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Zuniga, Diana From: Jennifer Antunez < Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 2:43 PM To: eComment Subject: Public Comment for City Council Meeting —Community Protection &Accountability Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear City Council Members, My name is Jennifer Antunez, and I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the lack of protection and justice the City of Santa Ana has shown to its own community. I was born and raised in Santa Ana, a community that has shaped me through love, support, and resilience—not only from my own family but from neighbors, educators, and mentors who believed in me that reside in the city of Santa Ana. Because of this community, I am proud to say that I graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Chicana/o/x Studies. As of Sunday, I also earned my Master of Professional Accountancy from UC Irvine. Throughout my academic journey, my community has uplifted me. It is devastating to now witness our leaders, particularly Mayor Valerie Amezcua,turn their backs on the very people who are working to uplift other residents of Santa Ana from similar backgrounds as mine. Mayor Amezcua was elected on the promise of standing with its residents, instead she is out in the city of Santa Ana only protecting business owners. When the residents of Santa Ana needed her to protect protesters and the immigrant community of Santa Ana, Mayor Amezcua failed to lead. Instead of standing up for us, she herself allowed others to label our residents as criminals for exercising their First Amendment right. Our residents of Santa Ana are out in the streets doing what she refuses to do: speak out for justice. Just last week, peaceful protesters in Santa Ana were met with excessive force.The Santa Ana Police Department marched in riot gear, deployed pepper spray, rubber bullets, and tear gas—a chemical banned in warfare—against residents exercising their First Amendment rights.This response was not only unnecessary and unjustified but deeply dangerous. It sent a clear message that our elected officials were not protecting its residents, but rather they are against us. I urge the City Council to consider the following: 1. Hold Mayor Valerie Amezcua accountable for her public statements and inaction against the criminalization of peaceful protesters—many of whom are educated community members fighting for the safety and dignity of our neighborhoods. i