the grant money Very
[2:42:13] concerning.
[2:42:14] You know how they're running
[2:42:18] Grant money through mayors
[2:42:19] offices and ways of hijacking
[2:42:22] cities.
[2:42:23] I know how they're using
[2:42:24] homeless people with promises
[2:42:28] of housing jobs to be put up to
[2:42:29] do concerning things.
[2:42:33] I know how they're using early
[2:42:34] release inmates with conditions
[2:42:37] at their early release.
[2:42:38] Very concerning.
[2:42:42] So I know an awful lot when I
[2:42:42] discussed what I went through
[2:42:47] at the front door City Hall to
[2:42:52] stay safe was very real the way
[2:42:52] it was handled by the police
[2:42:58] department I consider that
[2:42:59] country and with the.
[2:42:59] >> Thank you for that
[2:43:00] concluding comment That does
[2:43:01] conclude your time with that
[2:43:02] does conclude your time.
[2:43:05] We have five minutes on
[2:43:06] the timer for those
[2:43:06] participating remotely.
[2:43:09] We currently have six sorry
[2:43:09] eight speakers in the queue.
[2:43:10] Kathleen Lippert, if you can
[2:43:13] please raise your hand after
[2:43:16] that is Robin.
[2:43:21] Thank you.
[2:43:22] >> City Council County
[2:43:22] commented on tourists Tourists
[2:43:26] come from all over the world to
[2:43:27] the city of San Diego and they
[2:43:28] are critical source of city
[2:43:31] revenues.
[2:43:32] But a drive from Mission Valley
[2:43:32] to the airport or the seat of
[2:43:36] our own city government along
[2:43:36] main streets of downtown is a
[2:43:40] should be a source of shame.
[2:43:41] The homeless sleeping and
[2:43:45] wandering aimlessly in need of
[2:43:46] mental health services
[2:43:46] billboards that telegraph
[2:43:47] the city's tolerance and
[2:43:50] acceptance of marijuana
[2:43:51] promotions, roadsides and empty
[2:43:55] lots littered with trash
[2:43:56] buildings adjoining them
[2:44:00] becoming canvases from graffiti
[2:44:00] and gang slogans.
[2:44:01] These are red flags that
[2:44:02] the city's policies are
[2:44:05] worsening not not ameliorating
[2:44:06] the problems that plague our
[2:44:10] city.
[2:44:10] >> It's a waste of human
[2:44:15] potential to see these people
[2:44:15] that otherwise might be doing
[2:44:16] well And it shows a lack of
[2:44:20] concern and commitment to a
[2:44:21] city standard that should be
[2:44:21] recognized.
[2:44:24] Clean streets are essential for
[2:44:25] public health, environmental
[2:44:26] protection and community pride.
[2:44:29] They prevent clog storm drains,
[2:44:30] reduce maintenance costs and
[2:44:34] otherwise unnecessarily flooded
[2:44:39] flooded related repairs And it
[2:44:40] shows a lack of gratitude and
[2:44:41] appreciation for once Well once
[2:44:44] a beautiful city with a
[2:44:44] standard that reflected a
[2:44:45] commitment to the health and
[2:44:49] well-being of its residents and
[2:44:49] the land that it occupies it
[2:44:53] hardly makes sense for the city
[2:44:54] to blame the federal government
[2:44:55] for failing to provide
[2:44:58] the funds necessary to address
[2:44:59] the increasing number of
[2:44:59] homeless in need of mental
[2:45:03] health services and drug
[2:45:03] treatment.
[2:45:04] When the city flaunted that
[2:45:08] standard that recognized
[2:45:09] the potential of public harm
[2:45:12] that would come from embracing
[2:45:13] a four profit predatory third
[2:45:17] drug industry after tobacco and
[2:45:18] alcohol you need to recognize
[2:45:22] your own and what contributions
[2:45:23] Thank you for that kind friends
[2:45:27] your time.
[2:45:28] Robin if you can please join me
[2:45:31] after Robin is Ernie Casca
[2:45:32] Hello I'm Robin Davidoff Sierra
[2:45:37] Club's Seal Society chair.
[2:45:38] There are 51 days from
[2:45:38] the start of the 2026 sea lion
[2:45:42] puppy season at Point La Hoya
[2:45:43] and La Hoya Cove.
[2:45:43] Our mission is zero Sea lion
[2:45:47] pup Deaths caused by unsafe
[2:45:47] human wildlife encounters at
[2:45:50] the Cove La Hoya Cove was just
[2:45:51] ranked number one beach in
[2:45:52] the United States by
[2:45:55] TripAdvisor with over 50% of
[2:45:55] the votes mentioning the sea
[2:45:56] lions This creates I love it to
[2:45:59] death scenario Increased
[2:46:00] tourism is bringing
[2:46:00] unprecedented management
[2:46:04] challenges to keep people and
[2:46:05] wildlife apart.
[2:46:05] We've presented our concerns to
[2:46:09] the California Coastal
[2:46:09] Commission every month over
[2:46:10] the past year and their members
[2:46:11] have been overwhelmingly
[2:46:14] supportive of our proposed
[2:46:14] solutions.
[2:46:15] Commissioner o'Malley
[2:46:15] emphasized that city Rangers
[2:46:19] must be present at the cove on
[2:46:19] the beach.
[2:46:20] And Commissioner Jackson called
[2:46:23] the use of signs, cones and
[2:46:24] tape to separate people from
[2:46:28] wildlife common sense while
[2:46:28] Rangers presence at the Cove
[2:46:29] has increased and they're
[2:46:30] making announcements, it's not
[2:46:32] quite enough to handle
[2:46:33] the upcoming summer crowds to
[2:46:33] protect both the public and
[2:46:34] the wildlife.
[2:46:38] We are asking the City Council
[2:46:38] to authorize the following
[2:46:39] Commissioner approved actions
[2:46:43] through the modification at
[2:46:43] the long term management plan
[2:46:44] Assign rangers to manage crowds
[2:46:47] on the beach with a-frame signs
[2:46:48] on the beach to serve as a
[2:46:49] viewing guideline to stay
[2:46:52] behind place cones and tape to
[2:46:53] create temporary buffers around
[2:46:54] sea lion pups and injured
[2:46:54] animals.
[2:46:57] And this is done in L.A. County
[2:46:58] and Del Mar and other places
[2:46:59] along the coast temporarily
[2:47:02] closed the gate on the western
[2:47:02] stairs when sea lions are
[2:47:03] resting on them.
[2:47:04] And public access would remain
[2:47:07] open on the eastern stairs and
[2:47:07] install signage with pictures
[2:47:10] with a 20 foot distance from
[2:47:10] the sea lions.
[2:47:14] We have 51 days to ensure that
[2:47:14] the 2026 season is a success
[2:47:19] for San Diego and its wildlife
[2:47:19] .
[2:47:20] >> Thank you.
[2:47:20] Thank you.
[2:47:21] Next is Ernie Casco.
[2:47:22] If you can please unmute After
[2:47:27] that is back you wrap.
[2:47:28] Thank you.
[2:47:29] Ernie Casco, Illinois resident
[2:47:32] senior pilot at Torrey Pines
[2:47:33] Glider Part I reported serious
[2:47:34] allegations going on at
[2:47:37] the glider port to sd pd
[2:47:38] the real estate assets
[2:47:41] department and directly to your
[2:47:42] office Joe LaCava Where are
[2:47:43] the police reports?
[2:47:46] Council Member Foster There are
[2:47:47] laws to protect public rights
[2:47:47] that stop this injustice
[2:47:51] immediately.
[2:47:52] I am completely under threat of
[2:47:52] violence.
[2:47:53] How dangerous is your
[2:47:56] leaseholder This is a workplace
[2:47:56] violence wrongful termination,
[2:48:00] workman's comp case negligent
[2:48:01] homicide, attempted murder case
[2:48:02] and assault over the death of a
[2:48:06] pilot for speaking out in
[2:48:06] retaliation Your leaseholders
[2:48:07] switched my ring that collapsed
[2:48:07] in mid-flight.
[2:48:11] That is attempted murder.
[2:48:11] I crashed on a rooftop.
[2:48:12] My home is invaded twice my
[2:48:15] life threatening the park
[2:48:16] parking lot gangster style and
[2:48:20] under the influence employees
[2:48:21] screwed up my launch totally my
[2:48:22] glider breaking my pelvis.
[2:48:25] I was threatening by an
[2:48:26] employee mass sales and
[2:48:30] poisoned with a deadly
[2:48:31] biohazard combo.
[2:48:31] Now I'm dying with stage four
[2:48:35] Cancer disabled for life and
[2:48:36] you are liable for it.
[2:48:37] This is an ongoing hate crime
[2:48:40] that needs to stop.
[2:48:41] No citizen should have their
[2:48:41] life threatened or die over
[2:48:45] the commercialization of a
[2:48:46] park.
[2:48:46] It's time to stop the crime
[2:48:47] With the permanent
[2:48:50] reinstatement of Torrey Pines
[2:48:51] Glider port advisory board and
[2:48:51] an immediate halt and
[2:48:55] implementation of the San Diego
[2:48:56] recreational waiver.
[2:48:56] It's time to do your job
[2:49:00] Address the victims and
[2:49:00] witnesses who have been damaged
[2:49:04] by a negligent glider port
[2:49:04] operation.
[2:49:05] It's a win for city council
[2:49:06] liabilities restores our
[2:49:10] recreation rights and freedoms
[2:49:11] for years to come and it shows
[2:49:15] badly needed responsible city
[2:49:16] park management management.
[2:49:19] Joe LaCava Which you don't have
[2:49:20] time to step up to the plate
[2:49:21] and do your job.
[2:49:25] Stop the crime at Torrey Pines
[2:49:25] Glider port Thank you.
[2:49:30] Next is Becky Wrap.
[2:49:30] >> The five minute timer has
[2:49:31] also concluded there are six
[2:49:32] people in the queue.
[2:49:35] No additional speakers will be
[2:49:36] taken by grab Please continue
[2:49:38] after that is 81 three.
[2:49:39] >> Great.
[2:49:40] Good evening My name are Good
[2:49:40] afternoon.
[2:49:43] My name is Becky Roth and I'm
[2:49:44] here out of concern regarding
[2:49:47] intoxicating hemp products and
[2:49:47] flavored vapes that continue to
[2:49:51] be sold in our city recently
[2:49:52] Assembly Bill eight went into
[2:49:53] effect a law that closes a
[2:49:56] dangerous loophole preventing
[2:49:57] intoxicating hemp derived
[2:50:01] products such as Delta eight
[2:50:01] and other synthetic thc
[2:50:05] products from being sold in our
[2:50:06] city.
[2:50:06] These products are untested,
[2:50:10] mislabeled and easily
[2:50:11] accessible to youth and smoke
[2:50:15] shops, convenience stores and
[2:50:15] and vape retailers.
[2:50:20] Despite the law we continue to
[2:50:20] see these products on shelves
[2:50:25] since enforcement is seriously
[2:50:25] lacking.
[2:50:26] Last week in Oceanside
[2:50:30] authorities seized over 100
[2:50:30] pounds of these illegal
[2:50:31] products.
[2:50:35] This multi-agency effort
[2:50:35] involved the Drug Enforcement
[2:50:39] Administration and it
[2:50:40] highlights the scale of
[2:50:41] the problem and the level of
[2:50:44] enforcement that's required to
[2:50:45] address it.
[2:50:45] >> These same types of products
[2:50:49] are being sold right here in
[2:50:50] San Diego and many retailers
[2:50:50] continue to ignore the law
[2:50:54] passing 88 was an important
[2:50:55] step but without enforcement
[2:50:58] it's just words on paper.
[2:50:59] I urge this council to act by
[2:51:00] confiscating illegal products,
[2:51:04] issuing fines and collecting on
[2:51:05] those fines for repeat
[2:51:09] offenders.
[2:51:09] License suspension or
[2:51:10] revocation would also send a
[2:51:13] strong message that San Diego
[2:51:14] will not tolerate illegal
[2:51:14] sales.
[2:51:17] This is a public health a
[2:51:18] public safety issue and it
[2:51:19] requires immediate attention.
[2:51:23] Please prioritize enforcement
[2:51:23] and uphold the law.
[2:51:24] >> Thank you.
[2:51:27] Thank you.
[2:51:29] >> Next is a13 after that is
[2:51:33] 8700.
[2:51:37] Okay then follow here.
[2:51:38] So I just want to say how
[2:51:41] forward you on the dais have
[2:51:42] the people Campbell the ones
[2:51:46] barely paying attention,
[2:51:47] the union slaves that lick
[2:51:48] the boots of government they've
[2:51:52] been so programed they can't
[2:51:52] think outside the box.
[2:51:53] They don't even know there's a
[2:51:56] freaking box People have become
[2:51:57] so addicted to trauma, so
[2:51:58] desensitized to suffering of
[2:52:01] others They that they scroll
[2:52:02] past it, walk past it and
[2:52:06] normalize it.
[2:52:07] Their minds have been hijacked.
[2:52:08] It truly is an Orwellian
[2:52:11] dystopian nightmare And as I've
[2:52:12] mentioned before this local
[2:52:13] government does not work for
[2:52:15] the people.
[2:52:16] It does not truly care about
[2:52:17] resolving issues because that's
[2:52:20] not the job.
[2:52:21] It's not lucrative.
[2:52:21] There's no profit in solving
[2:52:22] problems.
[2:52:25] There is no expansion of
[2:52:26] control and empowered
[2:52:26] self-sufficient people.
[2:52:30] So instead what do we see a
[2:52:31] system designed to keep people
[2:52:32] believing in it, believing in
[2:52:35] the illusion that they cannot
[2:52:36] manage themselves, they need
[2:52:36] permission.
[2:52:37] They need oversight.
[2:52:40] They need government to survive
[2:52:41] And over time that conditioning
[2:52:45] has worked to the point where
[2:52:45] human beings have actually
[2:52:46] forgotten how to feed
[2:52:50] themselves, how to plant, grow
[2:52:50] and harvest real food,
[2:52:55] completely disconnect that from
[2:52:55] their own ability to live, to
[2:52:56] sustain, to thrive entirely
[2:52:59] dependent And that dependance
[2:53:00] is not on accident.
[2:53:00] It's not by accident.
[2:53:04] It's by design.
[2:53:05] So yes, I look forward to
[2:53:06] the day people wake up wake up
[2:53:09] to the fraud, the waste and
[2:53:09] the absolute abuse coming from
[2:53:13] this local government because
[2:53:14] it's a matter of time.
[2:53:15] You're you are anything but
[2:53:18] transparent, anything but
[2:53:19] equitable, anything but
[2:53:19] trustworthy.
[2:53:20] And until people start
[2:53:23] questioning that deeply, this
[2:53:24] cycle will continue.
[2:53:28] But that awakening is coming
[2:53:29] And when it does everything
[2:53:29] changes.
[2:53:32] And to MR. Ernie another
[2:53:33] trillion dollar lucrative
[2:53:38] business is cancer.
[2:53:39] So there are so many things
[2:53:41] that you can tell your brother
[2:53:42] included 8700 if you can please
[2:53:47] unmute after that is zoom user
[2:53:53] 8700 star six turn me There you
[2:53:58] go Yeah City Clerk I apologize
[2:53:59] And it's a little sticky with
[2:54:03] my phone right now I'm sorry
[2:54:07] Joy to see the three again.
[2:54:08] I threw out my comments.
[2:54:15] Councilmember Foster the third
[2:54:16] year at the top of my list
[2:54:25] because you belong there You
[2:54:30] said once again I come from a
[2:54:36] place of love And you're also
[2:54:40] the chair of a budget and
[2:54:44] government efficiency committee
[2:54:45] .
[2:54:45] Thank you for that.
[2:54:46] We're going to need you this
[2:54:50] cycle And so I'm going to try
[2:54:55] my best to overlay I come from
[2:55:00] a place of love each time I
[2:55:04] speak and each time I find
[2:55:15] myself judging others I do so
[2:55:16] I'll just say this tomorrow If
[2:55:21] you were rules and I was going
[2:55:22] to continue my second half my
[2:55:22] comments today on the pension
[2:55:26] item from the article I'll
[2:55:26] start that tomorrow probably
[2:55:30] because I don't feel
[2:55:31] comfortable about addressing it
[2:55:31] right now.
[2:55:32] I'm going to certainly have to
[2:55:36] use love when I speak of when
[2:55:37] I'm going to speak with on
[2:55:41] the pension items So thank you
[2:55:41] for being there for us today.
[2:55:45] It's not a perfect or stumbling
[2:55:46] together.
[2:55:50] We have to be one family not
[2:55:51] just one person centered but
[2:55:52] one family centered.
[2:55:56] That's the way we're going to
[2:55:56] makes it great.
[2:55:57] Thank you for listening.
[2:55:58] I love all of you.
[2:56:02] Thank you for that concluding
[2:56:02] remark.
[2:56:03] Zoom user if you can please And
[2:56:04] you after that is Blair Big Ben
[2:56:06] and then 7499 Please proceed.
[2:56:07] >> Thanks for taking my calls,
[2:56:11] Hector Hey, I want to talk
[2:56:12] about city making some long
[2:56:17] term money over the long term.
[2:56:18] I was out ride my bike around
[2:56:21] Mission Bay this morning and I
[2:56:22] went around Danza Cole and
[2:56:26] the Danza old trailer park.
[2:56:27] It's still empty right on
[2:56:27] the water there It's a piece of
[2:56:31] vacant land.
[2:56:32] It's been vacant for like 10 or
[2:56:33] 15 years just kind of sitting
[2:56:37] there and you look at the palm
[2:56:37] trees are like 60ft high.
[2:56:43] The Hilton could build a nice
[2:56:43] resort right there And we could
[2:56:44] the city could lease it to them
[2:56:47] for 50 years, 40 years, let
[2:56:52] them build it or another group
[2:56:52] .
[2:56:53] We've got to get going on that.
[2:56:54] So long term revenue for all
[2:56:57] the city.
[2:56:58] Now when you go across in
[2:57:02] the golf course the city had a
[2:57:03] restaurant there for a long
[2:57:03] time and had been vacant for
[2:57:07] like 15 years.
[2:57:08] Nobody could buy a burger in
[2:57:09] there and now they're just
[2:57:13] going to open up one just this
[2:57:13] next month a new breweries open
[2:57:18] it up at a city owned place
[2:57:19] they leased out to the brewery
[2:57:22] but it took the city 15 years
[2:57:23] to build it.
[2:57:27] It's only like 2000ft So we
[2:57:28] don't want to build the hotels.
[2:57:32] We don't want to build nothing.
[2:57:33] We want to lease the property
[2:57:38] and collect the payments And
[2:57:38] then you know, I think that
[2:57:39] would be like what we did on
[2:57:44] the golf course and total waste
[2:57:46] of us building it Now we lose 2
[2:57:47] million or something but we got
[2:57:48] to look for sources of revenue
[2:57:52] other than charging as parking
[2:57:53] and no parking at the beach.
[2:57:58] Don't put it on the agenda.
[2:57:58] That's like an abomination.
[2:58:04] Don't even think about it.
[2:58:09] Okay so have a good day Ever.
[2:58:10] Next speaker is Blair Beekman
[2:58:11] if you can please And you after
[2:58:12] that is 7499.
[2:58:13] And then our final Speaker 7234
[2:58:13] please.
[2:58:19] All right.
[2:58:20] Thank you.
[2:58:20] Blair Pittman To better clarify
[2:58:23] my my previous public comments
[2:58:23] from consent and better
[2:58:28] understanding for the Rancho
[2:58:29] Bernardo Park issues, it's
[2:58:29] asking for grant funding money
[2:58:30] $2.5 million.
[2:58:35] It's a grant fund.
[2:58:35] Ask.
[2:58:36] I thought you were being
[2:58:36] granted that money already.
[2:58:37] I'm sorry.
[2:58:41] I hope that clarification can
[2:58:41] help.
[2:58:42] Thank you for the words.
[2:58:44] A Joyce is not a pigeon zero
[2:58:45] item Yesterday we had I spoke
[2:58:46] that we need to be learning
[2:58:49] the importance of what
[2:58:50] the individual can understand
[2:58:51] to build the future of how to
[2:58:55] understand a speed limit
[2:58:56] designs and stuff to reduce
[2:59:01] speeds and it's from that
[2:59:02] individual effort comes
[2:59:02] the connection with other
[2:59:07] people the community that it is
[2:59:08] a good thing and that we are
[2:59:09] doing a good thing And the work
[2:59:12] with tech accountability I
[2:59:12] think can really lend itself to
[2:59:13] options people have that they
[2:59:18] can have a voice in the process
[2:59:18] and that we can be doing this
[2:59:19] together And I think those
[2:59:23] those things are so important
[2:59:24] that we don't feel like totally
[2:59:24] helpless.
[2:59:29] This community we don't have
[2:59:30] any choices and working within
[2:59:30] zero like that that
[2:59:36] the community has choices to
[2:59:36] work together.
[2:59:37] You know to build a better
[2:59:38] community is one thing.
[2:59:41] How we do that together good
[2:59:41] luck in those efforts.
[2:59:46] So with that said, Tony, we
[2:59:47] offered public comment today.
[2:59:47] Thank you.
[2:59:52] I think the future of we can be
[2:59:53] addressing flux still possibly
[2:59:59] I've described Oakland has made
[2:59:59] compromise ways to in the next
[3:00:00] two years slowly leave block
[3:00:04] and in that time look for a new
[3:00:05] vendor We can be doing that
[3:00:06] same sort of work in San Diego
[3:00:10] and working towards best
[3:00:11] principles in this time of war.
[3:00:11] And that's a new concept.
[3:00:12] We're all learning to better do
[3:00:17] it.
[3:00:18] >> It's a fragile time.
[3:00:18] Good luck.
[3:00:19] We can still talk about peace
[3:00:20] and open Your talk has
[3:00:21] concluded 7499 and then 7234 is
[3:00:25] after that.
[3:00:31] >> So 49 pumpkins you see here
[3:00:31] Yesterday I showed you all part
[3:00:32] of the city council video from
[3:00:33] DECEMBER 7th 2010 After my
[3:00:38] presentation we all watched
[3:00:38] newly elected COUNCILWOMAN
[3:00:39] Laurie Zepp enthusiastically
[3:00:43] tell of her husband being a
[3:00:44] hang glider pilot and that she
[3:00:45] was interested in the interest
[3:00:45] in the issue of the Torrey
[3:00:50] Pines glider port.
[3:00:51] Unfortunately, we also watched
[3:00:51] Sherri Lightner shut her down
[3:00:52] saying quote Our office will
[3:00:55] talk to your office and quote
[3:00:56] the issue as well And had those
[3:00:57] statements are on the record
[3:01:02] now what kind of backroom
[3:01:03] corruption is that?
[3:01:04] What did Sherry like her office
[3:01:08] say to Lori's office that shut
[3:01:09] Lori's app down for eight
[3:01:09] years?
[3:01:10] In her entire eight years on
[3:01:10] the city council, Lori's never
[3:01:14] mentioned the glider port
[3:01:15] again.
[3:01:15] Not what buoys out refused all
[3:01:16] meetings by those of us trying
[3:01:19] to reform the glider port Again
[3:01:20] for all of her eight years.
[3:01:20] What is going on in this city
[3:01:21] that an enthusiastic young
[3:01:26] COUNCILWOMAN Is shut down on
[3:01:27] The one issue where she is more
[3:01:27] of an expert than practically
[3:01:32] anyone else in this entire
[3:01:32] city.
[3:01:33] There's something really rotten
[3:01:34] going on at that glider board
[3:01:34] and Joe LaCava surely knows
[3:01:38] the same dirty little secret
[3:01:39] that shut Lori down for eight
[3:01:39] years.
[3:01:40] So the corruption continues
[3:01:44] with regard to the missing
[3:01:45] picture of PRESIDENT Trump,
[3:01:45] the San Diego City Council
[3:01:46] chambers have respectfully
[3:01:46] displayed a picture of
[3:01:50] the current PRESIDENT For
[3:01:51] decades the presidential
[3:01:52] picture was displayed for all
[3:01:52] presidents from both sides of
[3:01:57] the aisle for all of those
[3:01:57] decades.
[3:01:58] Yesterday Councilmember Emilio
[3:01:58] Rivera showed his disrespect
[3:02:02] for the United States by
[3:02:03] admitting that the presidential
[3:02:04] picture was removed under his
[3:02:04] council presidency.
[3:02:09] However, Council member Enos
[3:02:10] Rivera's disrespect for our
[3:02:11] country does not justify
[3:02:11] current council PRESIDENT
[3:02:16] LaCava carrying on with that
[3:02:16] same disrespect but restore
[3:02:17] the tradition of respecting
[3:02:21] the presidency of our nation
[3:02:22] regardless of your own petty
[3:02:22] Partizanship and implemented
[3:02:23] Torrey Pines waiver and
[3:02:26] reactivate the Torrey Pines
[3:02:27] City Park Advisory Board.
[3:02:27] >> Thank you.
[3:02:38] Our final speaker is 7234.
[3:02:39] 73 for economy for you You
[3:02:39] should have heard I your
[3:02:47] instructions to our six and you
[3:02:48] Can you hear me?
[3:02:48] Yes Please proceed.
[3:02:54] Hi Good afternoon City Council
[3:02:54] and Happy Patrick's Day.
[3:02:55] My name is Mary Skelly.
[3:02:56] I'm a parent and public health
[3:02:59] educator and a city planning to
[3:03:00] remember when reviewing air
[3:03:01] quality in the city of San
[3:03:06] Diego and the role of tobacco
[3:03:06] related disease and death in
[3:03:07] it.
[3:03:11] It is very important to address
[3:03:12] disparities The overall
[3:03:13] conclusion that tobacco takes a
[3:03:13] higher toll unless the Village
[3:03:18] People is not new but needs to
[3:03:19] be carefully regarded when
[3:03:19] policies regarding smoking and
[3:03:23] vaping are considered Here in
[3:03:23] San Diego.
[3:03:24] Stan Glantz, faculty member at
[3:03:25] the University of California
[3:03:30] San Francisco School of
[3:03:30] Medicine in the Division of
[3:03:31] Cardiology, stated and I quote
[3:03:35] It is important to recognize
[3:03:36] the growing number of cannabis
[3:03:37] in undermining tobacco control
[3:03:37] and contributing to health
[3:03:42] disparities.
[3:03:43] So given the prevalence of
[3:03:43] tobacco and cannabis co use in
[3:03:48] youth and young adults and
[3:03:48] the socio economic and health
[3:03:49] disparities associated with
[3:03:54] chronic or daily use of
[3:03:55] marijuana tobacco use which is
[3:03:55] of grave concern for public
[3:03:59] health educators who work on
[3:04:00] behalf of 18 to 30 year olds
[3:04:01] and those of us who are parents
[3:04:06] of that age group protecting
[3:04:07] all city residents from
[3:04:07] exposure to secondhand tobacco
[3:04:12] and cannabis smoke in all
[3:04:13] indoor and outdoor settings
[3:04:13] should be a priority.
[3:04:14] Reducing the availability and
[3:04:18] advertised related to tobacco
[3:04:19] and marijuana should be a
[3:04:24] priority in our city and spring
[3:04:25] 2026 would be the best time for
[3:04:31] a city to consider an emergency
[3:04:31] ban of marijuana and tobacco
[3:04:32] smoking and vaping in all
[3:04:33] public spaces.
[3:04:37] Thank you for hearing my
[3:04:38] concern this afternoon.
[3:04:38] >> Thank you.
[3:04:39] That concludes our agenda
[3:04:39] Public comment for today's
[3:04:40] meeting.
[3:04:43] All right.
[3:04:43] Thank you, City Clerk.
[3:04:44] And just for the record,
[3:04:44] the individual that spoke
[3:04:45] yesterday was Francine Maxwell,
[3:04:49] not Maxine Waters.
[3:04:50] With that we will now adjourn
[3:04:50] for the noon recess and
[3:04:52] reconvene in open session at 2
[3:05:19] And
[3:05:19] Marco Espinosa.
[3:05:20] >> Marco Espinosa.
[3:05:51] Please come to the front please
[3:05:51] .
[3:06:06] And we're not ready to start
[3:06:06] the meeting.
[3:06:07] We need at least five council
[3:06:11] members to be up here.
[3:06:11] >> I did want to say thank you
[3:06:12] to those that are holding signs
[3:06:15] that you're either in the back
[3:06:16] row or on the side.
[3:06:17] We really try to make sure that
[3:06:20] everybody has a clear view to
[3:06:20] the city council.
[3:06:22] So thank you for taking those
[3:06:28] those positions and I'll be
[3:06:29] reading Disruption Language and
[3:06:33] how we deal with that But want
[3:06:37] to wait until we have at least
[3:06:37] five council members to get
[3:06:38] started.
[3:06:38] The item that I think most of
[3:06:42] you are here for is actually
[3:06:43] the second item we're going to
[3:06:43] hear this afternoon.
[3:06:44] We have an important item
[3:06:47] regarding Barrio Logan that
[3:06:48] we'll hear first and deal with
[3:07:06] the staging.
[3:07:11] >> Can Dave Angle or and Ryan
[3:07:12] can please come up to the front
[3:07:13] Dave Angle and Ryan Kohn please
[3:07:23] come up to the front.
[3:07:55] Okay
[3:07:56] .
[3:07:56] Okay.
[3:07:57] We are going to get started.
[3:08:00] We have actually six of us here
[3:08:01] so we'll get this meeting
[3:08:01] started.
[3:08:02] Good afternoon.
[3:08:05] I will now reconvene the city
[3:08:05] Council meeting of Tuesday
[3:08:06] MARCH 17th, 2026.
[3:08:10] Clerk Please call the roll.
[3:08:10] Thank you.
[3:08:11] Council PRESIDENT Council
[3:08:15] member Campbell Council Member
[3:08:15] Whitburn here Council Member
[3:08:20] Foster Council Member one will
[3:08:25] represent Council PRESIDENT Pro
[3:08:25] Tem Lee here Council Member Can
[3:08:29] you hear Council Member Moreno
[3:08:29] Present Council member Eli
[3:08:30] Rivera and Council PRESIDENT
[3:08:34] LaCava present Also attending
[3:08:34] the meeting our Assistant City
[3:08:35] Attorney Michelle Garland
[3:08:39] Independent Budget analyst
[3:08:40] Charles Moraga Council Affairs
[3:08:40] Advisor in the Mayor's office
[3:08:41] Code Eisner and myself your
[3:08:44] city clerk Diana Fuentes Thank
[3:08:44] you Council PRESIDENT Thank
[3:08:45] you.
[3:08:45] City Clerk Quorum is now
[3:08:46] present so we can start
[3:08:48] the meeting.
[3:08:49] We see a lot of new faces here
[3:08:52] in chambers perhaps for
[3:08:52] the very first time.
[3:08:53] We know there's some passionate
[3:08:56] issue on the agenda today.
[3:08:57] So before we start today's
[3:08:58] meeting I want to remind
[3:08:58] everyone about the city's
[3:09:01] practices and procedures for
[3:09:02] public comment at city council
[3:09:06] meetings The city welcomes
[3:09:07] public participation at our
[3:09:08] City Council meetings, speakers
[3:09:11] MAY address the Council during
[3:09:12] public comment and also in
[3:09:13] connection with a specific item
[3:09:17] of business on the agenda.
[3:09:17] However, the city must make
[3:09:18] sure that no one person or
[3:09:18] group of people disrupt
[3:09:22] the meeting in a way that
[3:09:22] prohibits other speakers from
[3:09:23] expressing their ideas and
[3:09:23] opinions.
[3:09:26] Excessive yelling, screaming or
[3:09:27] speaking beyond one's a lot of
[3:09:27] time are examples of behavior
[3:09:31] that disrupts the meeting.
[3:09:32] So to make sure that everyone
[3:09:32] here has an opportunity to
[3:09:35] address the council I will
[3:09:36] alert an individual or
[3:09:36] individuals if I think their
[3:09:40] conduct becomes disruptive.
[3:09:41] If the disruption continues I
[3:09:42] will rule the individual out of
[3:09:43] order and if the disruption
[3:09:45] continues further I will
[3:09:46] declare a recess so that we can
[3:09:47] restore order.
[3:09:50] At this point I will direct
[3:09:51] the individual to leave
[3:09:51] the room and then
[3:09:52] the individual refuses to
[3:09:52] leave.
[3:09:55] Police will escort
[3:09:56] the individual out of
[3:09:56] the building.
[3:09:57] Do not make me do that, please.
[3:10:00] If we have to repeat
[3:10:01] the process of warning and
[3:10:01] recessing the meeting, all
[3:10:02] members of the public will be
[3:10:04] excused from the council
[3:10:05] chamber Credentialed media will
[3:10:05] be allowed to remain.
[3:10:06] Once again we have these
[3:10:09] practices and procedures to
[3:10:10] protect the rights of others
[3:10:11] who wish to address the Council
[3:10:12] and to allow the Council to
[3:10:15] conduct the public's business.
[3:10:15] And as I like to add at the end
[3:10:20] in a process that I think a
[3:10:20] former council members had
[3:10:21] there going to be a lot of
[3:10:22] passive, you're going to hear
[3:10:24] things you really agree with.
[3:10:25] You're going to hear things you
[3:10:25] really don't agree with And
[3:10:26] the best way to communicate
[3:10:29] with us without disrupting
[3:10:29] the meeting or the people's
[3:10:30] ability to speak is to give us
[3:10:33] a thumbs up when you hear
[3:10:34] things you agree with and of
[3:10:35] course the thumbs down if you
[3:10:35] hear things that you don't
[3:10:39] agree with it is very
[3:10:39] effective.
[3:10:40] You're very visible during
[3:10:40] the course of the meeting And
[3:10:43] as people speak and that way we
[3:10:44] allow everybody their
[3:10:48] opportunity to express their
[3:10:48] opinion.
[3:10:49] As I mentioned, we have one
[3:10:53] item that we first have to
[3:10:53] address.
[3:10:54] >> Clerk Please introduce item
[3:10:57] 331.
[3:10:58] Thank you.
[3:10:58] Council PRESIDENT Item 331 is
[3:10:59] the Barrio Logan Community Plan
[3:11:02] Amendment and Rezone.
[3:11:03] If you're here to speak on this
[3:11:04] item please be sure to submit
[3:11:05] your speak submit your speaker
[3:11:07] slip to the front of the room
[3:11:08] in the clear box.
[3:11:08] And if you're participating
[3:11:09] remotely now's the time to
[3:11:12] raise your hand by pressing
[3:11:13] Star nine or the raise your
[3:11:13] hand icon.
[3:11:14] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[3:11:14] All right.
[3:11:17] Thank you for introducing
[3:11:18] the item staff Please introduce
[3:11:22] yourselves for the record and
[3:11:22] let us know how much time you
[3:11:23] need for your presentation.
[3:11:23] Thank you.
[3:11:26] Council PRESIDENT Council
[3:11:26] Members Tate Galloway Deputy
[3:11:27] Director of City Planning
[3:11:27] Department.
[3:11:30] I'm joined today by senior
[3:11:31] planner Victoria Ortiz also
[3:11:32] with the City Planning
[3:11:35] Department.
[3:11:40] Hello.
[3:11:41] >> Hello, my name is Victoria
[3:11:42] ts and I'm going to be
[3:11:45] presenting on item 331 Barrio
[3:11:46] Logan Community Plan amendment
[3:11:49] and rezone and we should need
[3:11:50] about eight minutes.
[3:11:54] All right, when you're ready.
[3:11:55] The city council adopted
[3:11:56] the Barrio Logan Community Plan
[3:11:59] update in DECEMBER 2021.
[3:12:00] This item aligned at land uses
[3:12:04] with the general plan address
[3:12:05] mobility and access to public
[3:12:09] spaces provided design guidance
[3:12:10] for new development and
[3:12:10] celebrated Barrio Logan's arts
[3:12:11] and culture.
[3:12:14] It also eliminated residential
[3:12:14] and industry conflicts through
[3:12:18] land use zoning and a
[3:12:19] transition zone.
[3:12:20] It retained the waterfront
[3:12:24] employment role and established
[3:12:24] a village with a village area
[3:12:25] with housing opportunities.
[3:12:28] The Barrio Logan Community Plan
[3:12:29] area is also within the coastal
[3:12:29] zone.
[3:12:32] Following the adoption of
[3:12:33] the community plan in 2021,
[3:12:34] the community plan was
[3:12:37] submitted to the California
[3:12:38] Coastal Commission for
[3:12:38] Certification in JUNE of 2023.
[3:12:42] The California Coastal
[3:12:43] Commission conditionally
[3:12:44] certified the community plan
[3:12:47] with 53 modifications.
[3:12:47] The City Council adopted these
[3:12:48] modifications in NOVEMBER of
[3:12:52] the same year and the Community
[3:12:53] plan received final
[3:12:53] certification from the Coastal
[3:12:59] Commission in DECEMBER of 2023
[3:12:59] .
[3:13:00] The proposed actions for this
[3:13:01] item include an amendment to
[3:13:04] the Barrio Logan community Plan
[3:13:05] that would correct land use map
[3:13:08] errors that occurred with
[3:13:09] the 2023 Community Plan
[3:13:09] amendment and reasons that
[3:13:10] would bring consistency between
[3:13:13] land use designations in
[3:13:14] the plan and the zones for
[3:13:14] parks.
[3:13:17] Each of these changes are
[3:13:18] technical changes only and are
[3:13:18] being brought forward to ensure
[3:13:21] alignment with the original
[3:13:21] vision of the adopted community
[3:13:26] Plan.
[3:13:27] The adopted 2021 Barrio Logan
[3:13:27] Community Plan for Land Use map
[3:13:31] identified various park land
[3:13:32] uses adjacent to Interstate
[3:13:33] five consistent with the parks
[3:13:36] and Recreation Facilities Map.
[3:13:37] The land Use map also
[3:13:41] designated the area generally
[3:13:41] located between 32nd Street
[3:13:46] Main Street and Bryant Street
[3:13:46] as neighborhood village.
[3:13:47] As part of the updated Barrio
[3:13:50] Logan Community Plan, the City
[3:13:51] Council also adopted a
[3:13:52] comprehensive free zone of land
[3:13:55] in the Barrio Logan Community
[3:13:55] Planning area to implement
[3:13:56] the Community plan land use
[3:13:59] designations.
[3:14:00] Earlier this year City Planning
[3:14:01] became aware that Caltrans was
[3:14:04] in the process of selling a
[3:14:05] property on the western corner
[3:14:06] of Boston Avenue and 29th
[3:14:06] Street.
[3:14:09] This property was designated as
[3:14:10] a park and as a part of
[3:14:14] the Boston Avenue neighborhood
[3:14:15] park that was adopted with
[3:14:18] the plan which the plan which
[3:14:19] is the plan that guides land
[3:14:20] uses within the community.
[3:14:24] However, because of an
[3:14:24] erroneous commercial zone that
[3:14:28] was applied to this property,
[3:14:29] there is a potential buyer that
[3:14:29] operates car washes regardless
[3:14:33] of the erroneous zone.
[3:14:34] If the property were sold any
[3:14:34] future commercial projects
[3:14:38] would still need to be
[3:14:38] consistent with the community
[3:14:42] plan's park land use because
[3:14:43] the parcel is also in
[3:14:43] the coastal and the coastal
[3:14:44] zone.
[3:14:44] Any future development would
[3:14:47] also require a coastal
[3:14:48] development permit to meet
[3:14:48] the findings of a coastal
[3:14:52] development permit an amendment
[3:14:53] to the community plan that
[3:14:53] would be required to allow for
[3:14:57] commercial use which city staff
[3:14:58] would not support due to its
[3:14:58] inconsistency with the planned
[3:14:59] park use.
[3:15:01] The California Transportation
[3:15:02] Commission will be deciding
[3:15:03] the final of the property at
[3:15:06] its meeting on MARCH 19th.
[3:15:07] The city has submitted a letter
[3:15:08] to the Commission opposing
[3:15:10] the sale of the property.
[3:15:11] However, as soon as City
[3:15:12] Planning became aware of
[3:15:15] the need for these technical
[3:15:16] amendments we began processing
[3:15:18] the action Before you today to
[3:15:23] clean up the errors.
[3:15:24] >> The first proposed change
[3:15:25] for the Barrio Logan Community
[3:15:28] Plan amendment is a technical
[3:15:28] amendment that would correct
[3:15:29] the land use map errors.
[3:15:30] The map on the left shows what
[3:15:33] the city Council adopted and
[3:15:34] the 2021 Community plan Update.
[3:15:38] The map on the right shows what
[3:15:38] was adopted with the 2023
[3:15:39] amendment to the Community
[3:15:39] plan.
[3:15:43] The errors occurred during
[3:15:44] the adoption of the 2023
[3:15:45] Community Plan amendment for
[3:15:45] the Coastal Commission's
[3:15:48] requested modifications to
[3:15:49] the Community Plan for
[3:15:50] certification with the local
[3:15:50] coastal program.
[3:15:54] The errors to be corrected
[3:15:54] the error to be corrected is to
[3:15:58] apply the park land use to
[3:15:58] these properties again.
[3:16:03] The amendment would revise
[3:16:03] the land use map from the 2023
[3:16:04] Community plan as shown on
[3:16:07] the left to be the same as
[3:16:08] the Land Use map originally
[3:16:08] adopted in the 2021 Community
[3:16:09] Plan Update.
[3:16:16] As shown on the right to make
[3:16:16] the current land use map
[3:16:17] consistent with land uses
[3:16:20] adopted as a part of the 2021
[3:16:21] Barrio Logan Community Plan.
[3:16:22] The following The following
[3:16:24] areas will be read designated
[3:16:25] between 29th Street and 32nd
[3:16:26] Street on Barton Avenue.
[3:16:30] Three acres will be designated
[3:16:31] from right of way to park which
[3:16:31] is consistent with the current
[3:16:35] park zone between Main Street
[3:16:35] and Interstate five.
[3:16:40] 4.2 acres will be read
[3:16:41] designated from neighborhood
[3:16:41] commercial to park which is
[3:16:42] consistent with the current
[3:16:44] park zone.
[3:16:45] Lastly, between 32nd Street
[3:16:46] Main Street and Interstate
[3:16:46] five.
[3:16:50] 4.7 acres will be designated
[3:16:51] from neighborhood commercial to
[3:16:54] neighborhood village allowing
[3:16:55] for potential future
[3:16:56] residential development.
[3:16:58] This change is consistent with
[3:16:59] the current neighborhood
[3:17:04] commercial zone.
[3:17:04] The proposed reasons would
[3:17:05] bring consistency between
[3:17:09] the park land use designation
[3:17:10] and the base zones of parks
[3:17:11] identified in the community
[3:17:11] plan.
[3:17:14] Land Use map and the Parks and
[3:17:15] Recreation Facilities Map.
[3:17:19] Chicano Park and a portion of
[3:17:20] the Barton Avenue Linear Park
[3:17:20] would be rezone to park zones
[3:17:21] to be consistent with existing
[3:17:24] and planned park uses.
[3:17:25] Open Space Park zones are
[3:17:28] applied to active public parks
[3:17:29] .
[3:17:29] The proposed change would
[3:17:30] result 13.8 acres of Chicano
[3:17:34] park and adjacent street from
[3:17:37] community commercial to park
[3:17:38] and rezone 1.8 acres of Chicano
[3:17:38] park from office commercial to
[3:17:43] park.
[3:17:44] The land is owned by the city
[3:17:44] and Caltrans.
[3:17:45] The proposed rezone would not
[3:17:48] change the boundaries of
[3:17:49] Chicano Park nor would it
[3:17:49] affect any existing or future
[3:17:53] park uses or operations.
[3:17:54] Additionally, the proposed
[3:17:58] change would result in the 1.8
[3:17:58] acre portion of Boston Avenue
[3:17:59] Linear Park designated as a
[3:18:03] park in the community plan from
[3:18:04] the community commercial to
[3:18:04] park zone.
[3:18:12] This land is owned by Caltrans
[3:18:13] .
[3:18:13] This item was presented to
[3:18:14] the Barrio Logan Community
[3:18:14] Planning Group on February
[3:18:17] 18th, 2026 and was recommended
[3:18:17] for approval to the Council by
[3:18:21] a vote of eight yes no nos and
[3:18:21] one abstention.
[3:18:22] The planning group recommended
[3:18:26] that staff meet with
[3:18:27] the Chicano Park Steering
[3:18:27] Committee prior to the council
[3:18:28] hearing.
[3:18:31] Staff was unable to meet prior
[3:18:32] to today's hearing.
[3:18:32] The Chicano Park Steering
[3:18:33] Committee members have stated
[3:18:36] their concern that the reason
[3:18:37] for the Chicano park was not
[3:18:38] presented to the committee for
[3:18:38] their recommendation and
[3:18:42] concerned that the result would
[3:18:43] reduce the boundaries of
[3:18:44] the park stop it verified that
[3:18:44] the boundaries of the park
[3:18:48] would remain unchanged.
[3:18:48] On FEBRUARY 19th, 2026 this
[3:18:53] item was presented to
[3:18:54] the Planning Commission who
[3:18:54] recommended the Community Plan
[3:18:58] amendments and reason for
[3:18:59] approval by a vote of four yes
[3:19:00] no nos and no abstentions with
[3:19:06] one refusal.
[3:19:07] The community plan amendments
[3:19:07] and rezone are consistent with
[3:19:08] the 2021 addendum to the Barrio
[3:19:11] Logan Community Plan Update
[3:19:12] Program Air or Environmental
[3:19:13] Impact Report.
[3:19:17] The Community Plan Amendment
[3:19:18] reflects what was analyzed in
[3:19:18] the 2021 Addendum to the Barrio
[3:19:22] Logan Community Plan Update
[3:19:22] pdr.
[3:19:23] Thus the amendment would not
[3:19:26] result in new impacts or
[3:19:27] changes to circumstances that
[3:19:28] would require a subsequent or a
[3:19:32] new year.
[3:19:33] Additionally, there is no new
[3:19:33] information available that was
[3:19:34] not a part of the environmental
[3:19:38] document and or considered with
[3:19:38] the subsequent review of this
[3:19:39] amendment which identifies new
[3:19:43] significant effects not
[3:19:44] addressed in the previous
[3:19:44] document or substantial
[3:19:45] increases in the severity of
[3:19:46] the previously identified
[3:19:52] attacks.
[3:19:53] >> Staff recommends to the City
[3:19:53] Council approved a resolution
[3:19:54] amending the Barrio looking
[3:19:58] community plan, general plan
[3:19:58] and local coastal program and
[3:20:02] approve the ordinance rezoning
[3:20:02] 1.8 acres from community
[3:20:06] commercial 2-3 to open Space
[3:20:07] Park 1-1 13.8 acres from
[3:20:11] Commercial community 3.6 to
[3:20:12] open space 1-1.
[3:20:16] And 1.8 acres from commercial
[3:20:17] office 2-2 to open space 1-1
[3:20:18] within the Barrio Logan
[3:20:22] Community Planning area.
[3:20:22] >> This concludes
[3:20:23] the presentation and staff is
[3:20:24] available for questions.
[3:20:28] All right.
[3:20:28] Thank you for the good work to
[3:20:29] bring this forward in
[3:20:30] the presentation this
[3:20:30] afternoon.
[3:20:33] Clerk Please proceed with
[3:20:33] public comment.
[3:20:34] Thank you MR. PRESIDENT.
[3:20:34] I'll start with those that are
[3:20:38] here in chambers.
[3:20:39] It like could go to a minute
[3:20:44] and a half on this item so
[3:20:45] allegedly order if you can
[3:20:45] please come forward after order
[3:20:50] We have Ernest Castaneda if you
[3:20:50] can please come forward to
[3:20:51] the other reserved seats Then
[3:21:00] Marco Espinosa, please proceed
[3:21:00] .
[3:21:01] >> Yes, I think that we need to
[3:21:02] be honest with people as to why
[3:21:06] you guys or rezoning all of
[3:21:06] these things and why you're
[3:21:07] implementing all of these type
[3:21:11] of changes because this comes
[3:21:12] down from a globalist agenda
[3:21:17] The United Nations and them
[3:21:18] implementing things like 15
[3:21:18] minute cities.
[3:21:19] And I think that when you guys
[3:21:23] don't acknowledge that because
[3:21:24] they the idea is to control
[3:21:25] people's movements where we can
[3:21:28] go you call them complete
[3:21:29] communities but there is a
[3:21:30] control happening of all of our
[3:21:35] resources and you guys are
[3:21:35] giving people again your water
[3:21:40] which is sewer water because
[3:21:41] you're acting like we don't
[3:21:41] have enough water to get
[3:21:42] people.
[3:21:42] And so when you guys are
[3:21:46] implementing these things and
[3:21:46] changing this to add parks or
[3:21:47] whatever I mean you talk about
[3:21:48] air quality, why would you put
[3:21:52] that by the freeway if there is
[3:21:53] pollution that's coming from
[3:21:53] that, is that safe for
[3:21:57] the children to be inhaling
[3:21:58] those types of fumes and
[3:22:03] everything You guys do with
[3:22:04] environmental reviews it makes
[3:22:04] everything take a very long
[3:22:05] time And if we really cared
[3:22:09] about getting people into
[3:22:09] housing we would get them into
[3:22:10] it.
[3:22:10] We wouldn't, you know, blame
[3:22:15] things on the federal
[3:22:16] government as to why you guys
[3:22:16] aren't doing your job.
[3:22:17] But I think that you need to be
[3:22:21] honest with people about
[3:22:22] the United Nations Agenda 21
[3:22:22] which you guys can go and
[3:22:23] educate yourselves on If you're
[3:22:27] not But that's what you guys
[3:22:28] are pushing and it's very
[3:22:29] detrimental to the people And I
[3:22:29] think that people need to
[3:22:35] understand what's really
[3:22:35] happening And you guys thank
[3:22:36] you for that concerning
[3:22:36] statement.
[3:22:37] Next we are going to focusing
[3:22:53] on.
[3:22:53] Good afternoon Council My name
[3:22:54] is I am a field representative
[3:22:57] with the Office of a staff
[3:22:58] member David Alvarez.
[3:22:58] I'm here today on behalf of
[3:22:59] Assemblyman Roberts to express
[3:23:02] his strong support to
[3:23:03] the proposed Bartolone
[3:23:04] Community plan amendment and
[3:23:04] resume before you.
[3:23:08] This item is a critical step in
[3:23:09] correcting land use and zoning
[3:23:09] errors identified in the 20 to
[3:23:13] 23 update and in restoring
[3:23:14] consistency with the community
[3:23:14] plan that this council adopted
[3:23:15] in 2021.
[3:23:15] These corrections are
[3:23:20] especially important for
[3:23:20] the better local community as
[3:23:21] they ensure that key sites such
[3:23:22] as the Boston Avenue Linear
[3:23:25] Park and other open space areas
[3:23:26] are properly designated and
[3:23:27] preserved in alignment with
[3:23:27] long standing community
[3:23:28] priorities.
[3:23:31] In late FEBRUARY,
[3:23:32] Assemblymember Alvarez also
[3:23:32] submitted a letter to
[3:23:33] the California Transportation
[3:23:34] Commission opposing
[3:23:38] the proposal of the parcel at
[3:23:39] 2854 Boston Avenue.
[3:23:39] Given these same
[3:23:43] inconsistencies and the city's
[3:23:44] ongoing efforts to correct
[3:23:45] them, I would like to briefly
[3:23:45] read this letter into
[3:23:50] the record.
[3:23:51] >> I write to express my deep
[3:23:56] concern regarding the proposed
[3:23:56] sale of the Caltrans owned
[3:23:57] property to supporters at
[3:24:01] the intersection of Boston
[3:24:01] Avenue and South 39th Street
[3:24:02] and by looking as a life long
[3:24:03] resident of Logan and an
[3:24:06] elected official representing
[3:24:07] the community for over ten
[3:24:07] years.
[3:24:08] I am intimately familiar with
[3:24:09] the long standing vision
[3:24:13] residents have articulated for
[3:24:14] Boston Avenue.
[3:24:14] This proposed use of the site
[3:24:15] as a car wash runs counter to
[3:24:19] that vision and to
[3:24:20] the community's clearly
[3:24:20] expressed priorities.
[3:24:21] It seems I'm going to run out
[3:24:22] of time but I respectfully or
[3:24:26] just appropriately thank you.
[3:24:27] >> Thank you.
[3:24:28] We note that after that we have
[3:24:28] Julie Corrales If you can
[3:24:33] please come up to the other
[3:24:33] reserved seats and then Blair
[3:24:34] Beekman.
[3:24:34] Please proceed.
[3:24:34] Hello.
[3:24:35] Good afternoon.
[3:24:38] My questions are um uh
[3:24:38] positions Very well.
[3:24:43] Um, I just want to say that I
[3:24:44] like the update and after here
[3:24:45] I'm gonna go to neighborhood
[3:24:48] and walk by and think of what
[3:24:49] park like items could be there
[3:24:50] their place.
[3:24:56] So what is now?
[3:24:56] Um, and then from my knowledge
[3:24:57] public comment when buildings
[3:25:00] are getting built if they could
[3:25:01] return to sidewalk sooner um
[3:25:06] I'd be nice Thank you.
[3:25:06] Thank you, Julie.
[3:25:07] Julie you have time ceded it to
[3:25:13] you But I think about I think
[3:25:14] I'll need a minute.
[3:25:14] Okay.
[3:25:15] We'll do the minute and a half.
[3:25:18] Please proceed.
[3:25:18] I want to thank the city for
[3:25:19] their quick quick response Upon
[3:25:24] discovering the zoning errors
[3:25:24] in Logan's Community Plan by
[3:25:25] Logan, as you all know is in
[3:25:29] the top 5% of the most polluted
[3:25:29] communities in our state or
[3:25:30] 90th percentile of airborne
[3:25:31] cancer risk across the nation.
[3:25:34] We've been working since APRIL
[3:25:35] 22nd, 1970 to bring Park Space
[3:25:36] to Logan beginning with you got
[3:25:41] a park that you're going to
[3:25:42] park at the bay also known as a
[3:25:42] soft Travis Park.
[3:25:43] And since 2018 we've been
[3:25:46] working with the city and
[3:25:47] Caltrans nhc and community
[3:25:47] members to convert the space
[3:25:51] along Boston Avenue and
[3:25:52] the Five Freeway into a state
[3:25:53] of the art park the kind you
[3:25:53] see north of eight We're
[3:25:58] talking water pads and
[3:25:59] scenarios and a didi path
[3:25:59] correcting the errors to
[3:26:03] the zoning Today ensures that
[3:26:03] in perpetuity forever that that
[3:26:04] Chicano park will remain a park
[3:26:10] and a Mecca for Chicanos all
[3:26:10] across the country.
[3:26:11] It ensures that no plot
[3:26:12] actually on a park or Boston
[3:26:15] Avenue was ever sold for
[3:26:16] permitted use.
[3:26:16] These changes codify
[3:26:17] the community's vision for our
[3:26:21] neighborhood forever.
[3:26:22] So please vote yesterday on
[3:26:23] this item and protect by
[3:26:23] looking for the next seven
[3:26:24] generations.
[3:26:28] Thank you Blair Wickman If you
[3:26:33] can please come forward.
[3:26:34] >> Hi, we're Beakman.
[3:26:38] Thank you very much for at
[3:26:39] least allowing two minute 30
[3:26:39] public comment.
[3:26:40] Definitely better than one
[3:26:40] minute.
[3:26:44] Thank you for the words of
[3:26:45] the previous public speaker.
[3:26:45] This item was initially
[3:26:48] approved adopted by City
[3:26:49] Council in 2021 certified by
[3:26:50] the Coastal Commission in 2023.
[3:26:55] These are rezoning issues that
[3:26:56] are just thank you how much
[3:26:56] you're working on it and trying
[3:27:00] to do good.
[3:27:01] I'm interested how the Coastal
[3:27:02] Commission process involved
[3:27:06] with this can be a good example
[3:27:07] for our future environmental
[3:27:08] concerns and connecting that
[3:27:13] with Barrio Logan issues in
[3:27:13] the future.
[3:27:14] We're trying to address climate
[3:27:14] action overall.
[3:27:15] It could be great ways to
[3:27:19] better address it and make it a
[3:27:19] more accessible subject and to
[3:27:20] quickly offer the incredible
[3:27:25] importance this park can offer
[3:27:26] ourselves for the future and
[3:27:27] the tech that will be placed in
[3:27:30] the park if it has good open
[3:27:31] public practices and policies
[3:27:32] and accountability.
[3:27:37] If you focus yourselves on
[3:27:38] those good concepts it actually
[3:27:42] lends and works itself towards
[3:27:42] best practices overall for
[3:27:43] the future of what we want to
[3:27:44] be doing.
[3:27:44] So good luck with good
[3:27:45] accountability.
[3:27:49] Check accountability for
[3:27:49] the issues of the park.
[3:27:50] And thanks a lot for the site.
[3:27:54] Thank you all for the five
[3:27:54] minute time We're here in
[3:27:55] council chambers going to those
[3:27:56] participating remotely.
[3:27:58] We currently have seven people
[3:27:59] in the queue.
[3:28:00] Just as a reminder this is on
[3:28:00] the Barrio Logan Amendment.
[3:28:01] Janine, if you can please
[3:28:03] unmute.
[3:28:04] You'll have a minute and a half
[3:28:09] or a Logan Amendment.
[3:28:10] Sorry this is not the item that
[3:28:11] i was going to speak on.
[3:28:16] Thank you.
[3:28:17] 4223 Regarding the broader
[3:28:18] Logan amendment for 223 please
[3:28:29] unmute Academy four You and
[3:28:37] we'll have to move on.
[3:28:38] Amy if you can please unmute.
[3:28:43] So far Logan Amendment.
[3:28:44] Hi everyone Can you hear me?
[3:28:44] Yes.
[3:28:44] Please proceed.
[3:28:45] Thank you.
[3:28:45] Good afternoon.
[3:28:48] Council members because I know
[3:28:49] that and I'm the associate
[3:28:49] director of policy with
[3:28:50] the Environmental Coalition
[3:28:52] back in the early 20 tens you
[3:28:52] see work very closely with
[3:28:53] community members to update
[3:28:54] the Logan community plan which
[3:28:59] is which at the time was one of
[3:29:00] the oldest community plans in
[3:29:00] the city for extensive
[3:29:01] community engagement we're able
[3:29:05] to reimagine what a healthy and
[3:29:06] thriving Barrio Logan can
[3:29:07] become by increasing green
[3:29:07] space, establishing a new truck
[3:29:08] route and increasing affordable
[3:29:11] housing.
[3:29:12] And while the plan was put on
[3:29:12] the ballot for the entire city
[3:29:13] to vote on each seat stood by
[3:29:14] our community members and
[3:29:17] continue to buy to update
[3:29:18] the cpu until the updated back
[3:29:18] in 2021.
[3:29:23] Today's action will ensure that
[3:29:24] this only aligns with community
[3:29:25] priorities to increase green
[3:29:25] spaces and ensure that we
[3:29:26] protect our community from
[3:29:29] incoming polluters.
[3:29:30] We like to take this
[3:29:31] opportunity to things that we
[3:29:31] stop at the door, review
[3:29:32] the planning department, our
[3:29:36] community allies, really good
[3:29:37] allies and the of community
[3:29:40] land trust for being very
[3:29:41] involved in this process This
[3:29:42] and many others who have worked
[3:29:47] for decades to undo racist
[3:29:48] funding policy that has
[3:29:48] impacted our community.
[3:29:49] We urge the Council to move
[3:29:50] forward with this action and
[3:29:50] protect the health and
[3:29:53] well-being of our Logan
[3:29:53] residents.
[3:29:54] Thank you.
[3:29:54] Thank you.
[3:30:00] Panera if you can please
[3:30:00] unmute.
[3:30:01] After that is in user something
[3:30:05] that yeah good afternoon.
[3:30:06] So I'm with the woman and no
[3:30:07] running and we would like for
[3:30:11] this item to be considered for
[3:30:12] the steering committee to have
[3:30:18] access to all decisions when it
[3:30:19] comes to the city since they
[3:30:19] are part of the build of
[3:30:20] the park.
[3:30:24] So that's that's my comment If
[3:30:25] you guys could take them for
[3:30:25] every step you guys take on
[3:30:26] this item I consider them to be
[3:30:30] a part of it.
[3:30:31] Thank you.
[3:30:31] Thank you.
[3:30:32] Next is a user If you can
[3:30:35] please unmute.
[3:30:36] Thanks for taking my call
[3:30:42] Hector here And so he's been
[3:30:43] abusing my 72 years of city.
[3:30:44] He's been abusing Barrio Logan
[3:30:47] since I was born.
[3:30:48] He never asked for nothing put
[3:30:49] in all this weird stuff in our
[3:30:53] communities We should need all
[3:30:54] the city land to Barrio Logan.
[3:30:59] Maybe they can get their own
[3:31:00] mayor on land use Barrio Logan
[3:31:01] Mayor determines the land use
[3:31:05] of single and property and get
[3:31:06] the Coastal Commission out of
[3:31:06] it.
[3:31:07] Just blow them up.
[3:31:12] That's like white supremacy to
[3:31:12] the max.
[3:31:13] The Coastal Commission is
[3:31:13] nothing but white supremacy and
[3:31:19] these guys out Mexican people
[3:31:20] had enough of it that give them
[3:31:20] all city land Let them
[3:31:24] determine who builds what on it
[3:31:25] maybe get a mayor so you can
[3:31:26] take care of a lot of sewers
[3:31:29] and streets and they determine
[3:31:30] what goes on in their
[3:31:30] neighborhoods.
[3:31:35] It's only life's not fair but
[3:31:36] it's pretty cool to have their
[3:31:37] own mayor and they definitely
[3:31:41] can handle their own their own
[3:31:42] business.
[3:31:42] Thanks a lot.
[3:31:48] Thank you.
[3:31:49] Zeenat Sanchez, if you can
[3:31:50] please unmute for Sanchez after
[3:31:59] that is 813 11 hear me?
[3:31:59] Yes.
[3:31:59] Please proceed.
[3:32:00] My name is Matthew Stafford and
[3:32:06] I'm the vice chair of
[3:32:06] the Charter theory community
[3:32:07] where the stories of the bird
[3:32:08] this man was never given to us.
[3:32:09] It was taken there resistance
[3:32:10] or sacrifice in our community
[3:32:11] or over the years we're
[3:32:15] protected is based on
[3:32:15] the sacred cultural space And
[3:32:16] you to date decisions are being
[3:32:17] made without this about this
[3:32:21] land, without our involvement.
[3:32:22] People call this a technical
[3:32:22] correction but under National
[3:32:23] Historic Preservation Act
[3:32:27] Section one of six any action
[3:32:27] affecting the site listed on
[3:32:28] the National Register of
[3:32:28] Historic Places requires
[3:32:29] meaningful consultation with
[3:32:32] cultural stewards which that
[3:32:33] would be us and that did not
[3:32:33] happen.
[3:32:34] So let's be clear here today
[3:32:38] this is not just a video
[3:32:39] communication.
[3:32:39] This is a video process and it
[3:32:40] raises serious concerns about
[3:32:44] federal historic preservation
[3:32:45] because we know what happened,
[3:32:46] what process is ignored.
[3:32:46] Don't get used to great
[3:32:53] industry not to our homes, to
[3:32:54] our air, displace our families.
[3:32:55] If I hear their voices if they
[3:32:55] want again they're going to
[3:32:56] move forward without
[3:32:57] the community be impacted.
[3:32:57] We're not asking today We are
[3:33:01] demanding council for an
[3:33:02] immediate positive action for
[3:33:02] transparency direct
[3:33:03] consultation with the Chicano
[3:33:07] Park Steering Committee first
[3:33:07] and foremost.
[3:33:08] So you cannot claim to protect
[3:33:09] this park by excluding
[3:33:09] the people who made it
[3:33:10] possible.
[3:33:12] We are still here.
[3:33:13] We are still protecting this
[3:33:19] land and we will not be erased
[3:33:19] .
[3:33:19] Thank you.
[3:33:20] Next is 813 and then our final
[3:33:21] speaker is Erica.
[3:33:24] Our five minute timer has
[3:33:25] concluded no additional
[3:33:29] speakers will be taken one
[3:33:29] three It starts 6:30 A.M..
[3:33:34] Okay.
[3:33:35] Just in the nick of time.
[3:33:36] All right.
[3:33:36] So okay.
[3:33:36] Okay.
[3:33:41] San Diego City Council this
[3:33:41] needs to be said clearly give
[3:33:42] the people Barrio Logan back
[3:33:47] their community there.
[3:33:48] For decades families in five
[3:33:48] Logan have been forced to live
[3:33:52] in conditions that no other
[3:33:53] community would tolerate Homes
[3:33:54] placed next to heavy industry
[3:33:54] children.
[3:34:00] Really these logs are from
[3:34:00] constant truck traffic
[3:34:01] freeways, families exposed to
[3:34:04] toxic emissions from shipyards
[3:34:05] along the port of San Diego.
[3:34:10] And this is not by chance.
[3:34:10] This is by design.
[3:34:11] You allowed incompatible zoning
[3:34:12] in residential and heavy
[3:34:16] industrial industrial side by
[3:34:16] side you create an environment
[3:34:22] where profit was prioritized
[3:34:23] over people where working class
[3:34:23] families were expected to
[3:34:24] absorb the costs with their
[3:34:24] health.
