HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - SANTA ANA BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES1
CM 10/21/2014
Building Healthy Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities
Communities 1505 E 17" St, Suite 111, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Central Santo Ana PHONE: (714)647 -0900 1 FAX: (714)647-09011 www.sa- bhc.org
October 17, 2014
Dear Mayor, City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, and Chief of Police of Santa Ana:
We, the workgroups of the Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities, dedicated to Restorative
Justice and Equity for All, and conformed of neighborhood residents, parents, youth, labor and non-
profit organizations, are deeply concerned with the cancellation of the last City Council meeting, the
potential restrictions on expression and public participation, and the increased polarization with Police
and Community relations. We request that the City Council NOT approve Ordinance 50A on Meeting
Decorum but rather take up pressing matters pending on the agenda, including the release of the report
on the investigation of the mayor, the discussion on the proposed homeless shelter, and support of the
Ordinance condemning Trust Act Violations.
It is of great concern to our collaborative that Ordinance 50A on Meeting Decorum is not sound
public policy because it silences the public, infringes on the public's constitutional rights and criminalizes
forms of expression. The potential of a misdemeanor in the case of clapping, the restrictions on where
to sit, and the increase in the authority of the presiding officer at his or her discretion, all are violations
of free speech and an abuse of power. In addition, interpretation of what constitutes a personal attack
or profane language is too subjective.
In 2010, the City of Santa Ana made a commitment towards transparency and public
participation in enacting the Sunshine Ordinance, and while it is not an easy path to walk, it is an
honorable and necessary one. Upholding respect, between City officials and the people they serve is
critical. At City Council meetings, that commitment is shown with attentive active listening during public
comments, and a respect for that person's space and time. Ordinance 50A and the Mayor's actions last
City Council meeting are a step backwards. The Mayor's over - reaction motivated in part by insincere
political motives having to do with elections and the release of the City Attorney's report regarding his
current investigation, severely undermines public trust in civic government and will negatively impact
constructive civic participation. We need a City Council that will allow for their engaged community to
have the ability to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.
Countless parents and youth whose life experience is marked by traumatic or negative incidents
involving contact with the Government authority have expressed that the lack of a community friendly
grievance processes has resulted in long term and deep community resentment towards the City
government. Expression is a very important part of a healing process. When relationships and trust are
broken, Restorative Justice aims to address what the needs are to repair the harm done, restore the
relationships and trust broken and develop a restorative accountability process to make sure that those
needs are met. In order to truly begin a Restorative process, it is imperative that a safe space is created
to allow for a very honest and transparent dialogue to happen. There is a need for such spaces, in which
community members can enter in this process with the City and Police. It is critical that City Council
meeting be such a safe space.
Therefore, it is critical that City Officials demonstrate a commitment to resolve, not exacerbate
the polarization between community members and police and to be careful that certain City Officials do
not use such strategies in order to create beneficial political distractions. Our working groups are
deeply committed to uplift community needs and as such, we have a responsibility to make sure that
the focus remains on the real community issues at hand. This is why it is imperative that we remain
focused on uplifting our support for:
1. Condemning Trust Act violations
2. The release of the city attorney's report on the Mayor
3. The FBI investigation of the SAPD
Community members will not feel represented, if the Council does not take action towards
investigating, rather than safeguarding, the mounting questionable conduct on behalf of the Santa Ana
Police Department, and relations with Immigrations, Customs and Enforcement.
In closing, we reiterate our request for careful reconsideration of the events of Tuesday,
October 7`", including the indefinite withdrawal of Ordinance 50A which aims to unfairly amend rules of
decorum. We ask that an open dialogue (in circulo) be held between our elected officials and the Santa
Ana community, and that we have forward movement for ALL of the People of Santa Ana.
Sincerely, (a
SABHC Equity for All Workgroup
CHILDREN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE
SABHC Restorative Justice Workgroup
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Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development (SACReD)
Santa Ana Boys and Men of Color (BMoC)
Orange County Immigrant Youth United (OCIYU)
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Public Law Center of Orange County (PLC)
El Centro Cultural de Mexico
Latino Health Access (LHA)
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Children's Health Initiative of Orange County (CHIOC)
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Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD)
Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCORD)
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The Cambodian Family
The Kennedy Commission
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
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KidWorks Community Development Corp.
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