Brentwood to Consider Methods to Restrict “Hate Speech” During Public Comments

On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will again discuss potential methods to restrict hate speech during public comments.

The item is being requested by vice mayor Susannah Meyer after she previously withdrew her request at the February 12 meeting related to reconsideration and evaluation of the public comment period on City Agendas based on the Council discussion.

Meyer shared at that meeting she brought the item forward citing “accessibility” for the commuters, home bound, people with children, elderly or those who are fearful to speak on contentious issues and felt more comfortable online.

“I don’t consider to be anything other than accessibility,” stated Meyer. “This is just to revisit the idea of public comments via zoom. It’s a discussion, I think we should have it.”

She suggested that they offer the public comments at the end of the meeting noting not everyone can come downtown or were willing.

This additional request mentioned that the City of Emeryville had crafted a policy on the topic that could be assessed. According to the City of Emeryville, which apparently Brentwood was assessing, issued the following on March 22, 2024:

Effective immediately, City Council, Successor Agency, MESA, and Planning Commission meetings will no longer be noticed as hybrid (in-person/Zoom) public meetings. As a result, public comment can only be made in-person or by using the written comment card available on the website. For these meetings, a Zoom link will still be provided on the agenda for the public to view meetings remotely, but they will no longer be afforded the ability to make public comment remotely.

All other Advisory Body meetings subject to the Brown Act will no longer be noticed as hybrid public meetings. Public comment can be made in-person or by using the written comment card available on the website.

This new policy was in response to zoom-bombs two weeks ago which prompted the city to use its new hate speech policy for the first time to cut off hate speech–Emeryville had been one of the few cities remaining who allowed remote public comments.

Meanwhile, at its February 21 meeting, the Walnut Creek City Council Subjected to Antisemitic Rant in person–councilmember Kevin Wilk said on our podcast the next day authorities know who this person is and he lives in Modesto.

At the January 23 meeting where she stated, Vice Mayor Meyer stated:

“I think its time to talk about it again, even if it means we consider and have public comments on Zoom at the end of a meeting as opposed to the beginning so that there is still some level of protection. Given the response we have been getting just from one person, we get it from multiple… I just think its time to have this discussion again,” stated Meyer.

Back in October, the Brentwood City Council tweaked its policy on virtual comments after Brentwood was forced to take up the issue of virtual public comments as they were the target of vile, racist, and offensive hate speech at its Sept. 26 meeting—much like many other cities have experienced in over the past year. Brentwood came out and condemned the attack.

Previous Brentwood City Council Actions:

• On October 10, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution 2023-122 approving amendments to City Council/Administrative Policy No. 110-, Meeting Rules and Procedures; sections 3.2, which clarified that the agenda order may be changed pursuant to Section 4.3, by the Mayor or Vice-Mayor (in the Mayor’s absence) and 5.2 which pertains to public speaking times, and allows the Mayor to reduce public speaking times for reasons other than an anticipated large number of speakers of the City’s Meeting Rules and Procedures (Policy 110-1). The City Council further provided direction to staff to: Provide opportunity for virtual public comments for agendized items only, and verbal public comments on items not on the agenda will be taken in person only.
• On January 23, 2024, Vice Mayor Meyer requested a future agenda related to reconsideration and evaluation of the public comment period on City Agendas.
• On February 12, 2024, Vice Mayor Meyer withdrew her request for a future agenda related to reconsideration and evaluation of the public comment period on City Agendas.
• On March 12, 2024, Vice Mayor Meyer requested an item to consider policies the City Council might adopt to restrict hate speech during public comments

If You Go

Related

• Feb 14 – Brentwood Decides Not to Bring Back Virtual Public Comments
• Feb 12 – Brentwood Could Tweak its Virtual Public Comment Policy
• Oct 11, 2023 – Brentwood Tweaks Policy on Zoom Public Comments
• Oct 4, 2023 – Walnut Creek Opts to End Zoom Public Comments
• Sept. 29 – El Cerrito to Suspend Zoom Public Comments After Antisemitic Comments
• Sept. 27 – Brentwood City Council Meeting Targeted by Hate Speech
• 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