[3:34:28] Then you cut the heart out of
[3:34:29] the community When you built
[3:34:30] the San Diego Coronado Bridge
[3:34:34] and Major freeways straight
[3:34:35] through it homes were
[3:34:35] destroyed, streets were
[3:34:36] divided.
[3:34:40] The neighborhood was fractured
[3:34:41] and you called it development
[3:34:42] And when you failed to deliver
[3:34:42] even basic greenspace,
[3:34:47] the people had to take actions
[3:34:48] themselves.
[3:34:48] They occupied land to create a
[3:34:49] Chicano park not because you
[3:34:53] gave it to them but because
[3:34:53] they refused to be ignored.
[3:34:54] That should tell you
[3:34:54] everything.
[3:34:59] This community has been patient
[3:34:59] centered, resilient but it
[3:35:00] should not have to fight this
[3:35:05] hard just to clean air and live
[3:35:06] in safe conditions And that's
[3:35:13] talk about carbon environmental
[3:35:13] injustice with carbon.
[3:35:18] This site and that concludes
[3:35:19] with a comment on item 330 one.
[3:35:19] >> All right.
[3:35:20] Thank you City Clerk.
[3:35:23] With that I'll turn it over to
[3:35:23] my council colleagues for
[3:35:24] questions, comments and
[3:35:25] entertain a motion And we'll
[3:35:25] start with the council member
[3:35:29] representing District Council
[3:35:29] member Right.
[3:35:30] Thank you and thank you for
[3:35:31] the presentation.
[3:35:35] Thank you to staff for the work
[3:35:36] on this item.
[3:35:36] The party local community is
[3:35:37] one of the most culturally and
[3:35:41] historically significant
[3:35:41] neighborhoods in the city of
[3:35:42] San Diego Its vibrant murals
[3:35:47] rich culinary traditions and
[3:35:48] long history of community
[3:35:48] resilience all contribute to
[3:35:53] the identity that defines
[3:35:53] the area today a key part of
[3:35:54] the history of resilience is
[3:35:59] rooted in the effects of
[3:36:00] systematic redlining and
[3:36:00] discriminatory zoning practices
[3:36:05] which shaped how the land in
[3:36:05] the neighborhood was used and
[3:36:06] how the community developed
[3:36:06] over time.
[3:36:11] These long standing planning
[3:36:12] challenges ultimately made
[3:36:13] the community plan an important
[3:36:13] tool for shaping the future of
[3:36:17] barrio Logan.
[3:36:18] The Barrio Logan Community Plan
[3:36:22] was adopted in 1978 and for 43
[3:36:23] years the plan stayed the same.
[3:36:27] In 2022 the Barrio Logan
[3:36:27] Community Plan was finally
[3:36:28] updated and adopted.
[3:36:32] It took a very long time and
[3:36:33] required significant work and
[3:36:33] collaboration from
[3:36:34] the community.
[3:36:39] The city and also the Coastal
[3:36:39] Commission.
[3:36:40] The process included extensive
[3:36:44] reviews and ultimately was
[3:36:45] approved by the Coastal
[3:36:46] Commission Commission which
[3:36:46] also required the city to go
[3:36:51] back and address and adjust
[3:36:52] more than 100 different items
[3:36:56] because of the long and careful
[3:36:57] process it took to get this
[3:36:57] plan approved.
[3:36:58] It is so concerning and
[3:37:02] frustrating when errors like
[3:37:03] this keep occurring.
[3:37:03] It's unacceptable that the city
[3:37:04] has allowed zoning errors like
[3:37:08] this like those associated with
[3:37:09] Footnote seven in the City land
[3:37:10] development code and now this
[3:37:15] recent discrepancy to occur.
[3:37:15] Taken together these issues
[3:37:16] point to a broader pattern of
[3:37:21] mistakes that should not be
[3:37:21] happening in decisions that
[3:37:22] have such a significant impact
[3:37:27] on communities.
[3:37:27] Errors like this are a prime
[3:37:28] example of why many are so
[3:37:33] distrustful of government.
[3:37:34] While these mistakes were not
[3:37:34] done on purpose it sows
[3:37:39] community mistrust.
[3:37:40] It's important that the city
[3:37:40] recognize them and move forward
[3:37:41] with the solution.
[3:37:45] It's also critical that staff
[3:37:46] exercise a proper diligence to
[3:37:47] ensure that the zoning and land
[3:37:51] use designations actually
[3:37:51] accurately reflect what was
[3:37:52] approved.
[3:37:57] This is especially important
[3:37:58] given the long history of
[3:37:59] planning challenges and past
[3:38:03] decisions that have strained
[3:38:04] trust between communities and
[3:38:04] the city.
[3:38:05] What I do appreciate here is
[3:38:10] that the city did not ignore
[3:38:10] the issue.
[3:38:11] Instead staff moved quickly to
[3:38:15] identify the discrepancy and
[3:38:16] bring forward this amendment.
[3:38:17] These corrections ensure that
[3:38:21] areas intended to be parks and
[3:38:22] community space such as
[3:38:23] the Boston Avenue Corridor and
[3:38:27] Chicano Park are properly
[3:38:28] designated and ultimately
[3:38:28] protected.
[3:38:29] I do want to acknowledge city
[3:38:34] planning staff for engaging
[3:38:35] with the community and bringing
[3:38:35] this item to the Barrio Logan
[3:38:36] Community Planning Group which
[3:38:39] is an important step in
[3:38:40] addressing this issue and
[3:38:41] keeping the community informed.
[3:38:42] I would also encourage staff to
[3:38:46] ensure that this information is
[3:38:47] shared directly with
[3:38:47] the Chicano Park Steering
[3:38:48] Committee.
[3:38:52] They are an important part of
[3:38:52] our community and have been
[3:38:53] long stewards of Chicano Park.
[3:38:59] With this rezoning will this
[3:38:59] rezoning one of the questions I
[3:39:00] have for staff is will this
[3:39:04] rezoning require approval from
[3:39:05] the Coastal Commission as well
[3:39:06] and how long will that take?
[3:39:06] >> Yes.
[3:39:10] Councilmember.
[3:39:11] It will require coastal
[3:39:11] commission certification.
[3:39:12] We'll be reaching out to
[3:39:16] coastal Commission staff to ask
[3:39:17] that they could expedite this.
[3:39:22] My hope is that within the next
[3:39:22] six months but we need to talk
[3:39:23] with Scott for them within
[3:39:24] the next six months.
[3:39:28] >> Wonderful.
[3:39:28] Transparency is critical when
[3:39:29] mistakes like this occur and it
[3:39:33] matters that the city was up
[3:39:34] front about what happened and
[3:39:35] took the time to explain how it
[3:39:35] would be fixed.
[3:39:40] I do appreciate staff's
[3:39:41] responsiveness their
[3:39:42] transparency with the community
[3:39:45] and their commitment to
[3:39:46] ensuring that the zoning and
[3:39:47] land use designations
[3:39:51] accurately reflect the vision
[3:39:52] that was approved by and for
[3:39:52] the Barrio Logan community.
[3:39:57] Now with that I'm going to make
[3:39:58] a motion to approve staff's
[3:39:58] recommendation.
[3:39:59] >> Thank you.
[3:39:59] All right.
[3:40:05] Thank you, Council members.
[3:40:05] So we have a motion by
[3:40:06] COUNCILMAN Moreno to move with
[3:40:07] the staff recommendation.
[3:40:07] We'll go next to Councilmember
[3:40:09] Eli Rivera.
[3:40:10] Thank you, council PRESIDENT
[3:40:10] With the questions having been
[3:40:15] asked and answered that
[3:40:16] Councilmember Moreno put
[3:40:22] forward and knowing that by
[3:40:22] kind of park is protected and
[3:40:23] this helps advance the by 11
[3:40:27] community plan, I'm happy to
[3:40:28] second the motion.
[3:40:28] Thank you.
[3:40:28] All right.
[3:40:29] Thank you Council members.
[3:40:30] So we now have a motion by
[3:40:33] Councilmember Moreno on
[3:40:34] the second by Councilmember Eli
[3:40:35] Rivera And without the city
[3:40:36] clerk please call the roll.
[3:40:36] I'm sorry The voting system
[3:40:49] Please cast your vote That
[3:40:50] passes unanimously 8 to 0 with
[3:40:51] Councilmember Kimball absent.
[3:40:51] >> Thank you, Council
[3:40:52] PRESIDENT.
[3:40:52] All right.
[3:40:52] Thank you.
[3:40:55] City clerk Thank you to staff
[3:40:55] for that.
[3:40:56] All right With that clerk
[3:41:04] please introduce item 500.
[3:41:05] I apologize I skipped out last
[3:41:09] time I saw this item as 500 is
[3:41:09] the adoption of a definition of
[3:41:10] antisemitism.
[3:41:14] If you would like to speak to
[3:41:15] this item please be sure to
[3:41:16] submit your speakers up now at
[3:41:16] the front of the room If your
[3:41:17] seating time please be sure to
[3:41:20] submit those speakers up
[3:41:21] together.
[3:41:22] You will be given time to come
[3:41:22] in from the overflow room So
[3:41:25] don't worry I will be calling
[3:41:26] your name 2 to 3 times.
[3:41:27] If I see you walking in we'll
[3:41:28] make sure to give you time for
[3:41:31] those individuals who are in
[3:41:31] the yellow reserved seats at
[3:41:32] the front.
[3:41:32] If you could please find a seat
[3:41:36] Their back.
[3:41:37] I do need those seats available
[3:41:38] for those that are being called
[3:41:39] up to ensure with meeting
[3:41:43] management you can even take a
[3:41:44] seat in the blue reserved seats
[3:41:45] over there If you don't find a
[3:41:48] seat.
[3:41:49] >> Thank you.
[3:41:50] Council PRESIDENT All right.
[3:41:50] Thank you, City Clerk So before
[3:41:54] we turn it over to District
[3:41:54] three, a couple of items.
[3:42:00] One I read at the beginning of
[3:42:00] the session the disruption
[3:42:01] policy.
[3:42:01] We know we have a lot of folks
[3:42:06] speaking both for and against
[3:42:07] the item in front of us.
[3:42:08] There'll be a lot of passion
[3:42:12] there.
[3:42:13] Please extend a clarity and
[3:42:14] civility to everybody who
[3:42:14] speaks.
[3:42:15] Give them a chance to make
[3:42:18] their comments whether you
[3:42:19] agree with them or not.
[3:42:19] I mentioned about the thumbs up
[3:42:20] or thumbs down is a good way to
[3:42:24] do that.
[3:42:25] This of course applies to not
[3:42:25] only council chambers but also
[3:42:26] the committee room and any
[3:42:30] overflow room that we that we
[3:42:31] have on that.
[3:42:36] So we've done these big
[3:42:37] meetings, we've done meetings
[3:42:37] where there's been a lot of
[3:42:41] passion and even disagreement
[3:42:41] between two sides and we can
[3:42:42] get through this.
[3:42:46] We have at least three hours of
[3:42:46] testimony just who was showed
[3:42:51] up today at city hall And of
[3:42:52] course we do expect folks to
[3:42:52] participate remotely as well.
[3:42:57] So we're going to be here for a
[3:42:57] while.
[3:42:58] So let's all play nicely
[3:42:58] together.
[3:43:03] And then to my council
[3:43:03] colleagues over the past few
[3:43:07] meetings some folks have been
[3:43:08] going over the five plus three
[3:43:09] minutes and I've been very
[3:43:09] quietly giving away my time to
[3:43:14] allow them to continue
[3:43:14] uninterrupted.
[3:43:15] I will have my own comments So
[3:43:20] unless you get time seated by
[3:43:21] one of your colleagues we'll be
[3:43:21] adhering to the five plus three
[3:43:25] when it comes to council and
[3:43:26] their deliberation going
[3:43:26] forward.
[3:43:32] So with that this item was
[3:43:33] brought forward by
[3:43:33] Councilmember Whitman in
[3:43:34] District three.
[3:43:34] So Councilmember Lipman, we'll
[3:43:35] give you an opportunity for
[3:43:38] opening opening remarks and
[3:43:39] then we'll go to staff for
[3:43:39] the presentation.
[3:43:40] So thank you.
[3:43:43] Council PRESIDENT.
[3:43:44] This is a resolution
[3:43:44] recognizing the rise of
[3:43:45] anti-Semitism affirming
[3:43:49] the city of San Diego
[3:43:50] commitment to combating hate
[3:43:50] and discrimination and adopting
[3:43:55] the international Holocaust
[3:43:56] Remembrance Alliance's working
[3:43:56] definition of anti-Semitism.
[3:43:57] Before I turn it over to right
[3:44:02] Darcy and my staff to provide a
[3:44:03] presentation of this I'd like
[3:44:03] to offer a few acknowledgments
[3:44:04] I want to say to your
[3:44:08] antisemitism task force for
[3:44:09] meeting with me about the rise
[3:44:09] in antisemitism and
[3:44:10] the importance of this action
[3:44:14] to many of the Jewish
[3:44:14] community.
[3:44:15] I want to thank the City of San
[3:44:16] Diego Human Relations
[3:44:20] Commission for considering this
[3:44:20] and forwarding a request to
[3:44:21] the City Council that we adopt
[3:44:22] this resolution.
[3:44:27] I wanna thank Brian d'Arcy, my
[3:44:27] Deputy Chief of staff for all
[3:44:28] of his work in bringing this
[3:44:32] forward and I want to thank all
[3:44:33] of you here today or joining us
[3:44:33] on line for taking the time to
[3:44:38] be a part of today's discussion
[3:44:39] .
[3:44:39] >> But those acknowledgments
[3:44:40] I'll turn it over to Brian
[3:44:40] Right?
[3:44:41] Right.
[3:44:46] I'll please just for the record
[3:44:46] and let us know how much time
[3:44:47] you need for the presentation.
[3:44:51] I can you repeat and turn
[3:44:51] the mic on Very.
[3:44:56] Brian d'Arcy Deputy Chief of
[3:44:57] Staff for Councilmember Stephen
[3:44:57] Whitburn.
[3:44:58] I'm gonna need about ten
[3:44:59] minutes when you're ready.
[3:44:59] Thank you.
[3:45:02] All right.
[3:45:02] Good afternoon, Council
[3:45:03] PRESIDENT Members of the City
[3:45:03] Council.
[3:45:04] Thank you for the opportunity
[3:45:05] to present today.
[3:45:08] I'm here on behalf of
[3:45:09] Councilmember Whitburn
[3:45:10] regarding item s500 a
[3:45:10] resolution of the Council of
[3:45:13] the City of San Diego
[3:45:14] recognizing a rise of
[3:45:14] antisemitism.
[3:45:15] Affirming the city's commitment
[3:45:20] to combating hate and
[3:45:21] discrimination and adopting
[3:45:21] the International Holocaust
[3:45:22] Remembrance Alliance's working
[3:45:25] definition of antisemitism.
[3:45:26] This issue first came before
[3:45:31] the city through the San Diego
[3:45:32] Human Relations Commission in
[3:45:32] MAY of 2025.
[3:45:33] The Commission voted
[3:45:37] unanimously to urge the city of
[3:45:38] San Diego to adopt the ira
[3:45:38] working definition of
[3:45:39] antisemitism.
[3:45:43] Following that vote,
[3:45:44] the commission formally sent a
[3:45:44] letter to the mayor and city
[3:45:49] council recommending adoption.
[3:45:50] The Chair of the Relations
[3:45:50] Commission at the time, Nicole
[3:45:51] Marie Ramirez, also spoke
[3:45:54] before the City Council in
[3:45:54] DECEMBER of last year
[3:45:55] encouraging the city to take
[3:46:00] this step.
[3:46:01] So what is ira
[3:46:01] the International Holocaust
[3:46:02] Remembrance Alliance or ira?
[3:46:06] It's an intergovernmental
[3:46:07] organization dedicated to
[3:46:08] the Holocaust Education
[3:46:12] historical research and
[3:46:13] remembrance.
[3:46:13] Its work Focus focuses on
[3:46:14] preserving the historical
[3:46:18] record of the Holocaust and
[3:46:19] combating modern antisemitism
[3:46:19] around the world.
[3:46:24] Ira provides a form of
[3:46:25] government scholars and experts
[3:46:26] to develop tools to best
[3:46:29] practices in recognizing and
[3:46:30] addressing anti Semitism in
[3:46:36] modern society in particular
[3:46:37] working definition.
[3:46:41] In MAY of 2016 Member States
[3:46:42] adopted what is known as
[3:46:43] the ira working definition of
[3:46:43] antisemitism.
[3:46:47] The definition states
[3:46:47] antisemitism is a certain
[3:46:48] perception of Jews which MAY be
[3:46:49] expressed as hatred towards
[3:46:49] Jews.
[3:46:53] It also clarifies that
[3:46:54] antisemitism can manifest
[3:46:55] through rhetoric or physical
[3:46:58] acts directed at Jewish
[3:46:59] individuals, Jewish
[3:46:59] institutions or Jewish
[3:47:00] community spaces.
[3:47:05] Importantly the definition is a
[3:47:06] non legally binding and is
[3:47:06] intended primarily as an
[3:47:10] educational and analytical tool
[3:47:11] to help institutions better
[3:47:18] recognize antisemitism.
[3:47:18] The next slide Key points I
[3:47:19] would like to be explicitly
[3:47:19] clear.
[3:47:20] One of the most important
[3:47:24] points is to clarify is that
[3:47:24] the ihra definition does not
[3:47:25] restrict free speech.
[3:47:29] The resolution explicitly
[3:47:30] states that nothing in it is
[3:47:35] intended to limit or infringe
[3:47:36] upon the rights protected by
[3:47:37] the United States Constitution
[3:47:37] or that of the California
[3:47:42] Constitution including
[3:47:43] the freedom of speech and
[3:47:43] expression.
[3:47:44] Additionally, the ihra
[3:47:49] definition itself clearly
[3:47:49] states that criticism of Israel
[3:47:54] similar to that leveled against
[3:47:55] any other country cannot be
[3:47:55] regarded as anti-Semitic.
[3:48:00] This definition is simply a
[3:48:01] tool to help identify
[3:48:01] antisemitism when it occurs.
[3:48:05] It does not criminalize speech
[3:48:11] or political viewpoints.
[3:48:12] Why this matters.
[3:48:13] Unfortunately antisemitism
[3:48:13] continues to be a persistent
[3:48:17] and growing problem in
[3:48:18] the United States and around
[3:48:18] the world.
[3:48:19] Jewish individuals and Jewish
[3:48:24] institutions experience
[3:48:24] disproportionately high levels
[3:48:25] of hate incidents compared to
[3:48:30] any other or many other groups
[3:48:30] .
[3:48:31] In recent years we have seen an
[3:48:31] increase in anti-Semitic
[3:48:35] rhetoric, threats, harassment,
[3:48:36] vandalism targeting synagogues
[3:48:37] and Jewish community
[3:48:41] institutions and violence
[3:48:42] directed at Jewish individuals.
[3:48:42] These incidents do not only
[3:48:47] harm the Jewish community, they
[3:48:47] threaten public safety, civil
[3:48:48] rights and the social cohesion
[3:48:51] of our communities.
[3:48:58] The data the data reflects
[3:48:59] the seriousness of the problem
[3:48:59] across the United States.
[3:49:03] Anti-Semitic incidents have
[3:49:04] increased dramatically over
[3:49:04] the last decade, rising by
[3:49:09] nearly 900% across the United
[3:49:10] States.
[3:49:10] Here in San Diego, anti-Semitic
[3:49:14] incidents increased 27.5%
[3:49:15] between 2023 and 2024 And
[3:49:16] according to the San Diego
[3:49:20] Police Department, anti-Semitic
[3:49:20] hate crimes increased by
[3:49:21] approximately 150% from 2024 to
[3:49:21] 2025.
[3:49:27] These numbers highlight why it
[3:49:27] is important for cities like
[3:49:28] San Diego to take clear steps
[3:49:32] to recognize and address
[3:49:33] antisemitism.
[3:49:38] Widespread support The ihra
[3:49:39] definition is widely used
[3:49:39] across the world.
[3:49:43] More than 1300 entities have
[3:49:43] adopted it including
[3:49:44] governments, educational
[3:49:49] institutions and civil society
[3:49:49] organizations.
[3:49:50] 47 countries have adopted this
[3:49:51] definition.
[3:49:51] Hundreds of nongovernmental
[3:49:55] organizations, universities and
[3:49:56] local governments have also
[3:49:56] adopted it.
[3:49:57] Even diverse international
[3:50:02] organizations have supported
[3:50:02] its adoption as a tool to
[3:50:03] recognize and combat
[3:50:07] antisemitism.
[3:50:08] Cities Major U.S. Cities have
[3:50:08] adopted the Iowa working
[3:50:09] definition.
[3:50:14] These include cities such as
[3:50:14] Chicago which passed this
[3:50:15] unanimously in JANUARY.
[3:50:20] Los Angeles Which passed us
[3:50:20] unanimously.
[3:50:21] Washington, D.C..
[3:50:21] El Paso.
[3:50:25] Las Vegas and here locally in
[3:50:25] San Diego County.
[3:50:26] Other cities have also taken
[3:50:27] this step.
[3:50:27] The city of Oklahoma adopted
[3:50:31] the ihra definition unanimously
[3:50:32] in a520 vote.
[3:50:32] The city of Chula Vista also
[3:50:37] adopted the ihra definition in
[3:50:38] a 5 to 0 vote on MAY 13th,
[3:50:38] 2025.
[3:50:42] San Diego would be joining
[3:50:43] other cities in our own region
[3:50:44] that are already using this
[3:50:47] definition as a tool to
[3:50:48] recognize and address
[3:50:48] antisemitism.
[3:50:49] The proposed action before you
[3:50:55] today is to adopt a resolution
[3:50:55] of the Council the City of San
[3:50:56] Diego recognizing the rise of
[3:51:00] antisemitism.
[3:51:01] Affirming the city's commitment
[3:51:01] to combating hate and
[3:51:02] discrimination and adopting
[3:51:02] the international Holocaust
[3:51:06] Remembrance Alliance's working
[3:51:06] definition of antisemitism.
[3:51:07] This action will provide a
[3:51:12] clear framework to recognize
[3:51:12] antisemitism.
[3:51:13] Support education and awareness
[3:51:13] and affirm the city's
[3:51:17] commitment to combating hate.
[3:51:18] And stand in solidarity with
[3:51:19] our Jewish community.
[3:51:24] And with that I am happy to
[3:51:24] take any questions from
[3:51:25] the Council.
[3:51:25] Thank you.
[3:51:25] Okay.
[3:51:29] Excuse me.
[3:51:30] Thank you, Councilmember Lipman
[3:51:31] for introducing this item, MR.
[3:51:34] Darcy for your work on
[3:51:35] the presentation.
[3:51:36] We are now going to move to
[3:51:40] public comment and if you ever
[3:51:41] want to see a ballet of how to
[3:51:42] manage public comment you're
[3:51:46] going to see it with our city
[3:51:46] clerk.
[3:51:47] So have a lot of patience with
[3:51:51] her as she tries to figure out
[3:51:52] when you see the time and share
[3:51:53] time when she calls your name
[3:51:58] or even mispronounces your
[3:51:58] name.
[3:51:59] Occasionally she's going to do
[3:51:59] a fabulous job, have patience
[3:52:03] and work with her.
[3:52:04] And then as a third and final
[3:52:09] reminder again, civility is
[3:52:09] really the key for this
[3:52:10] conversation.
[3:52:10] We want to hear from both
[3:52:11] sides.
[3:52:14] Whatever your opinion is,
[3:52:14] please respect those who MAY
[3:52:15] have a different opinion from
[3:52:15] you.
[3:52:19] We want to keep this a civil
[3:52:20] conversation and let's get
[3:52:20] started.
[3:52:25] So with that clerk please
[3:52:26] proceed with public comment.
[3:52:26] >> Thank you Council PRESIDENT
[3:52:27] And thank you for
[3:52:27] the introduction.
[3:52:30] I hope I served you all well
[3:52:31] today.
[3:52:32] i will just note that we do
[3:52:32] have over three hours of public
[3:52:33] comment here in council
[3:52:36] chambers as well as in
[3:52:36] the queue.
[3:52:37] We have over 180 speakers here
[3:52:40] and currently 27 speakers in
[3:52:41] the queue with their hands
[3:52:41] raised.
[3:52:42] I will also note that there are
[3:52:47] several people that were not
[3:52:47] able to submit their speaker
[3:52:48] slip with whoever they were
[3:52:49] seating time to.
[3:52:52] When I call somebody that
[3:52:52] seating time.
[3:52:53] I will ask those that are
[3:52:54] seating time to raise their
[3:52:54] hand If you don't hear your
[3:52:58] name called and you want it to
[3:52:59] raise to cede your time to that
[3:52:59] speaker please be sure to raise
[3:53:00] your hand.
[3:53:00] I am trying to do my best to
[3:53:03] make sure that I match them all
[3:53:03] up in order for you to be heard
[3:53:08] and give that person their time
[3:53:08] allocation.
[3:53:09] Thank you for all this.
[3:53:10] Nicole Marie Ramirez if you can
[3:53:14] please come up you have time
[3:53:15] ceded to you by Thomas If you
[3:53:16] can please raise your hand.
[3:53:16] Judy thank you.
[3:53:21] And Jay and Laura, thank you.
[3:53:25] And Molly, please raise your
[3:53:25] hand.
[3:53:25] Thank you.
[3:53:26] And Julia Orlando, Julie Lando,
[3:53:27] thank you so much.
[3:53:29] You're all seeing your time
[3:53:30] too, Nicole You'll have five
[3:53:30] minutes.
[3:53:31] >> Please proceed.
[3:53:35] Good afternoon.
[3:53:36] One year on JUNE 19th, 2025 I
[3:53:40] made a motion that the Human
[3:53:41] Relations Commission urge
[3:53:42] the mayor and City council to
[3:53:45] officially join the over 43
[3:53:46] countries 37 states and over
[3:53:46] 100 cities now including
[3:53:51] Chicago, Los Angeles and Clovis
[3:53:52] to an alcohol to adopt
[3:53:52] the International Holocaust
[3:53:56] Remembrance Alliance Definition
[3:53:56] of anti-Semitism.
[3:54:01] This motion was unanimously
[3:54:01] passed by the Human Relations
[3:54:02] Commission.
[3:54:02] We then spent many months
[3:54:07] before we sent our
[3:54:08] recommendation to the mayor and
[3:54:08] the council.
[3:54:12] Having dialog with those in
[3:54:13] support of the hra definition
[3:54:14] and those in opposition
[3:54:18] including public input as well
[3:54:18] as working closely with our
[3:54:23] executive director Reverend DR.
[3:54:23] Gerald Brown.
[3:54:24] We know that each of you on
[3:54:24] this council have been flooded
[3:54:27] with support in opposition.
[3:54:28] The Human Relations Commission
[3:54:29] has done its part and with all
[3:54:33] due diligence on this item now
[3:54:34] I most respectfully ask each of
[3:54:39] you to do yours.
[3:54:40] For over 60 years I have come
[3:54:40] before this council and spoke
[3:54:44] out for social justice, spoke
[3:54:45] out against hate crimes and
[3:54:49] hate towards the black Asian
[3:54:50] Pacific Islander community,
[3:54:54] Muslim and Jewish and my Latino
[3:54:54] and lgbt communities.
[3:54:55] But I say to you that never
[3:55:00] have I witnessed the growing
[3:55:01] hate and attacks released these
[3:55:05] last decades on the Jewish
[3:55:05] community Such hate not seen
[3:55:06] since the Holocaust.
[3:55:10] Recently addressed
[3:55:11] the statistics now show that
[3:55:12] the Jewish community suffers
[3:55:16] Can times more hate crimes than
[3:55:17] any other community in our
[3:55:17] nation.
[3:55:21] Think about it ten times more
[3:55:25] hate than any other community
[3:55:26] in San Diego Jewish houses of
[3:55:27] worship, student centers,
[3:55:31] rabbis, neighborhoods,
[3:55:31] community centers are being
[3:55:32] attacked and subject to hate
[3:55:36] and closing.
[3:55:37] I stand before you as other
[3:55:42] Christians who are able to wear
[3:55:42] this cross around our necks
[3:55:46] openly, freely and without
[3:55:47] incident.
[3:55:47] I so wish each of you would
[3:55:51] have been with me and looked
[3:55:52] into the faces of Jewish youth
[3:55:53] and students as I have who told
[3:55:57] me they were now afraid to wear
[3:56:01] their stars of David because of
[3:56:02] the hate they have been
[3:56:02] subjected to.
[3:56:07] I will never ever forget a 17
[3:56:07] year old Jewish student named
[3:56:08] Josh who told me his
[3:56:11] grandmother a survivor of
[3:56:12] the Holocaust so afraid for
[3:56:17] the safety of her grandson she
[3:56:18] begged him not to wear the star
[3:56:18] of David.
[3:56:22] She had given them long ago in
[3:56:23] public and even urged them to
[3:56:27] now mispronounce his last name
[3:56:28] differently when he was in
[3:56:28] public.
[3:56:33] She was so afraid and worried
[3:56:33] for him Indeed.
[3:56:34] What kind of nation have we
[3:56:37] become today by voting yes?
[3:56:38] You will be sending a message
[3:56:42] to Josh, its grandmother and
[3:56:43] the Jewish community.
[3:56:47] Our city see them here to them
[3:56:48] And we stand against the rise
[3:56:50] in hate crimes against
[3:56:51] the Jewish people.
[3:57:05] >> Thank you.
[3:57:10] Okay, so now we have three
[3:57:11] hours and one more minute.
[3:57:12] That will be the last time
[3:57:17] we'll have applause.
[3:57:20] Nicole I would love to.
[3:57:20] You've been warned.
[3:57:21] Nicole you were the chair of
[3:57:25] the hrc and I was Why I had you
[3:57:26] come speak first.
[3:57:27] Please do not engage in
[3:57:30] applause.
[3:57:30] Thumbs up.
[3:57:31] It's very powerful.
[3:57:32] We need to get through three
[3:57:34] hours of testimony.
[3:57:35] >> Next is I'm going to be
[3:57:40] calling people up to the front
[3:57:41] row.
[3:57:41] Alberto Mentor Laura's Laura
[3:57:45] Stone Shay Ellis, Leslie
[3:57:46] Zimmer, Romy Romy Zimmer and
[3:57:46] Janet.
[3:57:50] Janet Klein if you can please
[3:57:51] I'll come up to the yellow
[3:57:51] reserved seats.
[3:57:55] Alberto you have time ceded to
[3:57:56] you by rose home.
[3:57:56] Rose if you can please raise
[3:57:57] your hand.
[3:57:57] Thank you.
[3:57:59] You'll have two minutes.
[3:57:59] Alberto, please come up to
[3:58:08] the microphone.
[3:58:09] Good afternoon.
[3:58:10] Thank you for holding this
[3:58:13] space for us.
[3:58:14] >> People in this room will say
[3:58:15] that the ihra definition goes
[3:58:18] against the First Amendment.
[3:58:18] But does it?
[3:58:23] Of course not.
[3:58:24] Labeling something doesn't ban
[3:58:24] it.
[3:58:28] It gives it a name And that
[3:58:28] main name MAY make some people
[3:58:29] uncomfortable but it doesn't
[3:58:32] ban it.
[3:58:33] >> Hate speech anti-Semitic,
[3:58:37] anti-Semitic speech is still
[3:58:38] protected speech.
[3:58:38] If this council adopts the ihra
[3:58:42] definition, it won't stop
[3:58:46] anyone from.
[3:58:47] It won't stop anyone from from
[3:58:51] calling Jews baby killers.
[3:58:52] It won't stop anyone from
[3:58:55] saying that we control
[3:59:00] the banks and the media.
[3:59:01] What it will do is label what
[3:59:02] you're doing.
[3:59:04] It will give you the name.
[3:59:05] >> It will hold a mirror to
[3:59:09] your face and it'll and it will
[3:59:10] show you and it will tell you
[3:59:11] that label was will be that you
[3:59:14] are an anti-Semitic.
[3:59:15] So criticize us all you want
[3:59:19] slander us all you want hate us
[3:59:20] all you want Your hate speech
[3:59:24] will still be protected Speech
[3:59:24] but don't hide from hide from
[3:59:25] the truth and what you are.
[3:59:29] I urge this Council Council to
[3:59:33] adopt the resolution and it and
[3:59:34] let people look in that mirror.
[3:59:38] >> Thank you.
[3:59:39] >> Lara Stone You have time to
[3:59:43] buy Shira Schaefer Shira,
[3:59:44] please raise your hand.
[3:59:44] Thank you.
[3:59:45] You'll have two minutes.
[3:59:48] Please proceed.
[3:59:48] Hi.
[3:59:48] Hello.
[3:59:49] My name is Lara Stone from
[3:59:50] District one.
[3:59:53] Thank you, COUNCILMAN Whitburn
[3:59:54] for sponsoring today's very
[3:59:58] important I r h I h r a vote.
[3:59:59] >> Jewish Voice for Peace jvp
[4:00:03] is here today but I want to
[4:00:04] stress that they do not
[4:00:04] represent the views of
[4:00:07] the broader Jewish community.
[4:00:08] On the contrary many of us feel
[4:00:09] that they appropriate
[4:00:12] the Jewish voice to advocate a
[4:00:12] political agenda that most
[4:00:13] Jewish organizations and
[4:00:17] community members reject
[4:00:17] entirely.
[4:00:18] You have all received an
[4:00:22] extensive legally backed
[4:00:22] dossier on jvp but in case you
[4:00:23] haven't had a chance to read
[4:00:26] the facts about them, it's
[4:00:27] important for the Council to be
[4:00:28] aware of jvp record.
[4:00:31] The organization has expressed
[4:00:32] support for and solidarity with
[4:00:36] groups connected to the popular
[4:00:37] Front for the Liberation of
[4:00:38] Palestine which is designated
[4:00:41] as a terrorist organization by
[4:00:42] the United States.
[4:00:43] Jvp also regularly partners
[4:00:47] with the Palestine Indian Youth
[4:00:47] Movement, an organization whose
[4:00:51] public messaging has included
[4:00:52] praise for terrorist groups
[4:00:56] such as Palestinian Islamic.
[4:00:57] Jvp supported the Great MARCH
[4:00:57] of Return demonstrations which
[4:01:01] were coordinated by Leadership
[4:01:01] Committee that included
[4:01:02] representatives from several
[4:01:05] organizations designated by
[4:01:06] the U.S. As terrorist groups
[4:01:10] and closer to home jvp members
[4:01:11] have repeatedly harassed
[4:01:11] members at students on San
[4:01:15] Diego campuses and Jewish
[4:01:16] community members at various
[4:01:16] Jewish events.
[4:01:20] So when jvp speaks today, I
[4:01:21] urge the council to consider
[4:01:25] what their true agenda is and
[4:01:26] to make a note that they do not
[4:01:30] represent the wider Jewish
[4:01:30] community despite their
[4:01:31] deceiving name.
[4:01:35] Thanks for your time.
[4:01:35] Thank you.
[4:01:40] Next we have Shay Ellis.
[4:01:40] Shay Ellis.
[4:01:41] You have people sitting your
[4:01:41] time.
[4:01:42] Please raise your hand.
[4:01:49] Dan Bass Anita mc House Chris
[4:01:55] Thank you Isaac and Jillian are
[4:01:55] off present.
[4:01:56] Thank you.
[4:01:58] You'll have five minutes.
[4:01:59] >> Please proceed.
[4:01:59] Good afternoon.
[4:02:03] City council members Thank you
[4:02:03] to Council member Whitburn for
[4:02:04] bringing this item forward.
[4:02:08] My name is Shay Ellis and I am
[4:02:08] the Regional coordinator for
[4:02:12] adl the Anti-Defamation League
[4:02:13] of San Diego.
[4:02:13] I am also a resident of
[4:02:14] District One.
[4:02:17] I am here today in support of
[4:02:18] item 500 and we urge
[4:02:19] the Council to vote yes on
[4:02:22] adopting the ihra definition.
[4:02:23] Across the country adl has
[4:02:27] recorded skyrocketing levels of
[4:02:28] anti-Semitic incidents since
[4:02:31] 10/7, including a 286% increase
[4:02:34] in San Diego since 2022.
[4:02:39] This demands action and ihra
[4:02:40] definition is a tool that can
[4:02:40] help our community address this
[4:02:41] moment.
[4:02:44] Antisemitism doesn't disappear.
[4:02:45] It evolves.
[4:02:45] Over the years it has targeted
[4:02:50] Jews under the guise of being
[4:02:50] anti-communist anti-globalist
[4:02:54] or the villains in a number of
[4:02:54] different movements.
[4:02:55] Today that language has evolved
[4:02:58] to focus on anti-Zionism.
[4:02:59] We hear the stories of San
[4:03:03] Diego college students who are
[4:03:04] ostracized for their Jewish
[4:03:05] identity but told it's only
[4:03:08] because they're Zionists.
[4:03:09] The k-12 students who are
[4:03:10] bullied for being quote unquote
[4:03:13] baby killers and the employees
[4:03:13] of San Diego businesses and
[4:03:17] organizations who have to
[4:03:18] pursue legal action to rectify
[4:03:19] the antisemitic harassment and
[4:03:22] discrimination they encounter.
[4:03:23] We cannot afford to let our
[4:03:24] city become a place where Jews
[4:03:27] are only treated with dignity
[4:03:28] and respect if they denounce
[4:03:31] their support for the right of
[4:03:32] Israel to exist which is
[4:03:32] something that over 90% of
[4:03:37] Americans support And it does
[4:03:37] exist even though the current
[4:03:41] language that targets Jews
[4:03:42] claims to be only anti-Zionism
[4:03:46] it leads to the same outcomes
[4:03:47] that antisemitism always has.
[4:03:47] Harassment, discrimination.
[4:03:51] Violence and worse.
[4:03:52] The ihra definition is a
[4:03:53] crucial tool that helps
[4:03:57] governments, universities, NGOs
[4:03:57] and other and other groups
[4:04:01] understand all of the complex
[4:04:02] elements of antisemitism that
[4:04:05] target people for different
[4:04:06] aspects of Jewish identity.
[4:04:07] We urge you to vote yes on
[4:04:11] the resolution and have San
[4:04:11] Diego join cities like Los
[4:04:15] Angeles, Chicago and Miami in
[4:04:16] creating a city government that
[4:04:17] stands for the safety of
[4:04:17] the Jewish community In this
[4:04:18] moment.
[4:04:24] Thank you.
[4:04:24] Thank you.
[4:04:25] Next is Lesley Zimmer.
[4:04:26] After Liz Zimmer we have Romi
[4:04:26] Zimmer.
[4:04:27] Then Jordan Marks and Janet
[4:04:31] Klein.
[4:04:32] Dear City council members,
[4:04:33] thank you so much.
[4:04:37] City COUNCILMAN Whitburn My
[4:04:38] name please Zimmer I live in
[4:04:38] District one.
[4:04:42] I'm asking you to adopt Ira in
[4:04:42] an attempt to distract from ira
[4:04:43] anti-Semites advocate for what
[4:04:46] is called the Jerusalem
[4:04:47] Declaration on antisemitism.
[4:04:48] The Jerusalem Declaration was
[4:04:52] written by a self-selected
[4:04:52] group of scholars acting in
[4:04:53] their personal capacity.
[4:04:56] The authors and signatories
[4:04:57] represent their own academic
[4:04:58] perspectives not the views of
[4:05:01] Jewish communities, voters or
[4:05:02] institutions that are
[4:05:03] accountable to the public.
[4:05:06] The authors of the Jerusalem
[4:05:06] Declaration describe its
[4:05:07] purpose to contribute to
[4:05:07] academic discussion and that
[4:05:12] unlike ihra it has zero
[4:05:12] adoption by governments,
[4:05:13] schools or other public
[4:05:16] institutions.
[4:05:17] By contrast, the ira working
[4:05:18] definition of antisemitism has
[4:05:21] been adopted by national
[4:05:22] governments, states, cities,
[4:05:22] universities and other public
[4:05:26] institutions around the world.
[4:05:27] Ihra has been endorsed by all
[4:05:28] Jewish communal organizations
[4:05:30] as the ira definition functions
[4:05:31] as a widely adopted public
[4:05:32] policy framework.
[4:05:35] Those who are.
[4:05:36] >> Thank you for that
[4:05:40] concluding remark Romi Vote yes
[4:05:40] .
[4:05:41] >> Good afternoon.
[4:05:41] My name is Romi Zimmer.
[4:05:46] I am 17 years old and this is
[4:05:46] my first council meeting.
[4:05:47] I am missing school today
[4:05:50] because this moment matters.
[4:05:50] In just one week synagogues
[4:05:51] around the world were attacked.
[4:05:54] A synagogue in Michigan was set
[4:05:55] on fire with 140 preschoolers
[4:05:59] inside In Carnegie, Canada,
[4:06:00] synagogues were hit by gunfire.
[4:06:04] In the Netherlands men were
[4:06:04] arrested for an arson attack.
[4:06:05] In Belgium a synagogue was
[4:06:09] bombed.
[4:06:09] Some people say anti-Zionism is
[4:06:10] not antisemitism but if that
[4:06:13] were true, why are American
[4:06:14] Jews and our synagogues under
[4:06:14] attack?
[4:06:18] Zionism means the Jewish people
[4:06:19] have the right to
[4:06:20] self-determination and our
[4:06:23] ancestral homeland.
[4:06:24] i am a proud Zionist.
[4:06:25] You can disagree with me That
[4:06:28] is your right in America but
[4:06:29] you do not have the right to
[4:06:29] harass, threaten or intimidate
[4:06:33] me for being a Zionist.
[4:06:34] I want to grow up in San Diego
[4:06:35] where Jewish kids don't have to
[4:06:38] be afraid to display their
[4:06:38] Jewishness or Zionism.
[4:06:39] Today you have the power to
[4:06:43] help make that future real.
[4:06:43] >> Please vote yes for Ira.
[4:06:44] Thank you.
[4:06:44] Our next speaker is Jordan
[4:06:45] Marks.
[4:06:48] Please come up to the podium.
[4:06:49] After that we have Janet Klein,
[4:06:50] Nicole Bernstein, Andrew Beth,
[4:06:53] James Key and Cantor Cornett as
[4:06:54] well as Lisa Tucker.
[4:06:58] Tucker, if you can all please
[4:06:59] come up to the yellow reserved
[4:06:59] seats.
[4:06:59] Please proceed.
[4:07:00] I apologize in advance.
[4:07:03] I got Lasix I'm having to read
[4:07:03] a little harder today.
[4:07:07] So is it okay MADAM Clerk?
[4:07:08] PRESIDENT Lacob and members of
[4:07:09] the Center City Council.
[4:07:09] My name is Jordan Marks.
[4:07:11] I serve as your senior county
[4:07:12] assessor recorder County clerk.
[4:07:13] But I'm here today in my
[4:07:13] capacity as a San Diego City
[4:07:16] resident, a parent and a proud
[4:07:17] member of the Jewish community.
[4:07:20] I strongly ask for your support
[4:07:20] of items 500 The adoption of
[4:07:21] the International Holocaust
[4:07:22] Remembrance Alliance Definition
[4:07:25] of Antisemitism.
[4:07:26] I want to thank the Senate
[4:07:26] Human Relations Commission and
[4:07:30] Chair Nicole Ramirez for
[4:07:31] the U.S. Unanimous support in
[4:07:31] moving this forward to City
[4:07:32] council and especially
[4:07:35] COUNCILMAN Steven Whitburn for
[4:07:35] your leadership bring this item
[4:07:36] forward today.
[4:07:36] Across the region we've already
[4:07:39] seen cities like Chula Vista
[4:07:40] and El Cajon pass this
[4:07:44] definition because too often
[4:07:45] acts of hate when we see them
[4:07:45] happen.
[4:07:49] We see elected officials post
[4:07:50] their thoughts and prayers.
[4:07:50] But in L.A. County we've
[4:07:51] experienced real consequences
[4:07:54] Violence like the power
[4:07:54] synagogue shooting, the sdsu
[4:07:55] synagogue attack hateful
[4:07:58] anti-Semitic fliers in our
[4:07:59] neighborhoods and swastikas
[4:08:00] defacing our community spaces.
[4:08:03] As a parent I can tell you
[4:08:04] Jewish families are living this
[4:08:04] reality Every day we drop off
[4:08:09] our children at schools,
[4:08:10] community centers by gate armed
[4:08:10] guards and they're tired.
[4:08:13] Thank you for that Concluding
[4:08:13] comment.
[4:08:14] Janet Klein Thank you for your
[4:08:15] action today.
[4:08:15] Nick Janet Klein Please come up
[4:08:18] to the microphone.
[4:08:22] Who do you want to see to to
[4:08:27] start falling back again and
[4:08:28] someone will come up and get
[4:08:28] your name.
[4:08:32] But as I can tell you as a
[4:08:32] parent and a Jewish parent it's
[4:08:33] not fun to have to have armed
[4:08:34] guards standing there with you
[4:08:38] Children be wanded.
[4:08:38] I've been at community events
[4:08:39] with many of your council
[4:08:40] members here where it's nice to
[4:08:42] walk our children's in spaces
[4:08:43] where they're free to be who
[4:08:44] they are and not attacked for
[4:08:46] being Jewish or for being a
[4:08:47] person that's Asian, Latino or
[4:08:48] African-American.
[4:08:52] We all stand together.
[4:08:52] This is not acceptable.
[4:08:53] This resolution is not
[4:08:53] symbolic.
[4:08:54] It shows that you stand in
[4:08:56] solidarity against hate.
[4:08:57] It's a necessary step to equip
[4:08:58] our city, our law enforcement
[4:09:01] and community with a clear
[4:09:01] understanding of anti-Semitism
[4:09:02] so we can identify it, confront
[4:09:03] it and stop it.
[4:09:06] This is a moment for action,
[4:09:06] not just words.
[4:09:07] Thank you for voting yes on
[4:09:08] today's item and for standing
[4:09:08] with the Jewish community.
[4:09:11] I appreciate each and every one
[4:09:12] of you.
[4:09:12] >> Thank you.
[4:09:17] To confirm or eugenic line and
[4:09:18] I welcome your Janet Klein
[4:09:18] though.
[4:09:19] Thank you.
[4:09:21] Next is Nicole Bernstein Nicole
[4:09:22] you have time ceded to you by
[4:09:26] Jan Saffron Wolfer if you can
[4:09:27] please raise your hand you'll
[4:09:27] have two minutes.
[4:09:30] Please proceed.
[4:09:36] Equal commentator Dialectical
[4:09:37] about to the home Bucky to
[4:09:37] the name of Diana.
[4:09:39] >> So the translation I am so
[4:09:44] sorry that that happened to
[4:09:44] your daughter in class and I
[4:09:45] promise to help.
[4:09:49] That's what I told the parents
[4:09:49] of a ninth grade girl who's
[4:09:50] been bullied at school multiple
[4:09:54] times simply for being Jewish.
[4:09:55] My name is Nicole Bernstein and
[4:09:55] I'm a San Diego resident.
[4:09:58] The daughter of Israeli
[4:09:59] immigrants, the first person in
[4:10:03] my entire family to be born in
[4:10:04] the United States of America
[4:10:08] and co-founder of Pure k12.
[4:10:09] We help Jewish parents to
[4:10:10] protect their kids civil rights
[4:10:13] in our schools.
[4:10:14] That call came to me last week
[4:10:17] while I was out running errands
[4:10:18] .
[4:10:18] I stepped into the corner of a
[4:10:19] store and continued
[4:10:22] the conversation in Hebrew.
[4:10:27] Within minutes multiple people
[4:10:28] walked by and glared at me with
[4:10:32] open hostility.
[4:10:33] One woman even circled back
[4:10:37] twice just to make sure I felt
[4:10:38] it.
[4:10:42] That should not be tolerated.
[4:10:43] I wasn't being loud.
[4:10:43] I was not disruptive.
[4:10:47] I was simply speaking in my
[4:10:47] mother's tongue.
[4:10:52] Hebrew just one week earlier in
[4:10:52] San Jose, California, two
[4:10:56] Israelis speaking Hebrew
[4:10:57] outside of a restaurant were
[4:11:01] violently attacked simply for
[4:11:02] speaking Hebrew in public That
[4:11:06] should not be tolerated.
[4:11:06] >> From classrooms to
[4:11:11] restaurants to grocery stores,
[4:11:11] Jews are being targeted simply
[4:11:16] for daring to exist in public
[4:11:17] That should not be tolerated.
[4:11:21] Every person and every language
[4:11:22] has the right to exist.
[4:11:26] Today in America's finest city
[4:11:27] you have an opportunity to send
[4:11:28] a clear message with your vote.
[4:11:31] Hatred of someone because of
[4:11:32] their religion, skin color or
[4:11:32] sexual orientation National
[4:11:35] nation of origin should be
[4:11:36] tolerated.
[4:11:36] >> Please vote yes.
[4:11:41] Nicole Bernstein.
[4:11:42] Oh, is that you?
[4:11:42] I'm sorry.
[4:11:43] I'm happy to go.
[4:11:46] I'm just getting started.
[4:11:46] Sorry.
[4:11:51] Andrea Dembski After Andrea we
[4:11:51] have Cantor Cornett and Liva
[4:11:55] Tucker as well as DR. Joshua
[4:11:56] Fetter.
[4:11:56] If you can please come out to
[4:11:57] the other reserved seats.
[4:11:57] Please proceed.
[4:12:00] Good afternoon.
[4:12:00] My name is Andrea Beth Dembski
[4:12:01] and I am a commissioner with
[4:12:05] the California Commission on
[4:12:05] the State of Hate.
[4:12:06] Speaking on my own behalf as a
[4:12:07] member of the Jewish community
[4:12:09] who has been dogged and
[4:12:10] harassed for assumptions about
[4:12:14] my support of Israel.
[4:12:15] We live in a time when Jew
[4:12:15] haters drive their trucks
[4:12:16] through synagogue doors armed
[4:12:16] with explosives.
[4:12:19] When Jew haters like Jews on
[4:12:20] fire with Molotov cocktails,
[4:12:23] when Jews speaking Hebrew are
[4:12:24] beaten in a restaurant in broad
[4:12:25] daylight and no one comes to
[4:12:25] their aid when Jews are
[4:12:28] murdered outside a Jewish
[4:12:28] museum.
[4:12:29] These acts target Jews not a
[4:12:33] state nor its military.
[4:12:34] Jews are hunted domestically
[4:12:34] for being Jews and for our
[4:12:38] assumed connection to Israel
[4:12:39] that tens of millions of
[4:12:39] Christians who do support
[4:12:42] Israel are not similarly
[4:12:43] attacked.
[4:12:43] Clarify that these acts of hate
[4:12:47] and violence against Jews are
[4:12:47] antisemitism.
[4:12:48] We need the strongest
[4:12:48] definition of anti-Semitism
[4:12:52] possible and this resolution
[4:12:53] meets that need.
[4:12:53] Thank you to the council
[4:12:57] members and staff who brought
[4:12:58] this forward and I urge you all
[4:12:58] to vote yes.
[4:12:59] >> Thank you.
[4:13:06] Cantor.
[4:13:06] >> Thank you, Council members.
[4:13:07] My name is Cantor Larry Cornett
[4:13:11] for those of you who do not
[4:13:12] know the difference between a
[4:13:12] cantor and a rabbi, rabbis
[4:13:16] think they can sing.
[4:13:17] I am actually here today to
[4:13:21] talk to you about the aria
[4:13:21] definition.
[4:13:25] When I was in college the first
[4:13:26] thing that I learned from
[4:13:30] philosophy professor.
[4:13:31] >> Excuse me I'm sorry is
[4:13:35] define your terms.
[4:13:36] Why is that important?
[4:13:40] You cannot have an intelligent
[4:13:40] conversation with somebody if
[4:13:41] you are not speaking with
[4:13:45] the correct terms and both are
[4:13:45] shared.
[4:13:50] It is imperative for you to not
[4:13:50] play Whac-a-Mole and actually
[4:13:51] have the definition that you
[4:13:55] can use to be able to pattern
[4:13:59] your ideas and importance on
[4:14:00] your department heads as to
[4:14:01] what they need to know.
[4:14:05] Thank you COUNCILMAN Woodburn
[4:14:06] for presenting this.
[4:14:06] I appreciate it.
[4:14:09] Please vote yes and Harry lies
[4:14:13] attacker.
[4:14:14] Hello council members and thank
[4:14:15] you Council member Whipper for
[4:14:20] response during the Irish vote
[4:14:20] today.
[4:14:22] My name is Lisa Thatcher.
[4:14:23] 100 cities and municipalities
[4:14:24] in the us have adopted the ihra
[4:14:28] definition because it is
[4:14:28] constitutional and does not
[4:14:32] infringe on one's right to free
[4:14:33] speech.
[4:14:34] But San Diego is not on this
[4:14:37] list.
[4:14:38] Today is the day.
[4:14:38] San Diego being the sister city
[4:14:41] of Shard Negev should be added
[4:14:42] to this list as well.
[4:14:46] Beverly Hills El Cajon La Chula
[4:14:46] Vista.
[4:14:46] Miami.
[4:14:47] Miami Beach.
[4:14:47] Coral Gables.
[4:14:48] Doral.
[4:14:51] Sunnyvale Beach.
[4:14:52] Palm Beach Gardens.
[4:14:52] West Palm Beach.
[4:14:53] Hialeah Gardens.
[4:14:56] Parkland.
[4:14:57] North Miami of Intolerable
[4:14:57] Harbor Surfside.
[4:14:58] Juno Beach.
[4:15:01] Golden Beach Bay Harbor Islands
[4:15:02] North Bay Village North Palm
[4:15:02] Beach Pine.
[4:15:06] Chris Key Biscayne Jupiter
[4:15:07] Jupiter Intel Colony Forest
[4:15:11] Park Lincoln Wood Highland Park
[4:15:12] Gary Bellevue Tacoma.
[4:15:16] Kansas City.
[4:15:17] >> Seattle.
[4:15:18] Thank you for that concluding
[4:15:18] remark.
[4:15:26] DR. Joshua Fetter Thank you.
[4:15:27] I'm DR. Josh Fader.
[4:15:28] I teach at ucsd School of
[4:15:31] Medicine and also at nasa
[4:15:31] National University Palestinian
[4:15:32] Child Institute in Nablus.
[4:15:36] My family in yellow Poland was
[4:15:37] burned alive in their synagogue
[4:15:41] in a Nazi demonstration to show
[4:15:41] that the world would not help
[4:15:45] Jews here in America.
[4:15:46] At age six I took a brick at
[4:15:46] close range to my head because
[4:15:50] I killed Jesus.
[4:15:51] I became a Navy doctor, served
[4:15:51] through the first Gulf War and
[4:15:55] now I lead the American Academy
[4:15:56] of Child and Adolescent
[4:15:56] Psychiatry and Trauma care
[4:16:00] nationally and globally helping
[4:16:00] all children impacted by
[4:16:04] conflict and hate.
[4:16:05] Last SEPTEMBER I spoke at
[4:16:06] the U.N. To move that fragile
[4:16:10] cease fire forward.
[4:16:10] My life is about protecting
[4:16:11] children.
[4:16:14] Every child deserves safety and
[4:16:15] peace That includes Jewish
[4:16:20] children.
[4:16:20] This ira resolution will help.
[4:16:24] Thank you.
[4:16:25] >> Rabbi Scott Meltzer Rabbi,
[4:16:29] you have time seated by Jacob
[4:16:30] Schorr If you can please raise
[4:16:30] your hand And by Nina Schorr if
[4:16:33] you can please raise your hand.
[4:16:34] You'll have three minutes.
[4:16:34] Please proceed.
[4:16:39] Thank you.
[4:16:39] Thank you, Council member
[4:16:40] Whitburn for bringing this
[4:16:40] resolution.
[4:16:43] Thank you to your staff for an
[4:16:44] outstanding presentation.
[4:16:44] Thank you to the entire
[4:16:44] Council.
[4:16:47] My name is Scott Meltzer.
[4:16:48] I am the Rabbi of Shalom
[4:16:49] Synagogue and I teach in
[4:16:52] the department for the study of
[4:16:53] Religion at San Diego State.
[4:16:53] I would like to publicly
[4:16:54] acknowledge and thank PRESIDENT
[4:16:58] The delegate Tara for her
[4:16:58] national leadership on creating
[4:17:02] safe space for Jewish students
[4:17:03] in the context of American
[4:17:03] universities something that
[4:17:07] tragically is not common around
[4:17:07] the country.
[4:17:08] I also apologize if I look a
[4:17:12] bit disheveled and tired.
[4:17:13] I came home very late last
[4:17:13] night from a conference out of
[4:17:14] town that I was attending.
[4:17:17] I can't tell you where that
[4:17:17] conference is because the new
[4:17:21] norm in Jewish conferences is
[4:17:22] please don't post anything
[4:17:26] geographically identifiable
[4:17:27] until after the conference for
[4:17:27] fear of antisemitism heckling
[4:17:31] harassment and violence.
[4:17:32] I've been to two conferences
[4:17:32] this year and that's been
[4:17:36] the policy for both of them.
[4:17:36] Again, the new norm in
[4:17:37] the Jewish community.
[4:17:40] You want to talk about
[4:17:41] challenges to free speech?
[4:17:42] I have congregants who are
[4:17:46] afraid to come into our
[4:17:46] synagogue.
[4:17:47] They don't come for services.
[4:17:50] They don't come for social
[4:17:50] events.
[4:17:51] They don't come for classes
[4:17:52] because they are afraid of
[4:17:55] the anti-Semitism in this
[4:17:55] America's finest city.
[4:17:56] And you have the opportunity
[4:18:00] today to say to them to all
[4:18:00] Jews in the city and to
[4:18:01] everybody in this city that we
[4:18:05] will not abide these
[4:18:05] unprecedented levels of
[4:18:06] anti-Semitism.
[4:18:09] Some will argue that
[4:18:10] anti-Israel can never be
[4:18:11] anti-Semitic.
[4:18:13] They are wrong.
[4:18:14] Anti-Israel rhetoric is
[4:18:15] sometimes a discourse of
[4:18:19] criticism and sometimes it
[4:18:19] crosses a line that is clearly
[4:18:20] anti-Semitic.
[4:18:24] In the past months my synagogue
[4:18:25] has been vandalized five times.
[4:18:28] Vandalism is a crime.
[4:18:29] When my synagogue is targeted
[4:18:33] in vandalized with anti-Israel
[4:18:37] hate that is anti-Semitic.
[4:18:38] When somebody drives a car into
[4:18:42] a place of worship doing damage
[4:18:43] ,firing a gun that is a crime
[4:18:47] When they are angry at Israel
[4:18:48] and do it in the synagogue that
[4:18:49] is anti-Semitic.
[4:18:52] Any argument to the contrary is
[4:18:53] wrong.
[4:19:00] Thank you very much, Bernard f
[4:19:01] if you can please come up to
[4:19:02] the podium and if I can have
[4:19:05] the following individuals
[4:19:06] please come up to the front
[4:19:06] row.
[4:19:07] Shelly de Leon Stacey Bressler
[4:19:10] Reinstein Greenstein and Wendy
[4:19:10] Patterson.
[4:19:16] Kayla Gilbertson Amy Wise Bomb
[4:19:16] Adam Moseley.
[4:19:20] If you can all please come up
[4:19:20] to the front row and Bernard
[4:19:22] you can come up to
[4:19:29] the microphone and maybe.
[4:19:30] Thank you Counsel.
[4:19:31] My name is Brian Spriggs.
[4:19:34] I'm a native San Diego and I
[4:19:35] live in District one.
[4:19:39] Thank you for bringing this up.
[4:19:40] I'm going to speak on
[4:19:43] the behalf of the Gentile
[4:19:44] population.
[4:19:44] I am not Jewish but I stand
[4:19:48] with the Jews as a Gentile.
[4:19:53] And the fact or even happened
[4:19:54] to have this as a vote is
[4:19:58] probably the most concerning
[4:19:59] part.
[4:20:02] But I personally, as you each
[4:20:03] one personally have to do
[4:20:06] the address take a stand Stand
[4:20:06] up for people's rights, speak
[4:20:07] up for those people who have
[4:20:11] more crime against them than
[4:20:11] any other group.
[4:20:15] Please support this adoption
[4:20:16] and let this just be
[4:20:17] the beginning of a change
[4:20:17] within us to be able to bring
[4:20:21] Shalom to our community.
[4:20:25] Thank you Shelly.
[4:20:26] Good afternoon.
[4:20:30] Council members.
[4:20:31] Good to see you again and thank
[4:20:32] you so much to Council member
[4:20:32] Whitburn.
[4:20:36] I'm in District five in Rancho
[4:20:37] Pinocchio's and a member of
[4:20:40] Stand with Us.
[4:20:41] Thank you for your time today
[4:20:45] And especially I want to urge
[4:20:46] you to vote yes on this
[4:20:46] measure.
[4:20:50] I want to note that members of
[4:20:50] care the Council on American
[4:20:54] Islamic Relations are present
[4:20:55] today and I believe it's
[4:20:56] important for the council to be
[4:20:59] aware of the backgrounds and
[4:21:00] statements connected to
[4:21:04] organizations participating in
[4:21:04] public discussions, for
[4:21:05] example.
[4:21:10] So Jim Webb, a chair or a care
[4:21:10] of speaker and collaborator has
[4:21:14] been quoted as describing
[4:21:19] homosexuality as quote evil
[4:21:19] inclination.
[4:21:24] Additionally, North the Los
[4:21:24] Care's director of government
[4:21:25] affairs has been recorded
[4:21:30] making deeply offensive remarks
[4:21:30] including statements as a
[4:21:34] conclusion as time has expired.
[4:21:35] Vote Yes Stacy Bressler
[4:21:37] Reinstein.
[4:21:40] First one to get it wrong.
[4:21:45] >> Okay.
[4:21:46] Good afternoon Council members.
[4:21:47] My name is Stacy Bressler
[4:21:48] Reinstein and I'm a resident of
[4:21:49] District six.
[4:21:50] I politely urge the council
[4:21:51] members to support the ira
[4:21:55] resolution today.
[4:21:55] >> The Jewish community has
[4:21:56] been the target of an
[4:21:56] exponential rise in hate
[4:21:59] incidents over the last ten
[4:22:00] years with a 286% rise here in
[4:22:03] San Diego since 2022.
[4:22:04] For the past year someone has
[4:22:07] been dropping off small slips
[4:22:08] of paper In the early morning
[4:22:09] near my local middle school and
[4:22:12] the Chabad Center of University
[4:22:13] City.
[4:22:14] This is 7/10 of a mile from my
[4:22:14] home.
[4:22:15] On these papers are written
[4:22:18] sayings such as the chosen
[4:22:19] people were chosen by Hitler
[4:22:20] and thank Hitler with a heart
[4:22:21] and a swastika.
[4:22:26] >> And here's the a neighbor a
[4:22:27] neighbor reported this incident
[4:22:31] to the police a year ago but
[4:22:32] somehow it fell through
[4:22:32] the cracks.
[4:22:33] It's my understanding that is
[4:22:36] now being taken seriously by
[4:22:37] Councilmember Kent Lee's office
[4:22:38] as well as law enforcement and
[4:22:40] new incidents are being
[4:22:41] reported through the proper
[4:22:41] channels.
[4:22:42] It is distressing and deeply
[4:22:46] troubling that an individual
[4:22:47] who is filled with hatred and
[4:22:47] anti thank you for that kind
[4:22:48] goes by.
[4:22:49] >> Thank you for considering
[4:22:51] Wendy Patterson.
[4:22:52] When do you have time to buy
[4:22:52] Beth?
[4:22:55] Beth I've read a Heller reader
[4:22:55] Heller.
[4:22:56] No, I have Beth.
[4:22:59] Do you have two minutes?
[4:23:00] Please proceed.
[4:23:00] Okay.
[4:23:00] Hi, counsel.
[4:23:01] Thank you.
[4:23:04] My apologies.
[4:23:05] What other name?
[4:23:05] I will look for it.
[4:23:06] Please proceed.
[4:23:10] Hi, Council members.
[4:23:11] Thank you for putting this
[4:23:11] forward.
[4:23:12] Steve Whitburn thank you for
[4:23:15] all your work where I endorse
[4:23:16] Lee and thank you to my
[4:23:16] community.
[4:23:19] >> I am so proud of you today.
[4:23:24] >> My name is Wendy Bateson and
[4:23:25] I have been a resident of San
[4:23:25] Diego for over 17 years.
[4:23:29] I am here today to urge you to
[4:23:30] vote yes on San Diego adopting
[4:23:34] the irh or a definition of anti
[4:23:34] Semitism.
[4:23:38] This definition provides a
[4:23:39] clear framework to identify
[4:23:43] Semitic harassment threats or
[4:23:43] attacks on Jewish people's
[4:23:44] right to exist freely and live
[4:23:47] safely.
[4:23:48] >> I am speaking as
[4:23:49] the granddaughter of Jewish
[4:23:53] immigrants who fed fled
[4:23:53] anti-Semitism and violence in
[4:23:57] Turkey during World War one
[4:23:57] believing they would finally be
[4:23:58] safe in the United States.
[4:24:02] Yet just a generation later
[4:24:02] anti-Semitism is rising again.
[4:24:06] Even here in America's finest
[4:24:07] city I am I have personally
[4:24:11] experienced a bomb scare
[4:24:12] threatening hate speech and
[4:24:13] witnessed numerous targeted
[4:24:16] attacks on our Jewish spaces
[4:24:16] and symbols.
