Two members of the Walnut Creek City Council said Tuesday night the council should consider eliminating online callers from the public comments portion of council meetings, after two men made white supremist, antisemitic comments criticizing councilmember Kevin Wilk, who is Jewish.
Two weeks earlier, a man who identified himself as “Scottie, resident of Walnut Creek,” said “I’m calling today to address some irrational statements made by certain council members who know who they are, regarding the pro white banners that they cried about on the news probably about six months back.”
“Scottie” called again Tuesday, specifically criticizing the council for cutting off his antisemitic statements two weeks ago. He didn’t show his face or use a last name on either call. He directly addressed Wilk, who asked for “Scottie” to be cut off at the June 6 meeting. “Scottie” was one of four callers making antisemitic remarks that night.
“What you did was completely against our Constitution and was stands for. I just want to remind you guys you guys took an oath,” he said. “You swore to defend and uphold the Constitution, directly as it is. Just because I wanna point out Jews are responsible for all the negative (expletive) in this world, that doesn’t mean you can shut me down I just wanna ask Wilk: How do you like those banners?”
Antisemitic banners and leaflets have circulated through the community since last year. Literature was left in neighborhoods near the border of Concord sometime during Sept. 27-30, during the Jewish High Holidays between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Another man called Tuesday calling himself “Darryl,” also not showing his face or using a last name, though he did identify himself as being from the group “WLM,” which assumedly meant White Lives Matter.
He didn’t direct comments at Wilk but used his two minutes to recite white supremist talking points.
At least five speakers voiced support for Wilk, and a man who identified himself as a local lawyer said, though he didn’t agree with the antisemitic callers, he thought cutting “Scottie” off two weeks ago went against the Constitution.
All five council members expressed dismay with the calls. Wilk and councilmember Matt Francois suggested the council look at limiting online public comment and requiring commenters to appear in person to speak with the council.
“Come out of the shadows and stop being a coward and make your comments in public, not anonymously, if you’re gonna spew that bile,” Francois said.
45 comments
Hey city council your not liked so get over it already cause it ain’t gonna stop.
Are you condoning antisemitic remarks or threaths?
ANTIFA wear masks and commit actual crimes do you denounce that?
We were talking about the antisemitic callers. But if your only argument is to redirect, go for it.
Jessica
So it is okay for BLM and Antifa to wear masks and cloud their identity, but it is not Kay for a white male to do the same …
Remind me again what the definition of discrimination is?
Hmm …
Jessica did not say that. You are assuming that because it fits your narrative. How about just admitting antisemitic comments are not okay. why bring up what other groups are doing, that makes it sound like you think because one group it doing it, it is okay for others to do the same. When I tried to use that excuse as a child, my mother told me, I’m talking to you and addressing your behavior, it does not matter what others are doing. Perhaps your household were different.
“White male”? Are you saying you know who the caller is?
Furthermore, that your friend is justified in harassing the city council because they hide their face?
You are not making a good argument, you are obsessed with 2 non-related groups.
But do go on, it’s sy important that your white male friend is allowed to continue.
These freaks might actually be from Antifa. They are violently anti-Semitic.
Antifa = FASCIST
Antifa supporters = Fascist supporters
I’m against ANY crime and racism
Just hang up. Don’t use it as an excuse to stop people from calling in. The world is filled with crazy people.
“Block caller.” Done.
Why let a few callers ruin it for everyone else who would like to call in? It seems that is the way of the world right now – pander to the few and ignore the majority.
I thought we were past racism/sexism/etc and all the liberals are going on about nothing…
1. Liberals go on about nothing 💯%
2. Liberals are the racists
3. It could easily be a prank call
4. No amount of brainwashing or social engineering will ever make people forget what they have seen with their own eyes.
5. Racism against whites is everywhere in America in 2023. Do you ever listen to the news? Are you familiar with government programs excluding “white” people?
You’re a liar and a phony acting like some random guy speaks for the masses. But carry on lib.
Mad Libs
There is no one more violently anti-Semitic and anti-Israel than the radical left.
I’m against ANY crime and racism
My comment posted in the wrong place
I agree many leftist, if not outright antisemitic very sympathetic towards the Palestinians. However, some right wing groups also have a history of being antisemitic, like the KKK. I’m not talking about reasonable conservative,s.
Hanne, The KKK was founded by six Confederate Democrats, serving the interest of the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party defended slavery, perpetrated lynchings, started the Civil War, opposed Reconstruction, and imposed segregation. Since its founding, the Democrats have been fighting against civil rights, and opposed the civil rights acts of the 1950s and 60s.
The Republican Party was founded in 1857 as an anti-slavery party. The Supreme Court ruled that slaves are not citizens, but they are property. The seven justices who made this ruling were all Democrats, and the two justices who dissented were both Republicans.
When Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, who was a Democrat, Andrew Johnson became president. Johnson, also a Democrat, opposed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, and gave blacks citizenship, and the right to vote.
Just a note: Booth wasn’t merely a lone assassin, rather he was one of many in an orchestrated attempt to take down the administration.
The KKK, BLM, and Antifa are all Democrat Storm Troopers, sent to intimidate and visit violence on those who disagree with the Democrat agenda.
In the 60’s the Democrat party rammed through “the War on Poverty” Looking back in hindsight as to what it wrought, it amounted to the “War to destroy the Black Family”. Think about this, who do you think the “Undocumented Immigrants” are competing for jobs with, and keeping their wages suppressed? The War continues…
Back in my radio station days we used a 10 second delay, if someone used foul or offensive language they got beeped and / or call was ended so it never made it onto the air.
