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HomeMy WebLinkAboutecomments_exporteComments Report Meetings Meeting Time Agenda Items Comments Support Oppose Neutral City Council Meeting 06-6 23 14 1 216-20 City Council Meeting 06-16-20 18:00 Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral 20-0236 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Honorable Mayor Mary Casillas Salas 23 14 1 2 Sentiments for All Agenda Items The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown. Overall Sentiment Agenda Item: eComments for 20-0236 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Honorable Mayor Mary Casillas Salas Overall Sentiment Jenny Huerta Location: Submitted At: 6:31pm 06-16-20 My name is Jenny Huerta and I was a community organizer in Chula Vista about 10 years ago. I would like to thank the City Council and the community members for working so hard to remove the statue of Columbus. As we all know the history of this man includes rape, pillaging, and attempted destruction of our ancestors. As descendants of those who survived his violence, we finally feel a time has come that the pain of our ancestors is recognized versus celebrated as civilization. To some this may seem unimportant but let us be reminded that people, in San Diego county, believe that people of color are still second class citizens. I live in Santee Ca and on 6/8/2020 during our Community policing meeting, I became aware that vigilantes in the community, came out as anti Black lives Matter protestors with guns and whips to intimidate peaceful protestors. The mayor was accused of knowing of this situation, as well as the Sherrif’s department and allowed it to occur. This is why it is so important that CV continue to be a leader in San Diego county to send a message that no racial superiority will be celebrated! It’s time to acknowledge the pain and suffering of our ancestors and put a stop to white supremacy. Again, thank you for doing the right thing! Aaron Stovall Location: Submitted At: 6:23pm 06-16-20 I support the removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus. Unfortunately, the man we’ve celebrated for so long is not the same man we all learned about in school. It is time to be consciously thinking about what icons we celebrate and how that imagery affects others. Andres Aguilar Location: Submitted At: 6:01pm 06-16-20 As a native of Chula Vista, who has lived here his whole life, I would like to thank the city of Chula Vista fo the wise decision to remove the statue of Columbus. This is but one of many symbols of oppression and racism that mars civil society. For those that say the removal of the statue erases history, I challenge you to think about how the statue’s presence, coupled with the name “Discovery Park” erases history in two ways. First it continues the myth that the continent was discovered by Europeans, erasing the history of the indigenous peoples of this land. Second, it glorifies Columbus and erases the true history of conquest, rape and looting that Columbus began. This is not a matter of being offended because of a specific background. As a human being, wanting to live in a society where all people are treated equally, all of us in Chula Vista and San Diego should be offended by this statue and park name. If it is history people want to protect, we should actually teach our nation's history in order to heal. Monuments do not teach history, they ignore it and glorify ideologies. Armando Abundis Location: Submitted At: 5:52pm 06-16-20 I support the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue from Discovery Park. My support has never been because the statue offends me. In fact, I was disgusted to think that someone had thought of celebrating a depraved genocidal person like Christopher Columbus. I applaud the efforts of those who had the lucides to see this character for what he really was and not for the lies they gave us in the history books. Laura Wilkinson Location: Submitted At: 5:41pm 06-16-20 Thank you for your forward-thinking leadership. I applaud the removal of the Columbus statue which deserves to be in museums and history books (not the public square as the place of honor), and hopefully, we can put an honor such as a statue for a persons who have contributed so greatly to Chula Vista directly. Thank you for the Holocaust exhibit at the library, the Story hour readings showing tolerance and diversity, and the many sometimes unpopular decisions you and the council make to move the city forward. What a great place to live, play and work.Thank you for your courage. Phil Ortiz Location: Submitted At: 5:32pm 06-16-20 I would like to know who we notify when we see someone defecate in public? We witness a homeless (I think) woman defecate in public, called the non-emergency police number for a few reasons and was very concerning on a number of different levels. I need to know who to call to get someone help who appears to be homeless. I did send and email and did receive a response but need additional guidance. Thank you. Mario Aguilar Location: Submitted At: 5:28pm 06-16-20 I wholeheartedly support the removal of the Columbus statue. It has no place in Chula Vista, since he was never here. It represents everything that people AROUND THE WORLD ARE PROTESTING THIS VERY INSTANT! The removal of this eyesore had made our city truly WELCOMING. I am Dr. Mario E. Aguilar Cuauhtlehcoc. I am a tax paying, voting resident of this great city. I feel strongly that the removal of this statue has made this a truly more welcoming city. I salute our mayor for taking this brave stance! For the sake of ALL Chula Vista residents, we need to make an immediate statement on 500+ years of myths and outright lies that have made Columbus a “hero.” MELT THE STATUE AND RENAME THE