[4:24:17] Today when I attend Jewish
[4:24:21] community events in San Diego
[4:24:22] they require high level
[4:24:22] security measures because hate
[4:24:26] rhetoric too often leads to
[4:24:26] violence.
[4:24:27] Officials and community leaders
[4:24:31] often say they are horrified
[4:24:32] after Semitic anti-Semitic
[4:24:32] attacks.
[4:24:36] But being horrified after a
[4:24:37] tragedy is not enough.
[4:24:42] We often say that none of us
[4:24:43] are free until we are all free.
[4:24:46] So it should not be
[4:24:46] controversial to say that San
[4:24:47] Diego's Jewish residents
[4:24:51] deserve the same protection
[4:24:52] from incitement and harassment
[4:24:52] that every other marginalized
[4:24:56] community expects and fights
[4:24:56] for.
[4:25:01] San Diego is doing meaningful
[4:25:02] justice work for many
[4:25:02] communities.
[4:25:05] I have stood on the front lines
[4:25:06] together with many of you in
[4:25:11] this room on both sides of this
[4:25:11] issue.
[4:25:12] But I have stood with you for
[4:25:15] against the Muslim ban.
[4:25:20] I have stood with you against
[4:25:20] supporting immigrants rights,
[4:25:21] fighting against family
[4:25:21] separation.
[4:25:25] I could go on and on.
[4:25:30] But today we are here for
[4:25:31] the hra and the Jewish
[4:25:31] community must not be left
[4:25:35] behind.
[4:25:36] We need effective safeguards
[4:25:36] and hate from hate and harm.
[4:25:40] Please vote yes on the hra.
[4:25:45] >> Thank you Kayla.
[4:25:46] >> Kayla, you have Time to get
[4:25:49] it to You by Denise Casale.
[4:25:50] Thank you so much, love.
[4:25:50] Two minutes.
[4:25:51] Please proceed.
[4:25:51] Good afternoon, council
[4:25:52] members.
[4:25:54] My name is Kayla Glover, a
[4:25:55] resident of District one and
[4:25:55] I'm speaking today as
[4:25:59] the interim associate director
[4:25:59] with Jewish National Fund usa
[4:26:03] here in San Diego, a
[4:26:04] non-religious and apolitical
[4:26:04] organization.
[4:26:08] I must emphasize I urge you to
[4:26:09] vote yes on adopting ihra
[4:26:09] definition of antisemitism.
[4:26:13] You MAY hear opponents wrongly
[4:26:13] claim that ira threatens free
[4:26:14] speech as we've heard so much
[4:26:18] that argument is just simply
[4:26:18] wrong.
[4:26:19] That definition does not ban
[4:26:19] free speech.
[4:26:22] It is a non-binding educational
[4:26:23] tool used around the world to
[4:26:27] help institutions recognize
[4:26:27] when criticism crosses the line
[4:26:28] into into anti-Semitism
[4:26:33] criticism of any government
[4:26:33] including Israel is not
[4:26:37] considered anti-Semitic Under
[4:26:38] ihra but denying the Jewish
[4:26:38] people the same right to
[4:26:42] self-determination afforded to
[4:26:43] others or holding Jews
[4:26:44] collectively responsible for
[4:26:47] actions of a foreign government
[4:26:48] is antisemitic.
[4:26:48] ira helps clarify that
[4:26:52] distinction.
[4:26:53] With anti-Semitism on the rise
[4:26:53] nationally and locally.
[4:26:57] Clarity absolutely matters.
[4:26:58] Voting yes today affirms that
[4:26:58] San Diego recognizes
[4:27:02] antisemitism and stands against
[4:27:02] it.
[4:27:03] Thank you so much for your time
[4:27:05] today.
[4:27:11] >> Amy Weisberg.
[4:27:11] >> Good afternoon Council
[4:27:12] members.
[4:27:16] My name is Amy Weiss Bomb and I
[4:27:17] live in District three.
[4:27:17] Councilmember Whitburn, thank
[4:27:18] you so much for sponsoring
[4:27:21] today's ira vote.
[4:27:22] The opposition is manipulating
[4:27:22] us with claims that even
[4:27:26] the ira authorized an ounce.
[4:27:26] Eight scholars and experts on
[4:27:27] antisemitism drafted the ira
[4:27:30] resolution and agreed by
[4:27:31] consensus By consensus meaning
[4:27:32] all authors agreed and voted
[4:27:35] yes on it later.
[4:27:35] One author of the eight
[4:27:36] expressed concerns that it can
[4:27:40] be misused and he never
[4:27:41] criticized the existence of ira
[4:27:41] and never rescinded his vote.
[4:27:45] What is even more ridiculous is
[4:27:46] that the opposition wants to
[4:27:50] tell us Jews which declaration
[4:27:51] should define hate against us.
[4:27:51] Suggesting we use the Jerusalem
[4:27:55] Declaration of antisemitism.
[4:27:56] 95% of worldwide Jewish
[4:28:00] organizations agree on the ihra
[4:28:00] definition.
[4:28:01] We don't need the people who
[4:28:02] harass us to tell us which
[4:28:05] definition to use.
[4:28:06] Please adopt Ira Stand by
[4:28:07] The fact and the definition of
[4:28:10] anti-Semite ism that
[4:28:11] the majority of the world's
[4:28:11] Jews Stand by.
[4:28:12] >> Thank you.
[4:28:16] They can thank you, Adam, as
[4:28:17] long as you can please come up
[4:28:18] to the podium And if I can ask
[4:28:20] the following individuals to
[4:28:21] please come up to the yellow
[4:28:21] reserved seats.
[4:28:22] If you've already spoken please
[4:28:23] go back to your seats where you
[4:28:25] were originally.
[4:28:26] Debbie Bank Town Hanukkah.
[4:28:29] David Feingold To John
[4:28:30] Sorrentino and Julie Sorrentino
[4:28:34] as well as Jonas McClennan If
[4:28:35] you can please come up Adam
[4:28:35] Please proceed.
[4:28:39] Good afternoon Councilmember.
[4:28:40] My name is Adam Masri.
[4:28:40] I'm the director of the Finest
[4:28:42] Community Coalition, a
[4:28:43] coalition of 47 local San Diego
[4:28:44] Jewish organizations working
[4:28:47] together to confront
[4:28:48] antisemitism.
[4:28:48] Our members include synagogues,
[4:28:49] community organizations,
[4:28:52] educational institutions,
[4:28:53] advocacy groups and service
[4:28:54] organizations that collectively
[4:28:57] represent the broad spectrum of
[4:28:58] San Diego's organized Jewish
[4:28:58] community.
[4:29:02] As a coalition we ourselves
[4:29:02] adhere to the ihra definition
[4:29:03] of antisemitism as
[4:29:04] the framework we use when
[4:29:07] evaluating and responding to
[4:29:08] incidents affecting our
[4:29:08] community.
[4:29:09] We the definition because it is
[4:29:12] the most widely recognized and
[4:29:12] practical definition of
[4:29:13] antisemitism in use today.
[4:29:16] Jewish communities are diverse
[4:29:17] and debate is a cherished part
[4:29:18] of Jewish tradition.
[4:29:21] You MAY hear from some fringe
[4:29:22] Jewish voices who oppose this
[4:29:23] definition.
[4:29:23] While they are entitled to
[4:29:24] their views.
[4:29:26] It is important to understand
[4:29:27] that those views do not reflect
[4:29:28] the consensus of San Diego's
[4:29:32] organized Jewish community.
[4:29:32] Our unified coalition of 47
[4:29:36] organizations does.
[4:29:37] We respectfully urge
[4:29:37] the Council to listen to
[4:29:38] the voice of our community by
[4:29:38] adopting this.
[4:29:39] Thank you for that Concluding
[4:29:39] remark.
[4:29:45] Debbie Simon Once you give me
[4:29:45] his time.
[4:29:50] It's one minute.
[4:29:51] I don't have anyone sitting in
[4:29:51] your time right now.
[4:29:54] There his will go Somebody go
[4:29:55] back there to get their
[4:29:55] speakers up.
[4:29:55] Proceed.
[4:29:59] Thank you, Dear council
[4:29:59] members, my name is Debbie Bank
[4:30:03] and I live in District one.
[4:30:08] >> I want to explain I want to
[4:30:09] explain to you who is really
[4:30:12] behind the opposition refusing
[4:30:13] the acknowledgment
[4:30:13] anti-Semitism and the ira
[4:30:18] resolution.
[4:30:18] Who is behind the emails you
[4:30:19] received against Ira?
[4:30:22] And who rallied these opponents
[4:30:26] of ira in this meeting?
[4:30:27] One organization is called Kara
[4:30:28] Council of American-Islamic
[4:30:31] Relations.
[4:30:32] There is so much that can be
[4:30:33] said about this organization
[4:30:36] including their support for
[4:30:37] international terrorism, their
[4:30:38] undisclosed foreign government
[4:30:42] funding ties to Hamas and
[4:30:42] promotion of antisemitism,
[4:30:46] anti-Semitism in general.
[4:30:47] Here are their leadership
[4:30:47] quotes.
[4:30:52] F Jews I demand.
[4:30:56] I want icis to kill all of
[4:30:56] them.
[4:30:57] Speaking of the Jews.
[4:31:01] Nor Nora shall us care Director
[4:31:01] of government that clear
[4:31:02] homosexuality is an evil
[4:31:07] inclination in that so have web
[4:31:09] care speaker and collaborator
[4:31:10] In 2017 the Islamic nation has
[4:31:15] lost one of its biggest emblems
[4:31:16] and he had a what a word care
[4:31:19] executive director about a
[4:31:20] recruiter for al Qaeda training
[4:31:24] camps and mentor of Osama bin
[4:31:24] Laden.
[4:31:25] We are witnessing
[4:31:29] decolonization czar below Care
[4:31:29] Executive Director On OCTOBER
[4:31:32] 7th, 2023 the day when Jews
[4:31:37] when were slaughtered by Hamas
[4:31:37] raped and burned Jews siding
[4:31:42] with ira position is siding
[4:31:43] with bigotry and hate.
[4:31:49] Please adopt Ira tell so sorry
[4:31:51] I when I really mention like
[4:31:52] all the organizations that a
[4:31:52] supporters is Jewish Federation
[4:31:55] of San Diego Hillel San Diego
[4:31:56] American Jewish Committee adl
[4:32:00] thank you so much.
[4:32:00] >> Thank you.
[4:32:05] My apologies to all Hanukkah.
[4:32:05] Good afternoon Council members
[4:32:10] My name is Tal Hanukkah.
[4:32:10] I'm a San Diego resident from
[4:32:11] District one and I'm a Jewish
[4:32:15] mother raising children in this
[4:32:16] community.
[4:32:16] Thank you Councilmember
[4:32:20] Whitburn for bringing forward
[4:32:20] this resolution.
[4:32:21] A few months after OCTOBER 7th
[4:32:25] I was putting my young children
[4:32:25] into the car in a shopping mall
[4:32:26] while speaking to them in
[4:32:26] Hebrew.
[4:32:30] A woman parked next to me
[4:32:31] overheard us and started
[4:32:31] yelling f-ing Jew.
[4:32:35] My children were right there
[4:32:35] listening.
[4:32:39] anti-Semitism is not abstract
[4:32:40] for Jewish families.
[4:32:44] It happens every day often in
[4:32:44] front of our children.
[4:32:45] Healthy debate and criticism of
[4:32:48] governments including Israel
[4:32:49] are a normal part of democratic
[4:32:53] societies.
[4:32:54] But there is an important
[4:32:54] distinction between criticizing
[4:32:58] a government and targeting
[4:32:59] Jewish people.
[4:32:59] That hra definition is an
[4:33:03] important tool because it helps
[4:33:04] distinguish between legitimate
[4:33:05] criticism of Israel and hatred
[4:33:08] directed at Jewish people.
[4:33:09] >> I urge you to vote yes.
[4:33:10] Thank you for that concluding
[4:33:13] remark David Offenders David f
[4:33:18] e and g-d d You f, e and g d
[4:33:23] you Fingal Feingold on my
[4:33:23] apologies.
[4:33:28] Yes I have horrible spelling.
[4:33:29] >> Sorry but yeah no we all
[4:33:32] know what anti-Semitism is and
[4:33:33] this isn't actually going to
[4:33:37] stop it but it's a culture we
[4:33:38] all know that we can't call
[4:33:38] little people and words or
[4:33:42] black people and words or
[4:33:42] whatever.
[4:33:43] The point is is language
[4:33:47] evolves And you know, for me I
[4:33:48] was at the market the other day
[4:33:49] and so many just honk the horn
[4:33:52] and said Israel which it would
[4:33:52] have been better if they just
[4:33:53] called me a Jew.
[4:33:56] But it's evolving So this is
[4:33:56] actually about just protecting
[4:33:57] children by creating a culture
[4:34:01] where it's not okay to go after
[4:34:02] somebody just for being a
[4:34:05] certain religion or you know,
[4:34:06] wearing what they wear.
[4:34:07] But most of San Diego I just
[4:34:10] will say is like very tolerant
[4:34:11] of us.
[4:34:11] It's just a few people and it's
[4:34:12] those few people that cause me
[4:34:15] to have to go behind
[4:34:16] bulletproof glass tonight when
[4:34:17] I go study Torah or you know,
[4:34:20] have to hang out with security
[4:34:21] guards at every single function
[4:34:21] it's just not normal.
[4:34:22] And you know, that's pretty
[4:34:26] much all it is.
[4:34:26] But yeah, vote for it And we
[4:34:27] all know what anti Semitism is
[4:34:30] but we just had that We have to
[4:34:30] define it.
[4:34:31] Thank you John Sorrentino And
[4:34:34] then Julie Sorrentino.
[4:34:35] Jonas McClennan And if I can
[4:34:39] have Grandma sc and Alia David
[4:34:43] Bronstein please come up to
[4:34:44] the first row.
[4:34:44] John you have time ceded to you
[4:34:48] by Elena Rangel Thank you so
[4:34:48] much.
[4:34:49] You'll have two minutes.
[4:34:49] Please proceed.
[4:34:53] Hello And thank you for
[4:34:53] allowing me to speak here
[4:34:54] today.
[4:34:54] My name is John Sorrentino.
[4:34:57] I'm the pastor of New Covenant
[4:34:58] Tabernacle.
[4:34:58] And antisemitism has directly
[4:34:59] affected our church and we have
[4:35:02] over 100 members from San Diego
[4:35:03] City from Nestor Paradise Hills
[4:35:07] Skyline Alta Vista, Palm City
[4:35:08] and Ocean View Hills.
[4:35:09] Our church is not Jewish but we
[4:35:12] have many Jewish members.
[4:35:13] As a Bible believing church we
[4:35:16] hold true that those who bless
[4:35:17] Israel will be blessed and
[4:35:17] those who curse Israel will be
[4:35:18] cursed.
[4:35:21] And most importantly
[4:35:21] the commandment to love your
[4:35:22] neighbor.
[4:35:22] We believe that the Jewish
[4:35:25] community is our neighbor.
[4:35:26] Sadly, because of this position
[4:35:27] our church has experienced all
[4:35:31] kinds of anti-Semitic ism.
[4:35:31] Our youth have been bullied,
[4:35:32] threatened and even attacked at
[4:35:32] their schools.
[4:35:35] Our church has been forced to
[4:35:36] use armed security.
[4:35:36] And many of our members now
[4:35:40] legally carry firearms to
[4:35:41] protect themselves and their
[4:35:41] families at church Because of
[4:35:44] the threats we've encountered.
[4:35:45] The ihra definition of
[4:35:46] antisemitism would give
[4:35:49] authorities a foundation to
[4:35:50] identify and deal with this
[4:35:50] form of prejudice.
[4:35:54] Recently I traveled to both of
[4:35:55] the hallowed grounds of
[4:35:56] Poland's Nazi death camps and
[4:35:59] the ravaged Gaza envelope.
[4:36:00] These horrific events that
[4:36:00] happened in those places did
[4:36:03] not begin with bullets and
[4:36:04] bombs but with words, lies and
[4:36:08] threats words that dehumanize
[4:36:09] others, words that dismiss
[4:36:09] hatred, words that justify
[4:36:13] violence.
[4:36:14] Adopting the ihra definition of
[4:36:15] antisemitism would allow those
[4:36:18] who perpetuate violence or
[4:36:19] cowardly speak hate from behind
[4:36:23] a keyboard or yelling threats
[4:36:24] through a bullhorn be
[4:36:24] identified and held accountable
[4:36:25] for their words.
[4:36:29] So today I ask you on behalf of
[4:36:29] the hundreds of members of our
[4:36:30] church and the thousands of
[4:36:33] Jewish residents who deal with
[4:36:33] this on a daily basis that you
[4:36:38] vote yes and adopt the ihra
[4:36:38] definition of antisemitism and
[4:36:39] protect those you serve.
[4:36:42] Thank you.
[4:36:47] >> Julie Sorrentino Good
[4:36:47] afternoon.
[4:36:48] Council PRESIDENT And Council
[4:36:52] members.
[4:36:52] My name is Julie Sorrentino and
[4:36:53] i serve as a Christian pastor.
[4:36:56] I stand before you today
[4:36:57] because this is a defining
[4:37:01] moment for moral clarity for
[4:37:01] the Jewish people, for
[4:37:06] Christians and people of all
[4:37:06] backgrounds of faith.
[4:37:09] Scripture calls us in Isaiah
[4:37:10] 117 to seek justice and defend
[4:37:14] the oppressed today That means
[4:37:15] having the courage to clarify
[4:37:19] or to clearly identify and
[4:37:19] confront antisemitism.
[4:37:24] This is not theoretical for us.
[4:37:28] This is personal in our church
[4:37:29] a young girl in high school has
[4:37:29] been threatened simply for
[4:37:32] standing with Israel.
[4:37:33] Our ministry has received death
[4:37:37] threats and ongoing hate speech
[4:37:38] online Because we openly
[4:37:38] support the Jewish community we
[4:37:42] have had to take security
[4:37:43] measures out of real concern
[4:37:43] for potential violence.
[4:37:47] This is happening here, not
[4:37:48] somewhere else.
[4:37:51] >> Please join us.
[4:37:54] >> McClanahan My apologies.
[4:37:59] Happy St Patrick's Day.
[4:38:00] I'm just here today because I'm
[4:38:03] tired of watching children and
[4:38:08] people getting massacred on tv
[4:38:08] .
[4:38:09] I'm glad I'm a little confused
[4:38:10] Sometimes it seems like this
[4:38:13] about the state of Israel but
[4:38:14] sometimes it seems like it is.
[4:38:15] I know where I stand.
[4:38:18] I'm against genocide.
[4:38:19] I'm against torture, I'm
[4:38:19] against rape.
[4:38:20] I'm against children being
[4:38:23] killed and that makes me anti
[4:38:23] Semitic.
[4:38:28] I guess I am grandma.
[4:38:29] >> sc All right.
[4:38:30] We've been doing pretty good.
[4:38:34] Let's keep it two thumbs up or
[4:38:34] thumbs down Grandma as you
[4:38:38] please come forward to
[4:38:39] the microphone it's your turn
[4:38:39] to speak then That's an elliott
[4:38:43] David Rothstein Manuel Bertran
[4:38:49] Da Halevi Grade z or Dada.
[4:38:50] So you and Leah okay if you can
[4:38:51] all please come forward to
[4:38:52] the yellow reserved seats
[4:38:53] please proceed.
[4:38:57] Oh yeah, that's my speech.
[4:39:02] Good afternoon.
[4:39:07] Council members especially MR.
[4:39:07] Whitman.
[4:39:08] He's my council member.
[4:39:11] Thank you, MR. Whitman But this
[4:39:12] this is the last straw.
[4:39:13] We I have some confrontations
[4:39:16] with you, but this one takes
[4:39:21] the best You are You are being
[4:39:21] discriminated as Jews.
[4:39:26] I can't believe that.
[4:39:27] Look at all these Jews lined up
[4:39:30] all well-to-do full of money in
[4:39:31] the pockets a pack money and
[4:39:34] they are coming one by one
[4:39:35] Doesn't give me a chance to
[4:39:35] talk.
[4:39:39] We are This is a one sided
[4:39:39] session.
[4:39:40] I can see this bill is going to
[4:39:44] go to so why waste my time and
[4:39:49] yours So I cannot say anything
[4:39:49] about this bill because it's
[4:39:50] already been planned and
[4:39:54] everything I see is done.
[4:39:55] Finish Why are we having so
[4:39:59] much Jewish problems?
[4:40:00] I see the Israelis who are
[4:40:00] killing babies and you know
[4:40:04] what's going on in there.
[4:40:05] You know what the genocide is.
[4:40:06] Your time has concluded And
[4:40:09] last look at it Your time has
[4:40:10] concluded And Elliot, please
[4:40:13] come up and sit down.
[4:40:17] Ma'am, Ma'am, sit down, Ma'am.
[4:40:27] I know ma'am And please proceed
[4:40:27] then.
[4:40:31] Elliot I live in North Park.
[4:40:32] I oppose the adoption of the i
[4:40:33] h r a definition of anti
[4:40:37] Semitism.
[4:40:37] It's true that anti Semitism
[4:40:38] has been increasing but so has
[4:40:42] Islam a phobia.
[4:40:43] Do we need a special law for
[4:40:46] each type of discrimination in
[4:40:47] this country?
[4:40:47] >> Speech which criticizes
[4:40:48] the actions of the Israeli
[4:40:51] state is not anti-Semitic.
[4:40:52] I criticize both the state of
[4:40:56] Israel and the United States
[4:40:56] When we conduct wars of choice
[4:41:00] which devastate populations it
[4:41:01] is my First Amendment right to
[4:41:01] say what I think.
[4:41:05] Are we becoming an Orwellian
[4:41:05] state where our thoughts are
[4:41:10] surveilled by thought police?
[4:41:11] I vote my conscience and I will
[4:41:11] not vote for any politician who
[4:41:14] takes money from an Israeli
[4:41:14] affiliated lobby.
[4:41:15] The Democratic Party needs to
[4:41:16] wake up to the reality that
[4:41:19] the presidential action was
[4:41:20] lost in part due to its failure
[4:41:21] to acknowledge the genocide
[4:41:24] perpetrated by the state of
[4:41:25] Israel and funded by the United
[4:41:25] States.
[4:41:29] >> Thanks, David Rothstein.
[4:41:30] >> Okay David, before you get
[4:41:34] up, I've asked you three times
[4:41:35] really nicely those who came up
[4:41:39] and spoke in support of this.
[4:41:40] There are people back there
[4:41:40] that don't agree with you And
[4:41:41] then a lot of sound came out of
[4:41:41] them.
[4:41:43] They put their thumbs down.
[4:41:44] They waved their signs.
[4:41:47] Please extend the same courtesy
[4:41:48] .
[4:41:48] Let people speak.
[4:41:49] We'll get through this and then
[4:41:50] we'll turn it over to
[4:41:53] the council members.
[4:41:53] Whether you agree or disagree
[4:41:54] with this, let's keep it civil.
[4:41:57] I know that can be painful
[4:41:58] given what some of you have
[4:41:59] experienced.
[4:41:59] But bear with us here in
[4:42:02] council chambers and in
[4:42:03] the committee room and
[4:42:03] the overflow.
[4:42:06] >> Thank you.
[4:42:11] David Rothstein, please come up
[4:42:11] .
[4:42:12] Thank you, counsel.
[4:42:12] My name is David Rothstein.
[4:42:14] I'm an attorney of about 15
[4:42:15] years I've worked for two
[4:42:16] federal agencies.
[4:42:16] I've served as an assistant
[4:42:20] attorney general, a couple of
[4:42:20] states and I have an mba from
[4:42:21] Berkeley.
[4:42:22] I want to speak today in favor
[4:42:24] of the hra definition.
[4:42:24] The ihra definition does not
[4:42:28] limit free speech.
[4:42:29] There is a distinction between
[4:42:30] free speech harassment,
[4:42:33] intimidation and
[4:42:33] discrimination.
[4:42:38] One is okay, one is not okay.
[4:42:39] >> Government agency government
[4:42:39] agencies also have a civil
[4:42:43] rights obligation to ensure
[4:42:43] access based on religion,
[4:42:44] ethnicity and national origin.
[4:42:47] These include for Jewish
[4:42:48] people.
[4:42:49] I want to be clear on the hra
[4:42:52] definition You are able to
[4:42:52] criticize Israeli policy
[4:42:57] Israeli officers in the same
[4:42:57] manner as any other country.
[4:42:58] You just can't have a different
[4:43:02] standard for Jews.
[4:43:03] And I want to leave you with
[4:43:03] one last question Why not
[4:43:04] listen to the Jewish community
[4:43:08] on what antisemitism is?
[4:43:08] >> We know what it is.
[4:43:09] Please adopt a definition.
[4:43:12] Thank you.
[4:43:13] >> Manuel Manuel Beltran or
[4:43:16] Manuel Beltran?
[4:43:17] >> Honorable City Council Thank
[4:43:21] you so much for meeting with us
[4:43:21] today.
[4:43:22] I'm coming to you in favor of
[4:43:25] item 500 and the adoption of
[4:43:26] ihra Definition of
[4:43:26] antisemitism.
[4:43:29] As a 30 year old from South Bay
[4:43:30] I can tell you I've seen
[4:43:34] antisemitism rise down there.
[4:43:34] I've seen it be spread amongst
[4:43:35] young people and most people in
[4:43:36] colleges amongst people in
[4:43:39] the workplace.
[4:43:40] And I here to tell you as a
[4:43:42] Christian that I for one I
[4:43:43] don't stand with it and I stand
[4:43:44] with my Jewish community
[4:43:47] especially and I echo their
[4:43:51] words from MAY 9th, 1945 to
[4:43:51] recently in Temple two up in
[4:43:56] San Jose Never again.
[4:43:56] This is exactly what this is
[4:43:57] about.
[4:43:57] This is not about some
[4:43:58] criticism Israel This is about
[4:44:01] defending Jewish people,
[4:44:01] the Jewish community and us as
[4:44:02] Christians We're standing with
[4:44:05] them because we seek justice
[4:44:06] and we will consistently seek
[4:44:07] justice regardless of
[4:44:11] the consequences.
[4:44:11] >> Thank you.
[4:44:15] Da How Halevy I.
[4:44:20] Hello my name is Da Levy
[4:44:21] Feldman and I wrote a speech
[4:44:22] but I'm not going to use it
[4:44:24] because you just experienced an
[4:44:25] anti-Semitic token that was
[4:44:30] used against us about how we're
[4:44:30] all rich and have money in our
[4:44:34] pocket to acute to agree of why
[4:44:35] you shouldn't vote against
[4:44:39] the Arab resolution.
[4:44:40] I'm beyond and I know why our
[4:44:44] my community reacted this way
[4:44:45] because we all know where this
[4:44:46] is going When the Jews are
[4:44:49] accused in those tokens.
[4:44:50] I'm a I'm a granddaughter of
[4:44:53] survivors of the Holocaust and
[4:44:54] I cannot believe the things
[4:44:57] that I'm hearing in 2026 in
[4:44:58] America.
[4:44:58] I have 20 more seconds so I'll
[4:44:59] just share a few of my
[4:45:03] incidents in the past six years
[4:45:03] Living in San Diego, I was
[4:45:07] accused by a neighbor in
[4:45:08] Pacific Beach that I moved here
[4:45:09] to take over America.
[4:45:12] The rest of the table was quiet
[4:45:13] and Ocean Beach I was asked Oh,
[4:45:14] are you a Jew?
[4:45:14] I don't know.
[4:45:18] We have those here.
[4:45:19] Where?
[4:45:19] Just from New York were
[4:45:20] overwhelmed.
[4:45:21] What you Thank you guys for
[4:45:21] your dad.
[4:45:26] I see.
[4:45:27] So my name is John ac
[4:45:30] Ironically I also had another
[4:45:31] speech prepared but counsel
[4:45:31] people I noticed in
[4:45:36] the PowerPoint presentation and
[4:45:36] the speech item as 500 you said
[4:45:37] criticism Israel will not be
[4:45:41] considered anti Semitism.
[4:45:42] That is a lie in the air or a
[4:45:46] website I just read said I
[4:45:47] quote Contemporary examples of
[4:45:47] anti-Semitism in public life
[4:45:51] media, schools and workplace
[4:45:51] and in the religious sphere
[4:45:52] could taking into account
[4:45:53] overall context include but are
[4:45:57] not limited to applying double
[4:45:57] standards by requiring a bit
[4:45:58] behavior not expected or
[4:46:01] demanded by another democratic
[4:46:01] nation?
[4:46:02] What nation are we talking
[4:46:02] about?
[4:46:05] Second drawing comparisons of
[4:46:06] contemporary Israeli policy to
[4:46:10] Nazis.
[4:46:11] So in that presentation it said
[4:46:12] that criticism Israel is not
[4:46:17] consider antisemitism but on I
[4:46:18] urge all read say I just read
[4:46:19] it is one there are two
[4:46:20] actually three examples I only
[4:46:20] included two of examples were
[4:46:24] criticizing Israel is
[4:46:25] antisemitism which is a truth.
[4:46:29] >> Thank you.
[4:46:30] >> Next is Laich Laich If you
[4:46:34] can please come forward and
[4:46:35] then correct.
[4:46:35] As far as for Angel Martinez
[4:46:39] and Daniel Massaro one of
[4:46:40] barriers and measure gone after
[4:46:44] if you can all please come
[4:46:45] forward starting with Leah Ley
[4:46:47] if you can come to
[4:47:02] the microphone are any of you
[4:47:11] Leah Ley and Leah Koehler No
[4:47:17] Leah Koehler or Leah Okay.
[4:47:17] Okay.
[4:47:30] We'll move on to Rick as for we
[4:47:31] go to the taller Mike right
[4:47:37] there.
[4:47:42] I have been warning for over 45
[4:47:43] years of my life even before
[4:47:47] becoming a naturalized American
[4:47:52] for my oldest somatic Israel
[4:47:58] life family who we have all
[4:47:58] the faiths in them.
[4:48:02] >> I have recently learned for
[4:48:03] hundred of my own families
[4:48:08] relatives have been killed and
[4:48:09] murdered by the European
[4:48:12] Zionist American Israeli
[4:48:18] machine.
[4:48:19] >> You could take my rights
[4:48:23] away from me here in America
[4:48:24] but our family is
[4:48:28] internationally recognized
[4:48:31] globally and the United Nations
[4:48:31] .
[4:48:35] Thank you.
[4:48:40] >> Next is Angel Martinez.
[4:48:41] >> Hello.
[4:48:42] My name is Angel Martinez.
[4:48:46] I'm a student here at San Diego
[4:48:47] City College.
[4:48:48] I was fortunate to be born and
[4:48:51] raised here and I believe
[4:48:52] strongly that we have a
[4:48:53] responsibility as a city to
[4:48:57] ensure our Jewish community
[4:48:57] community is safe.
[4:48:58] However, I oppose the adoption
[4:49:02] of the I h r a definition of
[4:49:03] antisemitism for the floor that
[4:49:08] it blurred the lines between
[4:49:08] criticism of the Israeli
[4:49:09] government and hate speech
[4:49:13] against Jewish people.
[4:49:14] The definition takes away
[4:49:14] advocacy for Palestinians
[4:49:18] suffering from genocide defined
[4:49:19] by the United Nations.
[4:49:24] Justice for all means We don't
[4:49:24] leave anyone out.
[4:49:25] So I am calling for a more
[4:49:29] inclusive definition and I hope
[4:49:29] you all know I am not against
[4:49:30] you.
[4:49:30] We are all fighting the same
[4:49:31] fight.
[4:49:34] Thank you so much for your
[4:49:35] time.
[4:49:35] >> That's all for me.
[4:49:45] Daniel Mesquita.
[4:49:45] >> Hi guys.
[4:49:50] I'm done with you and like
[4:49:51] Angel, I am also at City
[4:49:51] College.
[4:49:52] Just to clarify, no one in this
[4:49:56] room condones antisemitism.
[4:49:57] However, it is not antisemitic
[4:49:57] to criticize a hypocritical
[4:50:01] ethno state with committing
[4:50:02] another holocaust towards
[4:50:03] the Palestinians with our tax
[4:50:06] money with genocide just being
[4:50:07] internationally recognized as a
[4:50:08] genocide by the United Nations.
[4:50:12] And I argue that committing a
[4:50:13] genocide under Jewish safety is
[4:50:14] antisemitism because people
[4:50:14] with bad believes will paint
[4:50:18] all Jews as scientists which is
[4:50:18] utterly false as there are Jews
[4:50:22] were against the ongoing
[4:50:22] genocide in Gaza.
[4:50:23] I oppose this resolution
[4:50:27] resolution as 500 and free
[4:50:27] Palestine.
[4:50:28] >> Thank you for your time.
[4:50:29] Juan Perez, if you can please
[4:50:32] come up if you've already
[4:50:33] spoken please return to your
[4:50:34] seats And if I can have Mona
[4:50:35] I'm sorry I mean as Spirito
[4:50:39] Athena ever Murcia Bolkestein,
[4:50:39] Marco Bahar please all come
[4:50:43] forward to the other reserve
[4:50:44] seats.
[4:50:44] >> Please proceed.
[4:50:45] Hello everyone.
[4:50:45] My name is Juan Perez.
[4:50:48] I am a union organizer.
[4:50:49] I'm a marine Corps veteran and
[4:50:50] a concerned San Diego.
[4:50:54] And I'm concerned because you
[4:50:55] all are about to vote on
[4:50:56] something that will infringe on
[4:50:56] our First Amendment right which
[4:51:00] I have deployed twice to
[4:51:01] the Middle East to defend it
[4:51:02] twice I've been away from my
[4:51:02] family and friends, missed
[4:51:06] birthdays, holidays and normal
[4:51:06] life in order to protect these
[4:51:07] rights are to come home to my
[4:51:08] hometown of San Diego for you
[4:51:11] all to take it away from us.
[4:51:12] It is not just a right that
[4:51:17] many people have died overseas
[4:51:17] trying to protect but a right
[4:51:18] that us and labor and activists
[4:51:19] here in the us need in order to
[4:51:22] fight corporate greed and call
[4:51:23] out fight and fight fascism
[4:51:24] wherever it lies.
[4:51:28] Trump just said this week that
[4:51:28] he wants to come after
[4:51:29] activists that criticize
[4:51:29] the war in Iran.
[4:51:30] Sound familiar?
[4:51:34] Last year in AUGUST the Labor
[4:51:35] Council voted unanimously on a
[4:51:36] course of resolution which
[4:51:39] calls what is wrong with
[4:51:40] the genocide in Israel an
[4:51:41] apartheid state and calls for
[4:51:46] an embargo.
[4:51:47] Are you guys in stand with
[4:51:47] Trump on this or going to stand
[4:51:48] with the people think our time
[4:51:51] has concluded Michigan action
[4:51:52] Michigan I'm just going to ask
[4:51:52] is there any other measurements
[4:51:57] here?
[4:51:57] Let's not make any other
[4:51:58] measurements.
[4:52:02] Just making sure because I got
[4:52:03] three speakers up for Michigan
[4:52:03] So you have one minute.
[4:52:04] Please proceed.
[4:52:04] Thank you.
[4:52:08] Good afternoon.
[4:52:09] Massillon Council PRESIDENT
[4:52:10] McCarver Council members and
[4:52:10] fellow citizens.
[4:52:15] As a civil rights leader and
[4:52:15] head of Borderlands recording
[4:52:16] for the past six years we have
[4:52:17] experienced so much as an
[4:52:18] organization and a community
[4:52:19] for Black Lives Matter to
[4:52:20] the cops of Afghanistan, to
[4:52:20] the women's movement in Iran
[4:52:25] and a genocide in Gaza.
[4:52:26] Ice attacks on our most
[4:52:26] vulnerable innocents and now
[4:52:30] possibly World War three.
[4:52:31] We have endorsed we have been
[4:52:31] harassed.
[4:52:32] I have personally received
[4:52:32] death threats and mail.
[4:52:37] As many of you know when I ran
[4:52:37] for city council since
[4:52:38] the genocide began we have
[4:52:41] received thousands of calls,
[4:52:42] emails, cases and regarding
[4:52:43] Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate
[4:52:48] and those threatening
[4:52:48] the livelihoods of those
[4:52:49] advocating for our basic First
[4:52:49] Amendment rights.
[4:52:53] Artists, entrepreneurs.
[4:52:54] Teachers.
[4:52:54] Doctors.
[4:52:54] Scientists.
[4:52:55] Nurses.
[4:52:55] Students.
[4:52:55] Organizers.
[4:52:56] Researchers.
[4:52:56] Laborers.
[4:53:00] What happened to the First
[4:53:00] Amendment?
[4:53:01] We deserve to have our rights
[4:53:01] protected as people in our
[4:53:06] community, as people that are
[4:53:07] part of this place.
[4:53:08] >> We need to be you for that
[4:53:11] comment, Mona.
[4:53:12] Good afternoon City Council
[4:53:17] members.
[4:53:18] I'm here as a network survivor.
[4:53:21] My grandmother was born in 1938
[4:53:22] in occupied Palestine.
[4:53:22] At the time it was an occupied.
[4:53:27] So I'm sitting in the back
[4:53:27] having an anxiety attack
[4:53:28] because there is an Israeli
[4:53:29] flag right next to me
[4:53:34] representing the entity that
[4:53:34] took my family, my mother, my
[4:53:36] homeland and has prevented me
[4:53:43] from ever returning.
[4:53:44] The ihra definition has been
[4:53:45] said to be an educational tool.
[4:53:50] It is an educational tool and
[4:53:51] it will be used as an educator
[4:53:51] I know to limit free speech.
[4:53:55] Many of the examples for ihra
[4:53:56] definition shield Israel from
[4:53:56] accountability.
[4:54:01] This is not neutral.
[4:54:01] It will be used to control and
[4:54:02] limit narratives.
[4:54:07] As an educator I know exactly
[4:54:08] how that goes.
[4:54:09] We are seeing it in education.
[4:54:09] Trump's educational
[4:54:13] restrictions are real.
[4:54:13] >> Please do not do the same
[4:54:14] thing.
[4:54:22] Athena Athena, you have time to
[4:54:22] by calling the.
[4:54:23] If you can please raise your
[4:54:23] hand Colleen.
[4:54:24] Thank you so much.
[4:54:25] You all have two minutes.
[4:54:25] Please proceed.
[4:54:26] I'm gonna ask for a bit of
[4:54:27] audience participation here.
[4:54:31] I'm going to read six quotes
[4:54:32] and if any of them sound like
[4:54:33] something a Nazi would say them
[4:54:34] Raise your hand and keep it
[4:54:34] raised.
[4:54:36] Our council members included.
[4:54:37] I apologize in advance for
[4:54:37] having to read these disgusting
[4:54:38] quotes but it seems to be
[4:54:39] the only way to communicate My
[4:54:43] point.
[4:54:43] Quote Those are animals.
[4:54:44] They have no right to exist.
[4:54:45] I am not debating the way it
[4:54:49] will happen but they need to be
[4:54:49] exterminated.
[4:54:50] Quote The weak crumble are
[4:54:50] slaughtered in our race from
[4:54:51] history while the strong for
[4:54:55] good or for ill survive quote a
[4:54:56] race the memory of them a race
[4:55:01] them their families mothers and
[4:55:01] children.
[4:55:02] If you have an Arab neighbor
[4:55:02] don't wait.
[4:55:03] Go to his home and shoot him.
[4:55:06] Quote There is one and only one
[4:55:07] solution which is to completely
[4:55:07] destroy Gaza.
[4:55:11] Quote Even 1 million Arabs are
[4:55:12] not worth a single Jewish
[4:55:12] fingernail.
[4:55:13] Quote What's so horrifying
[4:55:17] about understanding about
[4:55:18] the entire Palestinian people
[4:55:19] is the enemy.
[4:55:19] End quote.
[4:55:20] Again, raise your hand if any
[4:55:20] of those sounds like Nazi
[4:55:27] quotes.
[4:55:27] >> At some point almost
[4:55:28] everyone agreed that this is
[4:55:33] not nonsense as do each and
[4:55:33] every one of these quotes from
[4:55:34] the upper echelons of Israeli
[4:55:38] society Prime ministers,
[4:55:39] ministers of education
[4:55:39] ministers of justice generals,
[4:55:40] speakers for the Legislature
[4:55:45] and other positions of power.
[4:55:45] They're from officials
[4:55:46] describing their policy on how
[4:55:47] to interact with Palestinians.
[4:55:51] Each of you who raise your hand
[4:55:51] thought that current Israeli
[4:55:52] policy as stated in these
[4:55:53] quotes is comparable to Nazi
[4:55:58] Germany policy because the hrc
[4:55:58] definition of antisemitism
[4:55:59] includes comparisons of modern
[4:56:02] Israeli policy to that of
[4:56:02] the Nazis.
[4:56:03] And it does.
[4:56:04] You can look up the definition
[4:56:08] yourself.
[4:56:08] This definition is carefully
[4:56:09] crafted to silence any
[4:56:14] criticism of Israeli policy and
[4:56:14] one that allows actual hatred
[4:56:15] to go unchallenged.
[4:56:15] So every single person who
[4:56:20] raised their hand at any point
[4:56:20] is an anti-Semite Under this
[4:56:21] definition, criticizing
[4:56:22] the mass slaughter of civilians
[4:56:26] is not anti-Islamic And I hope
[4:56:27] our city council would agree
[4:56:27] with me and vote down this
[4:56:28] resolution.
[4:56:32] Our next speaker is Marsha But
[4:56:33] then after that is Marco Polo
[4:56:40] and David Tarek are Danny
[4:56:40] Russell, David Lang, Steve and
[4:56:45] Vicki as if you can all please
[4:56:45] come forward tthe front row.
[4:56:46] Please proceed.
[4:56:49] Thank you for letting me speak
[4:56:49] .
[4:56:50] I'm not used to speaking in
[4:56:50] public.
[4:56:51] I'm used to playing my cello in
[4:56:55] public.
[4:56:56] I have knocked on doors for a
[4:56:57] number of you to get you
[4:57:01] elected.
[4:57:01] In 1975 I auditioned for
[4:57:05] the Jerusalem Symphony and I
[4:57:06] played there for ten months.
[4:57:07] In that time I toured the Sinai
[4:57:11] Desert and I went to Gaza which
[4:57:12] was my idea of heaven with
[4:57:12] those ancient the palm trees
[4:57:17] right on the ocean's edge.
[4:57:18] I am horrified at what Israel
[4:57:18] is doing now.
[4:57:23] This is not the Israel I
[4:57:24] visited in 1975 and 76.
[4:57:30] This is a different Israel that
[4:57:30] it is okay to murder people.
[4:57:31] If you haven't heard of
[4:57:35] lavender or birth daddy then
[4:57:36] you don't know what's going on
[4:57:36] there.
[4:57:37] They're targeting poets.
[4:57:41] I am appalled and I'm not an
[4:57:42] anti-Semite as far as I know.
[4:57:43] But according to this
[4:57:48] definition I am.
[4:57:48] >> Thank you.
[4:57:53] Next week as Marco said, it
[4:57:54] goes without saying that hate
[4:58:00] crimes are intolerable in this
[4:58:01] society and those crimes should
[4:58:01] be identified.
[4:58:02] And yes, we all know what
[4:58:05] anti-Semitism is and I'm
[4:58:06] against it too.
[4:58:06] But simply observing and
[4:58:07] listening to those in favor of
[4:58:12] this measure, the argument
[4:58:13] against it makes itself no
[4:58:13] matter no matter how much they
[4:58:17] deny it, they are doubling down
[4:58:18] on the conflation of criticisms
[4:58:19] of anti-Zionism with
[4:58:23] anti-Semitism And so does this
[4:58:23] measure.
[4:58:24] And that was that was cited
[4:58:29] directly from the hrc website.
[4:58:29] Right.
[4:58:30] Otherwise, you know, to adopt
[4:58:35] the well-established Jerusalem
[4:58:35] Declaration of anti-Semitism
[4:58:36] which is the one that actually
[4:58:37] addresses these discrepancies
[4:58:37] that we're pointing to and
[4:58:41] completing anti-Zionism with
[4:58:42] anti-Semitism, slapping
[4:58:43] the anti-Semitism label on
[4:58:43] legitimate critiques of a
[4:58:48] government or political
[4:58:48] ideology isn't a do do measure
[4:58:53] that should be a priority of a
[4:58:54] city with so many pressing
[4:58:54] needs.
[4:58:55] >> Your time has concluded.
[4:58:58] Let's do this.
[4:59:05] Potus Let David overcome.
[4:59:07] Potus let you David I don't see
[4:59:14] anyone else coming up.
[4:59:15] I can come back.
[4:59:16] I don't think we've actually
[4:59:23] met somebody to wreck art.
[4:59:23] Hello.
[4:59:24] My name is Tarek.
[4:59:25] I live over in North Park.
[4:59:29] It pains me greatly to hear all
[4:59:30] these stories about all these
[4:59:35] anti-Semitic hate crimes being
[4:59:36] perpetrated here in the States.
[4:59:41] I will say the hra definition
[4:59:42] will only serve to make things
[4:59:43] worse by completing anti
[4:59:46] Semitism with with criticisms
[4:59:47] of Israel.
[4:59:48] While Israel is currently
[4:59:48] performing a genocide murdering
[4:59:53] children in front of our eyes
[4:59:54] people are seeing this It is
[4:59:58] life and it is not everyone's
[4:59:59] fault that if they see a
[5:00:00] Zionist entity doing these war
[5:00:01] crimes are not being held to
[5:00:04] account while it is also being
[5:00:05] conflated with Judaism in this
[5:00:06] definition and by the by
[5:00:11] the words of Israeli officials
[5:00:12] that is only going to make this
[5:00:15] worse And I urge you to vote
[5:00:16] against this five vote.
[5:00:20] Thank you Danny Rosa.
[5:00:27] Hello.
[5:00:28] My name is Danny Rosen.
[5:00:28] I'm here today as a member of
[5:00:29] San Diego Veterans for Peace
[5:00:34] and Vice PRESIDENT Of Students
[5:00:35] for Justice in Palestine at
[5:00:35] City College.
[5:00:36] The very definition of
[5:00:39] antisemitism is riddled with
[5:00:40] democracy at best and a gross
[5:00:41] violation of free speech.
[5:00:41] Being on legally binding
[5:00:46] doesn't stop it from
[5:00:47] suppressing speech free speech
[5:00:47] if it labels certain speech as
[5:00:48] hate speech.
[5:00:51] Of its 11 examples seven Target
[5:00:52] speech in the State of Israel
[5:00:53] it classifies comparing Israeli
[5:00:57] policy to apartheid as
[5:00:57] anti-Semitic.
[5:00:58] It does the same to speaking
[5:00:59] out against documented Israeli
[5:00:59] war crimes.
[5:01:02] These are not just my
[5:01:02] positions.
[5:01:03] They held by Amnesty
[5:01:04] International, Human Rights
[5:01:04] Watch and hundreds of Holocaust
[5:01:09] scholars who know that never
[5:01:09] again means never again to
[5:01:10] anybody.
[5:01:10] The hra does not protect our
[5:01:11] brothers and sisters in
[5:01:14] the Turkish community.
[5:01:15] It protects governments from
[5:01:15] accountability.
[5:01:16] It has been used on campuses
[5:01:22] across this country to silence
[5:01:22] students, teachers and
[5:01:23] community activists, deepen
[5:01:24] their offense and punish their
[5:01:24] speech.
[5:01:28] It's this policy this council
[5:01:29] needs to sit with the outrage
[5:01:30] this time after guru David
[5:01:36] Langston David I want people
[5:01:36] sitting at home if they can
[5:01:37] please raise their hand.
[5:01:40] Elias Ben Butler your earliest
[5:01:46] right hand right hand if you
[5:01:47] can please raise your hand.
[5:01:47] Thank you.
[5:01:52] Taha Hasani Taha a study My
[5:01:53] missing hand I do not see that
[5:01:58] Omar Beauchamp.
[5:01:58] Thank you.
[5:01:59] There's two options.
[5:02:05] Oh, because there are not to
[5:02:06] our emotions here.
[5:02:08] Asthma is a binding as was a
[5:02:15] biting.
[5:02:15] Okay.
[5:02:16] Thank you, Doctor And Wiley,
[5:02:18] thank you so much.
[5:02:25] You will have to Six minutes.
[5:02:26] Please proceed.
[5:02:26] Thank you.
[5:02:31] I won't be that much time but.
[5:02:32] Good afternoon.
[5:02:33] My name is Dave Langston.
[5:02:33] Today I speak on like I did
[5:02:37] just a few hours ago Not on
[5:02:38] behalf of my union but myself
[5:02:38] as a Jew.
[5:02:39] I'm here to ask you to vote no
[5:02:39] today.
[5:02:43] My grandparents on my father's
[5:02:44] side were from Austria.
[5:02:44] They escaped in 1939 to America
[5:02:49] and settled in Queens, New York
[5:02:49] .
[5:02:50] My grandmother lost six
[5:02:51] siblings and her parents in
[5:02:51] the Holocaust.
[5:02:55] My grandfather lost his parents
[5:02:56] my great grandparents as well.
[5:02:56] Like all Jews I've experienced
[5:03:02] acts of antisemitism including
[5:03:02] today.
[5:03:03] When I was 13 the year my bar
[5:03:03] mitzvah or synagogue was
[5:03:07] desecrated with swastikas It
[5:03:08] was shocking but it wasn't till
[5:03:09] I had a conversation with my
[5:03:13] grandfather when I was a little
[5:03:14] bit older that I feel like I
[5:03:15] truly understood what my
[5:03:20] grandparents never like to talk
[5:03:20] about their experience in
[5:03:21] Austria.
[5:03:21] But they made an exception to
[5:03:22] allow me to interview them for
[5:03:25] a high school project because
[5:03:26] my success in academics were
[5:03:27] most important to them.
[5:03:31] My grandfather was always quiet
[5:03:32] and he doted over his
[5:03:32] grandchildren.
[5:03:33] But just for a moment on that
[5:03:37] day I saw another side of him.
[5:03:38] After sharing their story and
[5:03:41] what it took to escape, I asked
[5:03:42] him if 50 years later he was
[5:03:43] interested in going back to
[5:03:43] Austria and he was angry.
[5:03:48] He was angry in a way that I'd
[5:03:49] never seen before.
[5:03:49] He asked me why would I ever
[5:03:50] want to go back to Austria
[5:03:54] after what they did to me after
[5:03:54] what they did to us.
[5:03:55] And I could feel in my bones
[5:03:59] the hate that upended
[5:03:59] everything in his life at such
[5:04:00] a young age And it was
[5:04:01] incomprehensible that
[5:04:06] conversation stayed with me.
[5:04:07] It is part of the reason that
[5:04:10] I've been a community labor
[5:04:11] organizer for 25 years because
[5:04:12] I don't want anyone to feel
[5:04:12] that way.
[5:04:16] My work is about standing for
[5:04:17] and with people that don't have
[5:04:18] the power in their own lives.
[5:04:19] Like my grandparents did it
[5:04:22] honestly.
[5:04:23] I don't talk much about
[5:04:24] anti-Semitism.
[5:04:24] I don't talk about Israel
[5:04:29] publicly or even within my own
[5:04:30] family because it's so painful
[5:04:30] and it's so divisive.
[5:04:34] But I feel the need to speak
[5:04:34] today.
[5:04:35] There's a great Jewish
[5:04:40] tradition of debate even
[5:04:41] arguing.
[5:04:41] It's true at my family get
[5:04:42] togethers and debating even if
[5:04:46] you disagree.
[5:04:46] Especially if you disagree.
[5:04:47] Helps us learn from each other
[5:04:48] and sharpen our knowledge and
[5:04:52] inform our values.
[5:04:53] And that's one of the reasons
[5:04:53] that I find the language of
[5:04:58] this resolution so confounding
[5:04:58] and so troubling.
[5:04:59] This is language that shuts
[5:05:00] down debate by labeling free
[5:05:05] speech as anti-Semitic when
[5:05:06] it's a part of a fair minded
[5:05:10] debate about foreign policy.
[5:05:11] The violence we saw in Michigan
[5:05:12] this week and the broader rise
[5:05:12] in anti-Semitic violence and
[5:05:16] rhetoric.
[5:05:17] It's shameful and it's
[5:05:17] unacceptable.
[5:05:18] We should all be united in
[5:05:18] condemning it.
[5:05:22] But when we complete those
[5:05:22] horrific acts with criticism of
[5:05:23] Israel's foreign policy, we
[5:05:28] risk dividing people rather
[5:05:28] than bringing them together.
[5:05:29] For those like me who oppose
[5:05:33] Israel's actions in Gaza, it
[5:05:34] can feel as though our voices
[5:05:35] are not welcome in the Jewish
[5:05:35] community.
[5:05:36] I sat next to someone that
[5:05:39] basically question was whether
[5:05:40] I was a part of the Jewish
[5:05:40] community.
[5:05:41] As soon as I walked into
[5:05:41] the store.
[5:05:45] And ultimately I don't think
[5:05:46] that makes us safer.
[5:05:47] I've had the opportunity to
[5:05:47] spend time with every single
[5:05:51] council member on this dais.
[5:05:52] Every one of you ran for office
[5:05:53] and join this council because
[5:05:58] you want to stand up for people
[5:05:58] that needed a voice.
[5:05:59] Voting for this language, this
[5:06:00] proposal heightened division
[5:06:03] and send a message to Jews and
[5:06:04] non-Jews alike that your voice
[5:06:05] and your values aren't welcome.
[5:06:05] i don't believe that's why you
[5:06:10] ran.
[5:06:10] And I don't believe that's why
[5:06:11] you're here.
[5:06:12] So I want to appeal to you to
[5:06:12] slow this process down.
[5:06:16] You have a letter in your hand
[5:06:16] which I understand came in a
[5:06:17] couple of hours ago from two
[5:06:18] members of the Human Rights
[5:06:18] Commission.
[5:06:22] They've been part of this
[5:06:23] process that brought this
[5:06:23] recommendation to the council.
[5:06:27] And they said given everything
[5:06:28] that they've learned since that
[5:06:29] vote that they think it's
[5:06:29] appropriate to discuss it
[5:06:33] further to hear all sides, to
[5:06:34] hear from academics and to come
[5:06:35] up with a definition that's
[5:06:35] going to try and thread
[5:06:36] the needle of this really
[5:06:39] difficult conversation.
[5:06:40] So they asked for you to not
[5:06:41] move forward today.
[5:06:41] Send this back to the hrc.
[5:06:45] Give them the opportunity to
[5:06:45] debate and try and move
[5:06:46] forward.
[5:06:47] I thank you for the opportunity
[5:06:50] to speak and thank you for
[5:06:51] listening.
[5:06:58] >> Say it.
[5:06:59] Faith Clinger Mammary David
[5:07:05] Whitmire Joanna Adelson and
[5:07:05] Eric Chavez seating.
[5:07:06] If you can all please come up
[5:07:07] to the front row please proceed
[5:07:09] when ready.
[5:07:09] Good afternoon council members.
[5:07:10] I live in the fourth District
[5:07:15] and I'm here to urge you to
[5:07:15] vote no.
[5:07:16] This resolution will not
[5:07:17] protect the safety of Jewish
[5:07:17] people.
[5:07:21] It will in fact protect
[5:07:22] the impunity of the apartheid
[5:07:26] genocidal government of Israel
[5:07:27] providing them cover for
[5:07:28] the atrocities that they commit
[5:07:33] by killing our constitutionally
[5:07:33] protected right of free speech.
[5:07:34] You've heard of the other major
[5:07:39] human rights organizations that
[5:07:40] have condemned Israel for being
[5:07:40] an apartheid genocidal state.
[5:07:45] In addition to them, two
[5:07:45] Israeli based organizations
[5:07:46] also say that Israel is
[5:07:52] committing genocide and that's
[5:07:53] Selam and Physicians for Human
[5:07:57] Rights Israel So I'm asking you
[5:08:03] to think about why why why have
[5:08:03] they been called genocidal?
[5:08:04] Because they've exterminated
[5:08:09] tens of thousands of men women
[5:08:10] ,children, mostly children and
[5:08:11] women do the right thing.
[5:08:11] Thank you for that opening
[5:08:12] statement.
[5:08:18] Faith Klinger Hello, council
[5:08:18] members.
[5:08:19] >> My name is Faith Klinger and
[5:08:24] I ama United States Marine
[5:08:25] Corps veteran And I'm a mom.
[5:08:25] I live in San Diego.
[5:08:30] I have this book in my hand.
[5:08:31] It's called I have Lived a
[5:08:31] thousand Years growing up in
[5:08:32] the Holocaust.
[5:08:33] It's been in my personal book
[5:08:37] collection since I was 11 years
[5:08:37] old.
[5:08:38] >> I bought it with my paper
[5:08:38] route money.
[5:08:42] The Jewish Holocaust was
[5:08:43] the worst moment that I'd ever
[5:08:43] heard about in history up until
[5:08:49] that point and I became fixated
[5:08:49] on how a group of people could
[5:08:50] use such terror to another
[5:08:54] group of people denying their
[5:08:55] humanity, murdering them in
[5:08:56] cold blood, believinthat
[5:08:56] the annihilation of the Jews
[5:08:57] would bring prosperity and
[5:09:02] peace.
[5:09:03] I don't have words for
[5:09:03] the horror.
[5:09:04] Evil doesn't flow enough.
[5:09:05] I learned everything I could
[5:09:07] about it So I learned.
[5:09:07] So when I learned of
[5:09:08] the apartheid in Palestine and
[5:09:09] have watched thousands of
[5:09:13] children be murdered I was
[5:09:13] shocked.
[5:09:14] Surely the descendants of
[5:09:14] the Holocaust were not
[5:09:15] oppressing a group of people
[5:09:19] believing that their
[5:09:19] annihilation would bring
[5:09:20] prosperity and peace to that.
[5:09:25] >> I have concluded my memory
[5:09:26] Memory?
[5:09:27] You have times and you by great
[5:09:31] humanness speaking Please raise
[5:09:31] your hand.
[5:09:32] Grace Our humanness.
[5:09:38] I don't see anybody raising
[5:09:39] their hand with that name.
[5:09:39] Grace rising a minute So you'll
[5:09:40] have a minute.
[5:09:42] Please proceed.
[5:09:42] >> I thank you.
[5:09:43] Council members.
[5:09:44] I first want to condemn all
[5:09:48] anti-Semitism but
[5:09:49] the definition is dangerous and
[5:09:49] it feels foreign governments
[5:09:53] and people who criticize
[5:09:54] the state of Israel under
[5:09:54] the guise of antisemitism.
[5:09:55] Let's start with federal law.
[5:09:56] The Symington amendment
[5:10:01] restricts U.S. Aid to any
[5:10:01] country violating international
[5:10:02] secret nuclear activity but
[5:10:06] it's been proven that there had
[5:10:07] been enriched uranium found in
[5:10:07] soil samples in Gaza and in
[5:10:13] Lebanon which I have provided
[5:10:14] the research paper here for you
[5:10:14] today.
[5:10:14] The Glenn Amendment also
[5:10:15] requires the United States
[5:10:18] essentially any country that
[5:10:19] detonates a nuclear device.
[5:10:19] But there have been no.
[5:10:20] There has been nothing against
[5:10:25] the state of Israel and this is
[5:10:25] completed with blood libel even
[5:10:26] though it is not blood libel.
[5:10:30] This is actual evidence
[5:10:31] researched by doctors.
[5:10:31] I need to remind the counsel
[5:10:32] how Israeli prison guards were
[5:10:36] caught filming and gang a
[5:10:37] Palestinian man turning his
[5:10:37] and breaking his ribs.
[5:10:43] All charges were dropped and
[5:10:44] they labeled that blood libel.
[5:10:44] >> We cannot conflate anything
[5:10:45] with anti-Semitism including
[5:10:51] comments David Widmark.
[5:10:57] I am David Whitmire of
[5:10:58] Claremont.
[5:10:59] Thank you for and I don't know
[5:11:03] if I can thank you for having
[5:11:04] this discussion.
[5:11:04] It's depressing.
[5:11:05] I have seven kids.
[5:11:09] I feel like we're all valuable.
[5:11:10] Nobody wants anybody to be
[5:11:14] doing this But I would just
[5:11:15] implore you that a resolution
[5:11:21] like this is not like my
[5:11:21] brother beforehand said is not
[5:11:22] can be helpful when when
[5:11:26] the authors themselves of this
[5:11:27] definition canister and wrote I
[5:11:28] crafted a definition of
[5:11:32] anti-Semitism and I'm backing
[5:11:33] away from it because he saw it
[5:11:34] how it was being used And I
[5:11:34] would just encourage you to
[5:11:38] slow down on this.
[5:11:39] I haven't heard a discussion
[5:11:39] about our constituents in our
[5:11:44] neighbors here in San Diego
[5:11:45] with like 220 family members in
[5:11:46] Gaza and much discussion about
[5:11:50] calling out a genocide and
[5:11:50] start from the weapons that are
[5:11:51] manufactured in San Diego to
[5:11:52] start sending them there.
[5:11:56] But here we are talking about
[5:11:57] six.
[5:11:57] >> Thank you for it.
[5:11:58] Thank you.
[5:12:02] Joanna Adelson Good afternoon.
[5:12:09] I stand before you as a local
[5:12:09] concerned Jewish community
[5:12:10] member.
[5:12:13] The fact that this item as 500
[5:12:13] is even being considered by
[5:12:14] this body is a shanda a
[5:12:15] disgrace.
[5:12:18] For the last two and a half
[5:12:19] years we have all witnessed
[5:12:20] Israel committing the most
[5:12:20] unspeakable atrocities against
[5:12:24] the Palestinian people in Gaza
[5:12:24] and across the land.
[5:12:25] These crimes against humanity
[5:12:26] have been perpetrated with
[5:12:30] impunity by nation still a
[5:12:31] state built on genocide and
[5:12:31] which has co-opted the identity
[5:12:35] of Jews the world over and now
[5:12:36] make no mistake about it
[5:12:36] the city Council should it
[5:12:37] adopt the arbitrary definition
[5:12:42] of anti-Semitic ism will be
[5:12:43] engaging in anti-Semitism by
[5:12:43] conflating my Jewish identity
[5:12:48] with the genocidal ethno
[5:12:49] nationalist rogue state of
[5:12:49] Israel.
[5:12:50] By doing so you will be making
[5:12:54] me and all Jews less not more
[5:12:54] safe.
[5:12:55] Let me remind you that in other
[5:13:00] places such as Germany and
[5:13:01] the uk where language penalizes
[5:13:01] criticism of Israel has been
[5:13:07] conflated with anti-Zionist
[5:13:07] Jews.
[5:13:08] They have been labeled as
[5:13:08] anti-Semitic.
[5:13:09] You have been arrested and
[5:13:09] imprisoned.
[5:13:11] Make it makes getting a
[5:13:11] sentence.
[5:13:12] Thank you Eric.
[5:13:17] Shame sitting.
[5:13:18] >> Hello to the council.
[5:13:18] The board?
[5:13:19] My name's Eric Ahmed Shamsi.
[5:13:23] I'm a Lebanese American
[5:13:23] University student who was here
[5:13:24] in San Diego.
[5:13:25] I come to you today to oppose
[5:13:29] ihra definition due to
[5:13:29] the realm in which it does not
[5:13:30] is purely exclusive.
[5:13:31] We recognize that there are
[5:13:31] crimes against the Jewish
[5:13:36] people in our communities but
[5:13:36] we also recognize that our
[5:13:37] increasing crime and the same a
[5:13:38] phobia anti-Muslim, anti-Arab
[5:13:41] hate And we need to support our
[5:13:41] students.
[5:13:42] We need to support our parents
[5:13:42] safety.
[5:13:43] We need to support our families
[5:13:47] And as such we should mend we
[5:13:47] should amend this definition.
[5:13:48] We should fix it.
[5:13:48] We should rewrite it.
[5:13:49] We should work it.
[5:13:50] We should take the time to
[5:13:52] really dig down into supporting
[5:13:53] our community and our safety
[5:13:54] For this It doesn't purely
[5:13:54] separate ourselves.
[5:13:59] We cannot have this divide and
[5:14:00] we need to recognize the safety
[5:14:00] of all our people.
[5:14:01] Legislation and bill language
[5:14:05] should not be exclusive.
[5:14:06] >> It should be equatorial to
[5:14:06] our community.
[5:14:06] Thank you.
[5:14:12] Jim Roush If I could have
[5:14:13] the song individuals please
[5:14:13] come up to the microphone to
[5:14:14] the first row.
[5:14:17] Jim Roush Sarah Hassan.
[5:14:17] Michael Brackley, Craig Jones,
[5:14:24] Tom McCammon, Susan Orlowski
[5:14:24] and Hummel Conroy.
[5:14:25] If you can all please come up
[5:14:26] to the front row Please proceed
[5:14:28] when ready.
[5:14:29] I'm a resident of third
[5:14:30] District and professor of
[5:14:35] economics at ucsd.
[5:14:35] I love data.
[5:14:36] The data show that the Jewish
[5:14:37] organizations pushing
[5:14:41] the definition of anti Semitism
[5:14:41] do not represent majority
[5:14:42] Jewish opinion.
[5:14:46] The Jewish electorate Institute
[5:14:47] conducted a scientific survey
[5:14:48] of Jewish voters.
[5:14:48] They asked Jewish voters their
[5:14:53] opinion of the statement Israel
[5:14:54] is an apartheid state exactly
[5:14:54] the kind of statement the Irish
[5:14:59] Jewry definition is designed to
[5:14:59] suppress.