.
Real simple fix.
.
The fake pandemic is over.
.
Why does the WV City Council still accept phoned-in comments?
.
The caller needs to grow a pair, show up at City Hall, and make the comments in person!
.
While there is much I disagree with in today’s world, hatred, and name calling does nothing to help solve any issue or concern.
This country we all live in still has a modicum of freedom.
Everyone has a right to speak their mind. Even tho’ most people dislike or disagree with what is said.
These horrid antisemitic rants by what most of us assume are horrific and evil people, show the world the poor content of their character.
Angry and hateful people never prosper and should be allowed to rant. They will identify themselves soon enough. Then everyone will know who these horrid people are.
Politics exists so the angry, hateful, and horrid people have a place to inflict their will upon others. Plus they get paid for it. Bonus!
In more direct terms; the people who were shunned on the school playground now have a place to inflict misery on others and feel vindicated. How cathartic
As terrible as people like this are, the more they are suppressed, the more convinced they become. They think they have some secret truth that is being repressed by a cabal of people, rather than having views no one wants to hear. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, but I think the left side of this country really believes we are on the precipice of some sort of white nationalist revolution. Their Trump hysteria, stoked by the media, won’t allow them to take this in stride and just laugh at the kooks like they should. And in tightening down, they just make the matter worse.
It’s like the old Chinese finger cuff toys (probably not PC name anymore, but don’t know what else to call them). The harder you pull, the tighter they get. The only way out without damage is to relax.
Our society really needs to relax, and trust that most of their fellow Americans are good people.
The 1st Amendment does not allow government bodies to abridge freedom of speech or the right to petition the government regarding complaints, even when that speech or complaint is repulsive. Cutting off the caller before the caller’s allotted speaking time has ended is a violation of guaranteed constitutional rights. The 1st Amendment must be respected or who knows what speech city councils will deem unacceptable next; it’s not a stretch to say it would most likely start to include any criticism of them or their political financiers.
California has penal code laws governing the punishment of criminal threats. See Penal Code 422 re punishment for threats related to fear, bodily harm, or death. Councils can establish and post rules that threats will be reported with the intent to prosecute, and then follow through on that. Councilmembers can petition the court for temporary restraining orders if they feel their safety is in immediate danger. There are also slander laws that can be addressed in civil court if that happens to apply to anything in the call.
Council can choose to end remote public comment and require personal appearance. Remote attendance was not required before the pandemic unless council was meeting in a place outside the jurisdiction of their constituents. This is a good option if the meeting is continuously disrupted by remote calls – but the caller would still be able to appear in chambers (unless a court finds cause for a restraining order). Council cannot require speakers to provide names in order to speak.
Living in a free society isn’t easy or comfortable but must be protected because, if you want to be able to express yourself even when you hold an opinion different from the majority, then others must be able to do the same. There are due process steps the Walnut Creek City Council can take as appropriate but deciding who is free to address them isn’t one of them. There is also the option of leaving elected public office and moving into the private sector where different speech rules apply.
The 1st Amendment says that “Congress shall not make any laws…..” The City Council can hang up a phone.
I don’t know, I could hear this very sentence “Just because I wanna point out Extreme MAGA Republicans” are responsible for all the negative (expletive) in this world” coming from the wooden, twisted mouth of hakeem jeffries (who has not yet mastered the reciting of the assigned leftist narrative). And why so quick to try to censor/eliminate the possibility of uncomfortable (rude, disrespectful) discussions. Stop one avenue for communication because a couple people do not stay in the assigned acceptable language lane?
I have yet to actually see any city council of any city know what the hell they are doing and certainly not in the best interest of it’s citizens.
Exactly!!! Just look at Antioch.
Sure, anti-semitism exists, but anti-semitism is also a Jewish narrative. Schindler’s List, Night, even Borat are works of fiction, written by Jewish writers about their persecution. Cui Bono?
Schindler exsisted, I’m sure the movie took some liberties, most based on a real person or event does, otherwise the story would be too boring. Are waiting for your next post “The Holocaust didn’t happen, or are overrated”.
Trace the lines and bring up Fed charges. Over airwaves or lines, it’s a Fed crime.
It is not a Fed crime calling in like they did..geez the name Bozo comes to mind..
What does the City Council actually do, but say no to everything and condone building expensive housing that is never filled.
The rents downtown are totally outrageous and small businesses are forced to leave. It’s an embarassment for the City.
Just let rotting trees keep falling and stinky toxic leafblowers roar all day everyday, that;’s what they do best.
Freedom of speech. To the people who say it should be a felony here to criticize any group you’re insane and programed. No one is above scrutiny in America get use to it. Stop allowing bs like hate speech laws it’s just anti freedom put in a cool little package to make you think you’re doing good but you really trampling on peoples rights to free-speech. I don’t care how vile anybody is it’s a right period.
I don’t agree with the WC city council over a number of things but that is uncalled for…. can’t the be a 5 second delay system installed so you can beep them out?
So I get the comments about free speach and the critic of the City Council, and those points are vaild. However,it seems that because some are critical of the City Council, they makes excuses for anti semitism.
POST DELETED
Please Note: Users who use multiple names will be deleted. Please choose ONE name so others can easily chat with you.
POST DELETED
Please Note: Users who use multiple names will be deleted. Please choose ONE name so others can easily chat with you.
POST DELETED
Please Note: Users who use multiple names will be deleted. Please choose ONE name so others can easily chat with you.
Ron,
Trump lost. And I’m a Jewish Republican voter.
Firestone 11R
Comments are closed.