Local council meetings have become a flashpoint for heated debates over the Israel-Hamas war, and after the Irvine City Council decided against formally weighing in, some councilmembers say harassment against them has ramped up.
Councilmember Tammy Kim said she’s felt threatened by comments people have made at recent council meetings and her social media accounts have been inundated with comments in support of Palestine. The Irvine Police Department, she said, is monitoring her social media and patrolling her home.
But there hasn’t been any credible threat that’s been made, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Local activists who are calling for a ceasefire say they too, are unaware of any threats that have been made, and that painting political dissent as “threats” or “harassment” demonizes their community.
Since November, Irvine City Council meetings have gone on for hours, some bleeding into the next day, largely due to individuals taking up a large portion of the meetings to present supporting or opposing views of a ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the City Council in a 3-2 vote, decided against a resolution that outlined action items city leaders could take to address the divisiveness in the community, instead electing to focus on local matters that directly impact Irvine residents, said Kim.
The resolution, brought forth by Mayor Farrah Khan and Councilmember Larry Agran, did not call for a ceasefire specifically but mentioned preparation of a “city plan to facilitate humanitarian relief … once a ceasefire is in place.”
Councilmembers Kim, Kathleen Treseder and Mike Carroll opposed the resolution because “the conflict in Gaza is not a municipal issue and falls beyond the subject matter jurisdiction” of the City Council, said Kim.
“My stance has been from the get-go: This is not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Irvine City Council,” said Kim. “But it’s been viewed as: I support…
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