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Keeping Public Meetings Safe and Civil

By Mara W. Elliott

05/05/2022
in City Attorney News, Community, Feature, Featured, Features
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Keeping Public Meetings Safe and Civil
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Every citizen has a right to be heard at public meetings when decisions are being made that affect our lives, our families, and our community.

Lately, however, this hallmark of American democracy is being tested. Throughout our country, public meetings are being disrupted by people who make the orderly conduct of business difficult. Some disruptors want to prevent contrary voices from being heard. Others hope to stop government in its tracks. Still others are merely seeking an audience.

These situations can be challenging. Elected officials have an obligation to protect the First Amendment rights of their constituents. But they also have a duty to conduct the people’s business in an orderly manner and in a safe environment. When these principles conflict, the public is best served when conflict resolution tactics are deployed.

Recently my Office held a training on de-escalating conflicts at public meetings in partnership with the California School Boards Association, the County Office of Education, and the National Conflict Resolution Center.

The training was attended by school board members from around the county, many of whom have been on the front lines of our society’s culture wars. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland noted last year the “disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation’s public schools.”

School board members are generally hard-working volunteers whose community service goes unrewarded and unrecognized, and as a former attorney to school districts, I was pleased to be able to help them.

Here is a synopsis of what we discussed:

  • Tensions can often be de-escalated before they become disruptions. The key is for elected officials to set a tone of mutual respect for people’s ideas and viewpoints, even when we disagree, and to encourage people to explain themselves without engaging in personal attacks or other tactics that distract from the issues at hand.
  • Many agencies post Codes of Conduct at their meetings or read them aloud when a meeting begins. The elected officials then remind audience members of these principles when discourse veers toward being uncivil. Most people will adjust their behavior in response to clear and appropriate actions.
  • Federal, state, and local laws protect public meetings from disruptive conduct that goes beyond First Amendment-protected speech. These laws are intended to guarantee the safety of all participants and the orderly conduct of public business. In response to disruptions and protests, agencies can adjourn a meeting, clear a room, and remove people to a safe location.
  • Disruptive behavior can include speaking out of turn, refusing to leave the lectern, hateful gestures, and threats of harm. No one has a right to interrupt a meeting to speak on whatever topic they wish, or to interrupt or talk over others.
  • Disruptive behavior does not include criticizing an agency or legislative body, harsh questioning, or booing, all of which were found lawful by the California Supreme Court.
  • Elected officials need to have thick skin, and to remain calm even if a speaker says untruthful or personally hurtful things – even mean-spirited speech is protected by the First Amendment. Sometimes all an angry person wants is to have his or her grievances heard.
  • Calling in law enforcement is a last resort. It should reflect legitimate concerns about public safety, and not a belief that the threat of arrest will lead to compliance. Threats of arrest will often lead to arrest — and such incidents can live on long after the initial issue has been forgotten.

We are fortunate to live in a region where political differences are generally aired and resolved with respect. Maintaining that social code is important to everyone, no matter what your political views are, and is vital to a full and meaningful participation in our democracy.

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Pick Up Our Print Edition Near You!

December 2023, Volume 4, Issue 29

(LGBTQ SD News has decided to continue the current volume by several issues while we rebrand).

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Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride. In a Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride.

In an email to San Diego Pride staff and volunteers sent Monday night, Nov. 20, the organization’s board of directors announced that their executive director, Fernando Zweifach Lopez, Jr., had stepped down from their position, effective immediately. 

Screenshots of the email, signed by San Diego Pride co-chairs Melissa Malone-Montgomery and Noah Lomax, were shared with LGBTQ San Diego County News. 

Read the full story including reactions from community leaders by visiting the link in our bio or at https://lgbtqsd.news/lopez-suddenly-resigns-from-san-diego-pride/

@lovewarriorpink, @sandiegopride #SDPride
🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd 🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd has begun! We are proud to be a sponsor of this annual event that kicks off the holiday season in #HillcrestSanDiego and raises big money for Being Alive’s HIV/AIDS services.
In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. s In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. shares about popular new Hillcrest chicken spot, Cluck N Sip; the annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival; Whiskey House in downtown’s Marina District; some dining spots offering ways to be charitable; and a new location of Pitfire Pizza.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/foodie-flashes-november-2023
The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Met The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was ordered to pay the church back and sentenced to 270 days in jail on Oct. 12.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/sentencing-for-man-who-vandalized-mcc
Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the fil Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the film "RUSTIN," which chronicles the life of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/conversations-with-nicole-november
A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct. 19, in the stabbing death of a gay sailor 33 years ago at his Point Loma home in a case solved by DNA.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/convicted-after-33-years
Check out our latest news briefs section, featurin Check out our latest news briefs section, featuring information about future Hillcrest Development; a San Diego resident being featured in a Don't Ask Don't Tell documentary; and MPOX infections are on the rise again.

Read the briefs at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/spectrum-news-briefs-november-2023

@hillcrestsandiego #HillcrestSanDiego @cityofsandiego @vibrantuptown @uptownplannerssd @hillcresttowncouncil
These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 re These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 reminds us to continue to look out for each other and never be afraid to ask for help!

Read Benny's full column at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/bennys-back-managing-these-times-we-live-in

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The holidays are fast approaching and it's almost The holidays are fast approaching and it's almost time for the third annual @FestivalofTreesSD! 

Read more about how you can be a part of this festive fundraiser at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/a-joyous-festival-of-trees
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