KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth met with Black Lives Matter organizers at City Hall Wednesday to start the conversation between demonstrators and city officials.
Smyth had a discussion with about 10 organizers of the Santa Clarita Black Lives Matter movement after Annie Astorga reached out to the mayor to engage city officials in a discussion following Thursday’s protest.
“He was very acknowledging of our concerns,” Astorga said of Smyth’s response. “I was really appreciative that he was able to get back to us.”
Astorga said the mayor suggested an in-person meeting to address their concerns and to open a dialogue.
“I envision this to be a multi-meeting process,” Smyth said during Wednesday’s meeting. “This is a kick-off, in conjugation with the broader community roundtable. I don’t want to do all of the talking, I want to do the listening as well.”
The group ranged in age from college students to one in their 70s, who has been a civil rights activist since 1964.
Smyth previously met directly with demonstrators on Tuesday ahead of the regular City Council meeting, where he proposed a formal roundtable to continue the conversation with the community.
“I know we can work together to create a more inclusive community,” Smyth said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “The City of Santa Clarita denounces racism in all forms, hard stop. All people are welcome.”
Dr. Cherise Moore, a board member of the William S. Hart Union School District, is expected to make a formal proposal at the Hart board meeting Wednesday, advocating for the district’s participation in the roundtable.
Over the coming weeks, Moore, Smyth and city staff hope to “start putting the bones together (and) start a long term community plan around diversity, around education.”
Thursday Protest
The demonstrators shared concerns with the City’s reaction to a viral social media post claiming out-of-towners were coming to cause crime and violence in Santa Clarita.
“Just look at the optics of this,” Harry Reed said, referring to city officials calling in the National Guard. “When the history of this has been peaceful.”
Smyth said the intention of the local emergency and calling in the Guard was to protect “all residents,” not just businesses and property.
“We felt it was the best decision for the community and not just the business community. It was brought up that there were threats against the protesters,” Smyth said. “It was for everyone’s safety.”
The mayor recognized the City Council should have communicated their concerns better to the community, with some of the demonstrators in the room not aware of concrete plans for a counter-protest.
See Related: None Arrested, Injured In Thursday’s Black Lives Matter Protest In Valencia
Some of the organizers felt bringing in the National Guard was a way for the City to try and prevent protesters from going out and demonstrating, but Smyth said that was not the case.
“The intent was not to intimidate or dissuade people from protesting,” Smyth affirmed.
The demonstrators felt the City “overreacted” to the viral social media post, and is encouraging the City to continue these conversations in efforts to reach the “real organizers” in Santa Clarita.
Smyth further said that the City Council had to make a decision about bringing in the National Guard days before the protest was set to occur, with unrest happening in other parts of Southern California.
Discrimination In SCV
In preparation for the meeting, Astorga reached out to the Santa Clarita community on social media to share their experiences of racism.
“Most of them did not want me to share their name,” Astorga said. “They fear there is going to be backlash or retribution if they speak out.”
Almost all of the demonstrators in attendance nodded in agreement, with one adding “I have heard the same thing from so many people.”
A mother of a 15-year-old student at West Ranch High School expressed that her daughter “frequently” experiences the “N-word” by other students.
Several of the demonstrators shared experiences of “driving while black,” referring to instances of being pulled over for no apparent reason while driving in Santa Clarita.
“I have been racially profiled several times,” said Kendra Oliver, one of the attendees. “It is an ongoing issue in this community that has not been addressed. We deserve the same respect as our neighbors.”
See Related: Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth Proposes Roundtable To Promote Community Discussion
Oliver, who comes from a law enforcement family, said it even takes the “flashing” of a badge for deputies to stop the harassment.
“Even with my husband being a Federal agent, I don’t feel my son is safe in this community,” Oliver said.
The demonstrators called for the City Council to condemn the death of George Floyd, saying the reaction has been very “one-sided.”
In response to the shared experiences, the mayor said, “That is not acceptable. That is not my heart.”
