The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday voted to end public comment via Zoom at its meetings, a decision spurred by two racist ‘zoom bomb’ calls made anonymously on Oct. 24.
The city of Capitola also experienced so-called “Zoom-bombs” around the same time.
In the calls, both laden with racist language, one person insulted Jewish people and the other one falsely connected young black men to crime.The council voted 5–2 to end Zoom participation, with Mayor Vanessa Quiroz-Carter and Mayor Pro-Tem Maria Orozco dissenting.
Both said their decision came from the importance of free speech, and of making the public meetings accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
“Hate speech, unfortunately, is protected speech,” said Quiroz-Carter. “It’s protected by law.”
“I don’t think that limiting public comment is a good thing, because then those hateful, ugly losers win, and who wants that?”
Councilwoman Kristal Salcedo said she is “adamantly opposed” to bringing back the meetings. She explained that the incidents—which are likely to happen again—prevent the council from conducting its business.
“I think what we all had to sit through during the Zoom bombing was horrendous,” she said. “I find it abhorrent and I never want to see it again.”
Councilman Casey Clark, said the decision to end Zoom participation was difficult for him.
“I want everybody to be included,” he said.
Clark pointed out that any rules of decorum the council sets for call-in participants can—and should—pertain also to those in council chambers.
Councilwoman Ari Parker suggested adding a “kill switch” that would allow city staff to shut down Zoom bombing incidents, a suggestion City Attorney Samantha Zutler said she would look into.
Parker said she was disappointed in the incident over Zoom, a platform whose anonymity makes people more comfortable with uttering hate speech.
“When people come here can they call me those names? Sure,” Parker said. “But do they? No, because they are standing right here looking at us.”
In other action, the council approved an increase to their monthly compensation from $670 to $1,600, which will take effect in January 2025. The increase came thanks to Senate Bill 329, which took effect in January and increases the amount elected leaders can receive.
Councilman Jimmy Dutra said he hopes the compensation will be an incentive for young people to consider serving on the council in the future.
“This is a volunteer job, and we’re traveling here, there, everywhere,” Dutra said. “And I think this will hopefully open up the pool to get more people involved in our city and our city council.”
Volunteer job? With monthly compensation?
It is very disappointing that those who cannot attend the meetings in person have lost the ability to have their voce heard at the meetings. You are trying to tell me that with the advances in technology bad actors can’t be excluded? What happened to Watsonville being accessible to the disabled or those who lack transportation? If Watsonville residents allow zoom to be discontinued without consideration for the disabled who have been allowed to recently allowed they are being oppressed by the city government. Shame on you Watsonville City Council! Shame on you!
Watsonville is deteriorating. How do you justify pay increases?
They’ve almost tripled their salary. I wish I could triple my retirement salary.
‘Why didn’t voters get to have a vote on it. Why can they vote themselves a huge raise and have it legal? Corruption!
Watsonville you suck! Glad we moved out of Watsonville because it is deteriorating fast. No growth for families in this city besides the people who are illegal immigrants…. America first!
I would be very interested in hearing from a city council member on this forum. In the interest of transparency and respect for community members. Would any council members like to address our concerns? With all due respect to council members, cutting off zoom meetings permanently amounts to a blatant disregard for public input. The council needs to find a way to qualify zoom callers. Could call in information be sent via email to participants who request to attend?
Mayor you need to try harder city council members you need to try harder.
The decision to ban Zoom at City Council Meetings was very ill advised. Zoom may be imperfect but it makes it possible for those who cannot attend to participate in this democratic process. Has the council forgotten that the disabled are a protected class under the civil rights act for our disabled? I guess so! Those who are blind or vision impaired who cannot drive, disabled without the mobility to attend, sick at home, etc. should not be penalized and denied the right to participate. I am confident that technology exists to mute vulgar speakers. I do hope that our community stands up for our blind, disabled and aged who have no mobility and consider legal action if the council does not rescind it’s unfortunate decision.
You tell them Elisa! Very well said!