[5:15:05] Only 28% of Jewish voters said
[5:15:06] this statement is anti-Semitic.
[5:15:06] It is this fanatical minority
[5:15:12] of Jewish voters that are
[5:15:12] represented by the Jewish
[5:15:13] organizations pushing
[5:15:17] the definition of anti-Semitism
[5:15:17] .
[5:15:18] Adoption of this definition
[5:15:18] will further inflame
[5:15:22] anti-Semitism by trampling on
[5:15:23] San Diego's constitutionally
[5:15:24] protected freedom of political
[5:15:24] speech.
[5:15:29] Please do not help a fanatical
[5:15:30] minority of Jews endanger
[5:15:30] the rest of us.
[5:15:31] Our time has concluded.
[5:15:40] Sarah Fine Sarah aj as Amy?
[5:15:41] No Michael Practice.
[5:15:44] Michael You have time ceded to
[5:15:52] you by Brian Todd.
[5:15:52] Hello.
[5:15:53] I'm my friend and Dave Angle.
[5:15:57] I don't see how right.
[5:15:58] So I do see Dave Angle so
[5:15:58] you'll have two minutes.
[5:15:59] Please proceed.
[5:15:59] Thank you.
[5:16:00] Hi, I'm Michael Brickley from
[5:16:03] Hillcrest speaking as a member
[5:16:04] of the Peace Resource Center in
[5:16:04] San Diego.
[5:16:05] I identify with the serious
[5:16:09] concerns expressed by those who
[5:16:10] support the Council adopting
[5:16:15] so-called a definition of anti
[5:16:15] Semitism.
[5:16:16] But I'm very concerned about
[5:16:21] adopting it because I see it as
[5:16:22] a divisive influence in our
[5:16:23] community one that pits
[5:16:27] Zionists against anti-science.
[5:16:28] Instead of helping us all find
[5:16:28] our common ground with each
[5:16:29] other and ways to work together
[5:16:34] for peace and harmony in San
[5:16:34] Diego.
[5:16:35] To begin with it's not a proper
[5:16:35] definition at all.
[5:16:40] The only thing it says is as as
[5:16:41] accurate as an actual
[5:16:45] definition is this vague
[5:16:46] sentence read previously that
[5:16:51] antisemitism antisemitism is a
[5:16:52] certain perception of Jews
[5:16:52] which MAY be expressed as
[5:16:57] hatred toward Jews.
[5:16:58] Instead of saying clearly what
[5:16:59] we all know to be true that
[5:17:03] anti-Semitism is prejudice
[5:17:04] against Jews, discrimination
[5:17:04] against Jews, aggression
[5:17:09] against Jews quite possibly
[5:17:10] violence against Jews just
[5:17:11] because they're Jewish.
[5:17:15] How can this be?
[5:17:16] It's because the so-called hrc
[5:17:17] definition was not written as a
[5:17:22] proper definite definition of
[5:17:22] anti-Semitism to begin with.
[5:17:23] Its lead writer Ken Stern has
[5:17:27] said repeatedly it was created
[5:17:28] simply to help governments
[5:17:29] establish guidelines for
[5:17:29] collecting data on
[5:17:34] anti-Semitism including ways in
[5:17:34] which hostility to Zionism and
[5:17:35] Israel could be but not
[5:17:40] necessarily are manifestations
[5:17:40] of anti-Semitism.
[5:17:41] Moreover, he said repeatedly
[5:17:46] that it was created not for
[5:17:46] authoritatively defining
[5:17:47] anti-Semitism and that he's
[5:17:53] very upset that it's been put
[5:17:53] to this misuse.
[5:17:54] Please do not adopt this
[5:17:56] so-called definition of
[5:18:00] anti-Semitism.
[5:18:07] >> Craig Jones Thank you.
[5:18:11] I am Chris Jones, a resident of
[5:18:12] District five.
[5:18:13] My wife's family is Austrian.
[5:18:18] Jews were wiped out by
[5:18:18] the Third.
[5:18:19] I know what anti-Semitism is
[5:18:24] and what it can do to
[5:18:25] generations upon generations.
[5:18:25] Those who commit anti-Semitic
[5:18:30] acts conflate all Jewish people
[5:18:31] everywhere with the actions of
[5:18:32] the foreign state of Israel.
[5:18:36] The irony in definition does
[5:18:37] the very same thing It
[5:18:37] conflates the protection of
[5:18:42] the state of Israel with
[5:18:43] the protection of Judaism of
[5:18:43] all Jewish people everywhere.
[5:18:47] If you embrace the arbitrary
[5:18:48] definition you will actually
[5:18:49] play into the mindset of those
[5:18:54] who commit anti-Semitic acts.
[5:18:55] The definition has been
[5:18:55] weaponized for political
[5:18:56] purposes.
[5:19:01] Do not make this mistake.
[5:19:01] There are better, more
[5:19:02] effective ways to address
[5:19:06] anti-Semitism.
[5:19:07] >> anti-Islamic acts and
[5:19:07] the acts of hatred and violence
[5:19:10] on others.
[5:19:22] Tom McCammon Let's sort out
[5:19:23] three very different things
[5:19:23] today.
[5:19:24] The first is the Jewish people.
[5:19:28] The second is the political
[5:19:28] ideology of Zionism.
[5:19:32] And the third is the Zionist
[5:19:32] state of Israel.
[5:19:33] The Jews are a proud and
[5:19:37] ancient people and culture
[5:19:38] renowned for their
[5:19:39] contributions to the world.
[5:19:39] Jews have often faced
[5:19:44] anti-Semitic discrimination and
[5:19:44] persecution and they deserve
[5:19:45] social and legal protections.
[5:19:50] Second, Zionism is not Judaism.
[5:19:51] Zionism is a specific political
[5:19:57] ideology based on a theory of
[5:19:58] Jewish supremacy.
[5:19:58] Not all Jews are Zionists and
[5:20:04] not all Zionists are Jews.
[5:20:04] It is not antisemitic to
[5:20:09] denounce the political ideology
[5:20:10] of Zionism and its dangerous
[5:20:10] political program.
[5:20:16] The resolution proposes to use
[5:20:17] the I r statement as a tool to
[5:20:22] combat antisemitism but it
[5:20:22] confuses and conflates.
[5:20:23] >> Thank you for that reporting
[5:20:23] comment.
[5:20:28] Susan Orlowski.
[5:20:33] Good afternoon City Council I'm
[5:20:34] Susan Orlowski, a resident of
[5:20:34] San Diego District two.
[5:20:39] I'm Jewish born and raised in
[5:20:40] an Orthodox family.
[5:20:41] One of the teachings from my
[5:20:45] heritage I treasure most is
[5:20:45] tikkun olam.
[5:20:51] >> The responsibility to repair
[5:20:52] our shattered divided world.
[5:20:57] Adopting the Torah definition
[5:20:58] of antisemitism will not repair
[5:21:02] what's broken in our community
[5:21:03] or our nation or our world.
[5:21:09] >> Remember Trump based his
[5:21:09] executive order threatening
[5:21:10] Palestinian rights activists
[5:21:15] with deportation and on
[5:21:20] the definition of antisemitism
[5:21:21] ?
[5:21:22] Voting to adopt it will silence
[5:21:27] free speech in our communities
[5:21:27] .
[5:21:28] It is the antithesis to
[5:21:29] the diversity of viewpoints and
[5:21:34] cultures that makes them do
[5:21:35] the right thing.
[5:21:35] Jamal can Jamal you have time
[5:21:41] to go to my Toyota if you can,
[5:21:41] please?
[5:21:42] Thank you.
[5:21:42] You'll have two minutes.
[5:21:43] Please proceed.
[5:21:43] Yeah.
[5:21:46] Hi, Council members.
[5:21:46] I'm a former city employee.
[5:21:47] In fact, I used to sit back
[5:21:52] there on that chair when it was
[5:21:52] a city.
[5:21:53] City manager form of
[5:21:53] government.
[5:21:58] I'm here to ask you to of
[5:21:58] course oppose.
[5:21:59] I know you know you have every
[5:22:03] right as a council all
[5:22:04] individuals to support even
[5:22:04] the genocide in Gaza If you
[5:22:05] want the ethnic cleansing of
[5:22:10] Palestinian as if you want.
[5:22:11] I am not going to label you as
[5:22:11] hateful people.
[5:22:16] I'm not going to label you as a
[5:22:16] Palestinian racist.
[5:22:17] But if you pass this resolution
[5:22:22] that is exactly what it will
[5:22:23] do.
[5:22:23] It will stop me from saying my
[5:22:28] parents were ethnically
[5:22:29] cleansed from Palestine.
[5:22:29] That is defined in item as
[5:22:34] labeled as anti-Semitic.
[5:22:35] It will stop me from saying
[5:22:40] that the war in Gaza was a
[5:22:41] genocide because that is also
[5:22:46] defined as skepticism of
[5:22:46] Israel.
[5:22:47] And it is also classified as
[5:22:52] antisemitism or anti-Jewish.
[5:22:53] If I say I am against this
[5:22:58] Zionism as a political ideology
[5:22:59] ,racist political ideology
[5:22:59] against Palestinians because it
[5:23:05] displaced Palestinians, I
[5:23:06] become also an anti-Semite.
[5:23:07] Then you have this definition
[5:23:07] of ira.
[5:23:11] This is what I want you to do.
[5:23:12] If you have the right to be
[5:23:12] able to speak whenever you want
[5:23:17] to say and you are not labeled
[5:23:17] you then allow me to do
[5:23:18] the same.
[5:23:22] And do not label me if I speak
[5:23:22] my mind.
[5:23:23] I will not and will not do
[5:23:27] anything to stop the anti
[5:23:28] Semite or anti-Jewish hit in
[5:23:28] the us.
[5:23:34] Other rules or other ways to
[5:23:35] deal with it.
[5:23:35] Ira is a political Is it
[5:23:39] political statement to defend a
[5:23:39] political entity?
[5:23:46] I want to ask you when was it
[5:23:46] that our time has concluded?
[5:23:47] I can have the following
[5:23:48] individuals please come up to
[5:23:53] the yellow reserved seats and
[5:23:53] if I can have those are seats
[5:23:54] made available to me.
[5:23:57] I'm not not mean I Anthony
[5:24:02] Baron Aguiar El-Amin Israel b
[5:24:03] Marilyn Michael Spencer and
[5:24:08] Carmen Nasser Nicholas.
[5:24:09] If you can please come up to
[5:24:10] the yellow reserved seats And
[5:24:10] today and if you come please
[5:24:16] come up to the podium.
[5:24:17] Oh yes You have time ceded to
[5:24:18] you by several people people
[5:24:22] Madeline Robichaud if you can
[5:24:23] please Robichaud.
[5:24:27] Thank you all My Zubeida Oman
[5:24:33] Thank you.
[5:24:33] There was an Omar Arisa who
[5:24:34] ceded your time to Omar
[5:24:39] al-Bashir ceding time to Tazeen
[5:24:40] And so are you wanting to see
[5:24:45] your time to to her to Tazeen
[5:24:50] Omar Arisa Omar arise Are you
[5:24:50] here?
[5:24:51] Did you want to see your time
[5:24:51] to her?
[5:25:00] Thank you Lena Tice are other
[5:25:00] Lena are you here?
[5:25:01] Okay.
[5:25:06] Thank you Gypsy Gomes Are you
[5:25:06] here?
[5:25:11] Gypsy Gomes I don't see Robert
[5:25:12] Hernandez.
[5:25:16] Are you here?
[5:25:17] I don't see them And Shade are
[5:25:18] you here?
[5:25:22] Thank you So you will have five
[5:25:22] minutes Please proceed.
[5:25:27] Thank you Everyone Peace be
[5:25:27] upon you all.
[5:25:28] I am sad to say that the last
[5:25:33] week the last few days of
[5:25:33] Ramadan when I should be
[5:25:34] praying I have spent trying to
[5:25:35] reach out to people that I
[5:25:38] consider friends at one point
[5:25:39] and because my values did not
[5:25:40] align with their political
[5:25:44] aspirations I have been
[5:25:44] ignored.
[5:25:45] My name is within Islam and I
[5:25:46] have the privilege and honor of
[5:25:50] serving as the executive
[5:25:50] director of Care San Diego And
[5:25:51] I will not defend Care's work
[5:25:52] because my work speaks for
[5:25:55] itself uplifting communities,
[5:25:56] uplifting humanity and Syria.
[5:25:57] But what I have done for
[5:26:01] decades and my personal work in
[5:26:02] interfaith tells everyone here
[5:26:03] that I am not an anti Semite My
[5:26:04] Jewish friends will contest
[5:26:10] that as well As someone who has
[5:26:10] stood for equity and humanity
[5:26:16] today I am being told that my
[5:26:16] moral and civil upright about
[5:26:17] the genocide that we have all
[5:26:21] witnessed unfold right in front
[5:26:21] of our eyes suddenly will be
[5:26:22] considered anti-Semitic.
[5:26:26] My advocacy for valuing of
[5:26:27] human life will be offensive to
[5:26:27] the community that has suffered
[5:26:31] loss themselves.
[5:26:32] My ability to live by my values
[5:26:33] will be considered a violation
[5:26:37] of a city resolution.
[5:26:38] Let us be clear The hra
[5:26:42] definition definition is not
[5:26:43] about protecting the Jewish
[5:26:43] community.
[5:26:48] It is about being against anti
[5:26:48] Zionism.
[5:26:53] It is not about protecting
[5:26:54] the Jewish community.
[5:26:55] I repeat it is about completing
[5:26:59] the definition of antisemitism
[5:27:00] and anti-Zionism.
[5:27:04] It is about silencing the free
[5:27:04] speech of advocates such as
[5:27:05] myself.
[5:27:09] It is about evading my civil
[5:27:09] rights guaranteed to me by
[5:27:10] the us Constitution.
[5:27:15] Since OCTOBER 2023 we have seen
[5:27:20] a rise in anti-Muslim crimes.
[5:27:21] These complaints are filed by a
[5:27:21] brave few.
[5:27:26] The majority of my community is
[5:27:26] not brave enough to come
[5:27:27] forward because they fear a
[5:27:30] consequence.
[5:27:31] Serious consequences that come
[5:27:32] up come down from the highest
[5:27:36] us office the presidential
[5:27:36] order of attacking anybody who
[5:27:41] speaks against the state of
[5:27:42] Israel.
[5:27:42] These incidences are on school
[5:27:47] campuses and at places of
[5:27:48] employment and in public spaces
[5:27:52] just like this.
[5:27:53] I strongly encourage you to
[5:27:56] vote no on 500 as it does not
[5:27:57] serve its intended purpose of
[5:28:01] protecting any community
[5:28:02] especially the Jewish
[5:28:02] community.
[5:28:07] It is rather a harmful and
[5:28:08] divisive motion brought forward
[5:28:12] in a hurry.
[5:28:12] As mentioned earlier, the Human
[5:28:13] Relations Commission that has
[5:28:14] brought this forward is also
[5:28:17] considering it to be brought
[5:28:18] back to them for debate.
[5:28:22] Council member Whitburn I
[5:28:23] appeal to you as the one who
[5:28:24] brought this forward to
[5:28:27] reconsider this.
[5:28:28] This is not a motion that will
[5:28:29] unite communities, protect
[5:28:29] communities.
[5:28:33] It will just create
[5:28:33] divisiveness amongst our
[5:28:36] communities.
[5:28:37] >> And I speak for the Jewish
[5:28:42] community as well when I say
[5:28:43] that this is not something that
[5:28:49] will protect them.
[5:28:50] Maybe half of the Jewish
[5:28:51] community, maybe some of them
[5:28:52] at least that have reached out
[5:28:58] to me.
[5:28:58] Let us all unite and fight
[5:28:59] against hate, not be divisive
[5:29:02] by these measures, not be
[5:29:03] divided by something which is
[5:29:07] going to gain some of us in
[5:29:08] here political clout.
[5:29:12] San Diego is a beautiful place.
[5:29:13] Let us keep it beautiful by
[5:29:13] uniting communities rather than
[5:29:14] dividing them.
[5:29:17] Thank you.
[5:29:18] Thank you to those who helped
[5:29:18] quiet the crowd.
[5:29:23] You're doing great.
[5:29:23] Still got a couple of hours at
[5:29:25] least to go here so bear with
[5:29:31] it in You have time to get it
[5:29:32] to you by Susan Sinofsky if you
[5:29:36] can please raise your hand.
[5:29:36] Susan.
[5:29:37] I don't see Susan raising her
[5:29:41] hand here Perhaps so messed up
[5:29:42] mine was way before a lot of
[5:29:45] people So Susan probably left
[5:29:46] at this point which is really
[5:29:47] frustrating because it was
[5:29:52] omitted But for a lot of people
[5:29:52] we had a lot of people submit I
[5:29:53] actually taking slips for
[5:29:56] myself in order to accommodate
[5:29:56] everybody.
[5:29:57] We are trying to get through to
[5:29:57] everybody.
[5:30:01] Kyra Zubaida, Kyra Zubaida,
[5:30:01] thank you so much.
[5:30:02] You'll have two minutes.
[5:30:02] Please proceed.
[5:30:05] I am the daughter of a Nakba
[5:30:06] survivor.
[5:30:10] My Palestinian father survived
[5:30:11] the mass slaughter and upon
[5:30:12] your time it was your time.
[5:30:12] >> a second hand went up.
[5:30:15] Was there a second person that
[5:30:16] was sitting time?
[5:30:20] >> Does anybody else want to
[5:30:20] see their time?
[5:30:21] No.
[5:30:21] Okay.
[5:30:24] We'll go back to talk to you.
[5:30:25] You'll have three minutes.
[5:30:25] Please proceed.
[5:30:26] Thank you.
[5:30:26] All right.
[5:30:27] Can I start my time over?
[5:30:29] Yes, I am.
[5:30:30] >> Oh, yeah?
[5:30:30] Yeah.
[5:30:31] Well, let's just take your time
[5:30:32] over So we have at least two
[5:30:34] and that's the third.
[5:30:35] And the third is being seen by
[5:30:35] a First Amendment right.
[5:30:38] Okay.
[5:30:38] Yalla.
[5:30:39] We're ready.
[5:30:40] I am the daughter of a
[5:30:43] knuckleball survivor or my
[5:30:44] Palestinian father survived
[5:30:45] the mass slaughter and ethnic
[5:30:48] cleansing of Palestinians by
[5:30:49] the state of Israel.
[5:30:49] I oppose this agenda item
[5:30:53] The ihra definition conflates
[5:30:54] actual antisemitism with
[5:30:54] criticism of Israel.
[5:30:58] You all need to read
[5:30:58] the definition in full.
[5:30:59] It explicitly says
[5:31:03] manifestations might include
[5:31:03] the targeting of the state of
[5:31:04] Israel conceived as a Jewish
[5:31:08] collectivity that strips away
[5:31:08] our freedom of speech, our
[5:31:09] constitutional rights to hold
[5:31:12] Israel accountable for
[5:31:13] the ongoing genocide of
[5:31:13] Palestinians in Gaza.
[5:31:17] Discrimination and segregation
[5:31:18] of Palestinians within Israel
[5:31:21] borders and apartheid of
[5:31:22] Palestinians in the West Bank.
[5:31:23] How about my Palestinian family
[5:31:26] that lives within Israel?
[5:31:27] Yes, there are Palestinians who
[5:31:31] are citizens of the state of
[5:31:31] Israel.
[5:31:32] Are they antisemitic for
[5:31:33] criticizing their own
[5:31:35] government?
[5:31:36] Is my Palestinian mother who is
[5:31:37] an Israeli citizen racist
[5:31:41] towards Jewish people for
[5:31:41] criticizing the Israeli
[5:31:42] government for relentlessly
[5:31:46] bombing Palestinian children in
[5:31:46] Gaza?
[5:31:47] No, it's important we do not
[5:31:49] conflate the two through
[5:31:49] the ira definition.
[5:31:50] Adopting this definition
[5:31:54] effectively says San Diego City
[5:31:55] Council believes in
[5:31:55] the segregation and
[5:31:59] discrimination of Palestinian
[5:32:00] Christian and Muslim citizens
[5:32:00] of the state of Israel.
[5:32:05] Is that all what you stand for?
[5:32:05] What is driving this?
[5:32:09] Stephen Whitburn You're running
[5:32:10] for a state assembly in 2030.
[5:32:11] Are you taking money?
[5:32:14] I'm not saying from Jewish
[5:32:15] people Are you taking money
[5:32:18] from pro-Israel lobby groups?
[5:32:19] There is a distinction.
[5:32:20] Isn't that what the ihra
[5:32:20] definition is doing where we're
[5:32:23] distinguishing the two?
[5:32:24] Are you taking money from
[5:32:25] pro-Israel groups to bring this
[5:32:28] forward?
[5:32:29] Nicole Murray Ramirez brought
[5:32:30] this to the City Human
[5:32:33] Relations Commission.
[5:32:34] Has the commission ensured
[5:32:34] Nicole's not taking any money
[5:32:38] from pro-Israel lobby groups?
[5:32:39] That is a conflict of interest.
[5:32:39] If so.
[5:32:43] Free Palestine from corrupt
[5:32:43] politicians like Stephen
[5:32:47] Whitburn the Christian Zionists
[5:32:48] a premise Raul Campo and King
[5:32:52] Todd Gloria who's not even here
[5:32:53] today who ran to be mayor by
[5:32:53] using his marginalized
[5:32:53] background.
[5:32:57] Only get to get into power to
[5:32:58] further marginalize those on
[5:32:59] the sidelines.
[5:33:02] The group organizing
[5:33:03] the community to speak in favor
[5:33:06] of this item today Israeli
[5:33:06] American Council.
[5:33:11] So again, how is this not about
[5:33:11] conflating the two?
[5:33:12] This shows this isn't about
[5:33:16] protecting our Jewish brothers
[5:33:17] and sisters from hate.
[5:33:17] It's about protecting
[5:33:21] the dangerous criticism them
[5:33:22] from the dangerous state of
[5:33:22] Israel.
[5:33:26] Boycott, divest and sanction
[5:33:27] Israel from the top of my
[5:33:27] lungs.
[5:33:28] We're here to discuss
[5:33:31] anti-Jewish racism.
[5:33:32] So many of these speakers in
[5:33:35] favor of this item have called
[5:33:36] my Jewish brothers and sisters
[5:33:37] not real Jews.
[5:33:41] How is that not anti-Semitic?
[5:33:41] >> You all my comment.
[5:33:45] Thank you.
[5:33:46] That does conclude your time.
[5:33:47] I don't believe in the people.
[5:33:47] I believe in.
[5:33:51] >> All right.
[5:33:52] What's up?
[5:33:57] Anthony Baron After Anthony
[5:33:57] Baron we have Agir El-Amin,
[5:34:02] Israel b Maryland.
[5:34:02] Micah Spencer and Elke Weston.
[5:34:06] If you can please proceed.
[5:34:06] Hello.
[5:34:07] I'm just a poor community
[5:34:11] worker from district for
[5:34:11] the poor side of town District
[5:34:12] four.
[5:34:12] I work out in the community and
[5:34:16] I'm just tired of my taxes
[5:34:16] going to the Zionist holocaust
[5:34:20] against the Palestinians and
[5:34:21] seeing dead children day after
[5:34:25] day for years at this time and
[5:34:26] being surrounded by people who
[5:34:26] take glee and pleasure in that
[5:34:31] slaughter as it continues.
[5:34:32] I have no faith in any of our
[5:34:35] council members but I don't
[5:34:36] need faith in any elected
[5:34:37] representatives because I have
[5:34:37] complete faith in
[5:34:40] the righteousness of our cause
[5:34:40] And I know that history will
[5:34:43] absolve us if that makes me
[5:34:48] antisemitic then so be it.
[5:34:54] Next is engineer Al-Amin.
[5:34:54] >> I'm Akil Al-Amin.
[5:34:58] A long time residents of
[5:34:59] the city of San Diego.
[5:35:03] And I would ask the council
[5:35:04] people please to look at
[5:35:05] the definition of Semite and
[5:35:08] submit it and not a definition
[5:35:09] that these people have come up
[5:35:10] with that is erroneous and
[5:35:13] manifest in order to promote a
[5:35:14] political ideology.
[5:35:18] I'm not here to give you a
[5:35:19] history lesson but I'm an
[5:35:20] African American and I'm a
[5:35:22] muslim and I have been
[5:35:23] discriminated on both causes
[5:35:27] and I know what discrimination
[5:35:27] is.
[5:35:32] There is no law that has been
[5:35:32] designed specifically to
[5:35:37] protect my rights as an
[5:35:37] American and an African
[5:35:38] American citizen to this nation
[5:35:42] that I was born and raised in.
[5:35:43] The civil rights Law Trump in
[5:35:46] fact wants to dismantle
[5:35:47] the rights laws that protect me
[5:35:52] And if he would do it to me, he
[5:35:52] would do it to
[5:35:53] the Palestinians.
[5:35:56] And I am saying now we cannot
[5:35:57] have it and I advise you to
[5:35:58] vote no on this resolution
[5:36:04] Israel be.
[5:36:09] Good afternoon, MR. PRESIDENT
[5:36:10] and all the council members.
[5:36:10] My name is Israel and Citizen
[5:36:14] of Republic Democratic of Congo
[5:36:15] in Africa and a resident here
[5:36:19] in San Diego Lead pastor it
[5:36:20] precious name of Jesus Christ
[5:36:20] Church.
[5:36:24] MR. PRESIDENT, I'm here to
[5:36:24] speak in favor of this agenda
[5:36:29] item regarding h r a.
[5:36:29] MR. PRESIDENT, I support
[5:36:33] adopting this definition
[5:36:34] because it helps clearly
[5:36:38] identify and addresses anti
[5:36:39] Semitism which continue to
[5:36:43] impact our community and around
[5:36:44] the world.
[5:36:44] I know what I'm talking about
[5:36:45] For many people including those
[5:36:48] in Jewish community Israel
[5:36:49] represent not just a nation but
[5:36:53] a place of safety identity and
[5:36:54] history supporting Israel's
[5:36:54] right to exist and defend
[5:36:58] itself.
[5:36:59] It is an important part of
[5:36:59] standing against hate and
[5:37:00] discrimination.
[5:37:03] This measure is not about
[5:37:04] limiting free speech.
[5:37:09] It is about ensuring that
[5:37:09] anti-Semitism.
[5:37:10] Thank you for that was taken.
[5:37:13] Thank you for that Concluding
[5:37:13] remark.
[5:37:14] Maryland Michael Spencer.
[5:37:19] After that it will be Elke
[5:37:19] Weston.
[5:37:20] Carmen Nasser Nicholas.
[5:37:23] Tom Hammond.
[5:37:24] I'm not sure if I already said
[5:37:24] that one before.
[5:37:25] Mark Powell allegedly Audra and
[5:37:28] Vicki Austria if you can all
[5:37:29] please come up to the front
[5:37:29] row.
[5:37:29] Please proceed.
[5:37:33] Hello, my name is Marilyn
[5:37:33] Meeker Spencer.
[5:37:34] I live in District three and I
[5:37:35] voted for some of you.
[5:37:38] I am a Jew and it is exactly
[5:37:39] because I am a Jew that I came
[5:37:43] here to urge you not to support
[5:37:43] this definition of
[5:37:47] anti-Semitism.
[5:37:48] Anti-Semitism is a nasty,
[5:37:48] horrible view.
[5:37:52] It's worse when this view is
[5:37:52] put into action.
[5:37:53] I hate it.
[5:37:57] All of my grandparents escaped
[5:37:57] the antisemitism in Europe.
[5:37:58] Many of my relatives didn't
[5:37:59] manage to escape and were
[5:38:02] murdered.
[5:38:02] I've been subjected to
[5:38:03] anti-Semitism my entire life.
[5:38:07] Most anti-Semitism is based on
[5:38:08] the stereotype that all Jews
[5:38:12] are the same at their core.
[5:38:12] But that's not true.
[5:38:16] Many of us have different views
[5:38:17] on everything including
[5:38:18] the political state of Israel.
[5:38:22] Many argue today that the ihra
[5:38:22] definition doesn't prohibit
[5:38:23] free speech.
[5:38:27] But even if it's not legally
[5:38:28] binding, adopting this position
[5:38:31] defines free speech about
[5:38:32] Israel as the same thing as Jew
[5:38:32] hate.
[5:38:33] >> Thank you for that
[5:38:35] concluding comment Elke.
[5:38:41] Yes, hello.
[5:38:41] My name is Elke Weston and I
[5:38:45] know all of you and that's a
[5:38:45] fact.
[5:38:46] And first let me point out
[5:38:50] great job, Ryan to say how El
[5:38:51] Cajon a Republican city and
[5:38:55] Chula Vista a Republican city
[5:38:56] support this just like you
[5:39:00] support them and you attack
[5:39:00] disabled individuals as well.
[5:39:01] >> Right now what I'm here to
[5:39:05] urge everybody to do is table
[5:39:05] this.
[5:39:06] It is not written appropriately
[5:39:09] When our black community has
[5:39:10] been attacked.
[5:39:10] >> Has anything been done?
[5:39:11] No.
[5:39:14] When our Hispanic community has
[5:39:15] been attacked, has anything
[5:39:15] been done?
[5:39:19] No Muslims have been killed in
[5:39:24] the percentage that you cannot
[5:39:24] imagine from the people of
[5:39:28] the government of Israel.
[5:39:29] We are not saying that
[5:39:33] anti-Semitism is wrong but it's
[5:39:34] very interesting that when
[5:39:34] Muslim people are talking about
[5:39:39] and you and thank you MR.
[5:39:39] PRESIDENT for allowing them to
[5:39:42] do that I expect to more I
[5:39:43] expect ten more seconds you for
[5:39:44] that crowd by you allowing them
[5:39:44] to talk out like that
[5:39:47] concluding.
[5:39:48] >> So I need ten more seconds
[5:39:49] because you took it from both
[5:39:49] sides.
[5:39:52] So they interrupted you on both
[5:39:52] sides of the argument.
[5:39:57] So you had your time.
[5:39:58] I did not have your time
[5:39:59] because I give you 10s Thank
[5:39:59] you.
[5:40:01] You can wrap it up.
[5:40:02] >> I want to urge that we table
[5:40:03] this right now.
[5:40:06] It needs to be rewritten to
[5:40:07] include all people including
[5:40:10] our Muslim brothers and sisters
[5:40:11] because at this point in time
[5:40:12] it's racist.
[5:40:12] >> Thank you for that
[5:40:16] concluding remark.
[5:40:17] Carmen Nasser Nicholas Nichols
[5:40:18] My apology Carmen Nasser
[5:40:21] Nichols are you here After that
[5:40:25] Tom McCarron, Mark Powell
[5:40:26] allegedly.
[5:40:27] >> Thank you.
[5:40:33] Please proceed.
[5:40:34] Okay, I'll go more Vickie
[5:40:38] Estrella.
[5:40:39] Kate, you have an ditty If you
[5:40:43] can please come up to the front
[5:40:43] the other reserved seats And
[5:40:44] Amy actor if you can all please
[5:40:45] start making your way up to
[5:40:45] the front row.
[5:40:50] >> Please proceed.
[5:40:51] >> My name is Carmen Nasr
[5:40:52] Nichols and I am a Semite a
[5:40:55] Palestinian Semite.
[5:40:56] My parents are survivors of
[5:40:59] Nakba.
[5:41:00] I find this definition of
[5:41:01] antisemitism problematic for
[5:41:04] many reasons including that it
[5:41:05] disregards and minimizes
[5:41:06] the racism and oppression
[5:41:09] experienced by the majority of
[5:41:10] Semitic people who are not
[5:41:10] Jewish.
[5:41:14] I believe that Jordi of Judea
[5:41:15] phobia Islamophobia, Afro
[5:41:18] phobia and other types of
[5:41:19] discrimination and bigotry are
[5:41:23] all equally wrong.
[5:41:23] But allowing one religious
[5:41:24] group to define the term to
[5:41:28] suit their political agenda
[5:41:28] which includes taking away our
[5:41:29] First Amendment right to free
[5:41:33] speech and silencing and
[5:41:34] marginalizing those who do not
[5:41:35] have the political power to
[5:41:38] have their definitions legally
[5:41:39] recognized, deeply insulting
[5:41:43] and will create more division
[5:41:44] among religious and ethnic
[5:41:48] groups in San Diego and beyond
[5:41:48] .
[5:41:49] I will also not it will also
[5:41:53] not protect Jewish people.
[5:41:54] >> That concludes your time.
[5:41:59] That concludes your time and I
[5:41:59] hear you right, Tom McMann that
[5:42:00] you've already spoken.
[5:42:00] Thank you.
[5:42:10] >> Mark Powell and hello
[5:42:11] council member, council members
[5:42:15] and PRESIDENT LaCava.
[5:42:16] My name is Mark Powell.
[5:42:17] I'm here to urge you to vote in
[5:42:20] favor of the resolution
[5:42:20] recognizing the working
[5:42:21] definition of anti-Semitism
[5:42:24] adopted by the International
[5:42:25] Accords Remembrance Alliance.
[5:42:26] For me this issue is not
[5:42:29] abstract.
[5:42:30] It's deeply personal.
[5:42:31] I'm a first generation American
[5:42:31] Jew.
[5:42:34] In 1956 my mother was forced to
[5:42:35] leave the Middle East because
[5:42:35] of religious persecution.
[5:42:39] She came to the United States
[5:42:40] seeking safety, freedom and
[5:42:40] the ability to live with openly
[5:42:43] As a Jew.
[5:42:44] But my mom and my mom made San
[5:42:45] Diego her home a city where she
[5:42:48] believed she could live without
[5:42:48] fear.
[5:42:49] Today I live in District six
[5:42:52] and within District six there's
[5:42:52] two synagogues and a Jewish
[5:42:53] community center.
[5:42:54] These are places where families
[5:42:57] gather, where children learn,
[5:42:57] where Jewish community thrives.
[5:42:58] But when you walk into
[5:42:59] the Jewish community center
[5:43:01] you'll see something that
[5:43:02] should trouble all of us.
[5:43:02] Multiple armed security guards
[5:43:06] standing there Watch.
[5:43:06] They're there to protect
[5:43:07] the members of the preschool
[5:43:08] and the members of the Jewish
[5:43:10] Community Center.
[5:43:11] Because people in this world
[5:43:12] literally want to kill Jewish
[5:43:15] people simply because they're
[5:43:16] Jewish.
[5:43:16] That concluding statement
[5:43:17] allegedly address after that is
[5:43:21] Vicki is straight then Kate you
[5:43:22] have ended if you can please go
[5:43:23] up to the front row.
[5:43:25] Amy Actor Sandy have Nicole
[5:43:26] Lily all Please come up to
[5:43:30] the front row.
[5:43:30] Please proceed when ready.
[5:43:31] Talk about hypocrisy.
[5:43:32] It's interesting because
[5:43:35] Palestine is the Holy Land
[5:43:36] that's being taken over and I
[5:43:36] guess truth seems to be
[5:43:40] antisemitic.
[5:43:41] Why aren't you guys including
[5:43:41] all Semites?
[5:43:42] Why are we just saying
[5:43:45] the Jewish people are Semites?
[5:43:45] It's interesting.
[5:43:46] And then you're trying to force
[5:43:49] me to accept that pedophilia
[5:43:50] has become something that is
[5:43:54] you know, something that people
[5:43:54] do.
[5:43:55] It's written in the Talmud and
[5:43:55] we're goyim.
[5:43:56] We're animals.
[5:43:56] Right.
[5:43:59] And it's okay to treat people a
[5:43:59] certain way if you're Jewish
[5:44:00] but if you're not then you're
[5:44:04] anti-Semitic.
[5:44:05] >> And there seems to be a lot
[5:44:05] of hate that's been spewed
[5:44:06] around here by this group of
[5:44:09] people And it's very sad
[5:44:10] because it's like no, I don't
[5:44:13] think that rabbi should
[5:44:14] the baby penises when they are
[5:44:14] circumcised And I will never
[5:44:19] think that that is something
[5:44:19] that we should support or
[5:44:20] the genocide of people.
[5:44:23] It's like if it's these people
[5:44:24] it's okay but not if it's them.
[5:44:25] You guys need to course correct
[5:44:27] and understand that you are
[5:44:28] discriminating when you are
[5:44:29] saying only Jewish people are
[5:44:30] Semites because you're leaving
[5:44:33] out a whole class of people.
[5:44:34] Your time has concluded Vicki
[5:44:38] Ester you thank you for letting
[5:44:39] us know there are duplicates in
[5:44:39] here.
[5:44:47] And Eddie my name is Kevin
[5:44:48] Duddy.
[5:44:48] I'm with the National Lawyers
[5:44:49] Guild.
[5:44:49] The Guild nationally has
[5:44:51] challenged the adoption and
[5:44:52] the misuse of the ihra
[5:44:56] definition of antisemitism
[5:44:57] although presented as deaf as
[5:44:57] simply a definition of
[5:44:58] antisemitism.
[5:45:01] In fact it has been used to
[5:45:02] suppress the free speech of
[5:45:03] persons especially those
[5:45:06] supporting Palestine and
[5:45:07] opposing the genocide committed
[5:45:11] by Israel in Gaza.
[5:45:11] Locally the Guild has supported
[5:45:12] pro-Palestinian demonstrators
[5:45:15] including providing legal
[5:45:16] support in defense for those
[5:45:17] arrested at the usd encampment
[5:45:20] and elsewhere.
[5:45:20] These demonstrators have been
[5:45:21] characterized as anti-Semitic
[5:45:25] simply for speaking out against
[5:45:25] genocide.
[5:45:26] They've been arrested,
[5:45:30] physically assaulted by
[5:45:30] supporters of Israel,
[5:45:31] disciplined at schools And now
[5:45:34] many schools are suppressing
[5:45:35] their rights to speak out on
[5:45:38] Palestine, denying their First
[5:45:39] Amendment rights to speech and
[5:45:39] assembly.
[5:45:44] The problem is about
[5:45:44] the definition of antisemitism
[5:45:49] that's contained in ira is too
[5:45:49] broad.
[5:45:50] Your time has concluded Amy
[5:45:53] Actor if you can please come
[5:45:54] forward.
[5:45:54] Now we have people sitting in a
[5:45:55] tiny Sydney room.
[5:45:58] It is if you can please raise
[5:45:58] your hand.
[5:45:59] Sydney Thank you And Brian
[5:46:02] o'Brien if you can please raise
[5:46:03] your hand or are you standing
[5:46:03] up?
[5:46:07] I think he's in the other room
[5:46:07] .
[5:46:08] Okay, let's go on time.
[5:46:12] Brian o'Brien Oh I see him
[5:46:16] coming in waving his hand.
[5:46:16] Three minutes.
[5:46:17] Please proceed.
[5:46:17] Hello, My name is Amy.
[5:46:21] I'm a Code Pink, a feminist
[5:46:22] grassroots organization working
[5:46:26] to end us warfare and
[5:46:26] imperialism.
[5:46:27] I live in District one and I've
[5:46:30] been a resident of San Diego
[5:46:31] for 35 years.
[5:46:31] The city of San Diego is
[5:46:35] attempting to redefine anti
[5:46:36] Semitism a definition where
[5:46:36] pointing out ethnic cleansing
[5:46:40] and the apartheid structure for
[5:46:41] Israel has forced on Palestine
[5:46:45] would be deemed anti-Semitic to
[5:46:46] acknowledge that separate roads
[5:46:47] for Palestinians, separate IDs
[5:46:50] for Palestinian separate rights
[5:46:51] for Palestinians, separate
[5:46:55] areas and cities Palestinians
[5:46:56] are prohibited from entering in
[5:46:57] their own occupied land
[5:47:00] separate law of carrying out
[5:47:00] executions by hanging only
[5:47:01] applied to Palestinians.
[5:47:05] To see all of that and to call
[5:47:06] it what it is racism in
[5:47:10] the highest degree that would
[5:47:10] be considered anti-Semitic in
[5:47:11] the last 12 days Israel is
[5:47:15] turbocharged a genocide in
[5:47:15] southern Lebanon with complete
[5:47:16] impunity.
[5:47:19] They've displaced over a
[5:47:20] million people, killed more
[5:47:21] than 800 with countless missing
[5:47:24] under the rubble.
[5:47:25] We've seen schools, churches,
[5:47:25] mosques and hospitals all
[5:47:29] targeted with Israeli bombs
[5:47:30] supplied by the us.
[5:47:30] We're watching them use
[5:47:34] the same exact tactics that
[5:47:38] they have done to Gaza the past
[5:47:38] two and a half years.
[5:47:39] They forcefully evacuate and
[5:47:43] displaced an entire population.
[5:47:44] They then carpet bomb and raise
[5:47:48] an entire city and prepare it
[5:47:48] for military occupation.
[5:47:49] Yet it is our speech that is
[5:47:53] policed and prosecuted to a
[5:47:54] harsher level than the violence
[5:47:58] that the state of Israel
[5:47:58] commits.
[5:47:59] Backed by our own tax dollars
[5:48:03] and our weapons from here in
[5:48:03] San Diego our taxes aren't
[5:48:04] spent in service of us.
[5:48:08] Our laws aren't written in
[5:48:08] service of us.
[5:48:09] Our troops aren't even deployed
[5:48:12] in service of us.
[5:48:13] We send them to serve
[5:48:14] the interests of Israel and
[5:48:17] the global elites are sanctions
[5:48:17] strangle and starve the people
[5:48:18] of Iran as they do the people
[5:48:22] of Cuba and Venezuela while we
[5:48:23] blockade and steal even more
[5:48:27] oil and carpet bomb innocent
[5:48:28] civilians in Gaza and Tehran
[5:48:28] and now Lebanon.
[5:48:32] But we're told our words are
[5:48:33] the real violence.
[5:48:36] When will those like you.
[5:48:37] >> San Diego City Council have
[5:48:42] that have sat back and watched
[5:48:42] with your authority, comfort
[5:48:46] and convenience choose to act?
[5:48:47] >> Councilmember Whitburn, you
[5:48:51] said you'd support a cease fire
[5:48:52] resolution over a year ago.
[5:48:53] This council has broken its
[5:48:56] promises to keep all of our
[5:48:57] children safe.
[5:48:57] And in that same time frame
[5:48:58] expanded the city's
[5:49:01] surveillance apparatus built by
[5:49:02] collaborators of an apartheid
[5:49:02] state.
[5:49:06] And this genocide.
[5:49:07] How are your future voters like
[5:49:11] my children expected to believe
[5:49:12] any of you have any interest in
[5:49:13] changing the trajectory of this
[5:49:16] city that sends weapons for
[5:49:17] genocide and that fights
[5:49:17] against their freedom and
[5:49:22] future?
[5:49:26] >> Sandy Hib sandy have are you
[5:49:26] here?
[5:49:27] Oh please come up.
[5:49:31] Nicole Lilly Liliana Soriano,
[5:49:32] Sparky am Joanne Wennberg and
[5:49:36] Joe Castiglioni If you can
[5:49:36] please come up to the front
[5:49:37] row.
[5:49:49] Please proceed when ready.
[5:49:54] Please start.
[5:49:54] Thank you for your time.
[5:49:55] You said this bill is about
[5:49:59] safety, civil rights building,
[5:49:59] social cohesion.
[5:50:00] Meanwhile I just witnessed one
[5:50:01] of the Zionist community taking
[5:50:04] pictures and writing the names
[5:50:05] of every person that's against
[5:50:05] this item.
[5:50:09] So you point out your
[5:50:09] statistics are rising.
[5:50:10] There are no doubt from the adl
[5:50:14] the same adl that when Elon
[5:50:15] Musk raised his arm in that
[5:50:15] Nazi salute it strangely
[5:50:18] defended him.
[5:50:18] That's weird.
[5:50:19] They're very selective in their
[5:50:20] outrage.
[5:50:23] They're also been discredited
[5:50:23] by the fbi and labeled
[5:50:24] unreliable by Wikipedia.
[5:50:28] But many people says never
[5:50:29] again.
[5:50:32] That's very selective too As a
[5:50:33] witnessing the ongoing
[5:50:33] Holocaust.
[5:50:37] Seems like the values of
[5:50:38] opinions of a few genocide
[5:50:42] scholars that wrote this hra
[5:50:43] for a manipulated definition of
[5:50:43] anti-Semitism.
[5:50:46] But when eight hundreds
[5:50:47] scholars unanimously call it a
[5:50:47] genocide you don't care about
[5:50:50] them.
[5:50:51] >> The real question here is
[5:50:56] the biggest enemy is
[5:50:57] the treatment no matter
[5:50:57] the Zionist community because
[5:51:02] Nicole Lilly and Israel is no
[5:51:02] longer your head.
[5:51:05] >> The third sympathies.
[5:51:06] >> That's the real thing that
[5:51:10] your Nicole Lilly, please come
[5:51:10] forward.
[5:51:10] Okay.
[5:51:11] The next one who does what he
[5:51:15] did is going to be escorted out
[5:51:15] of the room.
[5:51:16] We're all actually we're not
[5:51:19] even close to being done.
[5:51:20] >> But please bear with us.
[5:51:24] Hello.
[5:51:25] My name is Nicole Lilly.
[5:51:25] I'm a resident of District
[5:51:26] three and I'm here today
[5:51:29] because I'm deeply concerned by
[5:51:29] the ihra definition of
[5:51:30] antisemitism.
[5:51:30] This definition wrongly and
[5:51:33] dangerously conflates
[5:51:34] the criticism of Israel and
[5:51:34] Zionism with antisemitism to
[5:51:38] protect the impunity of Israel
[5:51:38] under this definition saying
[5:51:39] that Israel is found by
[5:51:40] international courts to be
[5:51:40] committing genocide in
[5:51:43] Palestine to critique their
[5:51:44] brutal murder of nearly 200
[5:51:45] Iranian schoolchildren.
[5:51:48] To say Israel and the U.S.
[5:51:49] Poisoning an attempt at
[5:51:49] eradication of entire peoples
[5:51:50] is abhorrent.
[5:51:53] To accurately call Israel an
[5:51:54] apartheid state would all be
[5:51:55] falsely labeled antisemitism.
[5:51:58] As a youth organizer and ucsd
[5:51:58] alum, I can tell you firsthand
[5:51:59] how such a definition is used
[5:52:02] not to protect Jewish people
[5:52:03] and students but to strip away
[5:52:04] free speech and civil liberties
[5:52:04] of those who dare to call it
[5:52:07] genocide and real acts of
[5:52:08] antisemitism and Islamophobia.
[5:52:08] All words matter.
[5:52:12] An official resolutions of this
[5:52:12] council are binding in ways
[5:52:13] that matter.
[5:52:16] As you decide today think of
[5:52:17] your children and think of
[5:52:17] the children in Palestine and
[5:52:18] in Iran and around the world.
[5:52:21] The ira tells us it is
[5:52:21] antisemitic to defend.
[5:52:22] Do not complete the critique of
[5:52:23] genocidal actors with real
[5:52:26] incidents of hatred against
[5:52:26] American people.
[5:52:27] >> No thank you.
[5:52:30] Liliana Soriano.
[5:52:35] Liliana Soriano are you here to
[5:52:36] see everything from Overflow?
[5:52:40] Sparky Am.
[5:52:45] Hello Council members I'm
[5:52:46] Parking meter a bioengineer
[5:52:46] and a resident of District
[5:52:47] three.
[5:52:50] Let us be clear The I read
[5:52:50] definition that is being
[5:52:51] considered for adoption
[5:52:51] blatantly disregards
[5:52:53] the conclusion of several human
[5:52:54] rights organizations and
[5:52:54] international NGOs and
[5:52:58] organizations within Israel
[5:52:59] itself such as about Bethlehem
[5:53:00] have concluded that
[5:53:00] the Palestinian people are
[5:53:01] being ethnically cleansed due
[5:53:03] to the genocidal acts of Israel
[5:53:04] that are being propped up by
[5:53:04] American militarism.
[5:53:08] My fellow classmates at my alma
[5:53:09] maters ucsd and Columbia have
[5:53:10] faced constant attacks because
[5:53:14] of partial failure to protect
[5:53:14] the freedom to protest
[5:53:15] genocide.
[5:53:16] But I refuse to suspension to
[5:53:18] immigration enforcement.
[5:53:19] The weaponizing of such an
[5:53:20] accurate definition has done
[5:53:23] irreparable harm to
[5:53:23] the livelihoods of many
[5:53:24] Palestinians and allies.
[5:53:25] >> Keep in mind many of us have
[5:53:28] already lost family to constant
[5:53:28] bombardment, kidnaping and
[5:53:33] bigotry with the very real rise
[5:53:33] of anti-Semitism and
[5:53:33] Islamophobia.
[5:53:34] It is exceedingly important to
[5:53:37] separate the defense of
[5:53:38] warmongering states from
[5:53:38] the defense of Jewish people.
[5:53:39] Please do not adopt this
[5:53:41] resolution.
[5:53:42] >> Thank you.
[5:53:46] Joanna Winberg.
[5:53:47] >> Good afternoon.
[5:53:51] I am from District one and a
[5:53:52] Jewish member of Congregation
[5:53:52] Dor Hadash.
[5:53:55] Though these views are my own I
[5:53:56] care about dismantling
[5:53:56] antisemitism but adopting ihra
[5:53:57] is not the way.
[5:54:01] According to true a rabbinic
[5:54:02] human rights collective, even
[5:54:02] non-binding adoptions of ihra
[5:54:06] can be used to stifle free
[5:54:06] speech.
[5:54:07] I encourage everyone to consult
[5:54:11] APRIL Rosen Bloom's work to
[5:54:11] sharpen their understanding of
[5:54:12] antisemitism.
[5:54:16] I do not claim to speak for all
[5:54:16] Jews but neither can any other
[5:54:17] Jew here.
[5:54:20] The Talmud has a saying of
[5:54:21] Leshem shame or argument for
[5:54:24] the sake of heaven.
[5:54:25] Respecting dissenting opinions
[5:54:26] is wholly to Jewish tradition
[5:54:29] and I cannot support a
[5:54:30] resolution suggesting that Jews
[5:54:31] are safe only when dissenting
[5:54:35] voices are silenced.
[5:54:35] Our safety is bound up
[5:54:36] together.
[5:54:36] Thank you.
[5:54:40] Joe Castiglioni if you can
[5:54:40] please come forward.
[5:54:41] If I can have the following
[5:54:42] individuals please come up to
[5:54:42] the front row.
[5:54:44] Greg Denham.
[5:54:44] Noah Abrahams.
[5:54:50] Diana Rosenstein Elmo Larvae.
[5:54:51] Ramy Never sad.
[5:54:54] Alan Viterbi If you can all
[5:54:55] please go to the front row.
[5:54:55] Please proceed.
[5:54:59] My name is Joe Castilian and
[5:54:59] I'm a Jewish resident of
[5:55:00] District three.
[5:55:03] The Nazi ss leader Heinrich
[5:55:04] Himmler said the subhuman has
[5:55:05] found its leader the Jew.
[5:55:06] The subhuman will always be
[5:55:09] subhuman as a Jew remains a Jew
[5:55:10] after OCTOBER 7th.
[5:55:14] Yoav Gallant Israel's defense
[5:55:14] minister announced that there
[5:55:15] would be no food, no water for
[5:55:15] Gaza.
[5:55:16] We're fighting human animals.
[5:55:18] A few weeks later Israel's
[5:55:19] former ambassador to the United
[5:55:20] Nations Dan Gillerman said I'm
[5:55:23] puzzled by the concern
[5:55:24] the world is showing for
[5:55:24] the Palestinian people for
[5:55:28] these horrible inhuman animals
[5:55:28] .
[5:55:29] I've just drawn a comparison
[5:55:33] between Nazi leaders and
[5:55:34] Israeli leaders dehumanization
[5:55:34] of others.
[5:55:38] The ihra definition says that
[5:55:39] my factual statements are an
[5:55:40] example of antisemitism in
[5:55:43] public life.
[5:55:44] Just look at the 10th bullet in
[5:55:45] the definition ihra has
[5:55:48] absolutely been used to
[5:55:49] suppress First Amendment rights
[5:55:49] Look no further than de-funding
[5:55:53] universities or initiating
[5:55:53] deportations And at the very
[5:55:54] least I urge you to continue
[5:55:58] this item and to solicit
[5:55:58] important additional
[5:55:59] perspectives.
[5:55:59] >> Thank you.
[5:56:02] Greg Denham.
[5:56:03] >> Good afternoon everybody.
[5:56:07] My name is Greg Denham, Pastor
[5:56:08] of Rise Church, also
[5:56:09] representing a coalition of
[5:56:09] pastors that represent
[5:56:13] thousands in San Diego.
[5:56:14] It is an honor to stand with
[5:56:17] the Jewish community amidst
[5:56:17] the radical rise of
[5:56:18] anti-Semitism which by nature
[5:56:22] is the demonization of an
[5:56:22] ethnicity.
[5:56:23] It is pure racism.
[5:56:23] And this is where your
[5:56:27] leadership is needed to take a
[5:56:28] stand because anti-Semitism is
[5:56:28] not only a threat of
[5:56:32] psychological warfare,
[5:56:32] reputational harm but also
[5:56:33] physical harm to Jews.
[5:56:37] It's also cover fire.
[5:56:38] It always has been for evil to
[5:56:42] advance advance ideology
[5:56:42] ammunition to jihadist
[5:56:43] movements that openly declared
[5:56:47] their intent to dismantle
[5:56:47] Western civilization.
[5:56:48] We see such rhetoric in our own
[5:56:52] backyard So I ask that you
[5:56:53] please lead and make San Diego
[5:56:53] proud.
[5:56:56] Thank you and GOD bless you.
[5:57:01] >> Noah Abraham All right.
[5:57:11] >> Escort that lady out please
[5:57:11] do Do not applaud.
[5:57:12] Do not applaud.
[5:57:18] I do not take that lightly.
[5:57:19] >> Please proceed.
[5:57:19] Good afternoon, counselor
[5:57:23] Stephen Whitburn.
[5:57:23] Thank you.
[5:57:24] Look, let's just be clear on
[5:57:25] why we want to adopt this
[5:57:28] definition in San Diego As a
[5:57:29] Jewish community we don't just
[5:57:29] want to be protected, we want
[5:57:33] to be taken seriously.
[5:57:34] We want to make sure that
[5:57:34] anti-Semitism is recognized and
[5:57:38] addressed with the same
[5:57:39] seriousness as other forms of
[5:57:39] hate.
[5:57:40] And recently I attended an
[5:57:43] event where a Holocaust
[5:57:44] survivor was drowned out by
[5:57:45] the noise disruption caused by
[5:57:48] those who refused to who
[5:57:49] refused to respect his freedom
[5:57:53] of speech.
[5:57:54] This a man who survived
[5:57:54] concentration camps, a man who
[5:57:58] was trying to educate on
[5:57:59] the past so that the future
[5:58:03] cannot repeat itself But with
[5:58:04] no hra protection we were
[5:58:08] unable to hear his voice Today
[5:58:08] we're here because we deserve
[5:58:09] to be heard.
[5:58:10] And in adopting this definition
[5:58:13] we sent a clear message that
[5:58:13] anti-Semitism has no place in
[5:58:17] San Diego And crucially that
[5:58:17] Jewish residents are valued
[5:58:21] members of this community.
[5:58:27] >> Ross Rosenstein, Diana Ross
[5:58:28] seen there is time seated by
[5:58:32] Allah Rev Zion if you can
[5:58:33] please raise your hand.
[5:58:33] >> Thank you.
[5:58:36] Someone is already going out
[5:58:37] there to close the door because
[5:58:40] I have some hearing loss and
[5:58:41] that's bothering me.
[5:58:46] A law called Once I get
[5:58:47] immunity I'm pausing your time
[5:58:50] until they close the door.
[5:58:51] Yes, you have time And thank
[5:58:51] you.
[5:58:52] My name is Diana.
[5:58:52] Always interesting.
[5:58:54] I am a member of the San Diego
[5:58:55] Jewish community from District
[5:58:55] seven.
[5:58:59] I grew up in Belarus during
[5:59:00] the Soviet period where
[5:59:00] anti-Semitism was part of
[5:59:03] everyday life at the beginning
[5:59:08] of each school year teachers
[5:59:09] took attendance and students
[5:59:10] were asked not only their name
[5:59:13] but also their nationality.
[5:59:14] When the child said Jewish
[5:59:15] classmates laughed and teachers
[5:59:18] did nothing.
[5:59:19] My parents taught me to say I
[5:59:20] was Belarussian to avoid being
[5:59:22] singled out.
[5:59:23] That was the reality Many
[5:59:28] Jewish families lived with so
[5:59:28] that officials claim they were
[5:59:29] not targeting Jews only
[5:59:32] Zionists.
[5:59:33] So evidently Estonia's
[5:59:34] propaganda frames this as
[5:59:37] progressive anti-fascist cause
[5:59:38] but in reality Jews were
[5:59:38] targeted, harassed, denied
[5:59:42] university admissions and job
[5:59:43] promotions and blamed for
[5:59:44] society's problems.
[5:59:47] I thought I had left
[5:59:48] anti-Semitism behind when I
[5:59:48] moved to the United States in
[5:59:52] the early 90s but not anymore.
[5:59:55] Today San Diego has its third
[5:59:56] highest number of anti-Semitic
[5:59:57] incidents in California with
[6:00:01] incidents occurring in college
[6:00:01] campuses and k-12 schools.
[6:00:04] When these situations arise,
[6:00:05] educators and administrators
[6:00:06] often struggle to determine
[6:00:10] when something has crossed
[6:00:10] the line from political
[6:00:11] expression into harassment
[6:00:14] targeting Jewish people.
[6:00:15] Clear guidance matters.
[6:00:15] It helps distinguish legitimate
[6:00:19] discussion about the Middle
[6:00:20] East from rhetoric that crosses
[6:00:20] the lines into anti-Semitism
[6:00:24] across corruption or
[6:00:25] harassment.
[6:00:25] Having grown up in the place
[6:00:29] where simply being Jewish could
[6:00:30] make you a target, I know that
[6:00:30] hatred can hide behind
[6:00:33] political language including
[6:00:34] one that is expressed as
[6:00:34] anti-Zionism.
[6:00:38] Adapting this definition will
[6:00:39] help San Diego recognize
[6:00:39] antisemitism when it appears
[6:00:43] and respond before it harms
[6:00:43] children in our community.
[6:00:44] I respectfully urge you to vote
[6:00:44] yes.
[6:00:48] Thank you.
[6:00:49] And I want to reply to
[6:00:50] the speaker who said that she
[6:00:54] was ready to pluck three goals
[6:00:54] for you.
[6:00:55] Thank you for that particular
[6:00:55] comment.
[6:00:58] Your time has concluded Jose.
[6:01:02] No doubt Jose Jeff and Bren.
[6:01:07] Is there a Jose here?
[6:01:07] >> I'm sure there's somebody to
[6:01:09] speak or something.
[6:01:16] >> Elena Levy I will not love
[6:01:16] you.
[6:01:17] You have people sitting in
[6:01:20] timeshare showrooms.
[6:01:20] Steinberg.
[6:01:20] Please raise your hand.
[6:01:24] So thank you And Andy Cohen.
[6:01:25] Thank you.
[6:01:25] You'll have three minutes.
[6:01:26] Please proceed.
[6:01:27] Thank you, dear council
[6:01:27] members.
[6:01:30] I'm here today not as a
[6:01:31] community member, as a mother.
[6:01:35] Antisemitism is not an abstract
[6:01:35] debate.
[6:01:36] It's not about politics.
[6:01:39] It's not about talking point
[6:01:40] admitted by some people that
[6:01:41] are saying some videos on
[6:01:41] Peacock.
[6:01:42] I'm going to share with you
[6:01:45] today about real daily
[6:01:45] experiences my kids are facing.
[6:01:50] Our kids are facing.
[6:01:51] Last year my daughter was in
[6:01:51] our middle school history class
[6:01:55] when a teacher referred to as
[6:01:55] the Jew kid.
[6:01:59] It is not 50, 70, 80 is back.
[6:02:00] It is last year.
[6:02:03] And history teacher in front of
[6:02:04] the whole class called my
[6:02:08] daughter the Jew kid.
[6:02:08] Imagine being in a class a
[6:02:09] child and suddenly being
[6:02:10] singled out like that in front
[6:02:13] of all of your classmates.
[6:02:14] It's not about politics.
[6:02:17] And just two weeks ago my son
[6:02:18] was a college student at Cal
[6:02:23] Poly expelled anti-Semitic
[6:02:23] bullying.
[6:02:24] I thought a fatality.
[6:02:25] It was serious enough that it
[6:02:27] was reported.
[6:02:28] So you can you can look up you
[6:02:29] can see it in the news again,
[6:02:32] no politics, no estoy.
[6:02:32] It is here now happening in San
[6:02:34] Diego in my house in my kid's
[6:02:39] schools.
[6:02:40] These are not stories from
[6:02:40] decades back ago.
[6:02:41] This is happening now to our
[6:02:44] children.
[6:02:44] This is why the walking
[6:02:45] definition from the hra
[6:02:45] matters.
[6:02:48] It gives schools, universities
[6:02:49] and communities a clear tool to
[6:02:50] recognize antisemitism when it
[6:02:54] happens instead of dismissing
[6:02:54] it or pretending it's something
[6:02:55] else.
[6:02:59] No child should be abused as
[6:02:59] the Jew kid.
[6:03:00] No student should be targeted
[6:03:04] for being Jewish.
[6:03:05] Please shut up so that when
[6:03:08] antisemitism upends
[6:03:08] institutions have the clarity
[6:03:09] and courage to address it
[6:03:13] immediately.
[6:03:13] >> Please adopt.
[6:03:13] Thank you.
[6:03:21] Next is Ramy Neustadt.
[6:03:21] >> Thank you.
[6:03:22] My name is Romi Newstead and I
[6:03:26] live in District one.
[6:03:26] Good evening.
[6:03:27] My children have been
[6:03:30] confronted and called baby
[6:03:31] killers and Zionist scum.
[6:03:31] They've tried to enter events
[6:03:35] right here in this city.
[6:03:36] Just a few weeks ago I was at
[6:03:37] Trader Joe's and was physically
[6:03:41] blocked from reaching for
[6:03:41] the Israeli feeder.
[6:03:42] The large man said if you buy
[6:03:45] that you're supporting
[6:03:46] genocide.
[6:03:46] Then he was close enough to see
[6:03:50] my Star of David and he said
[6:03:51] You Zionist disgust me And he
[6:03:55] refused to move.
[6:03:55] This is what the ihra
[6:03:56] definition addresses.
[6:03:59] It doesn't silence critics of
[6:04:00] any government.
[6:04:00] It simply states that targeting
[6:04:01] Jews for the actions of a
[6:04:05] foreign state isn't political
[6:04:05] discourse.
[6:04:10] People this is antisemitism.
[6:04:10] That's the definition
[6:04:11] restriction of speech.
[6:04:13] It's a tool when already
[6:04:14] adopted as you've heard by 40
[6:04:15] countries 30 us states in our
[6:04:19] neighbors in Chula Vista and
[6:04:20] alcohol and we deserve to live
[6:04:20] in a San Diego ca that can make
[6:04:25] you feel like including
[6:04:25] commenters.
[6:04:26] Thank you for your island
[6:04:26] Viterbi.
[6:04:28] You have time to buy Jeff
[6:04:29] Schneider if you can please
[6:04:30] raise your hand.
[6:04:30] And what's your name?
[6:04:34] Thank you.
[6:04:35] We'll have someone go to sleep.
[6:04:35] Three minutes.
[6:04:36] Jeff, did you raise your hand?
[6:04:38] My apologies.
[6:04:39] I think he MAY have left.
[6:04:40] Okay, so you have two minutes.
[6:04:40] Please proceed.
[6:04:44] Alan Viterbi city resident and
[6:04:45] the Eagle Regional PRESIDENT
[6:04:45] For the American Jewish
[6:04:48] Committee, the nation's oldest
[6:04:49] and largest Jewish public
[6:04:49] advocacy and human rights
[6:04:53] organization.
[6:04:54] We support the resolution
[6:04:54] before you.
[6:04:55] Three brief points I'd like to
[6:04:58] make today.
[6:04:59] One, we commend the careful
[6:04:59] wording of this resolution in
[6:05:03] its purpose as strictly
[6:05:04] educational.
[6:05:04] Opponents claim this infringes
[6:05:08] on their free speech.
[6:05:09] The resolution does no such
[6:05:09] thing.
[6:05:13] No speech is made illegal.
[6:05:14] Even the ugly speech that
[6:05:14] the Council has unfortunately
[6:05:15] had to experience today.
[6:05:18] Opponents of the resolution can
[6:05:19] continue to spew hate speech.
[6:05:23] This resolution simply educates
[6:05:24] others that their speech is
[6:05:28] anti-Semitic To every minority
[6:05:28] group in America is given
[6:05:29] the space to define what they
[6:05:33] deem to be hateful and to
[6:05:34] educate the broader community
[6:05:38] to help create a better society
[6:05:38] .
[6:05:39] The ihra definition in your
[6:05:41] adoption today for educating
[6:05:42] educational purposes reflects
[6:05:47] our city's desire to embrace
[6:05:47] all in three.
[6:05:48] Your adoption is timely.
[6:05:51] This is the most dangerous and
[6:05:52] disturbing moment for American
[6:05:53] Jews in my lifetime.
[6:05:57] In San Diego, Jews in Jewish
[6:05:58] institutions are experiencing
[6:06:02] threats and actual violence.
