Brentwood City Council Meeting Targeted by Hate Speech

On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council became the latest city to have their meeting targeted by hate speech during public comments.

In Contra Costa County,  this comes after the cities of El Cerrito were recently targeted and the City of Walnut Creek has been targeted multiple times in the past six months—other cities in the Bay Area have also been targeted with hate speech, including the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Santa Rosa School Board (See Statement).

In Brentwood, the public speakers did not opt to speak during general public comments, but rather disguised their comments and placed them under agenda  Items I.2.a, I.2.b, and I.2.C. That is when the speakers began target the meeting.  Mayor Joel Bryant interjected and informed the first speaker he had to speak about the agenda item, not anything else.

City Attorney Damien Brower quickly chimed in stated if they were not talking about the agenda item, they could be cut off.

At that point, the speaker spoke about “white power” and was immediately turned off by city staff.

Brower then informed the city council the public has the right to speak under general public comments which has little regulation, but on specific agenda items the speakers need to stick to the agenda items.

Mayor Joel Bryant offered a response to the public commenter who was no longer on the call.

“In regards to what this person just said, I think his comments speak to exactly what level of individual he is and I apologize we had to hear it and I am confident that he will get to enjoy the fruits of his speaking at some point, I’ll just wait for that to happen,” said Bryant. “I am sorry that was not very professional but I got zero tolerance for racism.”

Another speaker, appeared to be cut off before they began.

Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer asked the council to be very careful and to cut people off who were not on topic.

“Mayor can I make a suggestion, we have a lot of unfamiliar names lined up to make comments, can we be very careful about cutting someone off immediate if there is something suspicious,” said Meyer.

Later in the meeting, Meyer was targeted by a caller as they attempted to belittle her by citing the First Amendment and the Brown Act.

Brower said they would do their best to cut off comments and that this has been going on in other cities, including this county where speakers come on and make antisemitic remarks, however, its limited to this agenda item and not talking about this agenda item the city clerk will cut them off.

The council meeting continued with at least five other speakers being cut off after spreading hate, making racist remarks and making antisemitic rhetoric statements.

Its unclear if the council will take steps to eliminate Zoom or teleconference like the City of Antioch and City of Oakley, however, the council may consider moving public comments until the end of its council meeting.

On Wednesday, Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden said they will continue to monitor the situation and do its best to follow the law and work within the first amendment to allow the public the right to speak during council meetings within public comment laws.

Councilman Tony Oerlemans said Wednesday the city will not tolerate that type of commentary.

“Last night was a disgusting display of hatred expressed during a public meeting. “We cannot and will not tolerate that behavior by anyone,” said Oerlemans. “It was very challenging to sit there and see the faces of the community, the staff,  my fellow councilmembers and not be able to stop it or respond. We have to find a solution so that this does not become a continued disruption to the community.”

No other members of the city council responded to emails or phone calls prior to press time

Editors Note

• On Sept 27, the Antioch City Council voted to continue doing away with teleconference meetings.
• On Sept. 20, the City of Sacramento issued a statement that council meetings are now done in person and have phased out virtual meetings and will hold in-person meetings for all its boards, commissions and committees.
• Over the past year, the City of Walnut Creek, San Jose, Richmond were the target of several people calling in spewing “hate”.
• Aug 31 – Temple Isaiah Hosts JCRC Here I Am Initiative to Unite Against Antisemitism
• June 22 – Walnut Creek Hate Speech Continues, Budget Passed With More Cops
• June 11 – Wilk Responds to Hate Speech at Walnut Creek Council Meeting
• June 8 – Walnut Creek City Council Meeting Targeted by Antisemitic Callers
• Oct 14 – Walnut Creek Councilman Calls out Antisemitic Flyers and Hate Speech
• May 16 – Danville Mayor Condemns Hate Speech Signs Displayed Over the Weekend