“I want you all to feel welcome here,” Smyth said. “That makes me sick and I don’t want that in our community.”
Call To Action
Christan Olmos, the founder of the Civil Advocacy Network, Santa Clarita, presented Smyth with a resolution with formal requests of the group to the City.
“I tried to get input from all of the members here, and those who were unable to come,” Olmos said. “We are trying to make a change in our community.”
The resolution starts off with a quote from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
“In this spirit, we humbly ask that you embrace all necessary actions within the capacity implicit in the Office of the Mayor of the City of Santa Clarita in cooperation with Mayor Pro Tem, Bill Miranda and City Manager, Kenneth Striplin to meet our requests,’ the resolution reads.
See Related: One Week And Going: Black Lives Matter Protests In The Santa Clarita Valley
The group calls for a public statement, to denounce threats of violence against protesters, and affirm that threats made on behalf of members of this community are contrary to the values of the City of Santa Clarita.
Furthermore, the demonstrators urge Smyth to “impartially assess” allegations against Councilmember Bob Kellar.
Demonstrators are also calling for the public release of the letter received by City officials form the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU) regarding the City of Santa Clarita curfew for Thursday that was later rescinded.
Smyth responded saying he was not able to read the letter, going to the first the City Attorney’s office for review.
The last recommendation in the resolution, calling for the reactivation of the City Human Relations Task Force” is already underway, with Smyth expected to make a formal recommendation at the next City Council meeting.
“We hereby recognize the pressing need for collaboration between community organizers, civil society organizations, and the Santa Clarita City Council to better serve people of color in the Santa Clarita Valley,” the resolution reads. “We do so in good faith and in anticipation of formative changes that may create a more inclusive community.”
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So your saying you were pulled over because you are African American? Cops pull anyone/everyone over. You are not above the law because of the color of your skin. I’ve been pulled over too lolol. Is this a joke?
IF you’ve been treated in a manner you feel is unacceptable then make a complaint about that student, teacher or police officer. I’ve been treated poorly but in my life I don’t go crying it’s because of the color of my skin. IT’S LIFE. I’m going to call the local City Council and Mayor to complain next time. Instead of going directly to the problem at the time of the issue.
BLM is a dangerous violent group. Why are we discussing anything with this hateful organization?! This is nonsense.
Half these kids have no clue what they are protesting. They are so bored from being locked up for so long, they now found a way to get out and nobody can tell them no. I don’t know what they are protesting, is it the killing, racial injustice, police brutality, profiling? You present them the facts and there protest turns into something else
Good point. Maybe they can rally together and help clean up the communities destroyed from vandalism, looting and arson? Or keep going round and round with fluctuating reasons for the destruction and violence.
I could not agree more.
I trust BLM as far as I can throw them. They are the re-branded hate group that replaces the Black Panthers. The U.S. has paid out trillions in subsidies, affirmative action, and equal opportunity employment laws to help people of color.
While tragedic of the death of George Floyd who also has a criminal record of armed robbery, BLM is using his death as an excuse. BLM acts like Floyd like is greater than MLK Jr.
This past Tuesday in Chicago, 19 black male males were killed from black on black violence. Where was BLM to condemn these killings? Next on Memorial Day weekend in Chicago 10 blacks were shot there, and BLM has nothing to say, other than defunding police as their one sided demand.
Lastly, a African American, retired police officer, David Dorn was shot and killed by a black looter. Dorn was defending a business he didn’t even own, when he was murdered in St. Louis. Once again, no response from BLM. Does BLM really care about black lives?
BLM doesn’t care about law enforcement as we all know. Watch this video from the NYPD, it something the media does not want you to see, and your jaw will drop.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/06/we-are-not-derek-chauvin.php
This video resonated with me. Thank you for posting. Wow unbelievable how the police are being treated. I suggest the political representatives do away with their police protection and armed security. Since they turned their backs on the honorable people who wear the badge.