[6:06:02] Just this past week when we
[6:06:07] witnessed how anti-Semitic
[6:06:07] anti-Zionism translates into
[6:06:11] anti-Semitic actions with
[6:06:12] the attempt to drive a
[6:06:17] explosive laden vehicle into a
[6:06:17] synagogue with a preschool of
[6:06:18] 140 children.
[6:06:21] I can tell you that night my
[6:06:22] daughter here in San Diego
[6:06:22] called me and said Is it safe
[6:06:26] for me to take your one year
[6:06:27] old grandchild to a mommy me
[6:06:30] class at a synagogue tomorrow?
[6:06:31] Fortunately our San Diego
[6:06:32] Police Department is there to
[6:06:36] protect our institutions.
[6:06:37] But it's time for us to call
[6:06:38] out the kind of hatred that
[6:06:41] leads to those violent actions
[6:06:42] .
[6:06:42] And so I urge the council today
[6:06:43] that we thank you for that
[6:06:46] concluding.
[6:06:46] Thank you.
[6:06:47] Sarah Brown Sarah Brown If you
[6:06:48] can please make your way
[6:06:51] forward to the microphone and
[6:06:52] then Wayne Harris, Faith
[6:06:56] Klinger, Susan or Lasky, Craig
[6:06:57] Jones, Valerie Traina and James
[6:07:01] Roush if you can all please
[6:07:02] come forward.
[6:07:02] Sarah you have time to Chew by
[6:07:03] Lauren Goodwin.
[6:07:03] Lauren if you can please raise
[6:07:09] your hand.
[6:07:10] No, I understood They do have
[6:07:13] to be present per the rules So
[6:07:14] you do have one minute.
[6:07:14] Please proceed.
[6:07:15] I can do that.
[6:07:18] You can.
[6:07:19] Wayne Harris, thank you so
[6:07:19] much.
[6:07:23] You'll have two minutes.
[6:07:23] Please proceed.
[6:07:23] Thank you.
[6:07:28] As a commissioner on the hrc as
[6:07:28] a member of the San Diego State
[6:07:29] University Presidential Task
[6:07:33] Force on Antisemitism which
[6:07:33] already adopted ihra and
[6:07:34] the regional Director of
[6:07:37] American Jewish Committee.
[6:07:38] I am proud of our City Council
[6:07:42] for taking seriously the hrc is
[6:07:43] unanimous recommendation to
[6:07:43] adopt the ira working
[6:07:47] definition of anti-Semite ism.
[6:07:48] In our letter we wrote We write
[6:07:52] to urge the City of San Diego
[6:07:53] to adopt the International
[6:07:53] Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
[6:07:54] Working Definition of
[6:07:57] anti-Semite Mutism.
[6:07:58] Doing so would be an important
[6:07:58] step towards strengthening
[6:08:02] safety and inclusion for Jewish
[6:08:02] students, families and
[6:08:06] communities throughout our
[6:08:07] city.
[6:08:07] The ira working definition
[6:08:08] explains that antisemitism
[6:08:12] refers to certain perceptions
[6:08:13] of Jews that MAY be expressed
[6:08:13] through hatred.
[6:08:17] These expressions can appear in
[6:08:18] rhetoric or actions directed at
[6:08:18] Jewish or non-Jewish
[6:08:22] individuals or their property
[6:08:23] Jewish community institutions
[6:08:27] or religious sites.
[6:08:27] The definition also includes
[6:08:28] illustrative examples to help
[6:08:31] identify how antisemitism
[6:08:32] manifests in practice.
[6:08:37] With this definition as the end
[6:08:38] of the quote now it's just back
[6:08:38] to me.
[6:08:41] With this definition the city
[6:08:42] can implement lasting education
[6:08:42] and training initiatives to
[6:08:46] identify respond to and prevent
[6:08:47] antisemitism.
[6:08:51] The ajc State of Antisemitism
[6:08:54] 2025 report reveals that over 9
[6:08:55] in 10 American Jews feel less
[6:08:58] safe right now with 56% of them
[6:09:02] changing their behavior due to
[6:09:03] fear, 31% were personally
[6:09:05] targeted by antisemitism and
[6:09:06] 71% reported seeing it online.
[6:09:10] We must take action and this
[6:09:11] resolution will be part of
[6:09:12] lasting change to benefit our
[6:09:15] city.
[6:09:15] Guiding Policy.
[6:09:16] Education and Training.
[6:09:16] Thank you very much to
[6:09:20] Councilmember Whitburn for
[6:09:21] sponsoring this and to all of
[6:09:21] you for consideration and
[6:09:22] leadership.
[6:09:25] Vote yes.
[6:09:25] >> Faith Klinger.
[6:09:30] Faith Klinger, are you here?
[6:09:34] Thank you, Susan Orlowski for
[6:09:35] Thank you for your honesty and
[6:09:39] duplicates.
[6:09:40] >> Craig Jones.
[6:09:40] Craig Jones.
[6:09:44] Are you here?
[6:09:45] A lot of people put in dupes.
[6:09:49] Valerie Traina Thank you.
[6:09:50] And if I can ask James Roush
[6:09:53] story is better than Pea Dennis
[6:09:54] Lee and Abigail Passman.
[6:09:58] Nick Pleased to come up to
[6:09:59] the front row.
[6:09:59] >> Valerie Please proceed.
[6:10:02] I'm Valerie Trying to district
[6:10:03] for San Diego must not issue a
[6:10:07] resolution adopting the ira
[6:10:08] working definition of
[6:10:08] anti-Semitism.
[6:10:12] This definition confuse causes
[6:10:13] rather than elucidate due to
[6:10:17] its conflation of criticism of
[6:10:18] Israel with disparagement of
[6:10:18] Jews as a whole.
[6:10:22] Israel clearly is committing
[6:10:23] ethnic cleansing and genocide
[6:10:28] of indigenous Palestine Hence
[6:10:28] it can't hide behind this
[6:10:32] definition of antisemitism to
[6:10:33] avoid criticism of its war
[6:10:33] crimes.
[6:10:37] That the city of San Diego
[6:10:37] believes it should carry water
[6:10:42] for that apartheid government
[6:10:42] infuriates me.
[6:10:43] City Council represents
[6:10:47] the residents we the People
[6:10:48] want no part in excusing
[6:10:52] the genocide of Palestinians by
[6:10:53] the state of Israel.
[6:10:53] Your proposed infringement on
[6:10:57] our rights to free speech is
[6:10:58] beyond the pale.
[6:11:02] >> Free Palestine.
[6:11:03] James Roush.
[6:11:09] Doris Guitar.
[6:11:10] Okay gentlemen.
[6:11:13] What the was that You escort
[6:11:19] him out as well.
[6:11:22] Is that what he said?
[6:11:23] Yes.
[6:11:23] Okay.
[6:11:28] My apologies then.
[6:11:28] >> Oh, Doris Matar.
[6:11:33] You have time to buy Tanya.
[6:11:33] Ibrahim.
[6:11:34] Tanya, if you can please raise
[6:11:37] your hand.
[6:11:37] >> I believe Tanya.
[6:11:41] She's walked in.
[6:11:42] She wants to speak herself, I
[6:11:42] think.
[6:11:45] So you're not Tanya, You're not
[6:11:46] setting your time to doors?
[6:11:49] >> No.
[6:11:50] Okay.
[6:11:50] You have two minutes and you
[6:11:55] want to speak So then you can't
[6:11:55] cede your time to me.
[6:11:56] You'll have one minute.
[6:11:57] Please proceed.
[6:11:59] Okay.
[6:12:00] i deeply care about the rights
[6:12:00] of all people even those I
[6:12:01] disagree with.
[6:12:04] But why was this definition not
[6:12:04] read?
[6:12:08] You took ten minutes and didn't
[6:12:08] read the definition Because
[6:12:09] it's plain as can be that it
[6:12:13] will stifle our speech rights.
[6:12:14] My family in Lebanon originally
[6:12:17] from the south have never seen
[6:12:18] this level of displacement or
[6:12:18] destruction.
[6:12:19] The Israelis have soaked
[6:12:23] aggreko natural lands with
[6:12:23] herbicides and phosphorus
[6:12:24] making a million people
[6:12:27] homeless.
[6:12:27] My cousins witnessed smashed
[6:12:28] infrastructure the flattening
[6:12:31] of entire neighborhoods and
[6:12:32] villages.
[6:12:32] Israel lured weary Lebanese
[6:12:36] refugees to safe zones In
[6:12:41] Beirut's Corniche, a boardwalk
[6:12:42] adjacent to the American
[6:12:42] University of Beirut near where
[6:12:43] we lived.
[6:12:47] Drones killed many, including
[6:12:47] children's hours later.
[6:12:48] Over a dozen medical workers
[6:12:52] have been murdered.
[6:12:52] If this passes when I tell my
[6:12:53] personal story I will be
[6:12:56] branded as anti-Semitic.
[6:12:57] Please read this.
[6:13:00] Read it and fix it.
[6:13:06] >> Tanya after that is Dan p
[6:13:10] Dennis the Abigail.
[6:13:10] Please proceed.
[6:13:11] My name is Tanya Ibrahim.
[6:13:15] Another resident of District
[6:13:15] four.
[6:13:16] I urge you to vote no to
[6:13:19] the ihra definition of anti
[6:13:19] Semitism.
[6:13:20] I am Semite.
[6:13:24] I am a Semite a Lebanese Semite
[6:13:25] and one of the original Semite.
[6:13:25] And the ihra definition of
[6:13:29] antisemitism disregards and
[6:13:30] minimizes the racism and
[6:13:31] oppression experienced by
[6:13:34] Semitic people like me who are
[6:13:35] not Jewish.
[6:13:36] It's especially troubling that
[6:13:39] the city of San Diego is
[6:13:40] considering this definition
[6:13:40] during ongoing violence
[6:13:44] including the genocide in Gaza
[6:13:44] and the continued Israel us
[6:13:48] Israeli bombing in Iran and
[6:13:48] Lebanon.
[6:13:52] My home country Israel has
[6:13:53] displaced nearly 20% of
[6:13:53] Lebanon's population.
[6:13:57] Israel is targeting civilians
[6:13:58] and infrastructure.
[6:13:58] How many people here who are
[6:14:02] voting yes for this item have
[6:14:03] their country, their homeland
[6:14:07] countries destroyed and
[6:14:08] bombarded since the day you
[6:14:08] were born?
[6:14:11] How many of you can say this
[6:14:16] and to support by Israel and by
[6:14:16] Lebanon.
[6:14:17] >> Your time has concluded.
[6:14:21] Your time has.
[6:14:22] Your time has concluded.
[6:14:23] Then if you can please come
[6:14:27] forward.
[6:14:28] Then you have time to buy Nabil
[6:14:28] Sheikh.
[6:14:29] Thank you.
[6:14:30] And I know that you have
[6:14:31] something to show up on
[6:14:31] the screen.
[6:14:35] So that is going up on
[6:14:35] the screen.
[6:14:36] We will try to zoom in but
[6:14:37] copies are being distributed to
[6:14:38] the council as well.
[6:14:43] Please proceed.
[6:14:44] Yes, City council members.
[6:14:45] My name is Dan and I am a
[6:14:47] resident of San Diego.
[6:14:48] Thank you for considering
[6:14:49] the adoption of a resolution.
[6:14:53] Several people here came to
[6:14:54] Gaslight You and lie about Ira.
[6:14:59] They organized by care
[6:15:00] organization and support
[6:15:00] terrorism And you hear on
[6:15:02] the court the day that they
[6:15:03] tell their leaders.
[6:15:03] Right.
[6:15:07] The argument today is that Ira
[6:15:07] and Jews are here to infringe
[6:15:08] on their freedom of speech
[6:15:12] constitutional speech, freedom
[6:15:12] of speech.
[6:15:13] Right.
[6:15:13] So let's look together.
[6:15:17] You have a paper there to read.
[6:15:18] What I had actually says
[6:15:21] nothing in this resolution is
[6:15:22] intended to nor shall it be
[6:15:26] construed to limit or infringe
[6:15:26] upon rights protected by
[6:15:27] the United States Constitution
[6:15:28] or California Constitution.
[6:15:32] Including the right to free
[6:15:32] speech and expression.
[6:15:35] This is what I says.
[6:15:36] I make it clear that adoption
[6:15:36] does not infringe on free
[6:15:37] speech.
[6:15:41] Ira is intended to be used for
[6:15:41] educational purposes.
[6:15:42] To call out the monetization
[6:15:46] and delegitimization of Jews I
[6:15:47] am asking you on behalf of my
[6:15:50] family and my beautiful Jewish
[6:15:55] community in San Diego here to
[6:15:55] adopt Ira.
[6:15:59] Thank you.
[6:16:05] Next Gen z Dennis z.
[6:16:06] Would you like to sort that
[6:16:06] element out?
[6:16:09] We've got two states that are
[6:16:09] control and everybody speak.
[6:16:10] Let them get their opinion out.
[6:16:13] We still probably got at least
[6:16:18] another hour if not more at
[6:16:18] Dennis please.
[6:16:18] >> PRESIDENT.
[6:16:23] Hello Council members.
[6:16:24] My name is Dennis and I live in
[6:16:24] District six.
[6:16:28] Thank you Council with Bern for
[6:16:29] sponsoring the resolution
[6:16:29] today.
[6:16:33] Iro does not impede on free
[6:16:33] speech.
[6:16:34] It is completely constitutional
[6:16:37] and has been adopted by
[6:16:38] the United States government.
[6:16:41] Healthy debate and criticism of
[6:16:42] governments and policies are a
[6:16:43] normal part of democratic
[6:16:43] societies.
[6:16:47] People across the political
[6:16:47] spectrum regularly express
[6:16:51] opinions about international
[6:16:52] conflicts including those
[6:16:52] involved in Israel.
[6:16:57] However, there is an important
[6:16:58] distinction between criticizing
[6:17:01] a government and targeting
[6:17:02] the Jewish people.
[6:17:03] Anti-Semitism occurs when
[6:17:07] individuals or communities are
[6:17:08] blamed, harassed or threatened
[6:17:11] simply because are Jewish or
[6:17:12] when Jewish identity itself
[6:17:16] becomes the target of
[6:17:16] hostility.
[6:17:17] There are plenty examples of
[6:17:22] that when political anger about
[6:17:22] events abroad turns into haste.
[6:17:23] Thank you.
[6:17:26] We support the resolution.
[6:17:27] >> Abigail paused.
[6:17:31] Abigail is Ariel Heifetz here?
[6:17:35] Ariel Heifetz I understand that
[6:17:36] somebody wanted to see a time
[6:17:40] to you but I don't have that
[6:17:41] speaker slip.
[6:17:41] Thank you so much.
[6:17:46] We'll get those.
[6:17:46] You'll have three minutes.
[6:17:47] Please proceed.
[6:17:47] Hello.
[6:17:50] My name is Ariel Heifetz and
[6:17:51] I'm here as a 15 year old
[6:17:51] Jewish high school student who
[6:17:52] has been through many
[6:17:55] anti-Semitic incidents.
[6:17:56] I shouldn't be in school right
[6:17:57] now but I need to speak out.
[6:18:00] I've been living here for most
[6:18:01] of my life and I'm an American
[6:18:01] citizen.
[6:18:02] I have no control over what
[6:18:05] goes on in other places in
[6:18:05] the world.
[6:18:06] The OCTOBER 7th tragedy
[6:18:10] happened when I was in seventh
[6:18:10] grade 12 years old.
[6:18:13] I don't think a 12 year old
[6:18:14] should have to deal with racial
[6:18:14] profiling.
[6:18:19] I've been told Hitler was right
[6:18:20] and that I should have gotten
[6:18:20] gassed with the rest of my
[6:18:20] people.
[6:18:23] I've been called a dirty Jew
[6:18:24] and a baby killer.
[6:18:25] I've had to go through physical
[6:18:28] attacks to physical and violent
[6:18:31] attacks one being with four
[6:18:32] boys who are older than me.
[6:18:36] I've been spit on but luckily
[6:18:36] I'm still here.
[6:18:37] I think some people need me to
[6:18:38] restate the definition of
[6:18:42] antisemitism.
[6:18:43] Antisemitism simply means that
[6:18:43] you hate someone due to
[6:18:47] the fact that they are Jewish.
[6:18:47] That is it.
[6:18:51] This isn't about politics in
[6:18:52] some of the people here are
[6:18:52] proving my point.
[6:18:56] This is about mine and
[6:18:57] the peoples around me of
[6:18:57] safety.
[6:19:01] I want to feel comfortable and
[6:19:02] safe in my country and I want
[6:19:03] to feel comfortable with who I
[6:19:06] am.
[6:19:07] I want to feel like everyone
[6:19:07] else does.
[6:19:08] You've seen some of
[6:19:11] the antisemitism anti-Semitic
[6:19:12] lies being spread against us
[6:19:12] today.
[6:19:15] We defend the rights of every
[6:19:16] minority without thinking twice
[6:19:17] because everyone deserves to
[6:19:17] feel safe.
[6:19:18] We just want the right to live
[6:19:20] in peace.
[6:19:21] Why should I have to fight for
[6:19:22] that?
[6:19:22] I wish we could learn from our
[6:19:23] mistakes.
[6:19:26] We say never again but here we
[6:19:26] are.
[6:19:26] There's a difference between
[6:19:30] hate speech and free speech.
[6:19:31] Antisemitism is pure hate.
[6:19:34] This is disgusting and I am
[6:19:34] sick of it.
[6:19:35] >> Please vote yes.
[6:19:39] Thank you.
[6:19:40] >> Margaret Morgan.
[6:19:40] Margaret Morgan If you're here
[6:19:44] or on marker Andy Tremlett,
[6:19:48] Sylvia and Regan we have to for
[6:19:54] Sylvia and Ricky Stacey Lynn q
[6:19:55] Figure if you can all please
[6:19:59] come to the front row.
[6:20:00] Margaret you have time seated
[6:20:00] by Janet Kay headline If you
[6:20:03] can please raise your hand.
[6:20:04] Janet Conwy Okay then you'll
[6:20:11] have one minute We'll get that.
[6:20:12] Please proceed with your two
[6:20:12] minutes.
[6:20:15] Thank you.
[6:20:16] My name is Margaret Morgan.
[6:20:19] I'm a San Diego resident
[6:20:19] District two.
[6:20:20] Thank you Stephen Whitburn and
[6:20:23] Ryan for this amazing
[6:20:24] presentation today.
[6:20:25] And also I'm a non-Jewish ally
[6:20:28] standing in strong solidarity
[6:20:29] with my Jewish community and
[6:20:34] friends.
[6:20:35] You've heard the evidence
[6:20:35] anti-Semitism at
[6:20:39] the unprecedented levels has
[6:20:39] been clearly established that
[6:20:40] this definition does not limit
[6:20:43] free speech.
[6:20:44] You've also heard claims about
[6:20:45] this definition that are simply
[6:20:48] not true.
[6:20:49] That is not debate.
[6:20:50] That is misinformation.
[6:20:53] The question before you is not
[6:20:54] whether antisemitism exists.
[6:20:55] The question is whether you
[6:20:58] will name it Clearly or allow
[6:20:59] it to be blurred.
[6:20:59] The ihra definition gives you
[6:21:04] the ability to draw that line.
[6:21:04] History shows us what happens
[6:21:05] when that line is blurred.
[6:21:09] The decision is in your hands
[6:21:09] and in your hands.
[6:21:13] You're each also holding a copy
[6:21:14] of my father's birth
[6:21:14] certificate from Germany
[6:21:19] stamped with the Nazi insignia
[6:21:19] as he was born in 1937.
[6:21:24] I gave that to you as a
[6:21:24] reminder.
[6:21:25] History is not distance
[6:21:25] distant.
[6:21:28] It is shaped by the decision of
[6:21:29] public officials in moments
[6:21:30] like this.
[6:21:30] Please vote yes.
[6:21:34] While this decision is still in
[6:21:34] your hands.
[6:21:35] >> Thank you so much.
[6:21:42] Darren Malka You have time
[6:21:42] Seated by Miriam Penny Shai, if
[6:21:47] you can please raise your hand
[6:21:47] .
[6:21:47] Thank you.
[6:21:48] And Laura Lolly Froman, please
[6:21:51] raise your hand.
[6:21:52] Lauren.
[6:21:56] Laura Lolly from from Oh, thank
[6:21:57] you so much.
[6:21:57] Three minutes Please proceed.
[6:21:58] Good afternoon.
[6:22:01] Council PRESIDENT And council
[6:22:01] members.
[6:22:02] My name is Tyrone Malka and I'm
[6:22:06] a member of both the San Diego
[6:22:07] and the national boards of
[6:22:08] the Israeli American Council
[6:22:12] representing thousands of proud
[6:22:13] Jewish and Israeli American
[6:22:17] families in our community.
[6:22:18] We've seen the numbers of
[6:22:23] the surge in anti-Semitism in
[6:22:23] our in our city, in our county.
[6:22:24] I have to say I prepared a
[6:22:28] speech but I have to say that
[6:22:29] what you've experienced today I
[6:22:31] think our position clearly made
[6:22:37] our case.
[6:22:38] What we have experienced today
[6:22:38] in some of those comments is
[6:22:41] what our members are
[6:22:47] experiencing every single day.
[6:22:47] Our children, Our students.
[6:22:52] Our parents in a place of force
[6:22:53] shaping the universities in
[6:22:54] the kindergartens.
[6:22:57] This is the kind of hate we are
[6:22:58] experiencing every single day.
[6:22:58] And you've heard just as you
[6:23:04] know, an hour or two of it our
[6:23:05] law enforcement and our civic
[6:23:09] leaders cannot fight this hate
[6:23:09] if they don't have a clear
[6:23:10] definition of what it is and
[6:23:17] how to protect against it.
[6:23:18] The definition is not
[6:23:18] constructed, is not against
[6:23:23] free speech, not in any way
[6:23:24] just in the way you have
[6:23:24] explained it, in the way it's
[6:23:25] written, in the way you've
[6:23:28] heard so many witnesses for it.
[6:23:29] It is clearly and simply a
[6:23:33] diagnostic tool to identify it
[6:23:34] and to give some tools to
[6:23:39] combat it to allow our our law
[6:23:40] enforcement to deal with it and
[6:23:44] to try to eliminate it.
[6:23:44] We hear a lot about we want
[6:23:45] open debate.
[6:23:50] We want the healthy debate.
[6:23:51] Of course we want a healthy
[6:23:51] debate.
[6:23:52] But the debate that we are
[6:23:55] asked to do is as long as we
[6:23:56] are not we're not yarmulke as
[6:23:57] long as we don't speak Hebrew,
[6:23:57] as long as we don't put our
[6:24:00] mezuzah in our doors, as long
[6:24:01] as we do not go with our star
[6:24:02] of David.
[6:24:05] Now let's have a debate.
[6:24:10] That's not a healthy debate.
[6:24:11] >> That's Jew hatred in any
[6:24:18] form that you can express It.
[6:24:19] You have a very simple choice
[6:24:23] to make today.
[6:24:28] >> You can join the 47 nations
[6:24:29] in 37 U.S. States and establish
[6:24:34] a standard that will protect
[6:24:34] your Jewish constituents and
[6:24:39] the Jewish community overall or
[6:24:40] you can make the day for those
[6:24:44] anti-Semitic oppressors who are
[6:24:50] hoping praying that you reject
[6:24:51] it.
[6:24:51] And any word about let's delay
[6:24:52] it?
[6:24:55] It's not a clear it's not an
[6:24:56] honest request to delay it.
[6:25:01] >> It's a hope to bury it.
[6:25:01] >> I urge you to vote yes.
[6:25:02] Thank you.
[6:25:12] Andy Tremlett Today you were
[6:25:12] aiming to take a stand against
[6:25:13] anti-Semitism.
[6:25:17] That is a noble goal But this
[6:25:18] is not the way no country in
[6:25:22] the world deserves protection
[6:25:23] from the First Amendment of
[6:25:23] the Constitution.
[6:25:28] Yes, this resolution declares
[6:25:28] it.
[6:25:29] It doesn't restrict criticism
[6:25:29] of Israel.
[6:25:30] But then it goes on to list
[6:25:33] specific ways that you can and
[6:25:33] can't talk about the state.
[6:25:38] You can't have your cake and
[6:25:39] eat it too.
[6:25:39] On Saturday a Palestinian
[6:25:44] family was driving home after
[6:25:45] getting sweets and new clothes
[6:25:45] for the kids.
[6:25:49] Israeli soldiers opened fire on
[6:25:50] the family car killing
[6:25:54] the mother, the father and two
[6:25:55] young boys.
[6:25:55] Only two children survived.
[6:26:00] Imagine that happening to your
[6:26:00] family.
[6:26:01] Now imagine being one of
[6:26:05] the surviving kids and hearing
[6:26:06] that politicians were voting to
[6:26:06] restrict criticism of
[6:26:07] the forces who killed your
[6:26:07] family.
[6:26:12] Please do not take a chisel to
[6:26:13] our rights as Americans.
[6:26:17] >> Sylvia Andrea, Sylvia and
[6:26:17] Rico.
[6:26:22] I was on your feet.
[6:26:23] >> Please speak when you get up
[6:26:23] to the microphone.
[6:26:27] Zoom can hear you as well.
[6:26:28] I'm sorry.
[6:26:28] You'll have one minute.
[6:26:29] Please proceed.
[6:26:33] Good afternoon.
[6:26:34] Almost going into Good evening.
[6:26:35] I am here to confess that I was
[6:26:39] not listed here to speak on
[6:26:39] this issue.
[6:26:40] However, it is a very important
[6:26:45] issue.
[6:26:45] This divide between me as human
[6:26:50] beings needs to stop.
[6:26:51] And the only way we can do it
[6:26:52] is to respect each other and
[6:26:56] respect each other's existence
[6:26:57] here and respect that all of us
[6:27:02] all of us to some degree in
[6:27:03] the evolution of this
[6:27:03] civilization have suffered.
[6:27:08] What you are know will be
[6:27:08] suffering.
[6:27:13] We have been suffering.
[6:27:14] I pray for my people for
[6:27:15] thousands of years in many ways
[6:27:19] but specifically for the last
[6:27:20] 500 years with the European
[6:27:20] invasion on this land.
[6:27:25] So it is not new and I beg
[6:27:25] everyone particularly
[6:27:32] the Council to be inclusive and
[6:27:32] to get out in view.
[6:27:39] Thank you for that Concluding
[6:27:39] reminding everyone.
[6:27:40] Stacie Lehmann Caffe over
[6:27:43] Kiefer Stacie Lana and then
[6:27:44] Cynthia are Connor Duncan.
[6:27:49] Blair Beakman.
[6:27:50] Ronnie Levy.
[6:27:50] Stephanie Neeson.
[6:27:51] David Whitmore.
[6:27:55] If you can all please come up
[6:27:56] to the front row.
[6:27:56] Stacy Lynn you can come up to
[6:28:01] the microphone if you're here.
[6:28:08] Is there no Stacy Lynn.
[6:28:08] Cynthia Art, please come up to
[6:28:09] the microphone.
[6:28:10] Cynthia you have time to buy
[6:28:14] Terry Next time.
[6:28:15] Terry Thank you so much.
[6:28:16] You'll have two minutes.
[6:28:19] Please proceed.
[6:28:20] >> Honorable council members
[6:28:20] Thank you for having your
[6:28:21] agenda.
[6:28:21] The adoption of
[6:28:25] the International Holocaust
[6:28:25] Remember Remembrance Alliance
[6:28:26] Definition of anti-Semitism.
[6:28:27] With anti-Semitism rising there
[6:28:31] needs to be a way to define
[6:28:32] this particular racism in order
[6:28:32] to combat it.
[6:28:36] Protecting all citizens alive
[6:28:37] with civility and with our
[6:28:38] state and local laws
[6:28:38] prohibiting discrimination
[6:28:42] other than the incredible
[6:28:43] racism against Jews it would be
[6:28:44] a non-issue.
[6:28:44] But here we are.
[6:28:49] You have this mob opposing this
[6:28:49] with their unending hate of
[6:28:50] Jewish race, religion and
[6:28:55] national origin and add to that
[6:28:56] language after the Santa Fe
[6:28:56] attacks.
[6:28:57] >> Antisemitism was the term
[6:29:01] coined to explain this
[6:29:01] irrational crazy Jewish hatred.
[6:29:02] That's what the term was
[6:29:02] coined.
[6:29:07] It's not a separate word or
[6:29:08] meshing of words.
[6:29:09] That's what the word was coined
[6:29:09] and it's meaning to invent.
[6:29:12] Imagine you needed an armed
[6:29:13] guard to go to your church to
[6:29:14] walk outside to send your kids
[6:29:14] to preschool.
[6:29:18] Imagine needing armed guards to
[6:29:19] send your kids to preschool
[6:29:20] because some crazy might come
[6:29:20] and assassinate your
[6:29:24] kindergartners or your
[6:29:25] preschoolers for the crime of
[6:29:30] being born of Jewish blood.
[6:29:31] This definition merely defines
[6:29:31] a hate.
[6:29:36] It doesn't work against anybody
[6:29:36] .
[6:29:37] It doesn't act against anybody.
[6:29:38] It merely defines what
[6:29:42] antisemitism is so that we can
[6:29:43] combat it.
[6:29:43] It is not.
[6:29:44] It is a double step when it's a
[6:29:48] double standard applied to Jews
[6:29:49] only Jews.
[6:29:49] That is when the definition
[6:29:50] works.
[6:29:50] It has nothing to do with
[6:29:55] attacking Israel.
[6:29:56] >> You have your free speech.
[6:29:56] It is not affected and impacted
[6:29:57] in any way.
[6:30:01] There is no reason why racist
[6:30:02] Jew haters should be able to
[6:30:03] define what antisemitism is as
[6:30:03] a problem.
[6:30:04] I would not accept that and it
[6:30:08] should not be a double standard
[6:30:09] But this applies to do the Jew
[6:30:09] people either.
[6:30:10] Thank you for protecting
[6:30:13] offending against and not
[6:30:13] applying a different standard
[6:30:14] to Jews.
[6:30:14] >> Thank you for putting this
[6:30:15] on the agenda.
[6:30:17] Please vote yes.
[6:30:18] >> Connor Duncan if you can
[6:30:24] please go forward.
[6:30:24] >> Thank you.
[6:30:25] i want to start by saying that
[6:30:26] I actually do support the vast
[6:30:30] majority of the hra definition
[6:30:31] and particularly example number
[6:30:31] 11 which I think is the most
[6:30:36] salient example today which is
[6:30:36] that Jews are not collectively
[6:30:37] responsible for the actions of
[6:30:38] the state of Israel.
[6:30:41] That these are two distinct
[6:30:41] entities.
[6:30:42] However, the second half of
[6:30:46] example seven example eight and
[6:30:47] example ten directly contradict
[6:30:52] this by saying that any speech
[6:30:52] in opposition to the State of
[6:30:53] Israel is a reflection on all
[6:30:53] Jewish people.
[6:30:59] This is you know, 11 examples
[6:30:59] given here It can't even be
[6:31:00] maintained a degree of
[6:31:04] consistency across 11 examples.
[6:31:10] I would also say that you know,
[6:31:11] the rise of Semitism is a very
[6:31:11] real thing And I've heard
[6:31:12] the stories today and I have
[6:31:16] been moved by them But we do
[6:31:16] not need to have on one hand
[6:31:17] the discussion of this and
[6:31:22] stifle debate of America's
[6:31:23] role, its relationship with
[6:31:23] Israel and the ongoing status
[6:31:24] quo that I think is
[6:31:24] unacceptable.
[6:31:29] If you don't I think your time
[6:31:29] examples are designed to
[6:31:30] curtail your time has
[6:31:30] concluded.
[6:31:35] I need to be fair to everybody
[6:31:35] .
[6:31:36] Blair Bachmann After Blair It's
[6:31:36] Ron Levy.
[6:31:40] Stephanie Mason, David Whitmire
[6:31:40] ,Stephen Schneider, Laurie
[6:31:41] Lipson, Tamar Caspi if you can
[6:31:46] all please come up to
[6:31:47] the yellow reserved seats.
[6:31:48] Blair Please proceed when
[6:31:48] ready.
[6:31:48] Thank you.
[6:31:52] Please proceed already.
[6:31:53] Blair Please proceed.
[6:31:53] Hi.
[6:31:54] The incident earlier was
[6:31:54] cleared up.
[6:31:58] The woman is going to be
[6:31:59] released downstairs,
[6:31:59] thankfully.
[6:32:03] I wanted to offer anything I'm
[6:32:04] trying to say for the majority
[6:32:05] of my public comment actually
[6:32:06] isn't true in terms of absolute
[6:32:09] I'm trying my best to figure
[6:32:10] things out along the way.
[6:32:15] I was I would like all parts of
[6:32:16] our San Diego community to feel
[6:32:16] protected and safe and how
[6:32:20] we're making our decisions for
[6:32:21] these sort of items the ideals
[6:32:22] of love and diversity those
[6:32:27] should be kind of basic things
[6:32:27] we're all trying to work
[6:32:28] together towards And I was for
[6:32:33] this item at first and I read I
[6:32:34] read the guidelines of what
[6:32:39] it's trying to offer and
[6:32:39] the guideline process is
[6:32:40] important.
[6:32:41] I use it with the aclu Step for
[6:32:44] accountability But these
[6:32:45] guidelines they lack a certain
[6:32:46] human rights aspect to them.
[6:32:50] I think it needs to be brought
[6:32:50] back a full community
[6:32:51] discussion to work on this
[6:32:52] together and come up with
[6:32:52] solutions that the community
[6:32:56] and I can run it live.
[6:32:57] >> You run it.
[6:33:06] Let me David a bit more.
[6:33:07] Thank you.
[6:33:07] And I just have to say for
[6:33:08] the record there could be two
[6:33:09] people with Joe Smith of
[6:33:13] the same name if they don't
[6:33:13] come up and they don't come up.
[6:33:19] David Vidmar, Stephen Schneider
[6:33:19] ,you have time.
[6:33:20] See the two by Nancy Dozier If
[6:33:23] you can please raise your hand
[6:33:23] .
[6:33:24] Nancy, are you still here?
[6:33:30] You'll have a thank you.
[6:33:30] Please proceed.
[6:33:36] Good afternoon And thank you,
[6:33:37] Councilmember Whitburn for
[6:33:37] bringing this to the city.
[6:33:42] I have to say I'm so impressed
[6:33:43] by all of you to be so patient
[6:33:44] through this procedure and so
[6:33:48] open to all of the comments.
[6:33:49] My name is Steven Schindler.
[6:33:53] I'm a native San Diego and a
[6:33:54] resident of District three and
[6:33:54] importantly the son of child
[6:33:59] orphaned Holocaust survivors
[6:34:00] Rose and Max Schindler.
[6:34:04] I was here with my mom and
[6:34:04] other survivors in 2018 when
[6:34:05] the city council adopted on
[6:34:11] JANUARY 27th as International
[6:34:11] Holocaust Remembrance Day.
[6:34:16] I want to thank council members
[6:34:17] Marino for that moment as well
[6:34:25] as council member Campbell And
[6:34:26] I just want to share
[6:34:26] the proclamation with everyone
[6:34:37] here today.
[6:34:38] I'm here to ask for the entire
[6:34:39] City Council's leadership in
[6:34:44] support of adopting the I r a
[6:34:44] definition of antisemitism for
[6:34:45] those speaking in support of
[6:34:50] free speech.
[6:34:50] I hear you.
[6:34:51] However, I'd like to share how
[6:34:52] as a child as a child my family
[6:34:55] and other Holocaust survivor
[6:34:56] families who gathered on
[6:34:57] Sundays at the high school
[6:34:57] during the summer were chased
[6:35:02] out at the threat of violence
[6:35:03] by neo Nazis parading up Lauria
[6:35:03] Boulevard.
[6:35:08] We never returned to the Cove
[6:35:09] as a family for fear for our
[6:35:09] safety incidents As dramatic as
[6:35:13] this seem probable again more
[6:35:14] than ever without the adoption
[6:35:14] of this resolution.
[6:35:20] Can you imagine how my parents
[6:35:20] and their survivor friends felt
[6:35:21] in that moment?
[6:35:25] Hate speech and threats cross
[6:35:25] the line.
[6:35:26] Why is the adoption of this
[6:35:26] critical?
[6:35:27] It creates a shared
[6:35:32] standardized definition as it
[6:35:33] has been discussed and it can
[6:35:33] guide schools, universities
[6:35:38] inform hate crime analysis.
[6:35:39] Thank you for that concluding
[6:35:39] comment.
[6:35:40] Was that to me it was two
[6:35:41] minutes Yes.
[6:35:49] Laurie Lisman two minutes.
[6:35:50] Good afternoon Council members.
[6:35:51] Yesterday I listened to
[6:35:51] the city's crime report.
[6:35:56] Well while overall crime is
[6:35:57] down, hate crimes are rising
[6:35:58] and we must address this to
[6:36:02] protect all as a second
[6:36:02] generation Jewish-American
[6:36:03] having experienced
[6:36:08] anti-Semitism throughout my 70
[6:36:09] years, I oppose antisemitism,
[6:36:13] antisemitism and hate in all
[6:36:14] forms but the I h r a
[6:36:22] definition conflates anti.
[6:36:23] I more them with legitimate
[6:36:25] criticism of the Israeli
[6:36:26] government putting free speech
[6:36:26] at risk.
[6:36:27] We have laws against harassment
[6:36:31] discrimination and violence
[6:36:32] Anti Semitism requires
[6:36:32] education and accountability
[6:36:38] and the district three resident
[6:36:38] I urge you to not adopt this.
[6:36:44] Thank you to Mark Cosby If you
[6:36:45] can please come forward.
[6:36:45] You have people sitting your
[6:36:49] time Leslie Cosby to come
[6:36:50] Please raise your hand as well
[6:36:55] as Jordan Rosenfeld, Jordan, I
[6:36:56] believe you already see
[6:36:56] the time but we'll double
[6:36:57] check.
[6:37:02] Please proceed.
[6:37:03] Hi, my name is to Marcus.
[6:37:07] Be a proud resident of District
[6:37:07] seven home of Hanukkah Hill.
[6:37:08] Again, all these testimonies
[6:37:12] are exactly why we need this.
[6:37:13] This is gaslighting.
[6:37:13] They are making our case for us
[6:37:14] by criticizing Israel to
[6:37:19] justify anti-Semitic them here
[6:37:19] and purposely misconstruing
[6:37:20] the definition of
[6:37:20] anti-Semitism.
[6:37:25] All of these Kafirs and
[6:37:25] watermelons are symbols calling
[6:37:26] for the genocide of Jews.
[6:37:31] It is very triggering for me
[6:37:32] especially as we just got word
[6:37:32] the couple was just killed in
[6:37:37] Israel by a rocket from Iran.
[6:37:37] Please don't leave Henry.
[6:37:44] I am a co-founder of Year k-12
[6:37:44] advocating for Jewish students,
[6:37:45] parents and teachers civil
[6:37:48] rights in k through 12 schools
[6:37:48] throughout San Diego.
[6:37:49] We have students, parents and
[6:37:54] teachers calling daily with
[6:37:54] concerns about antisemitism on
[6:37:55] campus but without a definition
[6:37:59] of antisemitism it is that much
[6:38:00] harder for us to fight it and
[6:38:00] get consequences for bad
[6:38:01] behavior.
[6:38:01] Forget about trying to prevent
[6:38:05] it these past few weeks while
[6:38:06] everyone else was probably
[6:38:06] wearing their Dominican
[6:38:07] Republic and Puerto Rico and
[6:38:12] Italy and of course the usa
[6:38:13] baseball hats the school Jewish
[6:38:13] kids were scared to wear their
[6:38:18] team Israel hats those that did
[6:38:19] have them knocked off their
[6:38:19] heads.
[6:38:20] They were called baby killers
[6:38:20] and genocidaires.
[6:38:23] Not only are these lies being
[6:38:23] perpetuated but these young
[6:38:24] kids are being blamed for
[6:38:25] the false actions of a
[6:38:25] government halfway around
[6:38:29] the world but they have no
[6:38:30] control over that would fall
[6:38:31] under the definition of ira and
[6:38:32] allow students to advocate for
[6:38:36] themselves and their civil
[6:38:36] rights.
[6:38:37] This Cuba doesn't have a star
[6:38:37] of David on it or an Israeli
[6:38:41] flag on it So why are students
[6:38:42] that we're at a public school
[6:38:42] in San Diego getting beat up
[6:38:43] and berated and always in
[6:38:47] classrooms under the guise of
[6:38:48] hating bp or being against war
[6:38:49] that would fall under ira as
[6:38:49] well.
[6:38:53] And the student would be able
[6:38:54] to advocate for themselves for
[6:38:54] civil rights.
[6:38:55] This is happening in k-12
[6:38:55] public private independent
[6:38:58] schools around San Diego every
[6:38:59] day.
[6:38:59] If you deny Israel's right to
[6:39:00] exist, hold all Jews
[6:39:00] responsible for Israel's
[6:39:05] actions or single out
[6:39:06] the Jewish state with double
[6:39:06] standards that is antisemitism
[6:39:12] and ira helps us to find that
[6:39:12] Please adopt ira so that more
[6:39:13] power more people can be
[6:39:16] empowered to stand up against
[6:39:16] antisemitism.
[6:39:21] Thank you.
[6:39:21] All right.
[6:39:29] Shannon Lieberman and Laura is
[6:39:29] tomorrow.
[6:39:30] Looky here.
[6:39:30] Did you want to see your time
[6:39:31] for someone else or speak to
[6:39:31] me?
[6:39:36] Okay.
[6:39:37] Thank you.
[6:39:42] I will have it here taped Sean
[6:39:43] ,please come forward.
[6:39:44] Robert De Hernandez, Roberto de
[6:39:50] Hernandez, Patricia Gregson,
[6:39:50] Rose Markowitz and Grace Rojas
[6:39:56] Jimenez All please come up so
[6:39:57] yellow to preceding her time to
[6:39:58] me But you already spoke sir We
[6:40:00] don't go back.
[6:40:00] It's not a backstage thing.
[6:40:06] Sorry.
[6:40:06] Good.
[6:40:07] Try to taint a short please
[6:40:14] Come up.
[6:40:15] >> Good evening.
[6:40:15] Shame on you.
[6:40:16] COUNCILMAN Whitburn, this
[6:40:21] definition is ridiculous and
[6:40:22] harms the fight against
[6:40:22] anti-Semitism.
[6:40:23] The ira website gave examples
[6:40:27] of anti-Semitic acts implied
[6:40:27] from the definition.
[6:40:28] An example is denying
[6:40:33] the Jewish people the right to
[6:40:33] their self-determination by
[6:40:34] claiming that the state of
[6:40:35] Israel is a racist project.
[6:40:39] I think that any state that
[6:40:43] uses segregated highways like
[6:40:44] Road 4370 and Israel occupied
[6:40:45] West Bank is a racist project
[6:40:50] on par with Jim Crow America.
[6:40:51] But according to the ihra
[6:40:56] definition I just committed an
[6:40:57] act of antisemitism on par with
[6:40:57] slander against our Jewish
[6:41:02] neighbors.
[6:41:03] Surely you can see how this
[6:41:03] disarms the fight against
[6:41:08] antisemitism and enables
[6:41:08] genocide at the same time
[6:41:09] aligned with humanity and
[6:41:10] the oppressed.
[6:41:12] Vote no on this resolution.
[6:41:18] >> Thank you.
[6:41:19] Robert Fernandez.
[6:41:19] Roberto Fernandez, are you
[6:41:19] here?
[6:41:24] Thank you.
[6:41:24] Patricia Garcia.
[6:41:25] Patricia Garcia And you
[6:41:30] actually had already ceded time
[6:41:30] to somebody else So I will
[6:41:31] marry your slip.
[6:41:36] Rose Markowitz Hello.
[6:41:37] >> My name is Rose Markowitz
[6:41:42] and I am a Jew and I strongly
[6:41:42] oppose this resolution as
[6:41:43] you've heard so many times
[6:41:48] today anti Semitism and Zionism
[6:41:49] are distinct Zionists do not
[6:41:54] speak for all Jews.
[6:41:54] Zionism is a shanda.
[6:41:55] It is racism, it is
[6:41:55] colonization, it commits
[6:42:00] genocide.
[6:42:01] The resolution centers on my
[6:42:02] right as a Jew to voice this
[6:42:06] opinion freely.
[6:42:07] An ethno state sustained by
[6:42:07] obscene amounts of violence is
[6:42:12] not moral and it is not Jewish.
[6:42:12] Displacing people from their
[6:42:13] homes is not moral and it is
[6:42:18] not Jewish An apartheid state
[6:42:19] where access to food, water and
[6:42:19] medicine is regulated and often
[6:42:25] denied by a hostile government
[6:42:25] is not moral and it is not
[6:42:26] Jewish.
[6:42:30] I do not believe that
[6:42:31] the existence of Israel makes
[6:42:32] Jews safe or protects us from
[6:42:36] antisemitism.
[6:42:37] The definition must exclude
[6:42:38] anything that conflates Judaism
[6:42:45] and Zionism That is your time.
[6:42:45] Thank you Rose.
[6:42:46] Great Assimil\s Great stroke.
[6:42:46] A few minutes.
[6:42:49] Are you here?
[6:42:50] Great source of minutes Jesse
[6:42:54] Gomez j I ap Asi Gomez Jesse
[6:43:00] Gomez Octavio Cifuentes Please
[6:43:00] come forward.
[6:43:01] And then after that we have La
[6:43:08] Law So Bella and I think
[6:43:12] finally Philip ginsburg Julie
[6:43:13] Corrales please make your way
[6:43:13] up to the front row.
[6:43:19] Anthony Rose and Eliza Bradford
[6:43:20] all Please come up to the front
[6:43:20] row.
[6:43:24] >> Octavia Please proceed.
[6:43:25] >> Good evening everyone.
[6:43:25] Sorry.
[6:43:26] Please speak into
[6:43:26] the microphone.
[6:43:26] Sorry.
[6:43:30] It's a little.
[6:43:30] Good evening everyone.
[6:43:31] My name's obviously Fuentes.
[6:43:36] I'm a Navy veteran resident of
[6:43:37] District One, a graduate
[6:43:37] student at the University of
[6:43:42] San Diego and the PRESIDENT Of
[6:43:43] the local chapter of Veterans
[6:43:43] for Peace.
[6:43:47] I'm here to ask you to vote no
[6:43:48] on this 500 as the are a
[6:43:48] definition was never designed
[6:43:49] to be used as a binding
[6:43:53] definition of anti Semitism nor
[6:43:54] to be adopted as legislation.
[6:43:58] The creators of the working
[6:43:59] definition have since abandoned
[6:44:00] it due to its flawed framework
[6:44:05] but it has since been
[6:44:05] weaponized to silence any
[6:44:06] critique of Israel The rise in
[6:44:11] hate in this country is deeply
[6:44:11] concerning and it pains me to
[6:44:12] hear the stories that I heard
[6:44:17] today so it would be great to
[6:44:23] see this city take the lead on
[6:44:23] real change by passing a
[6:44:24] resolution that actually
[6:44:29] addresses the problem.
[6:44:30] So I ask you to not perpetuate
[6:44:34] the cycle of hate and vote no
[6:44:35] comment.
[6:44:35] Thank you for your time.
[6:44:36] La la la la.
[6:44:41] If you can please come forward
[6:44:41] here La la.
[6:44:48] There was severe If you were
[6:44:48] seeding time to la la did you
[6:44:53] want to speak as if your belief
[6:44:58] came moving on so green So let
[6:44:58] .
[6:45:05] My name is Sabrina.
[6:45:05] >> I'm a resident of the San
[6:45:06] Diego City.
[6:45:07] i strongly oppose the adoption
[6:45:07] of the ihra definition of
[6:45:11] antisemitism.
[6:45:11] The ira bill does not address
[6:45:12] anti Semitism but rather
[6:45:13] conflates anti lane ism with
[6:45:13] antisemitism.
[6:45:16] Completing the two creates a
[6:45:17] dangerous precedent and
[6:45:17] criminalizes any legitimate
[6:45:22] critique of Israeli criticism
[6:45:23] that is protected under our
[6:45:23] First Amendment right to free
[6:45:24] speech a right we see being
[6:45:28] criminalized all across this
[6:45:29] nation under this
[6:45:29] administration.
[6:45:30] Voices supporting Palestinian
[6:45:31] human rights will be targeted,
[6:45:35] harassed And if we adopt this
[6:45:36] resolution, adopting this
[6:45:37] resolution without the need for
[6:45:37] criminalizing and violating
[6:45:41] free speech, it's your
[6:45:42] responsibility to take a stand
[6:45:42] and ensure that free speech for
[6:45:47] all San Diego residents is
[6:45:47] protected.
[6:45:48] Uninsured for all San Diego
[6:45:48] residents.
[6:45:54] Thank you for leave for life f
[6:45:54] r.
[6:45:59] My name is Farida.
[6:46:00] So I'm going to start I
[6:46:00] strongly oppose this
[6:46:01] resolution.
[6:46:05] It is disgusting and abhorrent
[6:46:06] that during the holy month of
[6:46:07] Ramadan we are forced and
[6:46:07] that's why there aren't more
[6:46:08] Muslims than ever.
[6:46:12] The Palestinians in this room
[6:46:13] not just because someone was
[6:46:13] detained and arrested
[6:46:14] violently.
[6:46:14] We have to leave and deal with
[6:46:15] that while fasting.
[6:46:17] But because the city continues
[6:46:18] to choose times while our
[6:46:18] people are bleeding and
[6:46:23] struggling while Iran is being
[6:46:23] bombed with u.
[6:46:24] S strikes, while Lebanon is
[6:46:28] being waged and demolished
[6:46:29] while those facing starvation
[6:46:29] emaciation massacre ethnic
[6:46:34] cleansing call it whatever you
[6:46:34] want.
[6:46:35] You all can read You all know
[6:46:36] what the definition says Don't
[6:46:36] play dumb.
[6:46:41] We are not dumb.
[6:46:42] You are not born into these
[6:46:42] positions to pretend that you
[6:46:43] don't know what the definition
[6:46:43] says.
[6:46:44] So we will continue to stand in
[6:46:48] opposition or not and we will
[6:46:48] continue to organize.
[6:46:49] And all of these comments of
[6:46:53] people being so confused about
[6:46:54] what the definition says show
[6:46:54] that it was never meant to be
[6:46:55] used in this way And I will
[6:46:59] continue to critique Israel
[6:47:00] until I die because Israel is
[6:47:01] the point that cleansing
[6:47:06] the Middle East your time has
[6:47:07] come about people.
[6:47:08] >> Your time has concluded.
[6:47:17] Philip.
[6:47:18] Please proceed.
[6:47:18] Please proceed.
[6:47:21] Good afternoon.
[6:47:32] Hello.
[6:47:38] Your parents?
[6:47:38] Okay.
[6:47:39] Okay.
[6:47:40] Settle down.
[6:47:47] Settle down.
[6:47:47] Settle down.
[6:47:53] The standard is not double
[6:47:54] standards.
[6:47:54] My actions are about being
[6:47:59] disruptive to the context of
[6:48:00] the meeting.
[6:48:00] If people say things quietly
[6:48:05] from one to another, I despise
[6:48:05] that.
[6:48:06] I condemn that.
[6:48:06] But we're talking about
[6:48:07] disrupting the meeting.
[6:48:11] It's not about political It's
[6:48:11] not about picking fights.
[6:48:12] It's about being disruptive.
[6:48:16] And they have it.
[6:48:17] I would condemn that.
[6:48:18] But as long as you're not
[6:48:23] disrupting the meeting, that's
[6:48:23] my responsibility.
[6:48:24] >> And that's exactly why we're
[6:48:28] having this conversation today
[6:48:35] Like Philip Ginsberg If we can
[6:48:35] proceed, Philip Ginsberg,
[6:48:36] please proceed.
[6:48:40] >> Do you have a minute?
[6:48:40] Council members I'm sorry to
[6:48:41] have participated precipitated
[6:48:41] that.
[6:48:46] Thank you for considering this
[6:48:46] resolution.
[6:48:47] I'm speaking in favor of this
[6:48:47] resolution.
[6:48:48] I've been a resident of San
[6:48:52] Diego County since 1973.
[6:48:52] I happen to be in the district
[6:48:58] of council PRESIDENT.
[6:48:58] You've heard stories.
[6:48:59] And I have a story.
[6:49:00] It's a small story.
[6:49:04] I'm 74 years young.
[6:49:08] I've been married to my lovely
[6:49:08] wife for 55 years.
[6:49:09] >> Do you see the story, David
[6:49:14] I'm wearing?
[6:49:15] She will not go out with me if
[6:49:21] I'm wearing that star of David.
[6:49:21] I can't wear it.
[6:49:26] She's afraid that someone's
[6:49:27] going to come up and punch me
[6:49:27] or punch her.
[6:49:27] Please.
[6:49:32] I implore.
[6:49:33] Time is right.
[6:49:37] Vote yes on se 500.
[6:49:37] >> Thank you.
[6:49:42] Next is Julie Corrales.
[6:49:43] Julie Corrales if you're still
[6:49:49] here Anthony Ralphs if you come
[6:49:49] please come up after that.
[6:49:50] Eliza Bradford.
[6:49:50] Chris Lopez.
[6:49:54] Liam Stanton.
[6:49:55] Kayla Timothy Dombrowski.
[6:50:01] Leah Gavin Sklar.
[6:50:01] And then Eliot Cohen.
[6:50:02] Reese is our last speaker here
[6:50:03] in Council chambers.
[6:50:08] Please proceed.
[6:50:09] >> Hello Counsel Good
[6:50:09] afternoon.
[6:50:10] I think we're all familiar with
[6:50:13] the saying sticks and stones
[6:50:14] can break my bones but words
[6:50:14] can't bring back all the slain
[6:50:15] Palestinians that have been
[6:50:19] erased from the genocide that's
[6:50:19] actively going on.
[6:50:20] And what I want to know is why
[6:50:21] Zionism gets to claim a
[6:50:25] monopoly on Semitism when we
[6:50:26] know that Palestinians are
[6:50:27] Semites too.
[6:50:27] Yet this definition does not
[6:50:31] include Palestinians or any
[6:50:32] other people of Arabic descent
[6:50:33] in it and that's why it's
[6:50:37] flawed and that's why I'm
[6:50:38] speaking in opposition to it
[6:50:39] today is because we know those
[6:50:39] of us that have studied history
[6:50:43] that Israel is a colonial
[6:50:44] apartheid settler state that
[6:50:45] was founded on the premise of
[6:50:49] reparations for the Holocaust.
[6:50:50] By that same standard, if
[6:50:50] reparations for Holocaust are
[6:50:54] the basis for creating a nation
[6:50:55] ,this nation would be more
[6:50:56] appropriately named the United
[6:50:56] States of Native Americans.
[6:51:01] But it's not.
[6:51:01] And there was 50 million Native
[6:51:02] Americans killed in this
[6:51:07] country and they're not around
[6:51:08] today to state that they
[6:51:09] deserve a nation of their own.
[6:51:09] Your time has come.
[6:51:13] GOD's chosen.
[6:51:14] >> Your time has come.
[6:51:14] Don't go away.
[6:51:15] Come back.
[6:51:16] This is nice lady giving you
[6:51:16] another minute.
[6:51:17] Is that why you're standing
[6:51:24] there with your hand up?
[6:51:25] >> No.
[6:51:25] I listed about ten individuals
[6:51:26] Still will go and come.
[6:51:28] Thank you, Anthony.
[6:51:28] >> Sorry.
[6:51:35] Elijah Bradford.
[6:51:36] >> Good afternoon, Counsel.
[6:51:36] My name is Elijah Bradford.
[6:51:37] I'm here representing that
[6:51:40] introduce.
[6:51:41] Recently separated Marine Corps
[6:51:42] veteran for five years and I
[6:51:42] served with marines and sailors
[6:51:47] that were Jewish Arab that
[6:51:47] followed Judaism that followed
[6:51:52] Islam and I cherish all of them
[6:51:53] And I would stand up for all of
[6:51:54] them if they were discriminated
[6:51:54] against.
[6:51:58] But I'm here to say that we
[6:51:58] should vote no on this prop.
[6:51:59] And the reason is it very
[6:52:04] clearly conflicts anti-Zionism
[6:52:05] with anti-Semitism which is not
[6:52:10] the same.
[6:52:11] And I will say that the plight
[6:52:12] of the Jewish people is not one
[6:52:12] that is unique.
[6:52:16] There is genocide and there has
[6:52:17] been holocaust against black
[6:52:17] and brown people multiple times
[6:52:18] throughout history.
[6:52:19] So that is not an excuse to
[6:52:23] somehow get preferential
[6:52:23] treatment.
[6:52:24] And I'll also say that counsel.
[6:52:27] No matter what happens today,
[6:52:28] one day people like me my age
[6:52:29] are going to be in your seats.
[6:52:29] Remember that?
[6:52:30] Remember that you work for us
[6:52:34] and no matter what you do today
[6:52:34] once we get in power this will
[6:52:35] be fixed.
[6:52:39] >> Remember that Chris Lopez.
[6:52:45] How's everyone doing?
[6:52:45] I'm Chris Lopez.
[6:52:46] I am a proud union
[6:52:47] representative and co-host of
[6:52:51] the Union Robust podcast And in
[6:52:52] the labor movement we care
[6:52:53] about people we don't know.
[6:52:58] That's the probably the crutch
[6:52:58] of the labor movement.
[6:52:59] That's the foundation that
[6:53:03] holds everything up.
[6:53:04] When I was a young dad I was
[6:53:11] about 28.
[6:53:12] I took my daughters to the zoo
[6:53:13] for me to go see a cheesecake.
[6:53:13] Its application of the trees in
[6:53:15] there and everything But I'll
[6:53:16] never forget for the rest of my
[6:53:17] life there was a dog a golden
[6:53:18] retriever in that cage with a
[6:53:24] cheetah and it was barking at
[6:53:24] the children.
[6:53:25] The cheetah was all scared by
[6:53:25] what's going on.
[6:53:27] You told me that the cheetah
[6:53:28] thinks the dog is dominant
[6:53:28] because the cheetah was born in
[6:53:34] captivity So I asked all
[6:53:35] the council members Remember
[6:53:35] who you are.
[6:53:36] You're part of the labor
[6:53:40] movement San Diego County Labor
[6:53:40] Council.
[6:53:41] We declared a genocide.
[6:53:42] We declared Israel's an
[6:53:42] apartheid state.
[6:53:48] And I asked you just reported
[6:53:49] Thank you, Liam Stanton.
[6:53:50] Liam Stanton if you're here.
[6:53:55] Okay.
[6:53:55] Thank you.
[6:53:56] After that we have Kayla
[6:54:03] Timothy Dombrowski, Leah Gavin
[6:54:03] Sklar, Julianne Gustafson if
[6:54:04] you can all please come forward
[6:54:08] to the reserve seats please.
[6:54:08] PRESIDENT Thank you, Counsel
[6:54:09] Men and women it's been a long
[6:54:14] day like everyone still
[6:54:14] standing or sitting.
[6:54:15] Um, first and foremost I'd like
[6:54:16] to say that all hateful acts
[6:54:19] against any person and all
[6:54:20] violence inflicted against any
[6:54:20] human being in whatever form or
[6:54:25] way or shape is taken is
[6:54:25] obviously contemptible and
[6:54:26] unacceptable.
[6:54:26] The hideous and truly
[6:54:32] anti-Semitic actions that we've
[6:54:32] seen in Michigan and around
[6:54:33] the world are worthy of
[6:54:37] condemnation from all insult
[6:54:38] people including me even as an
[6:54:39] opponent of this resolution and
[6:54:43] children especially are most
[6:54:44] especially off limits.
[6:54:45] That being said, the ihra
[6:54:49] definition of antisemitism is
[6:54:50] clearly overly broad and
[6:54:51] incompatible with the free
[6:54:51] speech standards of a free
[6:54:55] people and in particular
[6:54:56] the points amounting to a
[6:55:01] prohibition on criticizing
[6:55:02] Israel for being in its methods
[6:55:03] genocidal or likened to a state
[6:55:08] which is ethnically racist are
[6:55:09] obviously beyond the pale.
[6:55:18] I urge no on this resolution
[6:55:19] Your time has concluded Kayla.
[6:55:20] >> Katie I l l k are here.
[6:55:31] Timothy Dombrowski Thanks for
[6:55:32] saying it is unacceptable and
[6:55:37] unreasonable to hold the one
[6:55:37] group to a different standard
[6:55:38] than another.
[6:55:42] No country no state has
[6:55:43] the right to exist.
[6:55:43] They exist.
[6:55:44] I am not being anti-Christian
[6:55:48] when I criticize the anti-trans
[6:55:49] rhetoric of this country.
[6:55:50] I am not being anti-Islamic
[6:55:55] when I criticize the slavery
[6:55:55] practices in the U.S. Because I
[6:56:00] do not represent those
[6:56:01] religions.
[6:56:05] We cannot use a standard that
[6:56:06] calls one group different from
[6:56:07] the other which is built into
[6:56:11] that age definition.
[6:56:12] It is self contradictory and
[6:56:15] therefore it is inappropriate
[6:56:22] to use Leah.
[6:56:27] Why are you here?
[6:56:28] >> Gavin Sklar.
[6:56:29] There is no last name address
[6:56:33] as Lynn.
[6:56:34] >> Gavin Sklar.
[6:56:40] Thank you And then Julianne.
[6:56:41] You'll be after Lynn.
[6:56:42] I just need you to come make
[6:56:45] sure you're up at the front row
[6:56:46] and let Cohen race.
[6:56:46] Please come up to the yellow
[6:56:47] reserved seats.
[6:56:51] Please proceed.
[6:56:52] Can I start?
[6:56:53] Hi, my name is Leah.
[6:56:57] I am a Jewish San Diego and And
[6:56:57] you've heard a lot today a lot
[6:56:58] of words.
[6:56:59] I'm just here to remind you
[6:57:02] that we've been watching for
[6:57:03] over two years a genocide
[6:57:03] inflicted by Israel.
[6:57:04] Okay.
[6:57:09] So people want to be able to
[6:57:10] get in the streets.
[6:57:11] They want to be able to speak
[6:57:11] about this.
[6:57:15] And your job is to not infringe
[6:57:15] upon people's freedom of
[6:57:16] speech.
[6:57:16] Okay.
[6:57:21] So before you feel like you
[6:57:22] have to respond to the Israel
[6:57:23] lobby to a park you know, we
[6:57:27] have we heard from
[6:57:28] the PRESIDENT Or whatever pac
[6:57:29] the adl you work for us.
[6:57:29] Okay.
[6:57:33] You do not work for the Israel
[6:57:33] lobby.
[6:57:34] You work for your American
[6:57:34] constituents.
[6:57:37] People who live here in San
[6:57:38] Diego to start working for us.
[6:57:44] Start working for us And don't
[6:57:45] throw Jews under the bus
[6:57:46] because we don't all think but
[6:57:49] a few people here think.
[6:57:50] >> Okay.
[6:57:53] Thank you, Julianne, if you can
[6:57:59] please come up.
[6:57:59] Good afternoon.
[6:58:00] Thank you for allowing me to
[6:58:00] speak.
[6:58:03] You see this t-shirt here?
[6:58:09] Okay.
[6:58:09] It says Gaza.
[6:58:10] I was in Gaza in 2009 after
[6:58:15] Israel had killed over 1500
[6:58:15] people.
[6:58:16] About 300 and some were burned
[6:58:20] alive with white phosphorous.
[6:58:21] I got home and I had ptsd.
[6:58:27] I couldn't talk about it for
[6:58:27] about 3 or 4 weeks.
[6:58:28] I went back to the West Bank
[6:58:32] this time and it was a 2011.
[6:58:33] Again, I should not have gone
[6:58:33] because I couldn't deal with
[6:58:34] it.
[6:58:37] I was supposed to be there six
[6:58:38] weeks.
[6:58:38] I was.
[6:58:39] I got home after three weeks.
[6:58:43] All I'm saying is that I will
[6:58:44] be darned if you will close my
[6:58:50] mouth and not be able to say
[6:58:51] what I heard, what I saw which
[6:58:55] was very traumatic and
[6:58:56] horrible.
[6:58:56] I should be allowed to speak
[6:59:01] and say what I saw that it was
[6:59:01] horrible.
[6:59:01] >> Thank you.
[6:59:02] Please.
[6:59:08] Eliot Cohen Reese you have time
[6:59:08] ceded to you by Giovanni
[6:59:13] Sorrentino.
[6:59:13] Yeah.
[6:59:13] Thank you.
[6:59:14] You'll have two minutes And I
[6:59:15] know we have a video for you.
[6:59:15] Yes.
[6:59:19] Did you want to speak first?
[6:59:19] Yes.
[6:59:20] Please proceed.
[6:59:21] Good evening, Counsel and thank
[6:59:25] you so much, Councilmember
[6:59:25] Weprin for sponsoring the vote
[6:59:26] today.
[6:59:26] I am Liat Cohen was
[6:59:27] the director of
[6:59:30] the Antisemitism task force at
[6:59:31] Stand With Us and I would love
[6:59:32] to please share a video with
[6:59:36] you if it begins with the gas
[6:59:42] chambers.
[6:59:43] It begins with words that make
[6:59:43] evil feel righteous.
[6:59:44] Yes, the Jews.
[6:59:44] Hitler was right.