PARK! ESPECIALLY in this time of world history, when good people of all colors, nations, religions, and languages are rising up to defend oppressed people, especially people of color, Chula Vista needs to show the world that we are not beholden to old ideologies of racial superiority, of “discovered lands,” and white privilege. Genocide is genocide, it does not matter who does the damage. Should we honor Dr. Mengele because he was doing “scientific and medical research?” Should we celebrate the leaders of the confederacy who fought to protect slavery? Today, in the age if instant information access, it is inconceivable that anyone with intelligence would deny the true legacy of Columbus. His statue must be removed PERMANENTLY, and the park renamed. Birdie Gutierrez Location: Submitted At: 5:03pm 06-16-20 "I applaud the City of Chula Vista for the removal of the Columbus statue at "Discovery Park". Now, more than ever, is a time to stand up for our BIPOC community members and not ignore the pain and trauma attached to these racist monuments. We urge you to continue on this path towards justice. Please permanently remove the statue and move to have the park re-named with consultation and guidance from our Kumeyaay community. I appreciate the removal of the Columbus statue. Let's pay attention to what is happening globally and be a city that stands for anti-racism and true justice." Bea Zamora Location: Submitted At: 5:02pm 06-16-20 I support your decision to remove the Columbus statue from Discovery Park. It was the right thing to do and it is long overdue. The City of Chula Vista is a "Welcoming City" and that means it needs to be welcoming to all residents and visitors and not have symbols of hate in public view. The next step is to make this a permanent action and send a message to the world that you believe in equality and fairness for all. After that, I ask you to fully implement and ratify the resolution put forth by the City's Human Relations Commission to remove the statue, rename the park in honor of the Kumeyaay peoples who are the original inhabitants of this land, and eventually put up a fitting symbol that symbolizes our true history. Thank you for your courage and wisdom. Steve Fletcher Location: Submitted At: 5:01pm 06-16-20 I believe the ChulA vista police department eats up way too much of the budget for our city. Better programs, education, and rehabilitation ad treatment facilities would A much better way of dealing with most social issues that the city faces. Incarcerating non violent and drug offense criminals only takes more of our tax dollars that could be going to more positive program. I don’t understand why there are 6 cars at a non violent domestic disturbance Down the street from my house. I also believe that when an officer of the law betrays the law while enforcing it he should be held accountable. Qualified immunity has no place in the police dept. they should be held accountable. And at a higher standard than the people they serve and protect Carletta Coleman Location: Submitted At: 4:06pm 06-16-20 Changes in the Chula Vista Police Department should implement immediately.. 1. More restrictive state and local policies governing police use of force. 2. Demilitarize the Police. 3. End Qualified Immunity. Prosecute the police officer for crimes against humanity. 4. Predictive policing on the police. Hold them accountable for their actions. Data tracking is a must. 5. If a police officer is fired - his or her record should follow them to future employers. No record sealing. They should never be allowed to work in public service ever again. 6. Vote out corrupt local officials. 7. Invest in alternative to police as crime prevention strategies. Thank you Mayor Salas. Rachel Callahan Location: Submitted At: 4:00pm 06-16-20 Celebrating racists who committed horrific atrocities by displaying them as monuments in public settings sends the wrong message. Thank you for removing Columbus from Discovery Park. By doing so, you've made the park a welcoming place for EVERYONE within our community, rather than the few. Judy de los Santos Location: Submitted At: 3:53pm 06-16-20 Thank you City of Chula Vista Mayor and Councilmembers for caring enough about your community by listening and removing the Columbus statue down from Discovery Park. We sincerely hope that you will take the next steps which is the permanent removal of the status as recommended by the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission. The world is watching of the next responsible steps you will be making in regards to this matter. I am sure that you are also keeping track of the concerned and negatively impacted community members worldwide that are speaking out about these statues and symbols. As people of color, we have long suffered from these racist symbols which have caused emotional and physical harm/trauma to Native Peoples as well as members of African American, Mexican and Chicano and other persons of color. These statues and symbols do not have room if and when we sit at the table to talk about dismantling systemic racism. We hope you feel the same and will do the right thing. Grace Sesma Location: Submitted At: 2:22pm 06-16-20 Removing the statue of Columbus last Thursday evening was an important first step towards creating a truly Welcoming City, for which I thank this council and city staff. As such, it is important that the city of Chula Vista send a strong message of respect and inclusivity by permanently removing a statue that represents, to members of our BIPOC community, violence, racism, marginalization, and the continued denial of the genocide of indigenous people. He does not deserve to be commemorated as a hero. Ricardo Medina Location: Submitted At: 2:08pm 06-16-20 Removing the Columbus statue was important