The following statement was released by Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden after hate speech occurred during public comment at the last city council meeting.
During several City Council meetings throughout the State, and recently at a Brentwood City Council meeting, those in attendance were subjected to vile, racist, and offensive comments from anonymous public participants virtually through Zoom. The City of Brentwood unequivocally condemns these attacks and stands united in speaking out against any form of hate. Such hateful speech has no place in our community and we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all residents.
Brentwood is a diverse and supportive community for all living and working here. Our community will not stand idly by tolerating any form of discrimination based on race, religion, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, immigration status, or any other group. Further, we reject the hateful comments directed at the Mayor and City Council, city staff, and the public at the last Council meeting. In future meetings, the City Council and City staff will continue to demonstrate their priority on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging strategies, reinforcing a safe and inclusive community for all.
We invite all Brentwood residents to stand with us in unity for peace and harmony.
~City Manager Tim Ogden
[email protected]
Editors Note:
At the council meeting, 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.”
The statement comes the same day that the City of Walnut Creek announced it was doing away with Zoom public comments as well as the City of El Cerrito announcing on Sept. 29. The Antioch City Council voted to move forward with council meetings in person and opted not to bring back Zoom or teleconference participation back.