[6:59:47] It begins with Jewish buildings
[6:59:48] defaced swastikas in the night
[6:59:49] just like in 1958.
[6:59:53] It begins with mobs and campus
[6:59:54] sieges in San Diego,
[6:59:58] anti-Semitic incidents exploded
[6:59:58] 139 reported in 2024 alone
[6:59:59] rising and 2025 at ucsd and
[7:00:04] most protesters surrounded
[7:00:05] events, pounded doors and
[7:00:05] chanted Death to Jews At
[7:00:10] the Legacy International Center
[7:00:10] .
[7:00:11] Jews cars were surrounded and
[7:00:11] attacked at a downtown gala.
[7:00:12] Jews were harassed in downtown
[7:00:17] San Diego, an Israeli man was
[7:00:17] beaten for speaking Hebrew in
[7:00:18] the corner.
[7:00:18] The Jewish doctor was murdered
[7:00:21] in the mesa.
[7:00:22] Hundreds of anti-Semitic fliers
[7:00:22] spread.
[7:00:23] But how about a Pele?
[7:00:23] Jews were murdered while
[7:00:24] praying.
[7:00:28] We have seen this before in
[7:00:28] the 1930 as the world called it
[7:00:29] protest.
[7:00:29] Then came 6 million dead.
[7:00:33] But I got a definition of
[7:00:33] anti-Semitism in the name to
[7:00:34] protect your Jewish neighbors.
[7:00:35] History will remember how you
[7:00:41] vote.
[7:00:42] Our last speaker is Charles
[7:00:51] hellickson Charles Hellickson.
[7:00:51] >> For those on the virtual now
[7:00:52] is the time to please be sure
[7:00:53] to raise your hand.
[7:00:56] The five minute timer will be
[7:00:57] starting and if you do not have
[7:00:58] your hand raised within those
[7:00:58] five minutes your comments will
[7:01:00] not be taken.
[7:01:00] Please proceed.
[7:01:05] Hello.
[7:01:06] I think it's really important
[7:01:11] that we make a distinguish
[7:01:17] between antisemitism and
[7:01:17] anti-Zionism.
[7:01:18] As we know there are horrible
[7:01:22] things going on in our world
[7:01:27] today one where an ideology
[7:01:28] that is conflating the Jewish
[7:01:33] identity with atrocities being
[7:01:38] done this must be allowed to be
[7:01:39] distinguished and allow for
[7:01:49] discourse to go unabated from
[7:01:49] suppression of those voicing
[7:01:50] our First Amendment and
[7:01:54] allowing us to have public
[7:01:55] discourse on these matters.
[7:02:00] Thank you so much.
[7:02:00] Thank you.
[7:02:01] So the five minute timer will
[7:02:02] go to those participating
[7:02:02] remotely before I do it before
[7:02:06] I do.
[7:02:07] I just wanted to note for
[7:02:07] the record that we did receive
[7:02:08] 20 speakers slips in favor that
[7:02:11] registered their position but
[7:02:11] did not wish to speak.
[7:02:12] As well as for speakers of some
[7:02:13] opposition that registered
[7:02:17] their position but did not wish
[7:02:17] to speak.
[7:02:18] And we did receive 271 comments
[7:02:21] in favor and 169 comments in
[7:02:21] opposition via our economic
[7:02:22] forum which have been
[7:02:25] distributed to the Council
[7:02:26] starting with those
[7:02:26] participating online.
[7:02:27] We currently have 44 speakers
[7:02:31] in the queue with their hands
[7:02:32] raised starting with Nadia.
[7:02:32] If you can please unmute.
[7:02:36] Now.
[7:02:36] Hi can you hear me?
[7:02:37] Yes please proceed.
[7:02:38] First I'd like to highlight how
[7:02:42] many tiny speakers admitted
[7:02:42] that the ihr definition
[7:02:43] conflates antisemitism with
[7:02:43] anti-Zionism.
[7:02:46] Second, I want to emphasize
[7:02:46] the anti-Palestinian
[7:02:47] anti-Muslim hate and censorship
[7:02:48] is also on the rise.
[7:02:51] Third, the fact that we stand
[7:02:51] with me video showed
[7:02:52] the Palestinian flag in their
[7:02:56] video to support the definition
[7:02:57] makes it crystal clear of its
[7:02:57] intent.
[7:02:58] But now I want to list as many
[7:03:01] losses as I can get through
[7:03:02] which show how the ihra
[7:03:03] definition is already being
[7:03:03] used and invoked to censor and
[7:03:06] discipline Palestinian related
[7:03:07] speech.
[7:03:07] There are over 15 Woodcock
[7:03:12] versus University of Kentucky
[7:03:13] George Mason University
[7:03:13] Students Speech Censored under
[7:03:17] ihra Definition a professor
[7:03:18] Discipline threat University of
[7:03:19] Michigan Federal lawsuit
[7:03:23] targeting Professor San
[7:03:23] Francisco State University
[7:03:24] Classroom Investigation George
[7:03:25] Washington University Speaker
[7:03:28] Event Center at Arizona State
[7:03:28] University Pressure Campaign
[7:03:29] against Curriculum University
[7:03:33] of Vermont Antisemitism Lawsuit
[7:03:34] Settlement Harvard University
[7:03:34] That's.
[7:03:35] I think I've made it pretty
[7:03:38] clear it's already been used to
[7:03:39] do what we said that it will
[7:03:39] do.
[7:03:40] All these places have already
[7:03:44] adopted the definition.
[7:03:45] >> I'm sorry your time has
[7:03:45] concluded.
[7:03:50] Nicole Howard After that is
[7:03:51] Myra and then Shalom Myra
[7:03:57] please on mute.
[7:03:57] >> Hi.
[7:03:58] This is how my recipe with
[7:03:58] Pana.
[7:03:59] I'm calling to urge the council
[7:04:01] to vote no on the adoption of
[7:04:02] the ihra definition.
[7:04:03] Jewish communities deserve
[7:04:07] safety and protection from hate
[7:04:07] and discrimination.
[7:04:08] And all communities and
[7:04:09] councils should take hate
[7:04:09] crimes very seriously.
[7:04:11] However, civil rights
[7:04:12] organizations have warned that
[7:04:13] the ihra definition has been
[7:04:17] used in ways that conflate
[7:04:18] antisemitism with any criticism
[7:04:18] of Israel.
[7:04:19] This definition is overly broad
[7:04:22] and incorrectly equates
[7:04:23] protected political speech with
[7:04:23] with discrimination.
[7:04:27] I urge you to look at
[7:04:28] the examples in the definition
[7:04:28] yourself and test it.
[7:04:29] Israel is killing children and
[7:04:32] starving them similar to Nazi
[7:04:33] Germany.
[7:04:33] That statement is a fact.
[7:04:34] However under this definition
[7:04:37] it would be considered
[7:04:37] anti-Semitic to make this
[7:04:38] criticism of the state of
[7:04:38] Israel.
[7:04:41] Criticism of any government Is
[7:04:42] political speech protected
[7:04:43] under the First Amendment?
[7:04:47] San Diego has the opportunity
[7:04:47] to make a more thoughtful
[7:04:48] approach.
[7:04:48] There are more accurate and
[7:04:52] beneficial alternative
[7:04:52] definitions of anti Semitism
[7:04:53] that address the harm directly
[7:04:58] and center Jewish voices.
[7:04:59] I urge you to look at those
[7:05:00] your time has concluded Share
[7:05:08] them If you can please unmute.
[7:05:09] As a Jewish constituent of
[7:05:10] Councilmember Whitburn and I
[7:05:12] urge you to vote no on adopting
[7:05:12] the ihra definition of
[7:05:13] antisemitism.
[7:05:13] >> Antisemitism is real and
[7:05:17] ever present especially in
[7:05:18] moments following acts of
[7:05:18] violence like the one we all
[7:05:19] saw last week.
[7:05:22] As a parent I felt this acutely
[7:05:23] when I sent my son to Jewish
[7:05:27] Sunday School This past week.
[7:05:27] I entrusted him with his
[7:05:28] teachers and security staff and
[7:05:29] that's why I'm speaking here
[7:05:32] today.
[7:05:33] Jewish safety is strongest in a
[7:05:33] healthy democracy where
[7:05:34] the rights and dignity of all
[7:05:37] people are protected.
[7:05:38] A more effective approach is
[7:05:39] one that confronts antisemitism
[7:05:42] while allowing for open dialog
[7:05:43] and accountability.
[7:05:43] One example is a framework
[7:05:44] offered by the Jewish
[7:05:47] Federation on antisemitism.
[7:05:48] There are better path forward
[7:05:49] to protect the Jewish
[7:05:49] community.
[7:05:50] I urge you to vote no and
[7:05:52] pursue approaches that
[7:05:52] strengthen democracy.
[7:05:53] Address real antisemitism and
[7:05:57] support communities impacted by
[7:05:57] hate including racism,
[7:05:58] transphobia, xenophobia and
[7:06:02] Islamophobia.
[7:06:03] Our safety and our future are
[7:06:03] bound together.
[7:06:04] Thank you.
[7:06:08] Next is activist If you can
[7:06:12] please unmute.
[7:06:13] Oh hi This is for Frances
[7:06:16] Yasmeen Multiwall.
[7:06:18] So first I want to say I also
[7:06:22] abhor antisemitism and don't
[7:06:22] think it has a place in our
[7:06:23] society.
[7:06:27] >> But none of us who came here
[7:06:28] today to speak against this
[7:06:28] resolution came here because we
[7:06:31] don't We hate Jews.
[7:06:32] That's just not true.
[7:06:36] First I want to state that this
[7:06:41] resolution clearly if it is
[7:06:42] passed is going to lead to
[7:06:43] confusion because we've already
[7:06:46] heard folks who are speaking in
[7:06:51] support of it say that somehow
[7:06:52] the remarks that others made
[7:06:52] opposed it or somehow hateful
[7:06:57] or hate construed as hate
[7:06:58] speech I don't see how they can
[7:06:58] claim that.
[7:07:01] And it seems like they're
[7:07:01] taking it personally our
[7:07:02] criticisms of the Zionist
[7:07:03] settler state.
[7:07:06] They're taking personally so
[7:07:06] that's weird.
[7:07:07] And also we got to be anti
[7:07:11] settler I mean is this what is
[7:07:11] anti settler?
[7:07:12] Where does that fall in this?
[7:07:15] I'm curious that does conclude
[7:07:16] your time.
[7:07:16] And that also concludes
[7:07:17] the five minute time for
[7:07:18] hearing council chambers.
[7:07:20] We have 46 speakers with their
[7:07:20] hands raised.
[7:07:21] No additional speakers will be
[7:07:24] taken.
[7:07:34] Aliza if you can please unmute
[7:07:35] Eliza you are in we can I hear
[7:07:38] you here in council chambers.
[7:07:39] >> Maybe the device that you're
[7:07:44] speaking into is muted.
[7:07:45] I will have to move on If you
[7:07:45] cannot fix your technical
[7:07:49] difficulties.
[7:07:49] Okay.
[7:07:50] Can you hear me now?
[7:07:51] We can hear you now.
[7:07:54] Please proceed.
[7:07:55] Thank you.
[7:07:55] I'm Alisa Lewin, PRESIDENT Of
[7:07:58] U.S. Affairs for the coming
[7:07:59] Anti Semitism Movement.
[7:08:00] I'm an attorney with over 30
[7:08:00] years of experience countering
[7:08:03] religious discrimination and I
[7:08:04] urge you to adopt the ihra
[7:08:04] definition.
[7:08:08] One of our greatest challenges
[7:08:08] is that many people are unable
[7:08:09] to distinguish between a good
[7:08:10] faith political debate about
[7:08:13] the Middle East on the one hand
[7:08:14] and the vilification of Jews on
[7:08:14] the other.
[7:08:18] They mistakenly think that when
[7:08:19] the term Israel or Zionist is
[7:08:20] mentioned that it's about
[7:08:23] politics not Jews.
[7:08:24] They fail to recognize that
[7:08:24] the overwhelming majority of
[7:08:28] Jews see themselves as part of
[7:08:28] a people with a shared
[7:08:29] ancestral heritage rooted in
[7:08:29] the land of Israel.
[7:08:33] Today those who recognize that
[7:08:34] the Jews are a people
[7:08:34] indigenous to Israel are
[7:08:38] branded as Zionists blamed for
[7:08:39] the world's misfortune and
[7:08:39] treated as pariahs.
[7:08:43] Those who target Zionists want
[7:08:43] you to believe it's about
[7:08:44] politics but it's not.
[7:08:45] For example, the men who were
[7:08:48] beaten up in San Jose last week
[7:08:48] were not targeted for their
[7:08:49] political opinions.
[7:08:50] They were targeted because they
[7:08:50] were speaking Hebrew.
[7:08:53] The ihra definition provides a
[7:08:53] framework for recognizing Jew
[7:08:54] hatred and distinguishing time
[7:08:58] periods concludes Next to Zoom
[7:09:02] user If you can please unmute
[7:09:02] it.
[7:09:03] There's a lot of haters
[7:09:04] everywhere like the whole city
[7:09:08] council hates Trump.
[7:09:09] That's Trump.
[7:09:09] Hate is a bigot.
[7:09:12] It's called td's mantra
[7:09:13] delusional syndrome or whatever
[7:09:17] is what disease do the Jews
[7:09:18] have?
[7:09:22] If you're older, if you're a
[7:09:22] Jew and you're older, there's a
[7:09:23] reason why everyone hates you
[7:09:26] because you're bomb and the
[7:09:27] out of people and killing them
[7:09:28] just like they did at
[7:09:32] the Holocaust.
[7:09:33] Little young kids you're
[7:09:33] killing with a 6,000 pound
[7:09:33] bomb.
[7:09:36] Maybe it's appropriate for
[7:09:37] somebody to spit at your kid
[7:09:40] and called few names when he's
[7:09:41] in junior high school.
[7:09:42] You want a bomb on your house?
[7:09:46] Or do you want to be spit on?
[7:09:47] You got to It's not like coming
[7:09:47] out of nowhere this Jew hatred.
[7:09:50] Hector I think Crossing
[7:09:51] the line Please dial it back.
[7:09:53] You've got some good points to
[7:09:58] make, but please dial it back a
[7:09:58] second.
[7:10:02] I have a military again.
[7:10:03] Okay.
[7:10:08] I did use that.
[7:10:09] I actually shopped at Rose
[7:10:13] Fabrics during the high school
[7:10:13] and I met the two guys Mom Rose
[7:10:16] and very sweet person in
[7:10:17] the 70s.
[7:10:17] >> Your time has concluded now
[7:10:18] Amanda, if you can please
[7:10:22] unmute.
[7:10:26] >> Yes.
[7:10:27] I urge you to vote no on item
[7:10:28] as 500.
[7:10:31] I volunteered in Gaza last year
[7:10:32] treating hundreds of patients
[7:10:32] all deliberately targeted
[7:10:36] infants children and
[7:10:36] the elderly dying from
[7:10:41] starvation infections and bombs
[7:10:41] as well as shrapnel and severe
[7:10:46] burns all coming in agony due
[7:10:46] to the Israeli blockade
[7:10:47] preventing medical aid.
[7:10:51] These attacks are systematic,
[7:10:52] ongoing still and meet
[7:10:52] the factual threshold of
[7:10:53] genocide.
[7:10:56] Hundreds hundreds of
[7:10:57] professionals including myself
[7:10:58] have submitted documentation to
[7:11:01] the icc actively pursuing
[7:11:02] prosecutions for these Israeli
[7:11:02] war crimes.
[7:11:06] So criticism of Israel is not
[7:11:07] antisemitism weaponising this
[7:11:10] term Silence is human rights
[7:11:11] advocacy and suppresses free
[7:11:11] speech.
[7:11:12] This bill is deeply
[7:11:16] discriminatory normalizing
[7:11:16] bias.
[7:11:17] So let me be clear
[7:11:17] The Palestinian and human
[7:11:18] rights community in San Diego
[7:11:21] is organized, influential and
[7:11:21] diligent.
[7:11:22] Do not underestimate our
[7:11:23] resolve Your silence in
[7:11:26] the face of injustice will not
[7:11:27] be forgotten.
[7:11:27] >> Please vote no.
[7:11:28] Your time has concluded.
[7:11:29] Iqbal, if you can please unmute
[7:11:39] Iqbal a pop up should have come
[7:11:40] up for you to unmute If you can
[7:11:40] unmute I will have to move on
[7:11:47] to academy before you I cube al
[7:11:48] I will need to move on.
[7:11:50] Will you Tran if you can please
[7:12:01] unmute we tran I can unmute for
[7:12:02] you a pop up should have come
[7:12:05] up.
[7:12:05] I will need to move on.
[7:12:12] There you go.
[7:12:13] >> So thanks both for your new
[7:12:14] and all right know each other i
[7:12:23] can hear you please proceed I I
[7:12:24] remember them with Lee Chan and
[7:12:27] I I'm sitting in in this
[7:12:28] conversation today with a lot
[7:12:32] of reflection and I'm those
[7:12:33] trying to be you know how
[7:12:33] the balance is conversation
[7:12:37] because on the one side we do
[7:12:38] have to you know call out and I
[7:12:42] some manage something but at
[7:12:43] the same time how do we also
[7:12:47] not using the language is that
[7:12:47] will blocking people from you
[7:12:52] know criticizing Israel because
[7:12:53] the thing that we're seeing in
[7:12:53] the world right now happening
[7:12:56] coming out of that government
[7:12:57] is not acceptable.
[7:12:58] I don't know anybody be able to
[7:13:01] go to sleep walking children
[7:13:02] being murdered, the entire
[7:13:03] population being wiped out.
[7:13:10] Please consider either change
[7:13:11] language or voting on on that
[7:13:11] item.
[7:13:11] >> Thank you.
[7:13:12] Thank you.
[7:13:13] Next is Asra if you can please
[7:13:17] on mute Asra Hi, my name is
[7:13:17] Asra and I'm a constituent of
[7:13:18] District two.
[7:13:21] I'm also a survivor of
[7:13:21] the Bosnian genocide.
[7:13:26] Seven out of the 11 exemplars
[7:13:26] who our age are definition
[7:13:29] focus on Israel which she of
[7:13:29] the state of Israel from
[7:13:30] accountability and confuses
[7:13:34] criticism of Israel policy with
[7:13:34] anti-Semitism respected
[7:13:35] organizations such as Amnesty
[7:13:38] International Human Rights
[7:13:39] Watch and U.N. Investigators
[7:13:44] have accused Israel of acts to
[7:13:44] genocide.
[7:13:48] We mean to be able to criticize
[7:13:49] actions of Israel as much as
[7:13:50] partially Well, they're
[7:13:50] committing genocide.
[7:13:53] Please vote no.
[7:13:54] >> Thank you.
[7:13:54] Thank you.
[7:13:55] Next is Jonathan If you can
[7:14:04] please unmute Jonathan I can I
[7:14:04] There you go.
[7:14:04] >> Here we go.
[7:14:05] I just want to say I emphasize
[7:14:06] completely of those in our
[7:14:08] community experiencing acts of
[7:14:09] hate.
[7:14:09] I abhor anti-Semitism and
[7:14:10] attacks on people for their
[7:14:14] identities.
[7:14:14] It's because I have for these
[7:14:15] attacks on these innocent
[7:14:16] people that I urge the Council
[7:14:18] to reject this ihra definition
[7:14:19] conflating antisemitism and
[7:14:22] anti-Zionism as the definition
[7:14:23] does I believe will worsen
[7:14:24] the attacks on Jewish people
[7:14:27] locally as the state of Israel
[7:14:28] acts without restraint in its
[7:14:28] violence against the other
[7:14:29] countries in the Middle East
[7:14:32] they're committing internation
[7:14:32] recognized acts of genocide
[7:14:33] against the Palestinian people,
[7:14:37] particularly against women and
[7:14:37] children And the people of
[7:14:42] Palestine deserve to have life
[7:14:42] and liberty and to be free from
[7:14:43] the oppression of the state of
[7:14:46] Israel.
[7:14:46] It's because of these actions
[7:14:47] that I think we've seen both
[7:14:51] that rising hatred against our
[7:14:55] Jewish neighbors and the rising
[7:14:56] hatred and violence against all
[7:14:57] odds are oppressed communities.
[7:15:01] Please reject this definition.
[7:15:01] Thank you Adam.
[7:15:06] If you can please unmute if
[7:15:07] you're raising your hand if I
[7:15:08] MAY a timer has already
[7:15:10] concluded we won't be taking
[7:15:11] those additional speakers but
[7:15:13] you can always email in to City
[7:15:14] Clerk at San diego.Gov and your
[7:15:15] comments will be distributed to
[7:15:15] Adam.
[7:15:18] Please proceed.
[7:15:19] By My name is Adam and I
[7:15:20] strongly recommend you all to
[7:15:24] listen to the majority of your
[7:15:24] constituents protect our rights
[7:15:25] and oppose this proposition.
[7:15:30] Enough has been said about
[7:15:31] the atrocities Israel has and
[7:15:31] continues to commit.
[7:15:32] Please reconsider.
[7:15:35] Force is not always election
[7:15:35] Oppose us 500 Free San Diego
[7:15:38] from Zionism and Free
[7:15:39] Palestine.
[7:15:39] Thank you Chris.
[7:15:43] If you can please unmute
[7:15:44] Christmas Yes please unmute.
[7:15:48] There you go.
[7:15:49] >> Hi, my name is Christopher
[7:15:49] Macias.
[7:15:53] I am a concerned citizen in
[7:15:53] opposition to se 500.
[7:15:58] I've heard a lot of character
[7:15:58] characterizations about myself
[7:16:02] but please know I come from a
[7:16:03] place of love.
[7:16:04] The one thing that comes to
[7:16:07] mind is the fact that this is a
[7:16:08] working definition.
[7:16:12] You wouldn't eat a meal That
[7:16:12] was a work in progress, would
[7:16:13] you?
[7:16:13] So why would we rush to
[7:16:16] something that is still being
[7:16:17] worked out?
[7:16:21] That said, it has been shown
[7:16:22] that this has been abused in
[7:16:27] other areas and I think it's of
[7:16:27] real concern.
[7:16:32] The types of behavior that has
[7:16:33] been experienced by this
[7:16:37] community is abhorrent and I
[7:16:37] and I do not condone it.
[7:16:38] But that is unfortunately
[7:16:42] the reality of being a minority
[7:16:42] here in America.
[7:16:43] We must bind together and
[7:16:44] please vote now.
[7:16:46] Thank you.
[7:16:47] >> I pad if you can please
[7:16:51] unmute.
[7:16:51] >> I strongly oppose
[7:16:52] the adoption of the ihra
[7:16:53] definition of antisemitism.
[7:16:56] I read doesn't address real
[7:16:57] anti-Semitism but rather
[7:17:01] conflates anti-Zionism and
[7:17:01] antisemitism.
[7:17:02] This is dangerous because it
[7:17:06] increases the risks of
[7:17:06] antisemitism violence by
[7:17:07] associating all Jewish people
[7:17:10] with Israel and you heard from
[7:17:11] several Jewish community
[7:17:12] members who also voiced their
[7:17:15] opposition to this definition.
[7:17:16] As was mentioned, seven of
[7:17:17] the 11 examples in the ihra
[7:17:20] definition involve shielding
[7:17:21] Israel an apartheid genocidal
[7:17:26] state from accountability
[7:17:26] falsely assuming that all
[7:17:27] people hold the same views on
[7:17:30] Israel and Zionism.
[7:17:31] Why is the City of San Diego
[7:17:35] preventing critique of a
[7:17:36] foreign government?
[7:17:37] My critique of the us is
[7:17:40] allowed and also the definition
[7:17:41] has a lack of validity.
[7:17:44] It was never designed to be
[7:17:45] used as a binding definition of
[7:17:46] antisemitism nor adopted into
[7:17:50] legislation or policy.
[7:17:50] The creators of the working
[7:17:54] definition.
[7:17:55] Thank you Your time has
[7:17:56] concluded Alex if you can
[7:17:59] please unmute.
[7:18:04] My name is Alejandro Waterman,
[7:18:05] District four and I'm not here
[7:18:08] to lift the sins of Zionism.
[7:18:13] This is about free speech.
[7:18:14] This is an issue that has to do
[7:18:17] with the definition of
[7:18:18] the conflation of two separate
[7:18:18] and distinct things.
[7:18:23] It is not a clear tool as we
[7:18:23] said earlier.
[7:18:26] Vote no on f 500 Your vote will
[7:18:31] be remembered.
[7:18:32] Does that conclude your
[7:18:32] comments?
[7:18:32] Yes.
[7:18:33] Thank you.
[7:18:36] 8813 if you can please unmute
[7:18:40] it 813 and then it's after that
[7:18:40] .
[7:18:45] >> Okay come follow here.
[7:18:46] I am coming from a place of
[7:18:49] love So is it and I say that
[7:18:55] easily true and dumbest species
[7:18:59] on the planet a species
[7:18:59] controlled by fear.
[7:19:04] It's both a hoot and a tragedy
[7:19:05] to witness that time while
[7:19:08] the people are distracted by
[7:19:08] things that keep us divided
[7:19:09] like this item.
[7:19:13] The corrupt system that keeps
[7:19:13] us all fighting continues to
[7:19:14] win.
[7:19:17] The more we stay divided
[7:19:18] the more we ignore the obvious.
[7:19:22] The system does not work or
[7:19:23] the people.
[7:19:23] Are you getting it yet?
[7:19:24] Are you getting it?
[7:19:27] Wake up.
[7:19:28] The bedroom in the front.
[7:19:29] Everybody It will do everything
[7:19:32] it can to on its parts carrying
[7:19:33] out globalist agendas that do
[7:19:37] not serve us in any way, shape
[7:19:37] or form.
[7:19:38] It's a big club and you ain't
[7:19:38] in it.
[7:19:42] We're just ex cattle indentured
[7:19:42] servants.
[7:19:43] We continue to fund their wars
[7:19:47] and overlook pedophiles.
[7:19:48] >> Our time has concluded.
[7:19:48] Janine, if you can please
[7:19:49] unmute.
[7:19:50] After that will be Eric b
[7:19:55] Janine.
[7:19:55] >> Hello.
[7:19:56] Good afternoon.
[7:19:56] My name is Janine.
[7:19:58] i'm a resident of District one
[7:19:59] and I am shocked by some of
[7:19:59] the comments I heard today.
[7:20:03] Today's a clear example from
[7:20:04] hateful comments that have been
[7:20:08] made why we need to oppose this
[7:20:08] measure, this adoption This
[7:20:13] measure is confined to anti
[7:20:13] Israel hate with anti Semitism.
[7:20:18] Anti Semitism is wrong just
[7:20:18] like so many other hate such as
[7:20:19] Islamophobia which I personally
[7:20:23] experienced in San Diego.
[7:20:24] This is not the way to go about
[7:20:25] it but the I h r definition it
[7:20:27] goes against our civil
[7:20:28] liberties and our civil rights.
[7:20:29] If we as Americans can
[7:20:29] criticize Donald Trump, why
[7:20:33] can't we criticize Israel and
[7:20:33] the harm that it's committing
[7:20:36] and has been committing for 75
[7:20:37] years using our tax funded
[7:20:37] dollars?
[7:20:38] The reason we criticize Israel
[7:20:42] is because we don't want to be
[7:20:42] complicit in the genocide of
[7:20:45] the Palestinian people and it
[7:20:46] would be shameful today if
[7:20:47] the council after hearing so
[7:20:48] many people speak against us
[7:20:50] voted yes on this.
[7:20:51] So again, I oppose this bill
[7:20:52] and I hope that you don't vote
[7:20:56] on it.
[7:20:57] Eric b if you can please
[7:20:57] unmute.
[7:21:01] All right Eric b if you can
[7:21:02] please unmute after that will
[7:21:02] be so here.
[7:21:02] Okay.
[7:21:05] Can you hear me?
[7:21:05] Yes please proceed.
[7:21:05] Thank you.
[7:21:06] I'm a resident of District
[7:21:06] nine.
[7:21:09] I have ancestors who are Jewish
[7:21:10] and I have experienced anti
[7:21:10] Semitism.
[7:21:11] If Zionists do not want to be
[7:21:18] compared to Nazis in Germany
[7:21:19] Galba large in France, Phelan
[7:21:20] in Spain Mustafa in Croatia
[7:21:20] Quislings in Norway or fascist
[7:21:21] in Italy They should be
[7:21:24] lobbying the Israel government
[7:21:24] to stop carrying out the same
[7:21:25] policies as them not asking
[7:21:29] this body to redefine reality
[7:21:29] and redefine what people with
[7:21:33] people who have hate to see are
[7:21:34] allowed to call genocide.
[7:21:35] States do not have a right to
[7:21:38] exist.
[7:21:39] They do not have a right to
[7:21:39] exist.
[7:21:40] They have a responsibility to
[7:21:41] preserve the rights of
[7:21:43] the people and that my working
[7:21:44] definition of states includes
[7:21:48] this body San Diego Never
[7:21:48] forget the rights of
[7:21:49] Palestinians Lebanese Iranians.
[7:21:53] Yesterday was the anniversary
[7:21:53] of the murder of American
[7:21:56] protester Rachel Corrie in 2003
[7:22:01] Never forget Vote no on 500.
[7:22:01] So Harry, if you can please
[7:22:05] join me after that is phone
[7:22:06] number ending and 9999.
[7:22:06] Thank you.
[7:22:10] I want to take you back in time
[7:22:11] to a time when boatloads of
[7:22:11] mostly Jewish people were
[7:22:12] arriving in Palestine by
[7:22:14] the thousands seeking refuge
[7:22:15] from persecution Palestinians,
[7:22:19] Christian, Jewish and Muslim
[7:22:20] Palestinians welcomed them with
[7:22:20] open arms.
[7:22:21] Little did they know this was a
[7:22:24] calculated move by the newly
[7:22:25] founded Zionist movement based
[7:22:26] on the ideology of ethnic
[7:22:26] cleansing and massacring of
[7:22:30] the indigenous Palestinians to
[7:22:30] create the state of Israel.
[7:22:31] It is a disgrace to use
[7:22:32] the memory of the victims of
[7:22:34] the Holocaust to politicize
[7:22:35] the Holocaust in defense of
[7:22:36] the crimes committed by
[7:22:36] the state of Israel.
[7:22:39] Judaism is over 2000 years old.
[7:22:40] Zionism was founded in
[7:22:40] the 1880s.
[7:22:45] You do the math and you decide
[7:22:45] what you wish to worship.
[7:22:46] I have the right to hate and
[7:22:49] criticize that ideology whose
[7:22:50] intent is to make sure I do not
[7:22:53] exist that as a genocide is
[7:22:54] the epitome of Israel's crimes.
[7:22:55] Before you both think of Gaza
[7:22:55] and of the panel who would
[7:22:58] inevitably meet 50 years from
[7:22:59] now to discuss
[7:22:59] the International Genocide
[7:23:03] Remembrance Alliance, Your
[7:23:04] grandchildren MAY be sitting
[7:23:04] right where you sit today.
[7:23:09] What is the legacy you leave
[7:23:09] behind standing there?
[7:23:10] Our time has concluded.
[7:23:13] Phone number ending in 9919 If
[7:23:17] you can please unmute after
[7:23:18] that is Yasmeen.
[7:23:18] Hello?
[7:23:18] Hello.
[7:23:19] Can you hear me?
[7:23:22] Yes Please proceed.
[7:23:23] Yes My name is Hala.
[7:23:24] I cannot share my full name
[7:23:27] because my family members
[7:23:28] continue to be murdered in Gaza
[7:23:29] and I do not want them
[7:23:29] targeted.
[7:23:33] My organization is based in San
[7:23:34] Diego focuses on equity for all
[7:23:34] marginalized communities I work
[7:23:38] on definitions all day to
[7:23:38] ensure the voices of
[7:23:39] the marginalized are not
[7:23:42] silenced or raised All hate
[7:23:42] against any group or individual
[7:23:43] deplorable and unacceptable
[7:23:47] definitions do matter.
[7:23:48] This definition is not
[7:23:48] equitable Full stop full police
[7:23:52] This definition the entities in
[7:23:52] the room who believe criticism
[7:23:53] of Israel or Zionism is
[7:23:56] anti-Semitic or the San Diego
[7:23:57] Police Department who train
[7:23:57] with the Israeli Defense
[7:23:58] Forces.
[7:24:01] Over 100 of my family members
[7:24:01] have been brutally murdered in
[7:24:02] the genocide in Gaza.
[7:24:06] Why is my pain and grief
[7:24:06] subject to a definition to
[7:24:07] police and silence?
[7:24:10] Why is my family's pain
[7:24:10] politicized or demonized?
[7:24:11] We are the victims and we
[7:24:12] continue to be gaslit and
[7:24:15] demonized.
[7:24:16] I have the right to share their
[7:24:16] names, their stories and our
[7:24:17] history and every place and a
[7:24:21] space.
[7:24:21] Their memory and stories
[7:24:22] deserve to live and not be
[7:24:22] erased.
[7:24:25] They will never be erased to
[7:24:26] help concluded Yes mean if you
[7:24:29] can please them you alone?
[7:24:30] Can you hear me?
[7:24:30] Yes.
[7:24:34] Please proceed.
[7:24:34] Hello.
[7:24:34] This is Yasmin.
[7:24:35] I'm a constituent of San Diego
[7:24:39] and I'm also a muslim
[7:24:40] Palestinian and city of San
[7:24:43] Diego employee.
[7:24:44] I'm calling to urge my council
[7:24:48] members to oppose this
[7:24:49] resolution.
[7:24:50] I know a lot of you if not all
[7:24:53] of you are ready decided on
[7:24:54] what you're going to vote And
[7:24:55] I'm all I'm going to ask is
[7:24:58] that you actually listen to
[7:24:59] the people speaking and you
[7:24:59] reconsider.
[7:25:03] Do not let today be a day
[7:25:04] that's going to stay in your
[7:25:06] legacy in 20 years or 30 years
[7:25:07] when supporting Israel on
[7:25:08] the genocidal state is no
[7:25:11] longer kill.
[7:25:12] You don't want your name
[7:25:13] associated with that.
[7:25:13] So I urge you to vote no today
[7:25:16] and you little if you can
[7:25:21] please And you really will
[7:25:26] the Academy for you I will have
[7:25:26] to move on.
[7:25:27] There I go.
[7:25:27] You hear me?
[7:25:27] Yes.
[7:25:30] Please proceed.
[7:25:30] Oh, hi.
[7:25:31] My name is Lily.
[7:25:35] I am a Jewish parent and a
[7:25:35] resident of District four.
[7:25:36] It should be clear to you that
[7:25:39] this is an issue that affects
[7:25:39] many diverse San Diego
[7:25:40] communities that you will be
[7:25:41] ignoring by voting for this
[7:25:44] resolution.
[7:25:45] To my fellow Jews we do not
[7:25:45] fight anti-Semitism by
[7:25:48] silencing dissent.
[7:25:49] Eight years ago I visited
[7:25:49] Israel and Palestine for
[7:25:50] the first time and saw
[7:25:53] apartheid at work separate
[7:25:54] roads for Israeli colonizers
[7:25:54] and Palestinians Palestinian
[7:25:55] hospitals with insufficient
[7:25:58] supplies suffering from
[7:25:59] Israel's crippling economic
[7:25:59] blockade.
[7:26:00] This starkly contrasted
[7:26:03] the narrative I grew up with
[7:26:04] and Hebrew School of Israel is
[7:26:05] the promised land for the Jews
[7:26:08] And if you passed a definition
[7:26:08] my Jewish child's ability to
[7:26:09] learn the truth about Israel's
[7:26:13] ethnic cleansing in the San
[7:26:13] Diego schools will be
[7:26:13] curtailed.
[7:26:14] While you MAY feel that you are
[7:26:15] representing Jewish
[7:26:18] constituents, you are actually
[7:26:18] representing an increasingly
[7:26:19] fringe group of Jewish
[7:26:19] Zionists.
[7:26:22] Many speakers here today tried
[7:26:23] to portray Jewish critics of
[7:26:24] Israel as fringe but
[7:26:27] the numbers prove their lie
[7:26:27] Only 28% of American Jews,
[7:26:28] according to a recent poll
[7:26:31] report Their time has concluded
[7:26:31] .
[7:26:32] Christine Love If you can
[7:26:36] please unmute.
[7:26:36] >> Good afternoon.
[7:26:41] My name is Christy chief
[7:26:42] program and strategy officer at
[7:26:42] the aclu of San Diego.
[7:26:45] The First Amendment protects
[7:26:46] everyone including those who
[7:26:47] criticize domestic or foreign
[7:26:51] governments.
[7:26:51] The definition however
[7:26:52] undermines that right by
[7:26:55] wrongly treating protected
[7:26:56] political speech as
[7:26:56] discrimination.
[7:26:59] Anti-Semitism must be addressed
[7:27:00] but this resolution is
[7:27:00] dangerous.
[7:27:01] It will not combat
[7:27:01] discrimination and it will
[7:27:05] chill protected speech.
[7:27:06] The resolution states that it
[7:27:06] is non-binding but that does
[7:27:09] not fix the issue.
[7:27:10] Discrimination, including
[7:27:10] antisemitism is already
[7:27:14] prohibited under federal state
[7:27:14] and local law.
[7:27:15] The resolution risks replacing
[7:27:16] a constitutional understanding
[7:27:19] of antisemitism for an
[7:27:20] unconstitutional framework.
[7:27:21] People reasonably hesitate to
[7:27:24] speak at Council meetings
[7:27:25] applying for permits,
[7:27:26] particularly as residents
[7:27:28] engage in debate over a variety
[7:27:29] of issues.
[7:27:29] These concerns are not
[7:27:30] hypothetical.
[7:27:30] The federal government has
[7:27:34] targeted individuals for their
[7:27:34] viewpoints.
[7:27:35] A policy that singles out
[7:27:38] certain viewpoints increases
[7:27:39] the risk to immigrants and
[7:27:39] refugees.
[7:27:44] >> We urge you to vote no.
[7:27:44] 8700 if you can please on mute
[7:27:46] after that is Ryan Fan 8700
[7:27:52] star six.
[7:27:52] I can't mute for you.
[7:27:56] I want you to move on to
[7:27:56] the next caller if you can
[7:27:59] unmute Star six.
[7:28:06] I will need to move on.
[7:28:07] >> Ryan fan if you can please
[7:28:07] unmute.
[7:28:11] Can you hear me?
[7:28:11] Yes.
[7:28:12] Please proceed.
[7:28:12] Thank you.
[7:28:12] Good evening.
[7:28:16] Council members please vote no
[7:28:17] on the ira resolution.
[7:28:18] I'm a resident of District nine
[7:28:21] and I've seen as an educator
[7:28:22] how of course 97 Autism is a
[7:28:22] very real issue as is
[7:28:26] anti-black racism anti-Asian
[7:28:27] hate, anti-Muslim hate and so
[7:28:27] on.
[7:28:27] However, we don't see
[7:28:28] definitions and examples of
[7:28:31] these other forms of hate
[7:28:32] enshrined into resolutions and
[7:28:32] legislation.
[7:28:33] We also don't see the same kind
[7:28:36] of turnout at City council
[7:28:36] meetings for these issues.
[7:28:37] The lead author of the ihra
[7:28:38] Definition has spoken out over
[7:28:41] and over again about how this
[7:28:42] definition has been weaponized
[7:28:42] to silence free speech.
[7:28:43] People speak in hypotheticals
[7:28:46] but it's very real how this is
[7:28:46] happening.
[7:28:47] He even said the data to date
[7:28:51] has not had the transformative
[7:28:51] effect on the collection and
[7:28:52] hate crime analysis that people
[7:28:55] had hoped for when they created
[7:28:56] the definition.
[7:28:57] If this definition is to go
[7:29:00] through it would also label
[7:29:01] Holocaust survivors who spoke
[7:29:02] out against Israel as
[7:29:02] anti-Semitic.
[7:29:06] How ironic is that?
[7:29:06] It's also ironic because
[7:29:07] the city council wants to pass
[7:29:08] a Ramadan proclamation on
[7:29:10] the same day that this is going
[7:29:10] through.
[7:29:11] >> As Israel continues to
[7:29:11] attack Muslim majority
[7:29:12] countries.
[7:29:15] Thanks for your time.
[7:29:16] Zakaria If you can please
[7:29:16] unmute.
[7:29:20] After zakaria as Michael, I
[7:29:20] urge you to vote no.
[7:29:21] Israel is a racist apartheid
[7:29:25] state which is both built on
[7:29:25] genocide and cannot survive
[7:29:26] without it.
[7:29:26] To be very clear, that has
[7:29:29] nothing to do with the Jewish
[7:29:30] community and that discussion
[7:29:30] should not be part of
[7:29:31] the discussion of
[7:29:31] anti-Semitism.
[7:29:34] The reason why we have to start
[7:29:35] with that discussion of Israel
[7:29:35] is precisely because of
[7:29:38] the ihra definition.
[7:29:38] Why?
[7:29:39] Because the definition
[7:29:39] explicitly includes examples
[7:29:43] related to Israel.
[7:29:44] I agree with the proponents of
[7:29:45] the definition the proponents
[7:29:45] of the definition that we
[7:29:48] should not have to litigate
[7:29:49] Israel when discussing
[7:29:49] antisemitism.
[7:29:52] But the ihra definition forces
[7:29:53] us to do exactly that.
[7:29:54] Counsel You've heard from
[7:29:55] Jewish members on both sides of
[7:29:58] this issue who have said very
[7:29:59] clearly that they don't want to
[7:30:00] be conflated with the actions
[7:30:02] of Israel and that is exactly
[7:30:03] what the ihra definition does.
[7:30:07] Why would we adopt a definition
[7:30:07] that does exactly that?
[7:30:08] I'm confident that we can adopt
[7:30:09] a definition of antisemitism
[7:30:12] that does not require us to be
[7:30:13] Israel in order to recognize
[7:30:17] hate that allows us to address
[7:30:18] antisemitism directly, clearly
[7:30:18] and effectively.
[7:30:22] Don't adopt a definition that
[7:30:22] by design brings Israel into
[7:30:23] the conversation.
[7:30:24] Your time is concluded Michael
[7:30:27] if you can please unmute.
[7:30:30] Hi I am a Jewish resident of
[7:30:31] District eight.
[7:30:31] I opposed the adoption of
[7:30:32] the hrc working definition of
[7:30:35] antisemitism.
[7:30:36] I care a great deal about
[7:30:37] the threat of antisemitism but
[7:30:41] I find the definition to be
[7:30:41] overly vague, contradictory and
[7:30:42] problematic.
[7:30:42] I appreciate that the ira
[7:30:45] attorney definition claims
[7:30:46] criticism of Israel similar to
[7:30:47] that leveled against any other
[7:30:51] country cannot be regarded as
[7:30:51] antisemitic.
[7:30:52] But what follows in
[7:30:52] the definition is vague and
[7:30:53] even contradicts that as others
[7:30:55] have noted.
[7:30:56] You cannot say that this
[7:30:57] definition does not provide
[7:30:59] cover for criticism of Israel.
[7:31:00] As the comments in favor of
[7:31:01] this definition today clearly
[7:31:02] illustrate the comments by
[7:31:05] individuals like the woman
[7:31:05] talking about her son's team
[7:31:06] Israel baseball cap in support
[7:31:07] of the definition.
[7:31:09] Demonstrate clearly why this
[7:31:10] definition is harmful as our
[7:31:11] advocacy against Israel even in
[7:31:15] this chamber is being used to
[7:31:15] call us antisemitic.
[7:31:16] You're witnessing in real time
[7:31:19] the definition being used to
[7:31:19] conflate antisemitism with
[7:31:20] the criticism of Israel.
[7:31:24] I also want to say regarding
[7:31:24] the propaganda video that was
[7:31:25] shown I was at the encampment
[7:31:26] at ucsd and there were no
[7:31:28] people chanting death to Jews
[7:31:29] or anything remotely similar.
[7:31:30] Actually Manager Time has
[7:31:34] concluded calling user one if
[7:31:35] you can please unmute.
[7:31:36] After that is Liliana calling
[7:31:37] user.
[7:31:42] Please proceed.
[7:31:43] Hello.
[7:31:43] Yes Concerned San Diego
[7:31:46] resident calling to oppose s
[7:31:46] 500 We reject this problematic
[7:31:50] definition being used as a tool
[7:31:51] to suppress legitimate speech
[7:31:52] which invokes international law
[7:31:56] human rights and being used to
[7:31:56] target those who are engaging
[7:31:57] in protected right to protest
[7:32:00] assembly and political speech.
[7:32:01] And on a practical level this
[7:32:01] will lead to more lawsuits
[7:32:05] increased police state in San
[7:32:06] Diego and a chill on free
[7:32:06] speech and Donald Trump's
[7:32:07] America.
[7:32:10] We urge you to strengthen
[7:32:10] existing anti-discrimination
[7:32:11] protections.
[7:32:15] Not not then not to pass this
[7:32:16] problematic resolution and
[7:32:16] definition.
[7:32:18] And one final point.
[7:32:19] Judaism existing long before
[7:32:24] the concept of Zionism and it
[7:32:24] existed in Judaism existed
[7:32:25] before the state of Israel and
[7:32:29] Palestinians are also Semite So
[7:32:30] thank you so much.
[7:32:34] Protect our communities and
[7:32:34] reject this definition.
[7:32:35] >> Thank you.
[7:32:35] Our next caller is Lilliana.
[7:32:38] After that is Tristan very
[7:32:42] early on if you can please me
[7:32:47] Lilliana.
[7:32:47] Hello?
[7:32:48] Yes, Please proceed.
[7:32:54] Hi.
[7:32:55] Okay.
[7:32:55] Hi.
[7:32:56] I am a community member born
[7:32:59] and raised in City Heights, a
[7:33:00] community that's home to
[7:33:01] hundreds of ethnicities,
[7:33:01] religions and cultures who have
[7:33:05] learned to coexist and support
[7:33:05] one another.
[7:33:06] Do the same lens I recognize
[7:33:06] the Jewish community is no
[7:33:07] different.
[7:33:10] They face historical atrocities
[7:33:10] and they deserve safety.
[7:33:11] However, this definition does
[7:33:14] not guarantee safety.
[7:33:15] It shields Israel from
[7:33:15] accountability, ignores
[7:33:19] the root causes of harms of
[7:33:19] racism and colonialism and risk
[7:33:20] labeling.
[7:33:20] All Jewish people are saying
[7:33:24] this which we know is not true.
[7:33:25] The San Diego Human Relations
[7:33:25] Commission and Council needs to
[7:33:28] reflect heavy on the priorities
[7:33:29] because for the past two years
[7:33:29] Palestinian communities have
[7:33:30] been calling for a resolution
[7:33:33] to recognize the ongoing
[7:33:34] genocide in Palestine and they
[7:33:35] have been ignored.
[7:33:35] If the true intention is to
[7:33:38] protect people then there would
[7:33:39] be accountability upheld in our
[7:33:39] own city.
[7:33:40] There is no real accountability
[7:33:43] right now or justice for Noah
[7:33:44] Wilson which is a young person
[7:33:45] who was murdered at the hands
[7:33:45] of the department.
[7:33:48] The city funds the most.
[7:33:49] So who are you really choosing
[7:33:49] to protect?
[7:33:53] I urge you all to abide with
[7:33:54] our strong community team has
[7:33:55] concluded My apologies Kristen
[7:33:57] Berry if you can please unmute
[7:33:57] .
[7:33:58] After that is phone number
[7:33:58] ending a9396 person?
[7:34:01] Please proceed.
[7:34:02] Counsel My name is Tristan
[7:34:03] Berry and I'm here to speak in
[7:34:06] opposition to the adoption of
[7:34:07] the ihra definition.
[7:34:07] While I stand alongside my
[7:34:08] Jewish neighbors against any
[7:34:12] persecution they received, I
[7:34:12] cannot in good consciousness
[7:34:13] advocate for a nation state of
[7:34:16] Israel to have this layer of
[7:34:17] immunity from any sort of
[7:34:17] criticism.
[7:34:18] It is important to note that
[7:34:20] not all Jews are Israeli All
[7:34:21] Israelis Jewish.
[7:34:22] The ira while protecting
[7:34:22] the Jewish people takes things
[7:34:23] a step too far By restricting
[7:34:26] my restricting my ability to
[7:34:27] criticize a nation that is
[7:34:27] engaged in the Nazi cleansing
[7:34:30] not unlike that of Nazi
[7:34:30] Germany.
[7:34:31] With one large difference being
[7:34:32] that this one's been ongoing
[7:34:34] for 78 years if not longer.
[7:34:35] We love to bring up all
[7:34:37] the trauma inflicted since
[7:34:38] OCTOBER 7th but downplay
[7:34:38] the ongoing impacts of
[7:34:39] the Nakba and the imperialist
[7:34:43] expulsion of Palestinians today
[7:34:43] which led to those events.
[7:34:44] Fun fact under the ihra
[7:34:47] definition for now be
[7:34:48] considered anti-Semitic for
[7:34:48] comparing Israel and Nazis.
[7:34:49] Notice at no point in time did
[7:34:52] I say that Jews were tendencies
[7:34:53] to be Israeli regimes instead.
[7:34:56] But that matters not the United
[7:34:57] States is currently trying to
[7:34:57] push imperialism on three
[7:34:58] different fronts in Venezuela,
[7:34:58] Iran and Cuba.
[7:35:01] Much like the Nazis did.
[7:35:02] But that doesn't make me
[7:35:03] un-American to notice that It
[7:35:03] just makes me historically
[7:35:04] observant.
[7:35:06] Your time is concluded just as
[7:35:07] an update There are 25 speakers
[7:35:07] in the queue.
[7:35:10] No additional speakers will be
[7:35:10] taken.
[7:35:15] 39969396 If you can please
[7:35:18] unmute star 69396.
[7:35:22] I can't unmute for you Star six
[7:35:22] a prompt should have come
[7:35:26] forward.
[7:35:27] >> There you go.
[7:35:27] Yeah.
[7:35:28] Good evening Council member
[7:35:32] Foster I'm Kathleen McLeod and
[7:35:33] also to the chair la and
[7:35:37] COUNCILMAN.
[7:35:38] I'm a resident of District four
[7:35:39] and oppose premature action
[7:35:41] today.
[7:35:42] I'm encouraged to hear that
[7:35:43] the Human Relations Commission
[7:35:46] wants to reconsider this
[7:35:46] proposal.
[7:35:47] Also your Rules Committee which
[7:35:51] handles policy language and
[7:35:52] definitions of terms hasn't
[7:35:52] vetted this proposal per
[7:35:56] the city's resolution adoption
[7:35:56] process.
[7:35:57] So anti-Zionism and
[7:36:01] anti-Semitism are global issues
[7:36:01] and often completed our
[7:36:02] international affairs Board
[7:36:06] should weigh in due for
[7:36:06] informed decision making We
[7:36:10] need more mark inclusive public
[7:36:11] discourse on this contentious
[7:36:11] topic.
[7:36:15] If the intent of this action is
[7:36:15] to shield Israeli policy from
[7:36:20] grassroots diplomacy, it makes
[7:36:20] the world less safe.
[7:36:24] Given our massive $6.82 billion
[7:36:25] in military aid to Israel.
[7:36:29] Action Today is premature.
[7:36:29] >> Please pull it.
[7:36:30] Thank you.
[7:36:32] Our next speaker is Nancy.
[7:36:37] Please unmute.
[7:36:37] >> Hi.
[7:36:38] I live in District nine and I'm
[7:36:39] asking you to vote no or
[7:36:42] abstain on this agenda item.
[7:36:43] No one deserves to experience
[7:36:43] hate or violence.
[7:36:44] Thanks.
[7:36:47] Which are Jewish neighbors,
[7:36:48] anti-Muslim neighbors and our
[7:36:49] immigrant and black and brown
[7:36:49] neighbors.
[7:36:50] And I wish we could be unified
[7:36:52] enough at face value.
[7:36:53] The definition seems like a
[7:36:53] good one if it were also to
[7:36:56] include the Palestinians.
[7:36:57] The seven manifestations are
[7:36:58] examples that explicitly name
[7:36:58] the state of Israel are
[7:37:02] the primary problems.
[7:37:02] This is suppressing free speech
[7:37:03] and a speedy train to the idf
[7:37:06] and who murdered 16 year old
[7:37:07] Noah Wilson is going to be
[7:37:07] the enforcers.
[7:37:08] Yikes.
[7:37:11] Countless public comments today
[7:37:11] made it clear or rather how
[7:37:12] unclear the definition of
[7:37:15] antisemitism is.
[7:37:16] Countless commenters who
[7:37:17] identify as Jewish have stated
[7:37:17] that criticism of Israel does
[7:37:21] make them feel less safe.
[7:37:22] >> Or responding to a thumbs up
[7:37:22] or down.
[7:37:23] Many of the women showing up on
[7:37:26] the livestream in fact in
[7:37:26] the first couple rows who
[7:37:27] support this resolution have
[7:37:28] been thumbs down or even
[7:37:31] laughing at the state of Israel
[7:37:32] murdering children.
[7:37:32] I wish they were thumbs down in
[7:37:33] the actions of a government
[7:37:36] murdering entire families with
[7:37:36] their tax dollars.
[7:37:37] But the state of Israel is
[7:37:38] doing is a genocide.
[7:37:41] They're also starting another
[7:37:41] one with Iran.
[7:37:42] >> Your time has concluded
[7:37:45] Nikki, if you can please unmute
[7:37:45] .
[7:37:45] Camera.
[7:37:46] There you go.
[7:37:50] I thank you so much.
[7:37:51] My name is Nikki and I am a
[7:37:52] resident of the city of San
[7:37:54] Diego and District nine.
[7:37:56] I am urging you all to vote no
[7:37:59] on se 500.
[7:38:00] The definition limits
[7:38:04] the criticism of Israel as many
[7:38:05] folks here have stated.
[7:38:09] I want to know that all people
[7:38:10] deserve protection and this
[7:38:10] includes Jewish comrades as
[7:38:11] well.
[7:38:15] And to some it's really scary
[7:38:16] and a really real thing that is
[7:38:19] happening in our world today.
[7:38:20] People also deserve protection
[7:38:24] who are being bombed in Iran,
[7:38:25] Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon
[7:38:25] as well.
[7:38:28] There are so many ways that we
[7:38:29] can protect our Jewish
[7:38:30] neighbors and this does not
[7:38:33] include adopting.
[7:38:34] I tried by definition we are
[7:38:38] all hurting in the room.
[7:38:39] I can see as hurting now
[7:38:40] the pain of Jewish people from
[7:38:43] the violence that you've
[7:38:44] endured, the pain of
[7:38:45] Palestinians from the violence
[7:38:45] that you've endured.
[7:38:48] Please vote no and go together
[7:38:49] not based in fear but in love.
[7:38:53] >> Thank you.
[7:38:54] >> Next is Lili.
[7:38:55] If you can please join me after
[7:38:58] Lili is a true Hi My name is
[7:39:01] Lily Ronnie and I'm
[7:39:02] the PRESIDENT Of the three and
[7:39:03] my heart aches of anti-Semitism
[7:39:03] of those who might make
[7:39:07] assumptions about Jewish people
[7:39:07] support the actions of Hitler
[7:39:11] which is completely disgusting
[7:39:11] .
[7:39:12] And just as my heart aches for
[7:39:13] the people of Gaza and the West
[7:39:13] Bank being ethnically cleansed
[7:39:16] by Israeli settlers tacitly
[7:39:17] condoned by the state of
[7:39:17] Israel.
[7:39:18] My heart aches for my own
[7:39:22] family in Tehran right now
[7:39:22] trying to survive under the us
[7:39:23] and Israel's bombs falling on
[7:39:27] them for weeks.
[7:39:27] The city adopting ihra would
[7:39:28] prevent me from expressing this
[7:39:32] in our city as Christine all of
[7:39:33] aclu has pointed out to you ira
[7:39:33] over focuses on criticism of
[7:39:37] Israel and examples of
[7:39:37] antisemitism is an affront to
[7:39:38] the idea of equity for all San
[7:39:41] Diegans.
[7:39:42] Please urge the Human Relations
[7:39:43] Committee to reconsider this
[7:39:46] issue and consider
[7:39:47] the Jerusalem Declaration on
[7:39:48] antisemitism instead.
[7:39:51] The Jerusalem Declaration
[7:39:51] responds to the ihra definition
[7:39:52] and specifically many problems
[7:39:56] with the ihra definition and
[7:39:56] that is open to widely
[7:39:57] different interpretations and
[7:40:01] it has caused confusion and
[7:40:01] weaken your time has concluded
[7:40:02] Drew Vector If you can please
[7:40:15] unmute you are there and we can
[7:40:16] hear you now.
[7:40:16] >> Okay Thank you.
[7:40:17] Honorable Council members City
[7:40:21] Attorney, City Clerk and MR.
[7:40:21] Smith.
[7:40:22] My comments center on
[7:40:25] the declaring discrepancies
[7:40:25] found in the 11 examples that
[7:40:26] are provided.
[7:40:30] Several speakers have already
[7:40:31] addressed them and provided
[7:40:35] really excellent examples As
[7:40:36] these 11 examples are written
[7:40:36] into the actual resolution.
[7:40:37] I'm hoping one of you can ask
[7:40:40] the city attorney to reconcile
[7:40:41] that for us and what it means
[7:40:42] for the city of San Diego for
[7:40:44] you to adopt those examples as
[7:40:45] well as if the first statement
[7:40:50] is true That criticism of
[7:40:50] Israel is a-ok.
[7:40:51] Why are the examples even in
[7:40:55] their and why don't we just
[7:40:55] take out any reference to
[7:40:59] Israel or simply omit the 11
[7:41:00] examples altogether?
[7:41:01] The last thing I'll add is that
[7:41:04] several speakers have said
[7:41:05] European countries us cities
[7:41:09] have adopted the definition but
[7:41:10] many of them have done exactly
[7:41:11] what I'm proposing here and
[7:41:14] suggesting that we just remove
[7:41:15] those 11 examples.
[7:41:15] >> Thank you for your time.
[7:41:21] Lidia if you can please unmute
[7:41:22] .
[7:41:23] Over the past several hours of
[7:41:27] comments proponents of ihra
[7:41:28] have continued to make several
[7:41:29] of the same claims and I want
[7:41:29] to address three of these.
[7:41:32] First they say that
[7:41:32] antisemitism is on the rise.
[7:41:33] This is true and it must be
[7:41:37] condemned.
[7:41:37] Next they point to the dozens
[7:41:38] of states and nations who have
[7:41:39] already adopted events.
[7:41:41] Also true.
[7:41:42] Then they go on to say that
[7:41:43] the ihra definition will have
[7:41:46] no effect on free speech and is
[7:41:47] just an educational tool.
[7:41:51] So let's take a look at those
[7:41:52] states and nations that have
[7:41:52] adopted Iran.
[7:41:53] There are dozens if not
[7:41:56] hundreds of documented cases of
[7:41:57] ira being weaponised to silence
[7:41:57] and criminalize pro-Palestinian
[7:42:01] protests.
[7:42:02] Is the Jewish community any
[7:42:02] safer?
[7:42:02] The rising rates of
[7:42:06] antisemitism say no.
[7:42:07] This is a demonstrable outcome
[7:42:11] from the Trump administration's
[7:42:11] assault on college campuses to
[7:42:12] the 700 plus peaceful
[7:42:13] protesters arrested in the uk
[7:42:16] for carrying signs saying they
[7:42:16] oppose genocide.
[7:42:17] So the two Australian
[7:42:21] protesters arrested on hate
[7:42:21] speech charges are seen from
[7:42:22] the river to the sea.
[7:42:25] I think our answer is clear.
[7:42:26] It's not clear your time has
[7:42:26] concluded for you If you can
[7:42:34] please unmute free academy.
[7:42:35] For you I can unmute for you.
[7:42:36] A pop up should have come up to
[7:42:39] me yourself.
[7:42:40] I will have to move on to
[7:42:41] the next caller if you can
[7:42:48] unmute yourself.
[7:42:49] Moving on to the next caller
[7:42:53] Nicole if you can please unmute
[7:42:54] .
[7:42:57] >> I'm Nicole Howard, District
[7:42:57] three resident.
[7:42:58] I've lived in San Diego for 19
[7:42:58] years.
[7:43:01] I'm a veteran Navy officer
[7:43:02] protecting our Constitution
[7:43:03] from domestic enemies some of
[7:43:07] whom are sitting in this room
[7:43:07] today.
[7:43:08] This council is eroding our
[7:43:11] civil liberties proposing a
[7:43:12] policy that singles out one
[7:43:13] religion as more special than
[7:43:16] others Despite existing hate
[7:43:16] crime laws.
[7:43:17] Our Constitution guarantees
[7:43:20] freedom of and from religion
[7:43:21] and this policy ignores other
[7:43:25] religious groups subject to
[7:43:26] hate crimes and discrimination
[7:43:27] including Muslim Sikhs,
[7:43:30] Christians, atheists and others
[7:43:31] who in San Diego Watch this.
[7:43:35] We're tired of corporate
[7:43:36] Democrats wasting resources,
[7:43:36] passing policies pandering to
[7:43:40] special interest groups.
[7:43:40] Councilmember Whitburn I'm
[7:43:41] disappointed but not surprised
[7:43:45] that this is your priority
[7:43:46] while you ignore your community
[7:43:50] Council member Von Wilpert I'm
[7:43:50] sure you support this member.
[7:43:51] Since per track a pac you take
[7:43:54] money from the Israel lobby.
[7:43:55] Others adopting this policy is
[7:43:56] not a good reason to adopt it
[7:43:59] here.
[7:44:02] >> Nick Reem z Reem if you can
[7:44:07] please unmute and my name is
[7:44:08] Reem and I urge you to reject
[7:44:12] the adoption of the ira
[7:44:13] definition of antisemitism.
[7:44:13] We are asked to adopt a
[7:44:17] definition that conflates
[7:44:17] criticism of a foreign
[7:44:18] government the state of Israel
[7:44:19] with hatred of a people which
[7:44:22] is a dangerous precedent to
[7:44:22] set.
[7:44:23] Antisemitism like Islamophobia,
[7:44:27] anti-black racism and other
[7:44:28] forms of hatred is a real issue
[7:44:28] that must be fought.
[7:44:29] But this definition is a
[7:44:32] political weapon in disguise.
[7:44:33] It's a blatant attempt to use
[7:44:33] the authority of the city to
[7:44:36] silence people who are
[7:44:37] exercising their First
[7:44:38] Amendment rights And it's being
[7:44:38] done under a federal
[7:44:41] administration that is actively
[7:44:42] working to dismantle free
[7:44:42] speech across the nation.
[7:44:46] This is being done now because
[7:44:47] there's a genocide being
[7:44:47] broadcast in real time from
[7:44:51] Gaza because for decades we've
[7:44:51] watched wars, occupation and
[7:44:52] systematic human rights
[7:44:52] violations unfold against
[7:44:56] the Palestinian people.
[7:44:56] Those behind this definition
[7:44:57] don't want to stop antisemitism
[7:44:58] as much as they want to stop
[7:45:00] you from talking about
[7:45:01] the negative side in Gaza and
[7:45:02] criticizing the Israeli
[7:45:06] apartheid regime's policies and
[7:45:06] silencing anyone who says free
[7:45:07] Palestine.
[7:45:07] Please do not be complicit in
[7:45:08] this.
[7:45:10] Don't let San Diego become a
[7:45:11] city That weapon your time has
[7:45:12] concluded.
[7:45:14] Logan If you can please unmute
[7:45:15] .
[7:45:19] Logan Yeah, hi.
[7:45:20] I'm urging the council to
[7:45:24] reject the ira working
[7:45:25] definition of antisemitism.
[7:45:29] Antisemitism is serious and it
[7:45:30] needs to be opposed wherever it
[7:45:30] occurs.
[7:45:31] However the hybrid the ihra
[7:45:34] definition raises concerns
[7:45:35] amongst legal scholars civil
[7:45:39] liberties organizations, human
[7:45:40] rights advocates and because
[7:45:40] some of the examples use
[7:45:44] conflating legitimate criticism
[7:45:45] of the policies of the state of
[7:45:46] Israel with antisemitism.
[7:45:50] Any city actions to address
[7:45:50] religious hatred should be
[7:45:51] applied consistently for all
[7:45:54] faiths.
[7:45:55] San Diego should also ensure
[7:45:56] equal efforts to combat
[7:46:00] anti-Christian sentiments,
[7:46:00] Islamophobia or any other
[7:46:01] discrimination against any
[7:46:02] other religious group so that
[7:46:04] policies protecting one site
[7:46:05] don't go into unintentionally
[7:46:09] create inequality or confusion
[7:46:09] about protected speech.
[7:46:10] We already have federal and
[7:46:14] state laws in place to protect
[7:46:18] people against antisemitism.
[7:46:19] There's you know if the council
[7:46:20] wants to adopt your time has
[7:46:20] concluded.
[7:46:24] My apologies Natalie, if you
[7:46:25] can please unmute.
[7:46:28] After that is Valentina Natalie
[7:46:29] .
[7:46:30] Natalie I probably should have
[7:46:35] come up I can't unmute for you
[7:46:36] .
[7:46:37] I will need to move on.
[7:46:42] Oh hello.
[7:46:42] There you go.
[7:46:43] Please proceed.
[7:46:46] I would like to point out how
[7:46:47] Zionism or Zionist or Zio is
[7:46:48] being used as a code and slur
[7:46:50] for Jew.