What is really upsetting to me is that these protestors were verbally attacking our sheriffs dept. Especially after the tragedy at SHS this year. While the cop involved in the Floyd murder was clearly in the wrong, that didn’t happen here in SCV and never has. The SCV sheriffs dept deserves more respect than that- they’ve always kept our city safe and they stepped up on Nov 14,2019, a day I will NEVER forget, and rushed to save our children’s lives. Thank you.
It’s easy to right down a cute little slogan and jump up and down on the street corner screaming Blm. If the blacks want help to stop police brutality then stop the crime first. Let’s see how many of these protesters are going to go down to Inglewood or Compton to help stop the crime in the black communities. These protesters are all talk and nobody will follow thru and actually help educate the black communities. To help the black community starts with education and they Have to want to help themselves to an education. But all but a few will fall right back into their same lifestyle. We’ll move money from the police fu ding to help the black community and ten years from now it will all appear the same as today and it will all be racial injustice to blame. And the cycle will continue just like it is today
Agree with everything you stated. I’ve met plenty of highly successful people of different skin colors and commonalities are mindset and perspective. They didn’t have a chip on their shoulder or crying for special treatment. They looked at themselves like they are just as capable as any other human being. How did these less than fortunate people of color become successful in life. Made good choices perhaps?
lbk you sound depressed, and we all should be, because racism does exist.
Many police officers are sent out on calls they aren’t trained to handle, and therefore shouldn’t. The idea of creating departments that specialize in :mental health crisis calls, robbery, domestic disputes,etc so that the right cop is sent out from the right department actually sounds like a decent idea to consider. It’s “repurposing” the money, not “defunding” the police. It might be better for the police officers who really are overburdened and armed, using often force because that’s all they know. Think about it! What’s wrong with thinking of new ideas? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?
You don’t know every protester out there, by the way, so don’t even try to speak for them.
Yes this is all very depressing. And yes this is a cycle. I’m old enough to have seen this all before.
Nothing wrong with mods or changes to the police. And I agree that some of it can become good. But with all new things the bugs will need to be worked out before it becomes what it needs to be and with that some people can be hurt. But I would rather try to fix the problem at the source and that’s the crime. It’s a fact that black people commit more crime than other races therefore putting them at risk for more arrests etc. NOBODY is talking about how to stop this. Everyone wants to “fix” the police. The problem is not even acknowledged and/or dealt with and the blame shifts to all police good and bad. And innocent people like you and me are all affected. So this cycle can go on.
No I don’t know every protester but I’ve seen it all before. What about you. are you going down to one of the black communities to help educate them. Surely there’s something you can do to help other than raising a sign and stomping your feet
You just had to throw that insult out at the end. It says more about you than me. I have good morals and treat others well. I stand up for what’s right. I’m a good neighbor and co-worker who strives to make my workplace better. I actually do work somewhere where I can make a difference in race relations.So don’t accuse me of being a silly little child who jumps up and down and stomps her feet, and is otherwise ineffective as a person. Not true. Not nice.
I’m sorry Anne not intended as you took it. Let me rephrase. Surely there is something you can do other than(like almost all the others) just protest. It was intended to call you out to see how serious you are about making a real change for the black community. I don’t know you but you seem like a very professional person and I did not mean to insult you
Thank you.
I am so tired of watching BLM being taken to the extreme. All lives do. We are now placating to a society of entitlement. Where women marching years ago for equality- Equal pay for equal work. Where people of color marching In the 60’s for equality? Enough! Hate to say it- white women take a back seat when it comes to promotions in corporate America over their Black or Hispanic counterparts. Do you see white women protesting? Don’t think so. I say to you- find a civil way to make a difference in society and stop expecting preferential treatment.
People of color who are under qualified are absolutely being promoted. Preferential treatment or else companies will be hit with discrimination lawsuits. Poor choices based on skin color and not on the best candidate for the position.