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Following racist and hateful interruptions during public comment at open meetings across the Bay Area last year, the Redwood City Council changed its procedures to move comments online until further notice — a move that has had unintended negative consequences.
In light of this, this Monday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m., the Redwood City Council will consider updating the City Council's Activities and Communications Guide.
Families with children are often unable to attend city council meetings in person because they put their children to bed at the time of the meeting, while many workers, especially those in the food industry, are busy, and elderly and/or disabled people have mobility issues or feel unsafe driving at night.
Despite this and the additional barriers to in-person participation, the City Council Governance Subcommittee does not recommend ending the suspension of virtual public comment.
The question is: Should the Council restore access to virtual public comment for families with children, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities?
“I recognize that a small group of individuals have abused the online public comment space with white supremacist, anti-Semitic, homophobic and transphobic comments. I reaffirm that there is no place for hate in Redwood City,” Councilmember Chris Sturken (District 2) told Peninsula 360 Press.
The official said neighboring cities have mandated that the topic, i.e., city business, be kept on topic during public comment, which has successfully kept virtual public comment as an option.
“When we cave to a small group of hateful people, we let them win. They want to silence us, which limits public participation. Please consider the opportunity to conduct virtual public comment in Redwood City and keep the community voice present and inclusive,” Sturken said.
To support the return of remote public comment, Councilmembers have called for in-person public comment this Monday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, located at 1017 Middlefield Road, or by emailing publiccomment@redwoodcity.org before 5:00 p.m. this Monday.
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