[7:46:51] Many of us in the Jewish
[7:46:51] community are Zionists.
[7:46:52] We believe in
[7:46:56] the self-determination of Jews
[7:46:57] and their ancestral homeland
[7:46:58] which is the definition of
[7:46:58] Zionism.
[7:47:01] The truth is the Middle East
[7:47:01] would be safer if more people
[7:47:02] embraced Zionism.
[7:47:03] The uae and Saudi We're going
[7:47:05] to do the stage before OCTOBER
[7:47:05] seven.
[7:47:06] Let's criticize Netanyahu's
[7:47:07] government and the far right.
[7:47:09] Let's criticize Hamas and
[7:47:10] the irgc.
[7:47:10] That's my myopic focus on
[7:47:11] Israel as an evil scapegoat of
[7:47:14] the world is reaching
[7:47:15] pathological levels compared to
[7:47:16] the compare to the silence on
[7:47:20] Sudan and the irgc.
[7:47:21] The war in Gaza was the direct
[7:47:22] result of the OCTOBER 7th
[7:47:22] attack.
[7:47:24] And many of these commentators
[7:47:25] calling Israelis baby killers
[7:47:26] should take a hard look at
[7:47:26] Hamas that literally fired from
[7:47:30] residential buildings and hid
[7:47:31] in tunnels under schools and
[7:47:31] won an information war by
[7:47:35] nonstop screaming their quote
[7:47:36] unquote martyrs online.
[7:47:37] We need this pass because
[7:47:40] antisemitism is showing up in
[7:47:41] anti-Zionist rhetoric.
[7:47:45] Thank you.
[7:47:46] My apologies.
[7:47:47] Valentina, if you can please on
[7:47:47] mute After that will be Matthew
[7:47:51] Valentino.
[7:47:51] You hear me?
[7:47:52] Yes.
[7:47:52] Please proceed.
[7:47:52] Thank you.
[7:47:53] Hello.
[7:47:55] My name is Valentina.
[7:47:56] I'm a constituent of MR.
[7:48:00] Whitman's.
[7:48:01] I'm calling here today to urge
[7:48:05] you to oppose this.
[7:48:06] I'm deeply moved by everything
[7:48:10] everything's been talking about
[7:48:10] so far.
[7:48:11] And I'm a Jewish resident.
[7:48:15] But this does not make me feel
[7:48:16] safer in my town of San Diego.
[7:48:20] I am deeply critical of
[7:48:21] the state of Israel and that
[7:48:22] that is what I fear.
[7:48:25] That I cannot speak openly
[7:48:26] about my feelings towards this
[7:48:30] foreign state and another
[7:48:31] speaker said that this
[7:48:35] definition could can be used
[7:48:36] but it has been used The Trump
[7:48:40] administration has used this
[7:48:41] very definition to silence
[7:48:41] speech on campuses.
[7:48:45] So I urge you to oppose it.
[7:48:46] Thank you for your time.
[7:48:47] Next is Matthew.
[7:48:51] If you can please unmute
[7:48:57] Matthew.
[7:48:58] Yes.
[7:48:58] Yes I'll be there.
[7:48:59] Yes, Please proceed.
[7:48:59] Thank you.
[7:49:02] I am a Jew and resident of
[7:49:03] District two.
[7:49:03] The people on this call do
[7:49:04] understand that antisemitism
[7:49:08] which denies Jews the right to
[7:49:09] the same self-determination
[7:49:09] aspired to by other groups
[7:49:13] actually is antisemitic in its
[7:49:14] essence the antisemitic double
[7:49:14] standard that falsely applies
[7:49:15] the terms of genocide in
[7:49:18] Naziism to Israel while
[7:49:19] unsurprisingly ignoring worse
[7:49:19] atrocities by other nations in
[7:49:23] the antisemitic slurs and
[7:49:24] comments of many of the people
[7:49:25] on this call themselves are
[7:49:25] the exact reason why
[7:49:29] the adoption should why this
[7:49:30] should be adopted.
[7:49:30] This is not about the Middle
[7:49:31] East conflict.
[7:49:34] It's about the safety of Jewish
[7:49:35] standing against hate crimes
[7:49:36] affect Jews disproportionately
[7:49:36] in the U.S. Population.
[7:49:40] Yes, even worse than
[7:49:40] Islamophobia despite
[7:49:41] antisemitic attempts to equate
[7:49:41] the two.
[7:49:42] Here's the key point.
[7:49:45] Jews are not safe to worship or
[7:49:46] organize in San Diego because a
[7:49:49] feverish purposely engineered
[7:49:50] anti-Zionist focus and
[7:49:50] rhetoric.
[7:49:51] Please adopt this definition
[7:49:55] figure.
[7:49:56] >> Next is Claire Snyder.
[7:49:57] If you can please send me a
[7:50:01] clear.
[7:50:02] >> Good evening Councilmembers.
[7:50:06] My name is Claire Snyder and
[7:50:07] I'm a resident of District
[7:50:07] three.
[7:50:11] I urge you to vote no on this
[7:50:12] item.
[7:50:12] Antisemitism is real but this
[7:50:17] definition conflates it with
[7:50:21] Zionism and it would be
[7:50:22] reducing our free speech to
[7:50:23] make comments against the state
[7:50:27] of Israel and Zionism which is
[7:50:28] currently actively genocide
[7:50:34] adding millions of people
[7:50:34] across Palestine and across
[7:50:35] the Levant.
[7:50:39] I do not believe that
[7:50:39] the people living in Palestine
[7:50:44] or Iran in Syria and
[7:50:45] Afghanistan would feel safer if
[7:50:50] they accepted Zionism.
[7:50:51] That's best for the call here.
[7:50:55] So I urge you to vote now so
[7:50:56] that we can continue to engage
[7:51:02] in our peaceful advocacy and
[7:51:03] free speech across this issue.
[7:51:03] Thank you.
[7:51:10] If you can please email Garrett
[7:51:10] .
[7:51:11] >> Yeah, I can't.
[7:51:11] I mean there you go.
[7:51:14] Hello.
[7:51:15] Hello.
[7:51:15] Please proceed.
[7:51:16] Yes, we can hear you.
[7:51:20] Yeah.
[7:51:21] Um, during the first Trump
[7:51:21] administration, Secretary of
[7:51:22] State Mike Pompeo offered
[7:51:25] the idea of using hra
[7:51:26] definition to declare Amnesty
[7:51:27] International and Human Rights
[7:51:27] Watch anti-Semitic which would
[7:51:31] threaten their funding.
[7:51:32] So even if this resolution says
[7:51:33] it doesn't want to affect free
[7:51:36] speech, it will have effects.
[7:51:37] Surely any definition of
[7:51:37] antisemitism that declares
[7:51:43] Amnesty International and human
[7:51:43] Rights Watch anti Semitic is
[7:51:44] barred.
[7:51:44] While some MAY say that they
[7:51:45] are purposefully
[7:51:49] misinterpreting the definition
[7:51:49] that does not matter Any
[7:51:50] definition that can so easily
[7:51:55] easily an opportunist It could
[7:51:55] be interpreted as calling
[7:51:56] Amnesty International and Human
[7:51:57] Rights Watch anti Semitic is
[7:52:00] what we have already seen its
[7:52:01] misuse already so we can't
[7:52:02] claim ignorance.
[7:52:06] I implore you not to accept a
[7:52:06] definition like this.
[7:52:07] >> Thank you.
[7:52:07] Thank you.
[7:52:13] Netanyahu Yeah.
[7:52:13] If you can please unmute
[7:52:18] Netanya, Netanya Hi, this is
[7:52:18] Netanya.
[7:52:22] I am in District six with
[7:52:23] Cantley.
[7:52:23] I am asking for you to please
[7:52:28] approve this resolution and
[7:52:28] pass it.
[7:52:29] I am a Jew and I am an American
[7:52:34] and I am Marine veteran and
[7:52:34] this is super important to me
[7:52:40] to have a definition that we
[7:52:40] can work with here in San
[7:52:41] Diego.
[7:52:45] We are not all like I'm no
[7:52:46] foreign policy expert.
[7:52:46] I love Israel.
[7:52:51] I do not love their current
[7:52:52] government just as I'm not so
[7:52:53] keen on our current government
[7:52:57] here in America.
[7:52:58] But this doesn't mean that we
[7:52:59] don't put down a definition to
[7:53:04] help the Jews not deal with all
[7:53:04] the antisemitism they're
[7:53:05] dealing with.
[7:53:10] Please pass this resolution.
[7:53:10] Thank you.
[7:53:12] Next is the If you can please
[7:53:18] unmute.
[7:53:19] Oh can you hear me?
[7:53:24] Yes please proceed.
[7:53:25] I am summer.
[7:53:25] I am a graduate student in
[7:53:26] public administration and I
[7:53:27] hope to study law and I know
[7:53:32] that I don't need a law degree
[7:53:32] to know that this is infringing
[7:53:33] on my First Amendment right.
[7:53:36] Well but I define the anti
[7:53:36] semitism as hostility towards
[7:53:37] Jew its Jews It supplements
[7:53:40] that definition with 11
[7:53:41] illustrative examples seven of
[7:53:42] which focus on Israel and
[7:53:42] Zionism rather than on
[7:53:46] discriminatory conduct directed
[7:53:47] at Jewish people under its
[7:53:48] framework even speech
[7:53:48] condemning mass civilian
[7:53:53] killing or using the term
[7:53:53] genocide in reference to all
[7:53:54] that can be construed as
[7:53:54] anti-Semitic.
[7:53:58] International law enshrines
[7:53:58] the right of return for
[7:53:59] Palestinian refugees United
[7:54:00] Nations General Assembly
[7:54:03] Resolution 194 states that
[7:54:04] refugees can essentially return
[7:54:04] to their homes and live at
[7:54:05] peace with their neighbors and
[7:54:09] should be permitted to do so
[7:54:10] really predictable deeds.
[7:54:10] And despite this legal
[7:54:11] foundation, some prominent
[7:54:15] organizations have misconstrued
[7:54:16] schools like the Jewish United
[7:54:17] Fund for the Right of Return
[7:54:22] along with depictions of Israel
[7:54:22] as a colonial state as
[7:54:23] undeniable proof of
[7:54:23] antisemitism.
[7:54:28] We must Your time is included
[7:54:39] if you can please And you more
[7:54:40] .
[7:54:40] >> Yes.
[7:54:41] Thank you.
[7:54:41] My name is Mark and I'm San
[7:54:42] Diego.
[7:54:46] i'm here to urge the council to
[7:54:47] vote no When Agenda item 500
[7:54:52] Yesterday we comedy to the 23
[7:54:52] year since the killing of
[7:54:53] Rachel Corrie a Jewish American
[7:54:58] citizen and activist She was
[7:54:59] killed by the Israeli military.
[7:55:03] All three Americans were killed
[7:55:04] during the past few years by
[7:55:08] the Israeli army especially
[7:55:08] over the past two years.
[7:55:09] So how will this 500 limit
[7:55:09] the criticism of the cameras
[7:55:14] here if we see such crime and
[7:55:14] other ongoing crimes were
[7:55:18] committed by Israel, this 500
[7:55:19] would say you are targeting
[7:55:20] the only Jewish state and
[7:55:25] that's anti Semitic.
[7:55:25] Yes, we need to address anti
[7:55:26] Semitism.
[7:55:26] But another point to address
[7:55:30] it, it is completely
[7:55:31] insensitive and racist.
[7:55:31] The city council is telling
[7:55:35] those who lost 70,000 of their
[7:55:36] own people including 20,000
[7:55:36] children what they should or
[7:55:42] should not say Please vote no
[7:55:42] your time.
[7:55:42] Thank you.
[7:55:47] Sara Everingham Please unmute I
[7:55:47] Can you hear me?
[7:55:48] Yes please proceed.
[7:55:52] I Good good.
[7:55:53] Good evening.
[7:55:53] Couple members I just want to
[7:55:54] say I urge you to vote no on
[7:55:55] this resolution and reject
[7:55:59] the ihra definition of
[7:55:59] antisemitism.
[7:56:00] I find it confusing that all of
[7:56:00] a sudden we want to talk about
[7:56:04] Israel and foreign governments
[7:56:05] Yet when we ask our city
[7:56:05] council members to pass a
[7:56:06] ceasefire resolution
[7:56:07] acknowledging the genocide and
[7:56:10] murder of Palestinians, our
[7:56:10] city council members were
[7:56:11] concerned that this was a
[7:56:12] foreign issue.
[7:56:16] We talk about Israel and this
[7:56:17] is a core issue because this
[7:56:17] very definition said that
[7:56:18] incomplete This definition
[7:56:22] conflates Judaism with
[7:56:23] scientism.
[7:56:23] So I urge you to listen to
[7:56:24] those who have been calling in
[7:56:27] those who have showed up to
[7:56:28] the city council member
[7:56:28] chambers to tell you that this
[7:56:29] definition is harmful.
[7:56:34] We will be replicating
[7:56:34] the harmful impact that the of
[7:56:35] the fascist federal government
[7:56:36] is doing in our own city.
[7:56:40] We do not want that and we want
[7:56:41] to believe in our Democratic
[7:56:41] leadership that they can
[7:56:42] protect our freedom of speech.
[7:56:46] This will be your legacy so
[7:56:47] please vote no on this.
[7:56:47] >> Thank you MRS. Yaron if you
[7:56:52] can please unmute.
[7:56:53] Hello, my name is Karen and I
[7:56:59] am a resident of the city and
[7:57:00] my partner and I oppose
[7:57:04] the adoption of the definition
[7:57:04] of Semitism because it only
[7:57:05] serves to undermine and
[7:57:11] legitimize pro-Palestine
[7:57:12] movements.
[7:57:12] The Israeli definition
[7:57:13] wrongfully conflicts Zionism
[7:57:16] with Judaism by equating
[7:57:16] criticism of Israel's genocide
[7:57:17] of Palestinians with
[7:57:22] anti-Jewish sentiment.
[7:57:23] Are we not allowed to stand
[7:57:24] against the genocidal and
[7:57:24] apartheid state of Israel?
[7:57:28] Because that is what
[7:57:28] the definition seeks to do.
[7:57:29] I cannot morally stay silent at
[7:57:34] the total massacre and violence
[7:57:34] against Palestinians and I
[7:57:35] urgently ask you all that item
[7:57:36] as 500 is opposed.
[7:57:40] Thank you Rebecca If you can
[7:57:46] please unmute Rebecca.
[7:57:46] >> Thank you.
[7:57:50] My name is Rebecca Marks and I
[7:57:50] live in District one.
[7:57:51] I am a Jewish resident and I'm
[7:57:52] urging you to please vote in
[7:57:56] favor of adopting the dietary
[7:57:56] definition of antisemitism.
[7:58:02] I have friends who are afraid
[7:58:03] to attend services or go to
[7:58:04] Jewish events here in San Diego
[7:58:08] in fear of antisemitic violent
[7:58:09] attacks.
[7:58:09] Being harassed I personally
[7:58:15] have been called an f ing Jew.
[7:58:15] People have called me a
[7:58:16] genocidal offer.
[7:58:17] I definitely know people who
[7:58:20] have been spit on and harassed
[7:58:21] at our universities, threatened
[7:58:22] kids who are afraid to wear
[7:58:26] their kippah.
[7:58:27] And I you know, adopting
[7:58:32] the definition would definitely
[7:58:33] help address these issues that
[7:58:34] we're having And I really hope
[7:58:34] that you do the right thing and
[7:58:35] you vote in favor.
[7:58:38] Thank you.
[7:58:39] Thank you.
[7:58:44] And if you can please unmute
[7:58:45] and I count on you for you.
[7:58:50] There you go.
[7:58:51] Hi, my name is Andy and I
[7:58:56] resigned 1010 year ago.
[7:58:57] I just want to say I am a
[7:59:02] Somali and I have family and
[7:59:03] people who live in Bethlehem.
[7:59:08] Have been suffering from
[7:59:09] dizziness.
[7:59:14] So asthma is not Jewish and
[7:59:14] asthma is not a Zionist.
[7:59:20] So I would oppose this and I
[7:59:21] would say do not vote for it.
[7:59:26] Thank you.
[7:59:27] >> Next is Lawrence if you can
[7:59:31] please on you.
[7:59:32] Yes.
[7:59:32] Please proceed.
[7:59:39] Thank you.
[7:59:40] >> I noticed that long I lived
[7:59:40] in Hillcrest for 15 years.
[7:59:45] I am a Jew and being Zionist is
[7:59:45] part of my identity.
[7:59:46] I have an example at the San
[7:59:47] Diego airport in Terminal one
[7:59:47] last year.
[7:59:51] This morning Star David
[7:59:52] necklace and a shirt with only
[7:59:53] Hebrew letters on it Nothing
[7:59:53] political.
[7:59:57] And I'm about to board my
[7:59:58] flight and someone approached
[7:59:58] me said Free Palestine and I
[7:59:59] had to take a second look.
[8:00:00] And I said to him I'm sorry.
[8:00:03] Why are you targeting me and
[8:00:04] getting harassing me like this?
[8:00:05] I don't even know you.
[8:00:05] And then my husband stepped in
[8:00:06] the way to separate us before a
[8:00:07] fight broke out.
[8:00:09] And then he said You dirty Jew.
[8:00:10] And I was like, wow.
[8:00:10] The whole crowd was appalled.
[8:00:11] I had to get off my flight
[8:00:14] instead of calling the police
[8:00:15] to not MISS My flight.
[8:00:16] But I could have had him on a
[8:00:16] no fly list.
[8:00:17] But in reality without this icj
[8:00:20] being voted on it gives
[8:00:20] the green light for
[8:00:21] anti-Semites like that to hide
[8:00:22] behind and still target
[8:00:22] assault.
[8:00:26] So please I scarred for life
[8:00:27] because I experience and I need
[8:00:28] this to be passed to improve me
[8:00:28] and every Jew in San Diego's
[8:00:31] life to be protected from
[8:00:32] discrimination like that is
[8:00:33] uncalled for and it's needed.
[8:00:39] Thank you.
[8:00:39] Next is Orrin again.
[8:00:40] If you raise your hand after
[8:00:41] the beginning of time or you
[8:00:41] won't be taken but you can
[8:00:46] definitely submit your speaker
[8:00:46] tips to city clerk at San Diego
[8:00:47] Taco or Anne Robinson If you
[8:00:50] can please unmute My apologies
[8:00:51] please.
[8:00:51] >> Again, please proceed.
[8:00:52] Hi, my name is Warren Robinson
[8:00:56] and another Jewish constituent
[8:00:57] I live in district for and I
[8:00:57] live in District nine.
[8:01:03] Please vote no or send back to
[8:01:03] the commission Who is chair
[8:01:04] Tyler Duncan has requested this
[8:01:08] and a few questions for
[8:01:08] the council members.
[8:01:13] Do you support the expulsion of
[8:01:13] 750,000 indigenous Palestinians
[8:01:14] from their land and homes?
[8:01:19] Yes you are a Zionist then Do
[8:01:19] you support exclusive rights
[8:01:25] for Jews above others Even on
[8:01:25] their own lands then yes you
[8:01:26] are a Zionist so you will vote
[8:01:30] yes.
[8:01:31] Do you instead support
[8:01:31] liberation and justice for
[8:01:32] Palestinian people including
[8:01:33] the right to return to their
[8:01:37] homes and land?
[8:01:38] Then you are an anti Zionist so
[8:01:38] you should vote now Do you
[8:01:43] believe in a future where all
[8:01:44] people in the land live in
[8:01:44] freedom, safety and equality
[8:01:49] Then your anti-Zionist vote no
[8:01:49] .
[8:01:50] True safety is built through
[8:01:50] slowing down listening and
[8:01:51] fighting against injustice Not
[8:01:55] excusing it we keep us safe not
[8:01:56] definitions.
[8:01:56] >> Thank you for if you can
[8:02:03] please unmute for you free If
[8:02:10] you can please unmute.
[8:02:11] Moving on Julia if you can
[8:02:15] please on your.
[8:02:21] Hi my name is Julia and I live
[8:02:22] in District five.
[8:02:22] I am a Jewish American and
[8:02:27] the granddaughter of a
[8:02:27] Holocaust survivor.
[8:02:28] My grandmother narrowly escaped
[8:02:33] the Nazis in Europe when she
[8:02:34] was 18 years old and went into
[8:02:34] hiding.
[8:02:39] And I know firsthand what it
[8:02:39] means to from hurt.
[8:02:45] She knew firsthand but I know
[8:02:46] from her experience what it
[8:02:46] means to have dangerous
[8:02:50] anti-Semitic rhetoric go
[8:02:51] unchecked and go unchecked for
[8:02:52] so long and gain so much power
[8:02:57] that it leads to the murder of
[8:02:58] 6 million Jews in
[8:02:58] the Holocaust.
[8:03:03] And I'm telling you right now
[8:03:03] as a Jew in America that that
[8:03:04] exact process is happening in
[8:03:09] America and the rhetoric
[8:03:10] against Jews is extremely
[8:03:10] dangerous.
[8:03:11] My step father was beat up on
[8:03:15] the street by a couple of guys
[8:03:16] who pushed him down and killed
[8:03:16] him.
[8:03:17] And I think Jew because he was
[8:03:22] carrying grocery bags with
[8:03:23] Hebrew writing on them.
[8:03:27] In 2002 your time has concluded
[8:03:28] .
[8:03:28] We have our last three
[8:03:29] speakers.
[8:03:29] Daniel if you can please unmute
[8:03:33] and zoom user and then Eva
[8:03:33] Daniel please unmute.
[8:03:34] I thank you for taking my call.
[8:03:40] I would like to ask you to vote
[8:03:40] against that 500.
[8:03:41] We know that major human rights
[8:03:44] and civil rights organizations
[8:03:45] have come out against adopting
[8:03:45] this definition including
[8:03:50] Amnesty International, Human
[8:03:51] Rights Watch, the aclu which
[8:03:51] you heard earlier,
[8:03:52] the International Federation
[8:03:53] for Human Rights.
[8:03:57] I think it does open up some
[8:03:57] new kinds of litigation.
[8:03:58] In addition, it's been used as
[8:04:03] a tool for Trump's defunding of
[8:04:03] our institutions of higher
[8:04:04] learning to the tune of several
[8:04:05] billion dollars.
[8:04:08] It's included in his executive
[8:04:09] orders.
[8:04:10] So we know that it is used to
[8:04:15] silence and defund institutions
[8:04:15] that are important to us in
[8:04:16] general.
[8:04:20] >> And we know that adopting
[8:04:26] this resolution leads to
[8:04:27] decreased interest in funding
[8:04:33] and which certainly conflict
[8:04:33] and does nothing to combat
[8:04:34] anti-Semitism.
[8:04:39] So please vote no.
[8:04:40] >> Thank you for your time has
[8:04:40] concluded.
[8:04:44] Eva if you can please unmute I
[8:04:45] thank you for listening.
[8:04:46] Council members please approve
[8:04:51] and vote yes for s500.
[8:04:52] This is a resolution to pass
[8:04:59] the definition of antisemitism
[8:04:59] but free speech and then
[8:05:00] there's antisemitism in.
[8:05:01] We don't need examples from
[8:05:03] human rights Foundation of
[8:05:04] United Nations statutes.
[8:05:04] Why does the Palestinian Muslim
[8:05:10] problem here in America?
[8:05:11] This resolution is for Jewish
[8:05:11] members We are Jews in
[8:05:15] the United States and we this
[8:05:16] is freedom of religion and we
[8:05:16] as you need you to protect us
[8:05:23] And this is to be protected
[8:05:23] from discrimination and from
[8:05:24] hatred And it's beef with
[8:05:24] hatred.
[8:05:25] Please vote yes on this.
[8:05:27] Thank you so much.
[8:05:27] >> Thank you.
[8:05:31] And our final speaker for
[8:05:31] 4934493.
[8:05:38] Star six Academy for you star
[8:05:41] six One more time I sent you
[8:05:41] the prompt.
[8:05:47] >> Why weren't you when you did
[8:05:49] star six time you I can you Yes
[8:05:53] please proceed Yes yes.
[8:05:54] Sorry about that.
[8:05:54] Hi there.
[8:05:55] My name is Joshua.
[8:05:58] I'm a resident of San Diego,
[8:05:59] California And I think that a
[8:06:00] lot of people were mentioning
[8:06:05] that the definition of
[8:06:06] antisemitism is wrong or really
[8:06:07] missing the point.
[8:06:07] It specifically says within
[8:06:10] the definition that criticized
[8:06:11] the criticism of Israel is as
[8:06:12] long as it's similar to any
[8:06:17] other country is not generally
[8:06:17] anti-Semitic.
[8:06:18] And if you actually look at
[8:06:18] the statistics of what most
[8:06:23] Jews are as I am a Jew and I'm
[8:06:24] saying that majority of Jews in
[8:06:27] this country according to polls
[8:06:28] at least 80% of Jews in this
[8:06:29] country are Zionist standard of
[8:06:32] living means that the Jewish
[8:06:33] people have the right to
[8:06:33] self-determination and to
[8:06:34] self-determination I mean and
[8:06:38] to Israel That doesn't mean
[8:06:39] that they all respect the Likud
[8:06:40] Party or that they believe in
[8:06:44] Netanyahu that just means that
[8:06:45] you live in Israel.
[8:06:45] That does not mean that
[8:06:46] antisemitism is against
[8:06:46] Palestinian.
[8:06:54] Thank you.
[8:06:55] That does conclude public
[8:06:55] comment an item of 500 Thank
[8:06:56] you.
[8:06:59] Council PRESIDENT All right.
[8:07:00] Thank you to the clerk for
[8:07:01] hours 20 minutes before we
[8:07:04] continue on let's give a big
[8:07:05] round of applause for our city
[8:07:22] for and all the city clerk
[8:07:28] staff of course.
[8:07:29] A little bumpy there but I
[8:07:30] think we made it through.
[8:07:30] I appreciate everybody's
[8:07:34] patience and will enough to
[8:07:34] participate in our informal
[8:07:35] rules in chambers.
[8:07:40] So with that we will now turn
[8:07:41] it over to my council
[8:07:41] colleagues for any questions,
[8:07:45] comments and entertain.
[8:07:46] Excuse me undertake a motion
[8:07:47] and we will start with Council
[8:07:52] member Whipper Thank you
[8:07:53] Council PRESIDENT Thank you to
[8:07:53] all of you here in chambers And
[8:07:58] who called in who shared your
[8:07:59] thoughts on this today And I
[8:07:59] got to thank my council
[8:08:04] colleagues as well and to
[8:08:04] the entire city team.
[8:08:05] This has been a lengthy
[8:08:09] discussion as we heard today
[8:08:10] for far too many Jewish
[8:08:11] families including thousands
[8:08:15] who live right here in San
[8:08:15] Diego.
[8:08:15] Anti-Semitism is not an
[8:08:16] abstract concept.
[8:08:20] It is something they live with
[8:08:21] every single day and that is
[8:08:22] why I am bringing this forward.
[8:08:27] There have been anti-Semitic
[8:08:28] incidents in my cultural
[8:08:28] district and there has been a
[8:08:29] rise in anti-Semitic hate
[8:08:33] crimes citywide crimes that I
[8:08:33] think everybody here would
[8:08:34] agree are rooted in
[8:08:41] anti-Semitism.
[8:08:41] Again, I want to thank the City
[8:08:42] Services and Task Force for
[8:08:43] meeting with me about the rise
[8:08:46] in anti-Semitic, the importance
[8:08:46] of this action to so many
[8:08:47] people in the Jewish community
[8:08:51] And I want to thank our city of
[8:08:51] San Diego Human Relations
[8:08:52] Commission which is a diverse
[8:08:53] body of community leaders
[8:08:53] dedicated to confronting
[8:08:58] discrimination at our city For
[8:08:58] considering this and forwarding
[8:08:59] a request to the city council
[8:09:03] that we adopt this resolution
[8:09:04] as have many other cities like
[8:09:05] Los Angeles and Chicago and
[8:09:10] what we can take Right Darcy,
[8:09:11] for your work on this I'm sorry
[8:09:12] that a couple of people
[8:09:12] attacked you.
[8:09:16] Those should have been directed
[8:09:17] at me And I want to thank all
[8:09:17] the members of the public who
[8:09:21] made the comments on this
[8:09:22] resolution this afternoon.
[8:09:23] I appreciate all the people who
[8:09:27] shared with us today how
[8:09:28] important this resolution is to
[8:09:29] them, how meaningful it is to
[8:09:30] them that the city council
[8:09:33] stand with the Jewish community
[8:09:33] against anti-Semitism.
[8:09:34] I also appreciate those who
[8:09:40] want to protect free speech and
[8:09:40] specifically those who want to
[8:09:41] protect the right to criticize
[8:09:42] the actions of Israel's
[8:09:45] government or any government.
[8:09:46] We should protect that right.
[8:09:51] My view is that the resolution
[8:09:51] does protect that right.
[8:09:52] I will reiterate that
[8:09:52] the resolution specifically
[8:09:57] says quote Nothing in this
[8:09:58] resolution is intended to nor
[8:10:03] shall it be construed to limit
[8:10:04] or infringe upon rights
[8:10:04] protected by the United States
[8:10:08] Constitution or the California
[8:10:09] Constitution, including
[8:10:10] the right to free speech and
[8:10:14] expression.
[8:10:15] My view is that this definition
[8:10:16] of antisemitism also does
[8:10:20] protect that right.
[8:10:21] I think the language it says
[8:10:22] quote criticism of Israel
[8:10:27] similar to that leveled against
[8:10:28] any other country should not be
[8:10:29] regarded as anti-Semitic.
[8:10:33] It's pretty straightforward.
[8:10:34] I heard concern about a few of
[8:10:38] the examples in the definition
[8:10:39] too that I would point out that
[8:10:39] the language introducing those
[8:10:44] examples does not say that
[8:10:45] those examples should always be
[8:10:51] construed as antisemitism.
[8:10:51] It does not say that those
[8:10:52] examples are always
[8:10:52] antisemitism.
[8:10:57] It says that the examples could
[8:10:58] taking into account the overall
[8:11:03] context be viewed as
[8:11:03] antisemitism And I think it is
[8:11:08] true that there are times where
[8:11:09] those examples could take into
[8:11:09] account the overall context be
[8:11:15] viewed as antisemitism.
[8:11:16] As I read it this definition
[8:11:21] makes a point of allowing for
[8:11:22] criticism and allowing for
[8:11:22] context.
[8:11:27] I do not see that it restricts
[8:11:27] free speech.
[8:11:28] We've just had hours of free
[8:11:32] speech here in these chambers
[8:11:33] and nothing about this
[8:11:34] resolution would prevent anyone
[8:11:34] from coming to our next City
[8:11:39] council meeting and saying
[8:11:39] whatever they want.
[8:11:40] No resolution this City council
[8:11:45] passes will ever restrict
[8:11:45] anyone's free speech.
[8:11:46] But I will tell you what does
[8:11:51] restrict free speech
[8:11:52] anti-Semitic hatred when people
[8:11:57] are literally afraid to speak
[8:11:58] in Hebrew that is an actual
[8:12:03] inhibition of their speech
[8:12:04] where people are afraid to wear
[8:12:04] their star of David.
[8:12:09] That is an actual inhibition of
[8:12:09] their religious freedom.
[8:12:15] Make no mistake it is precisely
[8:12:15] because members of the Jewish
[8:12:16] community in San Diego are
[8:12:17] experiencing hate in a way that
[8:12:21] restrains their speech, their
[8:12:21] freedoms that I believe we must
[8:12:22] send a message that this city
[8:12:27] council stands with the Jewish
[8:12:27] community against
[8:12:28] anti-Semitism.
[8:12:29] I think that is an important
[8:12:29] message to send and that is
[8:12:33] what this resolution does And I
[8:12:33] will make a motion that
[8:12:34] the city council adopt a
[8:12:35] resolution recognizing the rise
[8:12:39] of anti-Semitism.
[8:12:40] Affirming the city's commitment
[8:12:41] to combating hate and
[8:12:41] discrimination and adopting
[8:12:46] the international Holocaust
[8:12:47] Remembrance Alliance's working
[8:12:47] definition of antisemitism.
[8:12:48] Thank you.
[8:12:52] Council PRESIDENT All right.
[8:12:53] Thank you.
[8:12:53] Council member Whitburn you
[8:12:54] didn't use your last three
[8:12:54] minutes.
[8:12:55] If you want to be generous with
[8:12:57] your colleagues, feel free.
[8:12:58] >> So we have a motion by
[8:12:59] Council member Whitburn to move
[8:13:00] the recommendation.
[8:13:04] We'll go next to council member
[8:13:04] area.
[8:13:05] Thank you.
[8:13:10] Council PRESIDENT I think you
[8:13:11] have also participated today.
[8:13:11] I'll be honest I'm really
[8:13:15] struggled today As everyone
[8:13:16] knows I come from a
[8:13:16] multi-ethnic and
[8:13:17] multi-religious family and I am
[8:13:21] a Jew a proud you and I know
[8:13:22] anti-Semitism.
[8:13:23] I know it as a descendant of
[8:13:27] Sephardic Jews who spent over
[8:13:28] 400 years hiding and running in
[8:13:29] search of safety to be who they
[8:13:33] were and worship their GOD.
[8:13:34] I know that the descendant of
[8:13:34] Ashkenazi Jews who fought
[8:13:38] the programs in Ukraine and I
[8:13:39] don't just know for my lineage
[8:13:40] I know it in life from growing
[8:13:44] up in a community where actual
[8:13:45] neo-Nazi skinheads felt more
[8:13:45] comfortable being proud bigots
[8:13:50] that I felt safe and felt safe
[8:13:51] walking into my temple or my
[8:13:52] Jewish identity be known by
[8:13:56] those who hate us for being us
[8:13:56] .
[8:13:57] I know it from
[8:13:58] the anti-Semitism I hear and
[8:13:58] feel in these chambers and in
[8:14:02] my day to day life.
[8:14:03] And I want to say thank you to
[8:14:04] the folks who share their
[8:14:08] stories especially the young
[8:14:09] folks that courageously shared
[8:14:10] your story that resonated very
[8:14:14] much with me because I know
[8:14:15] anti-Semitism.
[8:14:15] I hate it.
[8:14:16] Anti-Semitism like any form of
[8:14:20] hate and discrimination is vile
[8:14:21] and should be fought fiercely
[8:14:22] and relentlessly.
[8:14:22] It's also a growing problem
[8:14:27] across the political spectrum
[8:14:27] and around the world.
[8:14:28] Donald Trump and his maga
[8:14:28] movement has provided a haven
[8:14:32] for racists, bigots,
[8:14:33] homophobes, allies of
[8:14:34] Islamophobes and anti-Semites.
[8:14:38] Nazis have been invited to dine
[8:14:39] with Trump and he has regularly
[8:14:40] perpetuated anti-Semitic
[8:14:40] stereotypes while claiming to
[8:14:44] be our quote unquote protector
[8:14:44] .
[8:14:45] And sadly the rise has not been
[8:14:46] exclusive to far right
[8:14:50] extremists more and more often
[8:14:51] anti-Semitism has been accepted
[8:14:52] or not appropriately rejected
[8:14:56] and progressive spaces After
[8:14:57] years of feeling like the world
[8:14:58] is becoming safer for Jews, we
[8:15:02] are we are slipping backwards
[8:15:03] rather than the world being
[8:15:04] safer for my son than it was
[8:15:04] for me.
[8:15:04] It actually feels more
[8:15:05] dangerous.
[8:15:09] The travesty and it must be
[8:15:09] recognized.
[8:15:10] It must be combated.
[8:15:14] Unfortunately this resolution
[8:15:15] in the examples contained
[8:15:16] within the ihra definition are
[8:15:16] not the way to do that.
[8:15:20] There are two examples in
[8:15:21] particular that are vague
[8:15:21] reason answerable questions and
[8:15:22] that could be used to label
[8:15:26] speech rooted in Jewish
[8:15:27] identity including my own as
[8:15:31] anti-Semitic The first traits
[8:15:32] apply in a double standard to
[8:15:32] Israel as antisemitic I asked
[8:15:33] proponents of this definition
[8:15:36] questions loudest First, how
[8:15:37] does one know when a double
[8:15:38] standard is being applied?
[8:15:38] Second, I'm a Jew.
[8:15:43] I'm told I have a stake in
[8:15:43] Israel.
[8:15:44] Am I antisemitic for holding
[8:15:45] Israel to a higher standard
[8:15:45] than nations I have no
[8:15:48] connection to?
[8:15:49] Am I anti-American for holding
[8:15:49] the United States to a higher
[8:15:50] standard than any other
[8:15:50] country?
[8:15:51] I could not give clear answers
[8:15:54] to the quote to those questions
[8:15:55] from proponents.
[8:15:55] I know what it looks like when
[8:15:56] that question goes I answered
[8:15:59] because I've already landed.
[8:16:00] Last summer I wrote a piece
[8:16:00] expressing my horror at
[8:16:04] the violence in Gaza while also
[8:16:05] condemning Hamas and calling
[8:16:06] for the release of hostages a
[8:16:06] representative of
[8:16:07] the organization that presented
[8:16:11] the human rights violations
[8:16:12] Commission and who spoke here
[8:16:12] today published a piece calling
[8:16:13] me a feature of antisemitism
[8:16:17] for writing it.
[8:16:17] That's not hypothetical.
[8:16:18] That's real.
[8:16:18] That happened to me.
[8:16:19] It's exactly what this
[8:16:22] definition enables not by
[8:16:23] everyone but by the bad actors
[8:16:24] who purposely want to use it
[8:16:24] that way.
[8:16:31] The second example I raised in
[8:16:32] the second second example I
[8:16:33] raised concerns about tweets
[8:16:33] comparisons of contemporary
[8:16:37] Israeli policy to Nazi policy
[8:16:37] as anti-Semitic.
[8:16:38] I cannot support a definition
[8:16:39] that makes any such comparison
[8:16:43] categorically off limits If a
[8:16:43] government called for the total
[8:16:44] extermination I mean I think
[8:16:49] people are forbidden from
[8:16:50] calling it what it is.
[8:16:50] The most important moral
[8:16:51] reference point in modern
[8:16:55] Jewish history cannot be placed
[8:16:55] beyond reach.
[8:16:56] >> It does not protect Jews.
[8:16:57] It is honored.
[8:16:57] It dishonors the concept of
[8:17:00] never again.
[8:17:01] Last week a man drove his truck
[8:17:02] through the doors of Temple
[8:17:02] Israel in West Bloomfield,
[8:17:07] Michigan of more than 140
[8:17:07] children more than five years
[8:17:08] old and younger were inside an
[8:17:12] act of violence against
[8:17:13] the Jewish community
[8:17:13] the anti-Semitic.
[8:17:14] No place is safe at a school
[8:17:18] and house of worship not even a
[8:17:18] room full of babies.
[8:17:19] My Iranian Muslim cousin who
[8:17:23] lives near there responded to
[8:17:24] that attack by joining with
[8:17:25] members of her community to
[8:17:28] write notes of love and support
[8:17:29] the Jewish community of Temple
[8:17:29] Israel.
[8:17:30] They are working to make sure
[8:17:31] those children know they are
[8:17:34] loved.
[8:17:35] She did this because she
[8:17:36] recognizes the humanity in all
[8:17:39] people that same love could
[8:17:40] also move her to speak out
[8:17:40] against actions taken by
[8:17:41] the Israeli government that she
[8:17:45] believes cause harm.
[8:17:46] Under this definition that
[8:17:46] speech could be labeled
[8:17:47] anti-Semitic not because she
[8:17:50] hates Jews but because someone
[8:17:51] could argue her standards are
[8:17:52] uneven and she cannot prove
[8:17:57] otherwise.
[8:17:57] A definition that cannot hold
[8:17:58] both of these things at once is
[8:18:01] not a tool for for fighting
[8:18:02] anti-Semitism is a tool for
[8:18:02] silencing people who care about
[8:18:08] everyone.
[8:18:08] >> They MAY have three
[8:18:09] additional minutes as has been
[8:18:12] said and be dropped or
[8:18:13] testified before Congress four
[8:18:14] times saying this definition
[8:18:14] was never intended for
[8:18:15] government adoption.
[8:18:18] It was a data collection tool,
[8:18:19] not a speech a speech standard.
[8:18:20] And he has said he's watched
[8:18:23] this weaponize for 15 years.
[8:18:23] It's not an extremist critic.
[8:18:24] It's an author.
[8:18:24] He's not alone.
[8:18:28] There have been a call for
[8:18:28] human rights.
[8:18:29] An organization of hundreds of
[8:18:29] rabbis and cantors opposes this
[8:18:33] definition for the same reasons
[8:18:33] .
[8:18:34] And Rabbi Michael Rathbun, who
[8:18:34] leads a congregation right here
[8:18:35] in San Diego, asked me to share
[8:18:38] this with you today.
[8:18:39] Jewish culture is built on open
[8:18:40] dialog and respectful debate
[8:18:43] which is also a foundation of
[8:18:43] democracy.
[8:18:44] This resolution is both bad for
[8:18:44] both Jews and democracy.
[8:18:48] It sends the false message that
[8:18:49] the only way for Jews to be
[8:18:50] safe is to criminalize others
[8:18:50] opinions about Israel and
[8:18:53] Palestine rather than trying to
[8:18:54] chill dialog and discussion.
[8:18:55] We insist Jews are safe when
[8:18:55] democracy is safe and all
[8:18:59] marginalized people are safe.
[8:19:00] It simply cannot be that those
[8:19:00] from within our community who
[8:19:01] offer an alternative
[8:19:05] perspective are automatically
[8:19:06] dismissed as French Catholic
[8:19:10] whitburn As I understand it.
[8:19:11] The Human Relations Commissions
[8:19:11] discussion to recommend
[8:19:12] the adoption of this definition
[8:19:13] did not include external
[8:19:15] scholars, free speech experts
[8:19:16] or Jewish committee members
[8:19:17] outside of organizations that
[8:19:17] are already staked a position
[8:19:20] on this.
[8:19:20] I see no evidence in the record
[8:19:21] that alternative definitions
[8:19:25] were presented to
[8:19:25] the Commission.
[8:19:26] >> Am I wrong about any of
[8:19:27] that?
[8:19:30] I would ask Nikole Maria
[8:19:35] Ramirez who is a past chair to
[8:19:35] share what that discussion
[8:19:36] looked like if you would like
[8:19:43] him to come up who by all means
[8:19:43] okay.
[8:19:44] >> I would invite the Colby
[8:19:48] Ramirez to call Maria Ramirez
[8:19:53] as a past chair of the San
[8:19:53] Diego Human Relations
[8:19:58] Commission and made the motion
[8:20:04] to advance definition And
[8:20:04] the question had to do with
[8:20:08] the discussion and
[8:20:09] participation around
[8:20:09] the resolution.
[8:20:10] Yeah.
[8:20:14] If I if I MAY.
[8:20:14] Go ahead.
[8:20:15] If the conversation included
[8:20:19] external scholars, free speech
[8:20:20] experts or Jewish committee
[8:20:21] members outside of
[8:20:21] organizations that had already
[8:20:22] stake the position in support
[8:20:24] of this, we had we had public
[8:20:28] announcement that this would be
[8:20:29] discussed.
[8:20:29] You have to remember that this
[8:20:34] was first brought in in MARCH
[8:20:35] of last year over a year ago
[8:20:35] months and months and by
[8:20:40] another former chair is that we
[8:20:40] went through this for a whole
[8:20:41] year and we had discussions on
[8:20:44] it.
[8:20:45] We met privately, individually
[8:20:49] and publicly with different
[8:20:50] people on both sides of this
[8:20:50] issue.
[8:20:54] We did our duty and we covered
[8:20:54] every type of opinion, every
[8:21:00] input that we could get.
[8:21:00] Do you want to say something?
[8:21:01] I'm not going to give you a
[8:21:04] back and forth but I will say
[8:21:05] that I do not hear an answer to
[8:21:06] the question about whether
[8:21:06] external scholars, free speech
[8:21:07] experts or Jewish consumers
[8:21:10] outside of organizations that
[8:21:10] are already staked a position
[8:21:11] on this were included in
[8:21:15] the conversation from
[8:21:16] the minutes they weren't.
[8:21:16] I also say and gather what you
[8:21:19] and I spoke about this It was
[8:21:20] deeply frustrating that this
[8:21:21] recommendation came forward
[8:21:21] without any conversation with
[8:21:22] me.
[8:21:24] One of the two Jewish members
[8:21:25] of this body.
[8:21:25] It's not a personal complaint.
[8:21:29] I think it's a reflection of
[8:21:29] the same failure of inclusivity
[8:21:30] that has defined the process as
[8:21:34] a whole.
[8:21:34] So I'm asking COUNCILMAN
[8:21:35] Whitburn if you'd be willing to
[8:21:36] return this item to the Human
[8:21:36] Relations Commission with
[8:21:39] specific direction to conduct a
[8:21:39] more robust and inclusive
[8:21:40] process one that includes
[8:21:44] scholars, free speech experts,
[8:21:44] religious leaders and Jewish
[8:21:45] committee members representing
[8:21:49] a diversity of perspective
[8:21:50] perspectives We were prepared
[8:21:50] for over a year on this.
[8:21:52] It's time for you to do this
[8:22:02] council to do its duty and to.
[8:22:07] I'm going to let that slide.
[8:22:07] But the disrespect of someone
[8:22:12] from the disrespect is not oc
[8:22:12] that you gave me.
[8:22:13] >> It's not okay.
[8:22:16] We worked for over a year on
[8:22:17] that.
[8:22:17] All right.
[8:22:17] All right.
[8:22:21] Let's let's hang tough.
[8:22:22] I think you are going to
[8:22:22] entertain an amendment or
[8:22:26] something that was offering I
[8:22:26] was offering consideration.
[8:22:30] I am I am appalled right now.
[8:22:31] Councilmember Rivera and I did
[8:22:34] discuss this and I have a lot
[8:22:39] of respect for his
[8:22:40] thoughtfulness around this
[8:22:40] subject, his own personal
[8:22:44] experience with the subject
[8:22:45] matter and the discussion that
[8:22:48] we had around it And his
[8:22:49] question has to do with whether
[8:22:53] I would recommend sending this
[8:22:54] back to the Human Relations
[8:22:58] Commission for further
[8:22:59] discussion.
[8:22:59] I will say that my sense is
[8:23:03] that if we were to do that
[8:23:04] there would be a discussion
[8:23:05] very similar to what we heard
[8:23:08] today that there would continue
[8:23:08] to be very different
[8:23:13] perspectives on this that this
[8:23:14] would once again be forwarded
[8:23:14] to the City Council and that we
[8:23:18] would have another discussion
[8:23:18] very similar to the one that we
[8:23:19] had today.
[8:23:22] So I don't believe that there
[8:23:27] would be value in setting this
[8:23:28] back to the Human Relations
[8:23:28] Commission.
[8:23:32] I do think we heard a robust
[8:23:36] variety of perspectives on this
[8:23:42] and and that we should take
[8:23:42] action this evening.
[8:23:43] >> Thank you, Councilmember.
[8:23:45] I appreciate that.
[8:23:46] I think it's important to note
[8:23:47] that multiple members of
[8:23:50] the commission have said that
[8:23:50] after learning what they've
[8:23:51] learned and hearing more
[8:23:55] perspectives, they would like
[8:23:56] to reconsider this.
[8:23:59] I don't think that that should
[8:24:00] be dismissed out of hand.
[8:24:00] I don't.
[8:24:01] I'm going to be honest.
[8:24:04] I don't know that folks realize
[8:24:05] the depth of the waters that
[8:24:05] they were stepping into when
[8:24:09] they took this action.
[8:24:10] I think some did and I think
[8:24:10] others didn't And that is clear
[8:24:14] from the request from those
[8:24:15] folks to have another
[8:24:15] opportunity at that.
[8:24:17] But I respect that you brought
[8:24:22] this forward.
[8:24:23] I want to vote yes on something
[8:24:23] today.
[8:24:27] Anti-Semitism is obviously a
[8:24:27] problem.
[8:24:28] It is real.
[8:24:28] It's a threat to my community.
[8:24:32] It's a threat to my family.
[8:24:33] But I cannot support something
[8:24:36] that I do not believe in And
[8:24:37] the definition as presented
[8:24:37] with the examples that are
[8:24:38] included.
[8:24:41] I have seen weaponized against
[8:24:42] my own speech in real life by
[8:24:46] folks who are in this chamber
[8:24:47] right now so I can't vote yes
[8:24:51] on this as presented.
[8:24:52] Again anti-Semitism is real.
[8:24:53] The threat to my community is
[8:24:53] real.
[8:24:56] My son deserves to grow up in a
[8:24:57] world that takes that seriously
[8:24:57] And that's why I can't vote yes
[8:24:58] for a definition that falls
[8:25:00] short and why I'm asking my
[8:25:01] colleagues to demand something
[8:25:05] more inclusive and more worthy
[8:25:05] of this very important
[8:25:06] conversation.
[8:25:06] >> Thank you, Council
[8:25:07] PRESIDENT.
[8:25:10] All right.
[8:25:10] Come on.
[8:25:10] Let's hold tight.
[8:25:11] Let's see if we can get through
[8:25:14] this.
[8:25:15] So Councilmember Ella Rivera,
[8:25:19] you got one additional minute
[8:25:20] from one of your colleagues
[8:25:20] because I want to keep all
[8:25:25] the bookkeeping and COUNCILMAN.
[8:25:26] We're not going to count
[8:25:26] variance against your three
[8:25:27] minutes.
[8:25:29] So you still have that three
[8:25:29] minutes in the bank.
[8:25:33] So thank you, Councilmember
[8:25:33] Rivera.
[8:25:34] We'll go next to council member
[8:25:34] Campo.
[8:25:35] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[8:25:37] Thank you to the District three
[8:25:38] staff for your presentation and
[8:25:39] thank you to all the members of
[8:25:39] the public for your
[8:25:40] participation.
[8:25:42] On either side of the debate I
[8:25:43] appreciate you being here and
[8:25:43] telling us what you think For
[8:25:47] thousands of years the Jewish
[8:25:47] people have battled for their
[8:25:48] existence.
[8:25:51] The Jewish people should never
[8:25:52] have had to fight those battles
[8:25:52] alone.
[8:25:56] i support this motion and I
[8:25:57] will second this motion today
[8:25:58] not because I'm the council
[8:26:01] member for the original Jewish
[8:26:01] neighborhoods of San Diego
[8:26:06] though I am and not because I
[8:26:06] have to.
[8:26:07] Soon to be three synagogues and
[8:26:07] the forbade of East County in
[8:26:10] my district though I do I
[8:26:11] honestly believe this is
[8:26:14] the right thing to do.
[8:26:15] The resolution is clear Free
[8:26:19] speech will not be curtailed.
[8:26:20] Council member Whitburn just
[8:26:21] explained it very clearly This
[8:26:24] resolution is a tool to protect
[8:26:25] people from anti-Semitism a
[8:26:29] society that cannot protect its
[8:26:30] Jewish citizens cannot protect
[8:26:34] democracy and a society that
[8:26:35] won't protect its Jewish
[8:26:38] citizens can hardly call itself
[8:26:39] a democracy.
[8:26:40] Protecting the Jewish community
[8:26:43] begins at the very least with
[8:26:44] clearly defining the harm it
[8:26:48] faces.
[8:26:52] Last summer I visited Israel.
[8:26:53] I visited Yad Vashem.
[8:26:56] That's the world's Holocaust
[8:27:01] Remembrance Center.
[8:27:02] It's a memorial to the name of
[8:27:05] those lost to the Holocaust.
[8:27:09] And to this day only about 5
[8:27:10] million of the 6 million Jews
[8:27:11] murdered in the Holocaust have
[8:27:11] been identified by name.
[8:27:15] 1 million remain unidentified.
[8:27:19] So to me remembering
[8:27:20] the Holocaust is a duty and
[8:27:24] defining antisemitism clearly
[8:27:29] is the first step in living out
[8:27:29] that duty.
[8:27:30] The resolution before us which
[8:27:34] is the ira definition at its
[8:27:34] core is about defining
[8:27:39] antisemitism and where it shows
[8:27:43] up here in our communities.
[8:27:44] >> It's about standing with
[8:27:44] historically marginalized
[8:27:48] communities that is that are
[8:27:48] reeling from yet another
[8:27:52] horrific violent attack which
[8:27:53] far too many are quick to
[8:28:02] minimize and even worse justify
[8:28:02] .
[8:28:06] So let me be clear merely
[8:28:07] criticizing any government
[8:28:12] including Israel's is not anti
[8:28:12] Semitism.
[8:28:13] The Jewish people like any
[8:28:16] community are not monolithic.
[8:28:17] There is a wide range of views
[8:28:21] including Significa in
[8:28:21] criticism of the Israeli
[8:28:25] government.
[8:28:26] >> I saw that in Israel from
[8:28:30] Israeli citizens.
[8:28:31] But when that criticism crosses
[8:28:35] into hatred of Jewish people
[8:28:35] that's where our responsibility
[8:28:36] to name it comes up.
[8:28:40] So I understand the concerns of
[8:28:40] some of my colleagues and
[8:28:41] members of the public about
[8:28:41] this resolution.
[8:28:42] I understand.
[8:28:45] And when people express good
[8:28:45] faith concerns about free
[8:28:49] speech, I absolutely listen And
[8:28:49] I believe those concerns are
[8:28:52] addressed here within
[8:28:58] the language of the resolution
[8:28:58] .
[8:28:59] And we have a responsibility to
[8:28:59] confront antisemitism clearly
[8:29:03] and directly.
[8:29:04] >> anti-Semitism is the oldest
[8:29:07] hatred in the world and it
[8:29:08] never truly disappears.
[8:29:09] It waits for moments of
[8:29:13] complacency to return.
[8:29:13] We've seen it rise in different
[8:29:17] forms across the centuries.
[8:29:18] Sadly, even in our own
[8:29:22] community here in San Diego in
[8:29:23] 2023, in my neighborhood on my
[8:29:27] neighbors doorsteps,
[8:29:28] individuals replacing fliers
[8:29:31] filled with conspiracies and
[8:29:32] lies about the Jewish people in
[8:29:35] an attempt to radicalize people
[8:29:41] to inspire violence.
[8:29:41] >> We stood up.
[8:29:42] We proposed new rules.
[8:29:46] California passed ab 3024 in
[8:29:46] response.
[8:29:49] And one reason I took that
[8:29:54] exercise so seriously is
[8:29:55] because when I was meeting with
[8:29:59] members of my Jewish community
[8:30:00] in Del Cerro in one person's
[8:30:04] living room, Daron Schwartz
[8:30:09] pleaded with me that day that
[8:30:09] the Jewish community should not
[8:30:13] be left to fend for themselves
[8:30:14] .
[8:30:15] I believe the word he used was
[8:30:17] We should not have to be a
[8:30:22] shield all on our own.
[8:30:23] He said We need more voices
[8:30:23] people of different races,
[8:30:26] people of different
[8:30:27] generations, people like me,
[8:30:31] everyone to speak up against
[8:30:32] antisemitism.
[8:30:36] And he's right Of course firing
[8:30:37] is a small thing compared to
[8:30:41] what happened in 2019 when
[8:30:41] the harbor out of Poway just
[8:30:42] miles from here was the site of
[8:30:45] a deadly anti-Semitic Semitic
[8:30:46] attack.
[8:30:46] On the last day of Passover.
[8:30:51] Lori Gilbert Kaye MAY her
[8:30:52] memory be a blessing.
[8:30:53] That tragedy reminds us that
[8:30:56] anti-Semitic tism is not a
[8:30:57] distant problem that belongs to
[8:31:00] another country or another era
[8:31:01] .
[8:31:01] It's a scourge that's here in
[8:31:02] our community, in my community
[8:31:05] and we need tools to combat it.
[8:31:06] Tools like the ihra Definition
[8:31:10] which provide a framework.
[8:31:11] Historically antisemitism has
[8:31:11] been described as the canary in
[8:31:15] the coal mine of society
[8:31:16] because hatred towards Jews
[8:31:20] when it begins to spread it
[8:31:20] rarely stays confined to
[8:31:21] the Jewish community for long.
[8:31:25] It's a warning sign that
[8:31:25] tolerance, intolerance and
[8:31:29] extremism are taking root more
[8:31:30] broadly because we cannot name
[8:31:34] the hatred Clearly we cannot
[8:31:34] protect the democracy we claim
[8:31:35] to serve.
[8:31:38] The noted Jewish sage and
[8:31:39] teacher Hillel once wrote and I
[8:31:44] quote If I am not for myself,
[8:31:44] who will be for me?
[8:31:48] And if I am only for myself,
[8:31:48] what am I?
[8:31:53] That wisdom speaks not to just
[8:31:53] millennia of Jewish identity
[8:31:54] but to civic responsibility for
[8:31:54] everyone.
[8:31:58] Today this Council has
[8:31:58] the opportunity to say clearly
[8:31:59] that standing against
[8:32:02] antisemitism is not only about
[8:32:03] protecting one community, it's
[8:32:03] about protecting all
[8:32:04] communities.
[8:32:07] It's about defending
[8:32:08] pluralistic values.
[8:32:08] Folks in this room also know
[8:32:12] that Hill's quote did not end
[8:32:12] there.
[8:32:13] He goes on to ask the all
[8:32:17] important question If not now
[8:32:22] when will I say to my
[8:32:22] colleagues and to my
[8:32:23] constituents and to
[8:32:24] the thousands of members of
[8:32:26] every community in San Diego
[8:32:27] standing before us physically
[8:32:28] and virtually?
[8:32:28] I have an answer to that
[8:32:31] question.
[8:32:31] The time is now.
[8:32:36] Stand against antisemitism now.
[8:32:37] Right now the fight against
[8:32:37] antisemitism is not a
[8:32:40] responsibility for some distant
[8:32:41] future.
[8:32:41] It's a responsibility for now
[8:32:45] the moment to stand against
[8:32:46] hatred is not someday or when
[8:32:47] it's politically comfortable.
[8:32:50] It is now.
[8:32:51] Attacks against the Jewish
[8:32:51] community are happening right
[8:32:52] now.
[8:32:56] Synagogues are being firebombed
[8:32:56] and vandalized right now and
[8:32:57] young people are being fed
[8:33:01] conspiracies right now being
[8:33:01] taught Holocaust denialism
[8:33:05] right now.
[8:33:06] So we need frameworks to combat
[8:33:09] that right now.
[8:33:10] Let us not leave Hill's final
[8:33:14] question unanswered.
[8:33:15] We should answer it with
[8:33:19] clarity and with conviction.
[8:33:19] The question before us is
[8:33:20] whether we will stand against
[8:33:24] antisemitism.
[8:33:24] The answer must be now.
[8:33:26] I'll be voting in support.
[8:33:31] Thank you.
[8:33:31] >> All right.
[8:33:32] So we have a motion by
[8:33:35] Councilmember Whitburn and a
[8:33:36] second by council member Camp
[8:33:36] Hill to move.
[8:33:37] The recommendation will go next
[8:33:40] to council member Campbell.
[8:33:40] >> Thank you Council PRESIDENT
[8:33:45] And thank you Ryan Dorsey for
[8:33:45] the presentation and thank you
[8:33:46] specially to my colleague
[8:33:50] Councilmember Whitburn for
[8:33:50] bringing this forward.
[8:33:51] And I want to thank you and
[8:33:55] COUNCILMAN Campo for your
[8:33:56] excellent words and for delving
[8:33:59] so deeply into the entire
[8:34:04] matter of this resolution and
[8:34:05] taking all that you did into
[8:34:05] consideration.
[8:34:09] And I want to start by
[8:34:10] explaining that this item
[8:34:10] before us is a resolution.
[8:34:14] It is not a law.
[8:34:15] a resolution is not a law.
[8:34:19] Freedom in America still
[8:34:19] exists.
[8:34:24] This resolution will only stand
[8:34:25] against hatred of the Jewish
[8:34:28] people.
[8:34:29] We're living in a time when two
[8:34:30] of the world's leading
[8:34:34] democratic nations the U.S. And
[8:34:38] Israel due to their current
[8:34:38] leadership have lost
[8:34:39] the respect of many of their
[8:34:43] own people and their own
[8:34:44] citizens and other citizens
[8:34:47] from around the world.
[8:34:54] Most people believe Israel is a
[8:34:55] democracy.
[8:34:55] The detail escort the gentleman
[8:34:58] out.
[8:35:03] >> We've been doing so well You
[8:35:03] as an out.
[8:35:04] >> I've already explained that
[8:35:06] I'm not going to go back and
[8:35:06] talk about it again.
[8:35:07] >> Okay.
[8:35:11] So very simple.
[8:35:11] I didn't say that.
[8:35:15] You know I didn't say that.
[8:35:21] And that's the problem with why
[8:35:22] you're going on here today.
[8:35:26] And okay, that's good.
[8:35:30] But then what?
[8:35:31] I haven't spoken yet.
[8:35:34] And okay.
[8:35:35] >> I've been accused of a
[8:35:35] double standard.
[8:35:39] We'll invite you to leave
[8:35:40] the room as well.
[8:35:40] We need to get on.
[8:35:41] We're so close to wrapping our
[8:35:42] briefing up.
[8:35:44] Please don't clap.
[8:35:45] Please don't clap.
[8:35:45] This is only about disruption.
[8:35:50] It is not about any party.
[8:35:50] >> But okay.
[8:35:51] Double standard And Parker.
[8:35:59] See I got it.
[8:36:00] My apologies.
[8:36:09] Council member Campbell And
[8:36:14] there anyone?
[8:36:32] All of you.
[8:36:33] Thank you.
[8:36:37] Council PRESIDENT.
[8:36:40] We are living in a time when
[8:36:41] two of the world's leading
[8:36:42] democratic nations the United
[8:36:46] States and Israel due to their
[8:36:50] current leadership have lost
[8:36:51] the respect of many of their
[8:36:55] own people and citizens from
[8:36:56] around the globe.
[8:36:57] Most people believe in
[8:37:01] the right of all people to live
[8:37:01] in peace and free from
[8:37:06] discrimination and hatred.
[8:37:06] To quote PRESIDENT Lincoln,
[8:37:10] this too shall pass the good
[8:37:11] people of the United States and
[8:37:15] hopefully Israel will prevail
[8:37:15] at the voting booth.
[8:37:20] As an American, I feel
[8:37:21] compelled to speak today
[8:37:25] against the harassment or
[8:37:25] discrimination based on actual
[8:37:30] or perceived Jewish identity,
[8:37:35] ancestry or faith.
[8:37:35] When rhetoric crosses the line
[8:37:40] into harmful stereotypes,
[8:37:40] collective blame or
[8:37:44] dehumanizing language it does
[8:37:45] real harm.
[8:37:49] It creates fear.
[8:37:50] It isolates members of our
[8:37:50] community.
[8:37:54] And it undermines the values we
[8:37:58] are here to uphold as Americans
[8:37:59] .
[8:38:00] Let me be clear This is there
[8:38:04] is no place for anti-Semitism
[8:38:05] in this council chamber in
[8:38:09] the city of San Diego or in
[8:38:10] the entire world.
[8:38:14] We can and should have
[8:38:15] thoughtful, respectful dialog
[8:38:19] but hate in any form against
[8:38:20] any group cannot be part of
[8:38:24] that conversation.
[8:38:25] This is exactly why adopting
[8:38:25] this working definition of
[8:38:29] antisocial modernism from
[8:38:30] the International Holocaust
[8:38:30] Remembrance Alliance is so
[8:38:34] important.
[8:38:35] The I h r a is an
[8:38:39] intergovernmental body made up
[8:38:39] of 35 different countries.
[8:38:44] It serves as a global forum to
[8:38:44] share best practices and
[8:38:48] develop practical tools to
[8:38:53] identify and as to address
[8:38:53] hate.
[8:38:57] They adopted this particular
[8:38:58] definition in 2016 ten years
[8:39:01] ago long before the current
[8:39:02] battles that are going on in
[8:39:07] the world now long before
[8:39:07] the terrible current political
[8:39:11] climate.
[8:39:12] As the definition states quote
[8:39:16] anti-Semitism is a certain
[8:39:17] perception of Jews which MAY be
[8:39:25] expressed as hatred toward Jews
[8:39:25] .
[8:39:26] It helps institutions and
[8:39:27] communities to recognize that
[8:39:30] anti-Semitism can be present in
[8:39:30] its many forms.
[8:39:35] Sandy Eggo is a city that
[8:39:36] stands firmly against hate in
[8:39:40] all its forms against anybody
[8:39:43] including the Muslim community
[8:39:43] .
[8:39:44] By adopting this definition we
[8:39:48] reaffirm our commitment to
[8:39:49] protecting religious freedom,
[8:39:52] confronting antisemitism and
[8:39:53] ensuring that every member of
[8:39:57] our community can live without
[8:39:58] fur, without fear.
[8:39:58] I will support this resolution.
[8:40:02] Thank you.
[8:40:03] All right.
[8:40:03] Thank you, Council member
[8:40:04] Campbell.
[8:40:04] And again, apologies for
[8:40:05] the interruption.
[8:40:08] We'll go next to council member
[8:40:09] Von Wilpert.
[8:40:13] >> Thank you And thank you to
[8:40:13] the volunteers on the Human
[8:40:14] Relations Commission and to my
[8:40:15] colleagues and to all who
[8:40:15] participated in our democracy
[8:40:21] Today.
[8:40:21] I want to start with a very
[8:40:22] uncomfortable truth that
[8:40:26] antisemitism is not a relic of
[8:40:26] the past.