and its permanent removal sets the tone for our City’s future narrative. Our community members have articulated the pain, trauma, racism, and genocide that this statue represents and fosters. City Council, the time is now to decide on the permanent removal of the Columbus statue. This is a public safety issue. This is a health and well-being issue. This is a justice issue. This is a WELCOMING CITY issue. This is a respect issue; respect for the original caretakers of this land - the Kumeyaay. Wendy Beverley Location: Submitted At: 2:08pm 06-16-20 I approve of the removal of the Columbus statue at "Discovery Park" by the City of Chula Vista. At times like these, it is crucial to build solidarity and support for our BIPOC community. Racist monuments like these create spaces for discrimination in our community and country and holds on to a very painful and bitter history. I hope that you move forward with the permanent removal of this statue and park re-naming. Please consider the true heroes of this country, people who affected positive change. Rosa Washington Location: Submitted At: 12:43pm 06-16-20 Thank you for removing the Christopher Columbus statue. I also applaud CVPD for banning cortoid holds. But we still need much needed change. CVPD does not require de escalation, does not ban shooting at moving vehicles, does not require to exhaust all means before shooting and does not have force of continuum. 10% of arrest in Chula Vista are for violent crimes. So why is it that CVPD respond with guns at every encounter. I’d like to more funding towards our PERTS, social workers, housing and resources for our homeless, and rehabilitation for our drug addicts. Ramon Montano Marquez Location: Submitted At: 12:20pm 06-16-20 I applaud the City of Chula Vista for the removal of the Columbus statue at "Discovery Park". Now, more than ever, is a time to stand up for our BIPOC community members and not ignore the pain and trauma attached to these racist monuments. We urge you to continue on this path towards justice. Please permanently remove the statue and move to have the park re-named with consultation and guidance from our Kumeyaay community. I appreciate the removal of the Columbus statue. Let's pay attention to what is happening globally and be a city that stands for anti-racism and true justice. Madison Fletcher Location: Submitted At: 12:05pm 06-16-20 It is a good decision to remove the Christopher Columbus statue from discovery park. Columbus has been praised far too long as a savior despite the mass murder he caused. It’s time to rethink our history especially at momentous times like these, wipe away the white filter and change things for the better. Andres Medina Location: Submitted At: 11:44am 06-16-20 I approve of the removal of the Columbus statue at "Discovery Park" by the City of Chula Vista. At times like these, it is crucial to build solidarity and support for our BIPOC community. Racist monuments like these create spaces for discrimination in our community and country. I hope that you move forward with the permanent removal of this statue and park re-naming. As someone who is a young and indigenous member of this community, I appreciate this removal. I need to feel like this community can support and acknowledge our needs. Let's be an anti-racist community that stands for true justice. Jack Beers Location: Submitted At: 11:34am 06-16-20 It was wise to remove the Columbus statue in Discovery park. In his first voyage, Christopher Columbus was guilty of kidnapping and enslaving about 16 Taino people of the Bahamas in his search for gold. He wrote about how all the people on these islands could be "subjugated" with only about 50 men. In his second voyage, now with reinforcements, he raided and pillaged villages. Taking prisoners to enslave, he killed whoever fought them back. He burned their religious relics and gave young girls away as sex slaves as he became Governor of Hispaniola. If you didn't pull your share of gold, your hands could be cut off. The torture and slavery was so bad, natives committed suicide rather than be subjugated. When his own colonizers rebelled against him after his third voyage, he had them hanged. Even the Spanish crown was disgusted, for they had him arrested and returned to Spain. He managed to convince the crown to give him one last chance and in his fourth voyage, he tried to kidnap the king of a village where modern day Panama is and was chased out by the King's subjects. He shipwrecked on Jamaica where he convinced the natives there to help him by scaring them into believing he caused a lunar eclipse. Christopher Columbus was a horrible man. I will never understand why there was a statue there in the first place, but I applaud taking it down and hope that it will say down. Elena Medina Location: Submitted At: 10:40am 06-16-20 I applaud the City of Chula Vista for the removal of the Columbus statue at "Discovery Park". Now, more than ever, is a time to stand up for our BIPOC community members and not ignore the pain and trauma attached to these racist monuments. We urge you to continue on this path towards justice. Please permanently remove the statue and move to have the park re-named with consultation and guidance from our Kumeyaay community. As a youth of Chula Vista, I appreciate the removal of the Columbus statue. Let's pay attention to what is happening globally and be a city that stands for anti-racism and true justice. Joy Sprouse Location: Submitted At: 8:03pm 06-14-20 With the cowardly act of removing history from Discovery Park you have finally torn away any support that I gave you. Consider this, the first statue is the hardest from then on you have a track record of giving in. Hopefully we don't have any Plaques, named buildings or parks that offend somebody.