[8:40:27] Anti seven anti Semitism is
[8:40:30] rising to levels rising to
[8:40:31] levels we have not seen in
[8:40:31] generations.
[8:40:32] Last year we watched in horror
[8:40:35] as the news broke on DECEMBER
[8:40:35] 14th of a shooting at Sydney's
[8:40:36] Bondi Beach where two gunmen
[8:40:39] opened fire on a Jewish
[8:40:40] celebration killing 15 people
[8:40:40] celebrating Hanukkah.
[8:40:41] Less than a month later, a
[8:40:45] violent anti violent anti
[8:40:46] Semitic act hit home especially
[8:40:50] for me.
[8:40:50] When arsonists heavily damaged
[8:40:51] Mississippi's largest synagogue
[8:40:55] before dawn, I lived in Jackson
[8:40:55] for three years when I worked
[8:40:56] there as a civil rights lawyer
[8:40:56] in Mississippi.
[8:40:59] When I reached out to my
[8:40:59] friends there to express my
[8:41:00] condolences.
[8:41:00] They told me this was the same
[8:41:03] synagogue in Jackson that
[8:41:04] the Ku Klux had bombed in 1967
[8:41:05] because the rabbi had supported
[8:41:09] civil rights at the time In our
[8:41:12] own community in San Diego in
[8:41:13] 2019 the Polish bombed
[8:41:14] synagogue attack laid bare
[8:41:14] the deadly reach of
[8:41:15] antisemitism.
[8:41:19] Even here as a self-proclaimed
[8:41:19] white supremacist armed with an
[8:41:21] air of 15 killed one worshiper
[8:41:22] and injured three others
[8:41:22] including the rabbi.
[8:41:23] That shooter lived in my
[8:41:26] district.
[8:41:27] Synagogues were attacked with
[8:41:27] disturbing regularity.
[8:41:31] Last week in seven days we saw
[8:41:32] seven attacks on synagogues
[8:41:36] here and around the world.
[8:41:36] And just a few weeks ago on
[8:41:37] JANUARY 30th in this very room
[8:41:40] my public safety committee held
[8:41:41] a hearing on the prosecution of
[8:41:44] anti-Semitic felony hate crimes
[8:41:45] committed here in San Diego.
[8:41:46] We heard members of this body
[8:41:50] heard firsthand how Jewish
[8:41:50] schools, community centers have
[8:41:54] to operate behind security
[8:41:54] checkpoints.
[8:41:55] We heard how many students were
[8:41:55] bullied in their classrooms
[8:41:59] just because they were Jewish.
[8:41:59] For many Jewish families today
[8:42:00] simply participating in their
[8:42:04] life going to Temple, sending
[8:42:05] kids to Hebrew school,
[8:42:05] attending a Hanukkah party
[8:42:06] means going under armed guard
[8:42:08] and through metal detectors.
[8:42:09] Participating openly in your
[8:42:10] culture and your history, your
[8:42:13] identity should never require
[8:42:13] armed protection.
[8:42:14] >> During our time on
[8:42:18] the council this council has
[8:42:18] worked to confront
[8:42:19] anti-Semitism and all forms of
[8:42:20] hate directly by shining a
[8:42:23] light on it by pushing for
[8:42:23] stronger coordination between
[8:42:24] law enforcement or Jewish
[8:42:27] community leaders to expand
[8:42:27] Holocaust education even here
[8:42:28] in San Diego.
[8:42:28] With Ruth Remember Us
[8:42:32] The Holocaust Project.
[8:42:37] Today's resolution sends a
[8:42:38] simple message that hate and
[8:42:38] violence towards Jewish people
[8:42:42] has no place in our community.
[8:42:43] But we need to be clear about
[8:42:43] something else.
[8:42:46] In America, the right to free
[8:42:47] speech is fundamental.
[8:42:48] People have the right to
[8:42:48] express views.
[8:42:51] We disagree with even if that
[8:42:52] speech makes our blood boil.
[8:42:56] Adopting this definition is not
[8:42:57] about policing.
[8:42:57] Speech in the city should never
[8:43:01] use it for that purpose.
[8:43:01] It's about making clear where
[8:43:02] our values are and recognize
[8:43:03] that anti-Semitism when it
[8:43:05] crosses that line into
[8:43:06] violence, vandalism or
[8:43:06] harassment.
[8:43:11] For many people Jewish people a
[8:43:11] connection to Israel is part of
[8:43:12] their identity faith and story
[8:43:15] As a people.
[8:43:16] And I know we all have very
[8:43:16] deep and passionate views about
[8:43:20] Israel and Palestine and for
[8:43:20] good reason.
[8:43:21] But this comes down to basic
[8:43:24] decency with each other
[8:43:25] compassion and respect for one
[8:43:25] another.
[8:43:26] Whether you support Israel, our
[8:43:29] passion about Palestinian
[8:43:30] rights or support both as many
[8:43:34] of us do, we all have to be
[8:43:35] better to each other.
[8:43:35] And words matter.
[8:43:39] Criticizing policies of
[8:43:40] the Israeli government just
[8:43:40] like criticizing any other
[8:43:43] government including our own.
[8:43:44] Here in this room in this
[8:43:45] nation is protected speech and
[8:43:48] part of a healthy debate.
[8:43:49] The very definition of
[8:43:49] anti-Semitism we are adopting
[8:43:53] today says that criticism of
[8:43:54] Israel similar to that leveled
[8:43:54] against any other country
[8:43:55] cannot be regarded as
[8:43:58] anti-Semitic.
[8:43:59] I've been clear on this too.
[8:44:03] I believe that policies like
[8:44:03] annexation and settlement
[8:44:04] expansion and settler violence
[8:44:05] are wrong.
[8:44:08] Palestinians deserve dignity,
[8:44:08] security and a state of their
[8:44:09] own.
[8:44:10] And for Jewish people I also
[8:44:12] believe that Jewish people
[8:44:13] deserve to live safely and
[8:44:14] securely in Israel and not be
[8:44:18] demonized for it.
[8:44:18] These values are not mutually
[8:44:19] exclusive.
[8:44:22] In fact they are mutually.
[8:44:23] We need to do this together for
[8:44:24] security and peace for all
[8:44:26] people.
[8:44:27] >> And when the very definition
[8:44:32] of anti Semitism the way I read
[8:44:33] it has room for distinguishing
[8:44:34] between speech That is
[8:44:37] criticism of Israel similar to
[8:44:38] that leveled against any other
[8:44:41] country and criticism of a
[8:44:42] Jewish homeland that is
[8:44:43] dangerous and often crosses
[8:44:47] the line into anti-Semitism.
[8:44:47] In fact I'm reading it here.
[8:44:51] This definition includes 11
[8:44:51] examples that describe ways
[8:44:56] that Jews MAY experience and
[8:44:56] says anti-Semitism today MAY
[8:45:00] experience taking into account
[8:45:00] the overall context.
[8:45:05] So under this definition I do
[8:45:06] not view anything that you said
[8:45:07] today.
[8:45:07] Counsel Elie Rivera and I very
[8:45:10] much appreciate your passion
[8:45:10] how hard this is for you.
[8:45:11] >> I don't do anything you said
[8:45:14] today is anti-Semitic.
[8:45:15] But the caller who called in in
[8:45:16] this public comment tonight and
[8:45:20] said that in his view because
[8:45:20] of the actions of the Israeli
[8:45:21] government Jewish children in
[8:45:24] public schools in San Diego
[8:45:25] deserve to be spit on is
[8:45:29] anti-Semitic.
[8:45:30] And this definition stated that
[8:45:34] context matters and we must
[8:45:35] also reject those who cynically
[8:45:39] weaponize it said Semitism for
[8:45:39] their own political agendas.
[8:45:40] Starting with PRESIDENT Donald
[8:45:44] Trump, what Trump is doing to
[8:45:44] attack our universities go
[8:45:45] after asylum seekers in
[8:45:48] the name of combating and anti
[8:45:49] Semitism is as shameful as it
[8:45:49] is transparent.
[8:45:50] It has nothing to do with
[8:45:53] protecting Jewish people's
[8:45:54] safety but advancing Trump's
[8:45:54] extremist agenda and further
[8:45:55] dividing our country.
[8:45:58] Donald Trump called
[8:45:59] the neo-Nazis and white
[8:46:01] supremacists at the 2017 Unite
[8:46:02] the Right rally in
[8:46:03] Charlottesville quote very fine
[8:46:06] people.
[8:46:07] >> He has hosted Holocaust
[8:46:08] deniers for dinner at Mar a
[8:46:11] Lago.
[8:46:12] >> Trump is normalizing
[8:46:16] the very forces fueling anti
[8:46:16] Semitism and I oppose in
[8:46:17] Washington and I won't stand
[8:46:20] for it here in San Diego.
[8:46:21] But for me tonight there is
[8:46:22] also something missing from
[8:46:25] this whole conversation today.
[8:46:26] As I said at the very beginning
[8:46:27] of my comments last month I
[8:46:30] held a hearing here in this
[8:46:31] very room at my public safety
[8:46:32] committee on how the city can
[8:46:35] do more to fight anti-Semitism
[8:46:36] ,act of hate and acts of
[8:46:36] violence.
[8:46:37] We weren't discussing just a
[8:46:39] genuine definition.
[8:46:40] We were discussing real action
[8:46:41] and real victims.
[8:46:44] They were some of you were here
[8:46:45] with us and we shared very
[8:46:46] touching stories.
[8:46:46] But I have to say this room was
[8:46:47] virtually empty for that
[8:46:52] hearing.
[8:46:53] So yes, I very much appreciate
[8:46:54] the passion we are seeing here
[8:46:54] today and I'm glad people are
[8:46:57] engaged in our government.
[8:46:57] These are serious issues.
[8:46:58] But I'll be honest I'm also
[8:47:01] disappointed because we should
[8:47:02] all be here and just as
[8:47:03] passionate and engaged if not
[8:47:06] more about actually confronting
[8:47:07] anti-Semitism as we are about
[8:47:11] how to define it.
[8:47:16] >> So I know this hrc
[8:47:16] definition is not perfect.
[8:47:17] It is a working definition.
[8:47:21] I welcome other perspectives
[8:47:22] and continued input from
[8:47:22] the community.
[8:47:23] But as part of the public
[8:47:26] comment on this item we all
[8:47:27] received an email.
[8:47:27] We read the written comments to
[8:47:30] you and I received a very
[8:47:31] thoughtful letter from Rabbi
[8:47:31] Jason Nevarez, the senior rabbi
[8:47:34] a congregation Beth Israel here
[8:47:35] in San Diego who had hoped to
[8:47:36] meet the day of the Tree of
[8:47:39] Life Memorial after a shooting
[8:47:40] the worst shooting against
[8:47:44] Jewish people in this nation.
[8:47:45] So many people came to mourn at
[8:47:49] Congregation Beth Israel that
[8:47:50] night and 2023 that I couldn't
[8:47:50] even get in.
[8:47:51] And I warned the people in
[8:47:53] the parking lot of all races,
[8:47:54] all faiths, all identities.
[8:47:59] He wrote to us and said the I h
[8:48:00] r a definition provides
[8:48:03] guidance not punishment and
[8:48:04] serves as an educational tool
[8:48:05] to help civic leaders,
[8:48:08] educators and law enforcement
[8:48:09] respond more and more
[8:48:10] effectively when anti-Semitism
[8:48:10] appears.
[8:48:13] And we ask my colleagues for a
[8:48:14] minute if anyone has one.
[8:48:14] >> Okay.
[8:48:19] Adopting the hra definition.
[8:48:20] Rabbi Navarro's writes Also
[8:48:23] does not place Jewish concerns
[8:48:23] above those of other
[8:48:24] communities.
[8:48:27] San Diego must remain vigilant
[8:48:28] against racism, Islamophobia,
[8:48:28] xenophobia, anti-black hatred
[8:48:32] and every form of bigotry.
[8:48:33] Naming antisemitism clearly is
[8:48:34] one part of that broader
[8:48:37] commitment to protecting every
[8:48:38] community in our city.
[8:48:42] I want to thank the rabbi for
[8:48:43] his leadership and beautiful
[8:48:43] words.
[8:48:46] And I want to thank everybody
[8:48:47] for being here tonight.
[8:48:48] I support this resolution
[8:48:51] because I support free speech
[8:48:52] in this country and I support
[8:48:52] the need to have
[8:48:56] the responsibility to call out
[8:48:56] hate and protect our
[8:48:57] communities even when
[8:48:58] the issues are difficult and
[8:48:58] complex.
[8:49:01] Everyone, including the Jewish
[8:49:02] community deserves to feel safe
[8:49:02] here in San Diego.
[8:49:05] Just like every community.
[8:49:06] >> Thank you.
[8:49:06] All right.
[8:49:06] Thank you.
[8:49:11] Council member Von Wilpert.
[8:49:11] We'll go next to council member
[8:49:13] Foster Thank you Council
[8:49:19] PRESIDENT And thank you to my
[8:49:23] colleagues to Council member
[8:49:24] Whitburn and his staff for
[8:49:28] the work that has gone into
[8:49:33] this thus far and also I just
[8:49:34] want to acknowledge my my
[8:49:38] colleagues.
[8:49:39] I haven't seen this emotion
[8:49:43] that I'm seeing here from
[8:49:47] the members so I feel a little
[8:49:48] I must say I feel uncomfortable
[8:49:57] at this present moment but just
[8:49:58] as I begin I just want to say
[8:50:02] clearly and intentionally that
[8:50:06] I denounce all forms of racism
[8:50:07] ,discrimination, hatred,
[8:50:11] bigotry and that includes
[8:50:15] anti-Semitism.
[8:50:16] This is not something that I
[8:50:17] take lightly.
[8:50:21] It's something that I discuss
[8:50:22] every day here at the city of
[8:50:26] San Diego And it's something
[8:50:30] that I'm very passionate about
[8:50:30] .
[8:50:31] I've been at the city of San
[8:50:35] Diego now for going on 12 years
[8:50:36] And quite honestly I think
[8:50:40] sometimes it's easier to walk
[8:50:41] away but I keep getting drawn
[8:50:45] back because I truly believe we
[8:50:54] can be a better San Diego and
[8:50:59] often you hear me say as a
[8:51:04] black man in America life is
[8:51:04] difficult.
[8:51:09] I'm 54 years old and I am still
[8:51:13] met with hate and it's hate
[8:51:20] that my people feel daily.
[8:51:25] We don't have the ability to
[8:51:26] not wear a certain piece of
[8:51:27] jewelry or to wear certain
[8:51:32] pieces of clothing.
[8:51:33] We are viewed on the color of
[8:51:38] our skin and that's something
[8:51:39] that we have to walk in every
[8:51:42] day.
[8:51:43] I remember the stories of my
[8:51:47] family in Georgia and being
[8:51:47] light skinned and certain
[8:51:49] family members being able to
[8:51:55] pass but not everyone had that
[8:51:56] ability But it was a real
[8:52:00] reality.
[8:52:00] Violence was a real reality.
[8:52:04] I say I went to Hampton
[8:52:08] University as a young man early
[8:52:09] in my years at Hampton.
[8:52:10] There was a young black boy
[8:52:18] that was found hung at a park.
[8:52:18] It was something that I will
[8:52:22] never ever forget and that was
[8:52:23] in my freshman year.
[8:52:28] And it's something that I never
[8:52:28] thought that I would see or
[8:52:31] have to experience.
[8:52:32] I lived in Chicago for a period
[8:52:37] of time where a young man rode
[8:52:37] his bike into the wrong
[8:52:41] neighborhood by White Sox Park
[8:52:48] and was almost beat to death.
[8:52:49] >> And these are real realities
[8:52:50] And it goes back to my comments
[8:52:54] where I said America's not
[8:52:58] perfect but it's about how we
[8:52:59] conduct ourselves and what we
[8:53:02] bring to the table.
[8:53:07] I think we can all say that I
[8:53:08] don't think any of us have an
[8:53:12] issue with a definition for
[8:53:13] anti-Semitism.
[8:53:17] I think all of us will agree
[8:53:17] that this is wrong.
[8:53:21] Anti-Semitism is wrong.
[8:53:22] Any type of hate is wrong
[8:53:27] whether it's race, religious,
[8:53:27] gender identity.
[8:53:32] I think you have consensus
[8:53:32] amongst this council and
[8:53:33] the mayor.
[8:53:37] I don't want to speak on behalf
[8:53:37] of the mayor but I think I know
[8:53:38] him pretty well.
[8:53:42] Unexcelled table.
[8:53:46] Um, I do have some questions.
[8:53:47] Um, I am a process person and I
[8:53:52] do understand, um, what we are
[8:53:55] trying to accomplish here today
[8:53:56] .
[8:53:57] But one thing that my office
[8:54:01] did find difficult as we tried
[8:54:02] to go through and prepare for
[8:54:05] this hearing we tried to go
[8:54:06] back and look at just exactly
[8:54:10] what the hrc did.
[8:54:11] And as we went back through
[8:54:12] the record I didn't I was not
[8:54:15] able to find a copy of meeting
[8:54:15] minutes.
[8:54:16] I can have a little more time
[8:54:16] please.
[8:54:20] I did not find meeting minutes.
[8:54:24] I could not access the video to
[8:54:25] watch the actual meeting that
[8:54:30] took place to see what
[8:54:30] the conversation was.
[8:54:31] Who was included in
[8:54:34] the conversation?
[8:54:35] Um so Ryan if you can help me
[8:54:39] to understand um, what took
[8:54:40] place, what did not take place,
[8:54:44] why is that information not
[8:54:45] available for the public to see
[8:54:49] is based on what I sat through
[8:54:49] and have seen today.
[8:54:52] This is a very important
[8:54:58] conversation on all sides of
[8:54:59] the discussion.
[8:55:02] And so I would think that that
[8:55:03] type of transparency is
[8:55:07] necessary as we are talking
[8:55:08] about something that is so
[8:55:12] impactful to everyone's lives
[8:55:13] in the city of San Diego.
[8:55:14] So can you help me to
[8:55:18] understand what took place
[8:55:18] because no information was
[8:55:23] available And thank you Council
[8:55:23] member for the question.
[8:55:24] Um, I received that information
[8:55:27] from the executive Director
[8:55:27] that works with the Human
[8:55:32] Relations Commission.
[8:55:32] And I would invite anyone
[8:55:33] that's from the Human Relations
[8:55:37] Commission that's here today.
[8:55:38] And I can tell you I don't know
[8:55:41] about the process in which, you
[8:55:42] know, minutes are uploaded.
[8:55:43] That's a process question for
[8:55:43] the commission.
[8:55:46] But I would invite any of them
[8:55:47] up to here today to know what
[8:55:48] that or really what that
[8:55:51] process like.
[8:55:51] But I see the executive
[8:55:52] director here if we can
[8:55:55] understand.
[8:55:56] I just as I was sitting on
[8:55:57] the dais went to the website to
[8:56:01] look for the information and I
[8:56:02] saw other than the agenda from
[8:56:02] the MARCH meeting.
[8:56:05] i have not seen any other types
[8:56:10] of documentation.
[8:56:11] Good evening Council members
[8:56:15] and thank you for your question
[8:56:15] .
[8:56:16] Councilmember Posture.
[8:56:17] If you if you do in fact go to
[8:56:20] the website MARCH is there
[8:56:21] the MARCH when we had this
[8:56:22] meeting when we had
[8:56:25] the individuals come forward
[8:56:26] before the commission to give
[8:56:29] testimony as well as we also
[8:56:34] did the actual minutes
[8:56:34] the minutes showed up in JUNE
[8:56:35] for the MARCH meeting.
[8:56:40] And so that was on the website
[8:56:40] And it did in fact see
[8:56:44] the unanimous decision that was
[8:56:48] made up by all the commission.
[8:56:49] And then you have copies of
[8:56:50] the minutes that are that are
[8:56:53] here for MARCH 19th.
[8:56:54] And then we will get you a copy
[8:56:58] of the ones from JUNE as well.
[8:56:59] So if I can clarify I'm on
[8:57:03] the website now, sir.
[8:57:04] Yes sir, I am at the 319 2025
[8:57:08] meeting that says MARCH 19th
[8:57:08] 2025.
[8:57:12] It's a pdf When I open that
[8:57:13] file it only shows the agenda
[8:57:14] for said meeting.
[8:57:14] Right.
[8:57:18] You said it came up in JUNE.
[8:57:19] When I go to the JUNE meeting I
[8:57:22] see a 618 2025.
[8:57:26] What I see is a link that says
[8:57:27] to JUNE 18th 2025.
[8:57:32] And it says Adjourned.
[8:57:32] And it it is an adjournment of
[8:57:33] the meeting.
[8:57:36] So I do not see the meeting
[8:57:37] minutes or the appropriate
[8:57:41] documentation that details out
[8:57:42] the conversations that took
[8:57:42] place.
[8:57:46] I do understand your statement
[8:57:47] sir and the minutes for that
[8:57:51] meeting are in fact I sent
[8:57:52] those out to both college here
[8:57:57] as well as the new chair for
[8:57:58] for those minutes And they were
[8:58:00] they I found both of minutes
[8:58:01] clearly covered the actual
[8:58:06] MARCH meeting.
[8:58:07] So they are there sir.
[8:58:08] And if you'd like me to send
[8:58:11] those to you I can put to you.
[8:58:11] Right.
[8:58:15] Well I don't think it's again
[8:58:15] I'm looking at it now, sir and
[8:58:16] I'm telling you they are not
[8:58:16] there.
[8:58:17] Okay.
[8:58:20] And so I can appreciate what
[8:58:21] you're indicating.
[8:58:25] But my question is where would
[8:58:26] one find that documentation?
[8:58:32] Well, sir, it seems like I have
[8:58:33] before the documentation to you
[8:58:34] if you didn't me on
[8:58:34] the website, sir.
[8:58:35] But how would the public find
[8:58:36] that information?
[8:58:37] Well, we publish that that
[8:58:41] actual information that we
[8:58:42] published the minutes that is
[8:58:43] there and for whatever reason
[8:58:45] if you can't find them I don't
[8:58:46] know but I will send those to
[8:58:47] you and to the general public
[8:58:50] as well.
[8:58:51] This is a mayoral This is a
[8:58:56] mayoral commission, correct?
[8:58:56] Yes, sir.
[8:58:57] Cora, can you take a moment and
[8:59:01] see what you see on the website
[8:59:02] and what's there and direct me
[8:59:02] to where it's at?
[8:59:03] Or am I incorrect?
[8:59:05] I'm seeing the same thing
[8:59:06] you're seeing here.
[8:59:06] You're seeing the same thing
[8:59:07] I'm seeing.
[8:59:07] That's correct.
[8:59:08] Council member.
[8:59:08] Okay.
[8:59:10] I think we'll have to follow up
[8:59:11] afterwards and check with
[8:59:11] the Office of Boards and
[8:59:12] Commissions to make sure all of
[8:59:15] our commissions are trained
[8:59:16] properly on how to post meeting
[8:59:16] minutes and meeting recorded
[8:59:20] recordings as required.
[8:59:21] Okay.
[8:59:21] Thank you for that.
[8:59:22] And and I'm just making this
[8:59:26] this I'm bringing this to light
[8:59:30] because again as we are talking
[8:59:30] about something significant as
[8:59:31] this, I think it's important
[8:59:35] that we are transparent, we are
[8:59:36] inclusive and that we have a
[8:59:41] documentation trail as we talk
[8:59:41] about robust conversations.
[8:59:42] Right.
[8:59:46] My colleague mentioned that it
[8:59:51] appears that there was a one
[8:59:51] sided conversation that
[8:59:52] the conversation was not
[8:59:52] inclusive.
[8:59:56] Is that accurate?
[8:59:56] Somewhat accurate.
[9:00:01] I'd like to think Ryan, if you
[9:00:02] were staffing this and you guys
[9:00:03] are championing this this item
[9:00:06] that you did your due
[9:00:07] diligence, can you respond to
[9:00:11] that?
[9:00:12] Yeah.
[9:00:12] Thank you for the question
[9:00:13] Councilmember.
[9:00:13] I would take that from exactly
[9:00:17] the Commissioner's that I heard
[9:00:17] from which was that there was
[9:00:21] in fact a robust discussion in
[9:00:22] fact there was both sides
[9:00:23] represented on this issue And I
[9:00:27] would take those commissioners
[9:00:28] who were sworn in commissioners
[9:00:28] for the city of San Diego I
[9:00:29] would take them at their word
[9:00:32] that that was what happened.
[9:00:33] Okay.
[9:00:37] Um, I guess my next question
[9:00:42] would be in just as I'm
[9:00:43] gathering my thoughts and as I
[9:00:48] look at what the discourse that
[9:00:53] i saw play out in this room and
[9:00:58] I want to go to the letter that
[9:00:58] two commissioners recently
[9:01:04] submitted and in here it says
[9:01:05] The mission of the standing of
[9:01:06] the city of San Diego's Human
[9:01:08] Relations Commission is to
[9:01:09] create an atmosphere that
[9:01:09] promotes amicable relations
[9:01:12] among all members of the San
[9:01:17] Diego community.
[9:01:23] And I just have to say as you
[9:01:24] look at the conversation,
[9:01:24] the discourse that took place
[9:01:29] on all sides, it really left me
[9:01:29] with the impression that this
[9:01:34] conversation was is not done.
[9:01:39] And so that is concerning to me
[9:01:40] as you are representing to me
[9:01:44] that there was an inclusive
[9:01:45] process and open process and
[9:01:50] all sides at the table or all
[9:01:51] sides of this conversation were
[9:01:55] representative at the table.
[9:01:56] So I do find that concerning.
[9:02:01] The other thing that I must say
[9:02:01] as I listened to the public
[9:02:07] comment and what I haven't been
[9:02:07] able to connect to is truly
[9:02:12] what the intentions of what we
[9:02:12] are trying to accomplish.
[9:02:16] As you have heard that this is
[9:02:22] nonbinding, that this does not
[9:02:28] solve the issue or diminish
[9:02:29] anti-Semitism at anti Semitic
[9:02:29] activities.
[9:02:34] You hear a young person come
[9:02:35] and say I experienced this and
[9:02:36] I want to be able to go to
[9:02:40] school and not have
[9:02:40] the problems.
[9:02:41] Can you explain to me how this
[9:02:44] solves those concerns and those
[9:02:50] safety issues?
[9:02:51] Yeah, I think Councilmember I
[9:02:52] think you know, because cities
[9:02:52] are not just zoning bodies.
[9:02:56] They also set norms.
[9:02:57] They respond to hate incidents.
[9:02:57] They support affected
[9:03:02] communities and they try and
[9:03:03] stop a city I think cannot
[9:03:07] respond coherently to anti
[9:03:08] Semitism if it refuses to
[9:03:09] define what it's trying to
[9:03:09] recognize.
[9:03:13] And so I think a city that
[9:03:14] wants to confront anti-Semitism
[9:03:15] should be willing to define it.
[9:03:18] Otherwise every incident start
[9:03:19] from scratch.
[9:03:20] >> So let me ask this question
[9:03:20] of the city attorneys.
[9:03:25] Does this document solve
[9:03:25] the issue of someone driving a
[9:03:30] vehicle into a synagogue
[9:03:31] prosecution of hate crimes or
[9:03:36] crimes in general would fall
[9:03:37] under the penal code?
[9:03:37] So we have the existing I think
[9:03:42] the aclu called in and said we
[9:03:43] have existing penal codes, hate
[9:03:45] crimes, things of the sort that
[9:03:46] take care of these issues.
[9:03:46] Correct.
[9:03:52] Yes.
[9:03:53] Thank you Council member.
[9:03:53] There are penal code sections
[9:03:54] on point that do address in
[9:03:58] defining crimes.
[9:03:59] >> Okay.
[9:03:59] So so at the end of the day as
[9:04:04] we are trying to deal with
[9:04:04] the uptake of anti-Semitism,
[9:04:10] the actual violent acts, things
[9:04:11] of that nature, we do have
[9:04:16] things in place and I'm asking
[9:04:17] from a position of is there
[9:04:18] something else we need to do to
[9:04:22] make sure that we are creating
[9:04:23] a safe environment?
[9:04:23] That that's where I'm going
[9:04:31] with my question.
[9:04:32] I would say that existing civil
[9:04:36] rights law prohibit
[9:04:37] discrimination but they do not
[9:04:38] provide a clear framework for
[9:04:38] identifying modern forms of
[9:04:42] antisemitism.
[9:04:43] Ira Help ira helps institutions
[9:04:44] understand how antisemitism can
[9:04:49] manifest today including
[9:04:49] through conspiracy theories,
[9:04:50] Holocaust Holocaust denial and
[9:04:55] certain forms of anti-Jewish
[9:04:55] rhetoric.
[9:04:56] Existing law and ira are not
[9:05:01] are are complementary tools.
[9:05:02] >> I don't I don't know if I
[9:05:08] necessarily connected the dots
[9:05:08] And I just as I listen to my
[9:05:09] colleague from the public
[9:05:14] safety the public safety chair,
[9:05:14] I think she did put a call a
[9:05:15] very specific call that I do
[9:05:20] believe as to what actions can
[9:05:20] we take to actually look at
[9:05:21] curbing antisemitism.
[9:05:25] And the two issues I think my
[9:05:26] colleague other probably took
[9:05:26] some action on.
[9:05:31] What was it The fliers and
[9:05:31] the hate mail and certain
[9:05:36] things like that.
[9:05:37] I guess I'm asking are there
[9:05:37] other things that we need to be
[9:05:38] considering in addition to
[9:05:42] something like this to actually
[9:05:43] see what I think is going to
[9:05:48] address the concerns of a young
[9:05:48] person being able to be
[9:05:49] themselves who they are
[9:05:54] represent their culture.
[9:05:55] Are there other things that we
[9:05:56] need to do or other things that
[9:06:00] are going to come about this?
[9:06:01] You know, I'm driving this
[9:06:01] question because I feel like
[9:06:07] there's as I look at it again I
[9:06:08] go back to being an African
[9:06:08] American.
[9:06:09] I feel like there's other
[9:06:10] things that we need to do.
[9:06:12] I don't see I see similarities
[9:06:13] in the issues in the concerns
[9:06:18] and the safety of what our
[9:06:18] Jewish friends go through.
[9:06:19] And so that's why I'm asking
[9:06:25] the question in the manner in
[9:06:25] which I'm asking.
[9:06:26] So Council Member to be fair to
[9:06:29] everyone you've had your five
[9:06:29] plus three and plus someone
[9:06:30] give you another two.
[9:06:31] I understand and I appreciate
[9:06:35] that But we'll give you what
[9:06:36] somebody is giving you one more
[9:06:36] minute.
[9:06:36] I appreciate that.
[9:06:41] I would say, you know, I think
[9:06:42] one of the first things we do
[9:06:42] recognizing when we have a
[9:06:43] problem is defining it And
[9:06:46] that's what exactly this
[9:06:47] resolution does.
[9:06:47] I would invite up we have
[9:06:48] the executive director of
[9:06:52] anti-Semitism Task Force.
[9:06:53] I could speak more to it if
[9:06:58] you'd like The answer like oh,
[9:07:04] I'm going to be with Ryan.
[9:07:05] We need to define antisemitism
[9:07:06] before we can do anything with
[9:07:06] it.
[9:07:11] So first we need to have an
[9:07:11] understanding.
[9:07:12] The second thing is work with
[9:07:13] people Now that we have a
[9:07:16] definition of antisemitism and
[9:07:17] work with law enforcement.
[9:07:18] Make sure they receive
[9:07:18] the right training.
[9:07:19] They understand what
[9:07:23] antisemitism looks like in
[9:07:23] the city of San Diego.
[9:07:24] Now we work with the school
[9:07:25] boards and with educators.
[9:07:29] We bring in Holocaust
[9:07:29] education.
[9:07:30] We bring in, you know,
[9:07:30] Holocaust survivors.
[9:07:35] We do that all the time.
[9:07:35] Stand with us.
[9:07:36] Introduce them to schools.
[9:07:40] We first need a definition
[9:07:40] though Without a definition we
[9:07:41] can't even have these
[9:07:41] conversations because if
[9:07:46] everybody has in their mind a
[9:07:47] different definition of what
[9:07:48] antisemitism is, then we can
[9:07:52] actually address it and this is
[9:07:53] why we're here voting on it
[9:07:53] today.
[9:07:54] So I guess I'll end here.
[9:07:58] I appreciate that.
[9:07:59] I think at the end of the day
[9:07:59] what I hear is no matter if we
[9:08:04] still have more work to do to
[9:08:05] do what I think is to really
[9:08:06] address the concerns and
[9:08:10] the issues that exist.
[9:08:11] And I will say this Not only do
[9:08:11] we need is there more work to
[9:08:12] do as we talked about
[9:08:15] the Jewish community but I
[9:08:16] think there's more work to do
[9:08:17] as a whole which is why I think
[9:08:21] the conversation of being
[9:08:22] inclusive is so important.
[9:08:26] And I think at times that we
[9:08:27] try to address one offs we tend
[9:08:33] to do a great disservice.
[9:08:34] The other thing that I will ask
[9:08:34] is and I haven't had
[9:08:35] the information but it's my
[9:08:39] understanding that there are
[9:08:40] other definitions that exist.
[9:08:44] I did not see it in the in
[9:08:45] the documents.
[9:08:52] Why Can you tell me why this
[9:08:53] very specific one was picked
[9:08:57] versus other things that exist
[9:08:57] or that are being that are
[9:08:58] discussed and are out there
[9:08:59] that other organizations tend
[9:09:03] to promote and use?
[9:09:04] >> Yeah I think Councilmember
[9:09:05] because I was the most widely
[9:09:05] adopted governmental framework
[9:09:09] and gives the city a recognized
[9:09:10] already usable tool that does
[9:09:11] not mean alternative frameworks
[9:09:11] are worthless.
[9:09:15] It just means as the broader
[9:09:16] institutional uptake that when
[9:09:16] I mentioned in my presentation
[9:09:19] that throughout the world that
[9:09:23] has been widely used.
[9:09:30] So just simply it's broader.
[9:09:30] >> Again, I would just say
[9:09:31] the ira is the most widely used
[9:09:32] governmental framework.
[9:09:36] So the city is choosing
[9:09:36] the most established
[9:09:37] operational tool not trying to
[9:09:42] end every academic disagreement
[9:09:43] but it's just obviously
[9:09:43] the standard.
[9:09:44] Did I misunderstand you at
[9:09:44] that?
[9:09:45] You use the word broader
[9:09:46] previously?
[9:09:52] I said I said broadly used
[9:09:53] across the world.
[9:09:53] Yes.
[9:09:53] Okay.
[9:09:53] All right.
[9:09:58] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.
[9:10:05] That concludes my line of
[9:10:05] questioning at this moment.
[9:10:06] Okay.
[9:10:06] Thank you, Councilmember
[9:10:07] Foster.
[9:10:11] We'll go next to Council
[9:10:11] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
[9:10:17] Thinking as PRESIDENT I want to
[9:10:17] start this discussion by being
[9:10:18] clear which is that anti
[9:10:19] Semitism is real, it is
[9:10:22] persistent and it has been
[9:10:23] rising in very troubling ways
[9:10:23] in recent years.
[9:10:24] We've seen this not just
[9:10:29] nationally but here locally as
[9:10:29] well.
[9:10:30] I'm certainly appalled by some
[9:10:30] of the stories members of
[9:10:34] the public have shared about
[9:10:35] their experiences in our
[9:10:36] community with anti-Semitic
[9:10:41] hate in our district as you
[9:10:42] might have heard from one of
[9:10:42] the earlier public commenters.
[9:10:43] Our office is working directly
[9:10:46] with the local about after hate
[9:10:47] fliers were distributed at
[9:10:48] their doors scattered in their
[9:10:48] parking lot into the street
[9:10:52] picked up by other residents
[9:10:53] and even middle schoolers next
[9:10:53] door.
[9:10:54] These kinds of incidents have a
[9:10:55] real impact on people's sense
[9:10:58] of safety and belonging.
[9:10:59] I've also visited multiple
[9:11:00] congregations and a Jewish
[9:11:05] community center all in my
[9:11:06] district and I've seen
[9:11:07] firsthand the level of security
[9:11:11] that is now necessary which in
[9:11:12] itself speaks to the reality of
[9:11:12] what many in our Jewish
[9:11:13] community are facing.
[9:11:18] I just want to acknowledge that
[9:11:18] this is not unique to one
[9:11:19] community.
[9:11:19] We've seen similar patterns of
[9:11:23] increased hate and targeting in
[9:11:24] recent years in the form of
[9:11:29] Islamophobia anti lgbtq hate
[9:11:30] and even anti-Asian hate.
[9:11:30] When one community is targeted
[9:11:35] it undermines safety and
[9:11:35] belonging for all of us.
[9:11:41] Anti-Semitism must be addressed
[9:11:41] and challenged.
[9:11:42] I also think it's important to
[9:11:47] acknowledge the concerns that
[9:11:47] are being raised today about
[9:11:48] First Amendment rights, about
[9:11:49] free speech and about
[9:11:53] the ability to express views
[9:11:53] including criticism of any
[9:11:54] government including Israel.
[9:11:59] Those are fundamental
[9:12:00] principles and they should not
[9:12:00] be dismissed.
[9:12:01] I do not believe that those
[9:12:05] speaking in favor of the very
[9:12:06] definition should be assumed to
[9:12:07] be seeking to suppress free
[9:12:11] speech when they are simply
[9:12:12] seeking to protect their
[9:12:12] community.
[9:12:17] Similarly, I do not believe
[9:12:17] that those speaking out against
[9:12:18] this definition or expressing
[9:12:19] criticism of Israel should be
[9:12:24] broadly labeled as
[9:12:24] anti-Semitic.
[9:12:25] It is concerning to me that
[9:12:30] Councilmember Isla Rivera as a
[9:12:30] Jewish community member of this
[9:12:31] council has expressed
[9:12:31] frustration about not being
[9:12:35] engaged in this discussion and
[9:12:36] I recognize that not everyone
[9:12:40] MAY agree but no one should
[9:12:41] have their Jewish identity or
[9:12:42] heritage questioned based on a
[9:12:46] difference of opinion.
[9:12:47] At the end of the day I do
[9:12:47] believe that this resolution
[9:12:52] presents a nonbinding framework
[9:12:53] that defines anti-Semitism
[9:12:54] while also stating that nothing
[9:12:58] in this action changes or
[9:12:59] limits constitutional
[9:12:59] protections.
[9:13:00] I firmly believe that we can
[9:13:05] both take a clear stand against
[9:13:06] anti-Semitism and continue to
[9:13:06] uphold and protect
[9:13:11] the fundamental rights that are
[9:13:12] core to who we are as a member
[9:13:12] of this Council.
[9:13:16] I will always respect any
[9:13:17] speaker's right to criticize
[9:13:17] any government body including
[9:13:18] this one.
[9:13:22] With all this in mind that I am
[9:13:23] supporting this item today.
[9:13:28] More importantly, I don't
[9:13:28] believe this is the end of
[9:13:29] the discussion.
[9:13:30] There's more work to be done to
[9:13:34] address anti-Semitism to ensure
[9:13:35] that our efforts do not do so
[9:13:35] and suppress the rights of
[9:13:39] those who might disagree.
[9:13:40] Today's discussion has made
[9:13:41] clear how deeply and divergent
[9:13:46] our communities feel even how
[9:13:47] around how antisemitism is
[9:13:47] defined.
[9:13:51] That divide is real and it must
[9:13:58] be addressed as we move
[9:13:58] forward.
[9:13:59] I'd like to ask that our Human
[9:14:00] Relations Commission continue
[9:14:03] the difficult work of helping
[9:14:04] us navigate how we protect free
[9:14:05] speech while upholding
[9:14:09] fundamental rights.
[9:14:10] I would also ask that we ensure
[9:14:16] that other forms of hatred are
[9:14:16] equally addressed and even
[9:14:17] defined including but certainly
[9:14:21] not limited to Islamophobia
[9:14:22] anti lgbtq hate, anti-Asian
[9:14:28] hate and that we continue to
[9:14:28] engage a broad range of
[9:14:29] perspectives so that we truly
[9:14:33] stand for all of our
[9:14:34] marginalized communities.
[9:14:34] I think what I'd like to ask
[9:14:35] the council PRESIDENT Of
[9:14:39] the City Attorney's office is
[9:14:40] whether it would actually be
[9:14:41] appropriate to propose an
[9:14:41] amendment to today's item to
[9:14:45] include that request of
[9:14:50] the Human Relations Commission
[9:14:50] .
[9:14:51] I've always had a particular
[9:14:52] bias just to make the request
[9:14:52] and get an acknowledgment
[9:14:53] rather than building it into
[9:14:54] the motion.
[9:14:57] That's my personal bias.
[9:14:58] Is it possible for
[9:14:58] the attorney?
[9:15:02] Yes.
[9:15:03] Thank you.
[9:15:04] It is generally preferred to
[9:15:04] make the request but not
[9:15:05] include it in the motion but it
[9:15:06] is certainly permissible to
[9:15:09] make the request.
[9:15:09] >> I can't remember which
[9:15:10] friend I would ask if you would
[9:15:14] include an amendment to
[9:15:15] the motion that includes a
[9:15:16] request of the Human Relations
[9:15:21] Commission to be sure I just
[9:15:22] have it right from what I wrote
[9:15:23] to ensure that other forms of
[9:15:26] hatred are equally addressed
[9:15:27] and even defined including but
[9:15:28] certainly not limited to
[9:15:28] Islamophobia anti lgbtq hate as
[9:15:42] well as anti-Asian hate.
[9:15:42] Rather than conflate that with
[9:15:43] the motion that is in front of
[9:15:43] us.
[9:15:44] I would like to take that up as
[9:15:45] a separate motion.
[9:15:51] I would support it.
[9:15:51] Is that possible?
[9:15:57] I will allow it.
[9:15:58] Let's deal with this motion,
[9:15:59] get a vote and then we'll go
[9:15:59] back to you.
[9:16:04] Council PRESIDENT Bottomley
[9:16:05] That concludes my comments.
[9:16:05] All right.
[9:16:09] Thank you.
[9:16:09] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.
[9:16:10] Thank you to all my colleagues
[9:16:18] for your powerful words.
[9:16:19] I want to thank each of you
[9:16:20] that came before council
[9:16:20] especially those who have stuck
[9:16:25] it out for the entirety even
[9:16:25] the four that were escorted out
[9:16:26] over the course of that
[9:16:26] meeting.
[9:16:27] I appreciate their willingness
[9:16:31] to come and talk and certainly
[9:16:31] those who participated
[9:16:32] remotely.
[9:16:32] I want to thank the Human
[9:16:33] Relations Commission for their
[9:16:37] work on Councilmember Lipman
[9:16:38] and the d3 team for bringing
[9:16:42] this item forward.
[9:16:43] I'm not looking for a lot of
[9:16:44] love but I had to make a
[9:16:44] decision about whether to talk
[9:16:48] at this and as soon as council
[9:16:49] member Whitburn said I want to
[9:16:50] bring this forward I said yes
[9:16:54] and we scheduled it for
[9:16:55] the earliest possible date.
[9:17:00] I recognize that this
[9:17:01] discussion is taking place amid
[9:17:01] uncertainty in the Middle East.
[9:17:02] It is impossible to ignore
[9:17:07] the reverberations of those
[9:17:07] military actions here at home.
[9:17:08] Many of our communities are
[9:17:09] facing real concern, real hurt
[9:17:12] and real trauma in the face of
[9:17:12] this conflict.
[9:17:13] And as a council we strive to
[9:17:14] hear from all our constituents
[9:17:14] above all to ensure that every
[9:17:18] single resident feel safe and
[9:17:19] welcome in our city.
[9:17:20] The spirit of today's
[9:17:24] conversation is to consider
[9:17:25] adopting a working definition
[9:17:25] is not a departure from our
[9:17:26] values.
[9:17:30] It presents an opportunity to
[9:17:31] reaffirm our commitment to
[9:17:31] stand against hate and to
[9:17:32] foster communities that care
[9:17:32] for one another.
[9:17:35] It is clear that hate and in
[9:17:36] particular hate against Jewish
[9:17:37] communities is on the rise
[9:17:42] globally, nationally and
[9:17:42] locally.
[9:17:43] This trend to support it must
[9:17:43] end and it must be reversed.
[9:17:48] Hate has no place in our city.
[9:17:48] As many have have has
[9:17:53] acknowledged this action won't
[9:17:53] stop anti Semitism but it does
[9:17:54] offer the possibility of hope
[9:17:59] and a reaffirmation of our
[9:18:00] city's values and a commitment
[9:18:00] to safety.
[9:18:01] One of the privileges of going
[9:18:05] last is also to put a context
[9:18:06] in this conversation.
[9:18:10] I think you've heard despite
[9:18:11] each my council members in
[9:18:12] their own particular way that a
[9:18:12] unanimous feeling about
[9:18:17] anti-Semitism is unacceptable
[9:18:18] and that we as a council are
[9:18:18] committed to do everything
[9:18:23] within our power, our
[9:18:23] jurisdiction to fight against
[9:18:24] anti-Semitism.
[9:18:30] I also did not hear any
[9:18:30] criticism about the mayor's
[9:18:33] office City hall or police
[9:18:39] department our working
[9:18:40] definition of hate before we
[9:18:40] got here and how we've
[9:18:45] addressed the rise in hate
[9:18:46] crimes clearly has dramatically
[9:18:51] an unacceptably risen.
[9:18:52] But I didn't hear anybody
[9:18:53] complain or city employees and
[9:18:57] how the city employees behave
[9:18:58] And I think that's an important
[9:18:59] distinction that we should all
[9:18:59] recognize.
[9:19:03] This is going in a different
[9:19:04] direction.
[9:19:05] Above and beyond what the city
[9:19:09] is already doing and doing well
[9:19:10] with the resources we have.
[9:19:15] We are in challenging times.
[9:19:16] The mayor is committed.
[9:19:16] The council is committed.
[9:19:17] Our police force is committed
[9:19:21] as well.
[9:19:21] And it's a struggle we'll
[9:19:22] continue to face and meet head
[9:19:22] on.
[9:19:27] My thought I'd have to I
[9:19:28] struggle a little bit because
[9:19:28] I'm a little bit of a policy
[9:19:33] wonk and I think perhaps a
[9:19:33] little deeper in about words
[9:19:34] because I have found council of
[9:19:38] ministers or council members
[9:19:39] and administrations in the past
[9:19:40] have somehow gotten lost when
[9:19:44] they think about the big idea
[9:19:44] and then they forget
[9:19:45] the details about how they
[9:19:45] actually execute.
[9:19:50] I would have felt despite
[9:19:51] the amazing work by the Human
[9:19:56] Relations Commission, despite
[9:19:57] the good work by District three
[9:20:01] and the 4 or 5 six hours now
[9:20:02] going on, I don't think anybody
[9:20:06] spent more time on this than
[9:20:07] the ira in putting forth their
[9:20:07] work.
[9:20:14] I reflected on the work that
[9:20:14] they did and the careful
[9:20:15] language they put in to their
[9:20:20] document.
[9:20:20] On MAY 26th, 2016 210 years to
[9:20:25] get it in front of us I find
[9:20:26] this language and the adoption
[9:20:32] of this language to be a much
[9:20:32] more powerful action by us.
[9:20:33] I actually see some thumbs up.
[9:20:37] Thank you.
[9:20:37] It goes beyond just the non
[9:20:38] legally binding working
[9:20:43] definition.
[9:20:43] They said it twice non legally
[9:20:44] binding working definition of
[9:20:49] an asset as separatism in this
[9:20:50] document.
[9:20:55] They also took the time to say
[9:21:01] to guide our hra in their work.
[9:21:01] The following examples MAY
[9:21:02] serve as illustrations.
[9:21:06] A much softer tone than what
[9:21:07] our resolution says.
[9:21:13] They also included additional
[9:21:13] language at the end.
[9:21:14] Anti-Semitic acts are criminal
[9:21:19] when they are so defined by
[9:21:19] law.
[9:21:20] Criminal acts are anti-Semitic
[9:21:21] when the targets of attacks and
[9:21:22] I won't read the whole thing.
[9:21:26] And I Semitic discrimination is
[9:21:29] a denial to dual and I'll take
[9:21:29] my three minutes.
[9:21:30] >> This is the language I would
[9:21:30] have preferred.
[9:21:35] I think this really reflects
[9:21:36] what H.R. A ira was really
[9:21:41] doing and what everybody spoke
[9:21:42] to eloquently about what was so
[9:21:42] very important.
[9:21:47] In a perfect world this is what
[9:21:47] would have gotten written up in
[9:21:48] the resolution.
[9:21:48] I am a little concerned and
[9:21:53] there is always an opportunity
[9:21:54] As council member Campbell said
[9:21:55] it's only a resolution.
[9:21:55] It is.
[9:21:59] Let me be very blunt The lowest
[9:22:00] form of what we can do and it's
[9:22:00] the easiest thing We don't have
[9:22:01] to go to committee.
[9:22:05] It can be direct talking to
[9:22:05] the council which gives us
[9:22:06] opportunity to change if it's
[9:22:11] causing problems And I would
[9:22:12] look to each of you no matter
[9:22:13] which side you are on to let us
[9:22:17] know if it is causing problems
[9:22:17] .
[9:22:18] If it is causing the police
[9:22:19] department to go off into
[9:22:20] different directions if it is
[9:22:23] causing other groups to accuse
[9:22:24] people of things that this
[9:22:25] thing was not intended to.
[9:22:29] So your work is not done yet
[9:22:29] and I know for many of you your
[9:22:30] work is never done in this
[9:22:30] conversation.
[9:22:35] Having said that, a different
[9:22:35] resolution in a different era
[9:22:40] and something less passionate
[9:22:41] about.
[9:22:47] I was on the border of seeing
[9:22:48] voting no on this because I
[9:22:48] wanted the ira work and not
[9:22:49] the resolution and that means
[9:22:53] no respect to my council
[9:22:53] colleague going forward.
[9:22:58] But I will be voting in support
[9:22:59] of this with the understanding
[9:22:59] that we MAY come back if it
[9:23:00] turns to be problematic for
[9:23:05] some.
[9:23:05] I have predicted we can always
[9:23:06] go back and fix something that
[9:23:07] is not cast in concrete.
[9:23:11] That is not legally binding and
[9:23:12] as I would have said is a
[9:23:16] working definition, not
[9:23:17] the definition going forward.
[9:23:17] So please come back.
[9:23:22] Please keep us informed.
[9:23:23] The Human Relations Commission
[9:23:23] I also ask you to take that
[9:23:28] input and to bring us back
[9:23:29] going forward.
[9:23:29] Part of my reason for voting
[9:23:34] yes is we have an awful lot of
[9:23:35] advisory boards staffed by
[9:23:35] volunteers.
[9:23:36] I want to show a level of
[9:23:36] respect.
[9:23:37] I think it missed the mark a
[9:23:40] little bit but I want to show
[9:23:41] the respect and take some
[9:23:41] action today so I will be
[9:23:47] supported of that as I said.
[9:23:52] >> Council member Ila
[9:23:52] PRESIDENT.
[9:23:53] There's just one thing I do
[9:23:53] want to say and I mean this
[9:23:54] with complete respect.
[9:23:57] Because this is my truth.
[9:24:03] The definition is already being
[9:24:04] weaponised and I know that.
[9:24:05] So there's this conversation if
[9:24:09] you're happening about this
[9:24:10] this conversation if you're
[9:24:10] having about that as a
[9:24:16] hypothetical and if it happened
[9:24:17] in the future we need to
[9:24:17] address it.
[9:24:18] And what I'm sharing is that
[9:24:21] since the presentation to
[9:24:22] the Immigration commission,
[9:24:23] the proponents of this
[9:24:27] the folks who are associated
[9:24:27] with those who presented have
[9:24:28] weaponized my words against me
[9:24:33] to say that I despite all
[9:24:34] the stories experiences that I
[9:24:35] shared and feeling antisemitism
[9:24:39] through my through the words
[9:24:40] and actions that I've taken.
[9:24:41] So I want to get that on
[9:24:46] the record again because I have
[9:24:46] it feels quite honestly like
[9:24:51] it's being not dismissed by
[9:24:52] everyone but dismissed by too
[9:24:52] many.
[9:24:53] And I do have a problem with
[9:24:53] that.
[9:24:57] Thank you.
[9:24:58] All right.
[9:24:58] I have about 35 seconds left.
[9:25:04] I think he has worked very
[9:25:05] seriously at seeing what he's
[9:25:05] talking about.
[9:25:06] i know what he's talking about.
[9:25:07] For all of you that came stay
[9:25:10] the entire six hours, whatever
[9:25:10] it's been who fought so very
[9:25:11] hard for this.
[9:25:15] I'm holding you to account to
[9:25:16] do self-control And to those
[9:25:20] who are opposed to this
[9:25:21] the same for you and to let us
[9:25:26] know we are a city that does
[9:25:27] not invite hate.
[9:25:27] I do not understand why haters
[9:25:32] are going to hate and are going
[9:25:33] to find somebody to hate.
[9:25:34] But this is a big pivotal
[9:25:37] moment and it's going to take
[9:25:38] every one of us to actually
[9:25:39] deliver what Councilmember Eli
[9:25:44] Rivera has been exposed to,
[9:25:44] what each of you have been
[9:25:45] exposed to your families, your
[9:25:46] kids, your relatives, your
[9:25:50] friends is unacceptable And
[9:25:51] we're only going to get there
[9:25:51] if we're all joining in
[9:25:55] respecting what each of us says
[9:25:56] I'm going I'm going to get off
[9:25:56] my soapbox.
[9:25:57] But I think you get my point
[9:26:01] going forward and do not
[9:26:02] disappoint those of us who are
[9:26:02] voting on this.
[9:26:06] Do not disappoint Councilmember
[9:26:07] Lipman for bringing this
[9:26:07] forward.
[9:26:08] The city attorney wants to talk
[9:26:12] to Yes.
[9:26:13] Thank you, council PRESIDENT.
[9:26:13] Just to clarify before the vote
[9:26:17] is taken there was some mention
[9:26:18] of a potential additional or
[9:26:18] second motion.
[9:26:19] Once the vote is taken on
[9:26:23] the motion currently on
[9:26:24] the floor, the item will be
[9:26:24] concluded and there cannot be a
[9:26:25] second motion.
[9:26:25] But can you give us legal
[9:26:29] advice about how to get council
[9:26:30] PRESIDENT Pro tem Because i
[9:26:34] think there is a general level
[9:26:34] of support for that.
[9:26:35] The two options would be to
[9:26:36] make the request of the mayor's
[9:26:40] office to work with
[9:26:41] the commission to address those
[9:26:46] questions or alternatively you
[9:26:46] could put the request in
[9:26:47] the motion.
[9:26:47] The first option would be
[9:26:48] preferred but you could put it
[9:26:48] in a motion that would be
[9:26:54] legally permissible.
[9:26:55] Well as Robert rolls in his
[9:26:56] grave I'll leave it up to you.
[9:27:00] Council member Whitburn but
[9:27:00] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
[9:27:05] could you again reiterate what
[9:27:05] your request was?
[9:27:06] I've talked about it.
[9:27:11] We're clearly at the moment but
[9:27:11] it is to request Human
[9:27:12] Relations Commission to address
[9:27:16] and define additional forms of
[9:27:17] racial discrimination and hate
[9:27:17] ensuring we continue to engage
[9:27:20] a broad range of perspectives
[9:27:21] in order to support all
[9:27:32] marginalized communities.
[9:27:33] I would be comfortable making
[9:27:37] that request from the dais and
[9:27:38] I think that there would be
[9:27:38] consensus about making that
[9:27:39] request.
[9:27:42] I would be reluctant to
[9:27:43] incorporate it into the motion
[9:27:47] that's on the floor.
[9:27:48] But to the members of the Human
[9:27:53] Relations Commission I would
[9:27:54] respectfully ask if you would
[9:27:58] be willing to consider at
[9:28:04] the commission that which
[9:28:05] the Council PRESIDENT Pro tem
[9:28:05] is requesting.
[9:28:05] >> Yes.
[9:28:09] Thank you.
[9:28:10] I want to introduce you to our
[9:28:10] newest chair.
[9:28:14] Uh, Chair Jones.
[9:28:15] Stephen Jones.
[9:28:20] And he can make that decision.
[9:28:20] One thing that I had mentioned
[9:28:21] to Ryan was that possibly we
[9:28:26] could provide you with a list
[9:28:26] of the things that we are
[9:28:27] currently working on that
[9:28:31] address this sort of thing hate
[9:28:32] within the very various
[9:28:36] communities and then provide a
[9:28:41] way that we can, you know, have
[9:28:42] some discourse about what you
[9:28:43] would like to see more of.
[9:28:47] And thank you Chair Jones.
[9:28:47] >> You heard the request of
[9:28:48] the council PRESIDENT Pro tem
[9:28:52] Would you be willing to docket
[9:28:53] consideration of his request?
[9:28:53] >> Sure.
[9:28:57] My name is DR. Stephen Jones.
[9:28:58] I am the new chair of the Human
[9:28:59] Relations Commission.
[9:29:02] It is an honor to be before you
[9:29:02] .
[9:29:03] Let me say that Thank you for
[9:29:04] the deliberation.
[9:29:04] Yes, we as a commission will
[9:29:08] take that on because hate in
[9:29:09] any direction weakens us all.
[9:29:12] Thank you.
[9:29:13] I would like to take the time
[9:29:19] to apologize to COUNCILMAN
[9:29:19] Saylor There there I think in a
[9:29:23] heated moment I misspoke and
[9:29:23] certainly did not mean to
[9:29:24] disrespect you So I sincerely
[9:29:33] apologize.
[9:29:33] All right.
[9:29:38] We generally recognize Robert's
[9:29:38] Rules of Order but we have
[9:29:39] allowed the maker of the motion
[9:29:43] to control the motion going
[9:29:43] forward on the floor.
[9:29:48] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Katz
[9:29:49] for PRESIDENT I'm going to
[9:29:49] respectfully request that if
[9:29:53] it's not going to be included
[9:29:54] in the motion because I think
[9:29:54] it's important here today I'm
[9:29:57] supporting the item as it is.
[9:29:58] I think it's important and
[9:29:59] we've made the case for that
[9:30:02] But I think it's also fair to
[9:30:02] that there we actually
[9:30:03] acknowledge the work that needs
[9:30:04] to be done.
[9:30:06] The Human Relations Commission
[9:30:07] has already said that there are
[9:30:08] embarking on that work and so
[9:30:12] us putting it in writing even
[9:30:13] if the resolution is the lowest
[9:30:14] form of what this council can
[9:30:17] do is a commitment that I think
[9:30:18] deserves to be made and that I
[9:30:18] believe would be broadly
[9:30:22] supported by this Council.
[9:30:22] The PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee you
[9:30:23] have the commitment from
[9:30:24] the mayor's office to charge
[9:30:27] the hrc to take those actions
[9:30:27] and the Office of Boards and
[9:30:28] Commissions will track and
[9:30:29] monitor that to ensure that
[9:30:31] that's delivered.
[9:30:32] Council PRESIDENT I will
[9:30:33] respectfully ask for a vote on
[9:30:33] that amendment if it is not
[9:30:36] going to be accepted.
[9:30:37] >> Okay.
[9:30:40] Well let's give the city clerk
[9:30:41] is there a second to his
[9:30:45] amendment?
[9:30:46] I'll give it to Councilmember
[9:30:50] Foster So we'll need to take a
[9:30:51] moment and let the city clerk
[9:30:55] get that up on the screen so
[9:30:56] everybody and if you have
[9:31:00] anything that you can share a
[9:31:05] point of clarification I guess
[9:31:06] as an amendment we can bring it
[9:31:14] without pre public information
[9:31:15] 72 hours ahead of the meeting
[9:31:15] That is right agenda.
[9:31:16] Okay.
[9:31:18] Just wanted to get that
[9:31:23] clarified since it's a request
[9:31:23] it's a request or amendment
[9:31:24] which is what It's an amendment
[9:31:27] to embed the request into
[9:31:31] the motion.
[9:31:32] Then it's not really a request.
[9:31:36] It's and you know the council
[9:31:37] has in many cases input it
[9:31:41] requests as a part of our
[9:31:41] motions And so council
[9:31:45] PRESIDENT Notably I the second
[9:31:46] of my motion and I just
[9:31:49] conferred we believe that
[9:31:51] including your language in
[9:31:56] the motion in addition to
[9:31:57] the resolution that we are
[9:32:01] bringing forward is in line
[9:32:02] with what we would like to see
[9:32:06] the city advance So we will
[9:32:07] incorporate that into
[9:32:07] the motion.
[9:32:11] Okay.
[9:32:12] Without objection from Council
[9:32:15] PRESIDENT Pro Tem and a second
[9:32:15] agree?
[9:32:16] Yes.
[9:32:16] Council PRESIDENT I'll explain
[9:32:20] why the resolution as drafted
[9:32:24] by Council member weapons team
[9:32:25] and what to put in front of us
[9:32:25] is still exactly what was
[9:32:29] before us.
[9:32:30] There's just an additional
[9:32:31] level of addressing what
[9:32:34] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Pro
[9:32:35] Tem Lee was talking about.
[9:32:39] So the resolution supporting
[9:32:39] the ihra definition condemning
[9:32:43] antisemitism and directing
[9:32:44] the city clerk and the mayor's
[9:32:45] staff to use the ihra
[9:32:49] definition as an educational
[9:32:49] tool in helping identify
[9:32:50] antisemitism remains completely
[9:32:50] intact.
[9:32:54] Nothing about that is changing.
[9:32:54] What's added in there is
[9:32:58] the additional direction which
[9:32:59] I from what I could hear
[9:33:00] council member would say if it
[9:33:00] was a separate motion
[9:33:03] altogether it would have passed
[9:33:04] anyway.
[9:33:08] So because the ihra definition
[9:33:09] is not a changed the resolution
[9:33:09] as is printed by the city
[9:33:13] attorney presented to the city
[9:33:14] clerk and ultimately delivered
[9:33:15] to the mayor is going to remain
[9:33:17] exactly the same.
[9:33:18] I think that it's an
[9:33:18] appropriate adjustment and I
[9:33:19] think that we should move
[9:33:21] forward.
[9:33:22] >> All right.
[9:33:23] Without objection, can the city
[9:33:27] clerk put up a new screen that
[9:33:27] adds both the original motion
[9:33:31] as well as this new language
[9:33:37] that's been added?
[9:33:37] Yes.
[9:33:37] Give us two minutes.
[9:33:38] Do you have additional
[9:33:38] comments?
[9:33:41] Yeah, I will Just thank
[9:33:42] Councilmember Cappo for making
[9:33:42] that point.
[9:33:46] I think it is right.
[9:33:47] I will explain my additional
[9:33:47] hesitation being that this is
[9:33:51] all about language and so I
[9:33:52] want to be cautious about
[9:33:56] adjusting language on the fly.
[9:33:57] But I do think that
[9:33:57] Councilmember Campo is correct
[9:34:01] in his assessment of the fact
[9:34:05] that both things continue on
[9:34:06] And so I think it makes sense
[9:34:06] to include it.
[9:34:07] So thank you.
[9:34:38] Thank you
[9:34:38] .
[9:34:43] I'm sorry.
[9:34:44] Are you back on the lights?
[9:34:44] Yes.
[9:34:44] Sorry.
[9:34:48] I just I want to I appreciate
[9:34:49] the amendment put forward by
[9:34:49] council PRESIDENT Pro tem.
[9:34:52] I think it's important and I
[9:34:53] think this is a better action
[9:34:54] as a result of it At the same
[9:34:57] time because in my opinion
[9:34:58] the item be before us
[9:35:02] the resolution before us did
[9:35:03] not include the broad range of
[9:35:04] perspectives that we were
[9:35:07] asking to be included in the in
[9:35:08] defining other forms of hate.
[9:35:12] The other efforts to combat
[9:35:17] discrimination because I do not
[9:35:17] from the record see that that
[9:35:18] broad range of perspectives was
[9:35:22] included in the drafting of
[9:35:22] the resolution before us.
[9:35:23] I still will not be supporting
[9:35:23] the motion although I do
[9:35:26] believe that it's better as a
[9:35:27] result of the amendment.
[9:35:27] Thank you.
[9:35:28] All right.
[9:35:28] Thank you.
[9:35:31] Council member Ella Rivera Not
[9:35:32] to anybody else like Thank you
[9:35:32] Council member Whitburn Thank
[9:35:32] you.
[9:35:36] Council Member Campo Thank you.
[9:35:36] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
[9:35:40] So that is the motion on
[9:35:41] the screen which includes both
[9:35:42] the original proposal,
[9:35:45] the original action as well as
[9:35:46] the additional request to
[9:35:50] the Human Relations Commission
[9:35:50] .
[9:35:51] So with nobody else in
[9:35:51] the lights.
[9:35:55] Clerk Please call the roll.
[9:35:55] >> Thank you.
[9:35:56] Council PRESIDENT I've started
[9:35:56] the voting system.
[9:36:03] Please cast your vote and that
[9:36:04] passes 8 to 1 with council
[9:36:05] member Ella Rivera voting no
[9:36:31] Thank you Council PRESIDENT
[9:36:41] Just two times for applause.
[9:36:42] So with that we will now
[9:36:42] adjourn Council to the next
[9:36:43] regularly scheduled council
[9:36:46] meeting on Monday, APRIL 6th,
[9:36:48] 2026 at 10 A.M. We are