1 David Yakobson
From: Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 11:54 AM
To: councilmtgitems; councilmtgitems; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Lana Negrete; Robbie J5; Janet McKeithen; Joanne Berlin; Joanne Berlin; Angela Scott
Subject: Black Apology Action Steps
EXTERNAL
Please consider the Restorative Justice applicants with more scrutiny. Are they in alignment with the Black Apology given by City Council in November 2022? Please review the following document about tje Black Apology Action Steps.
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Black Apology Action Steps
Thank you,
Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Joanne Berlin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 11:46 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: CRJ input on item 16A
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
Congratulations for your work in establishing a new commission that will be dealing with restorative justice to historically underserved communities of color in Santa Monica. You have heard from the Committee For Racial Justice (CRJ) over the years on many topics and I am pleased to write to you today to share our endorsements of the following persons to serve on this important commission to be named this evening in item 16A on your agenda: Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire, Karen Gunn, Schinal Herrington, Willa Wells, and Alisa Ortiz.
I am writing to you on behalf of the Housing subcommittee of the Committee For Racial Justice. At our recent meeting, we discussed the importance of the new Restorative Justice Commission for Santa Monica and are recommending the five names mentioned above for your consideration.
Thank you for your votes tonight on this landmark commission to address harms done and move us forward in the quest for more equity in Santa Monica.
Joanne Berlin, CRJ Coordinator
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2026 9:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Council Mailbox; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis Subject: Meeting /25/2026. ITEM 16 A Restorative Justice Commission Applicants
EXTERNAL
I hope you appoint both Gina De Baca
and Muqtasid St.Claire, Hajar.
They are both uniquely qualified and will bring a strong sense of community and our history to the table.
Of course, Oscar and Maria would do a great job too.
Thank you for considering them.
Gina should have long been recognized for her contributions to this City.. sad to see she has not been. We pretend to care about DEI but do we really? I wonder.
Danielle Charney
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Julie Rusk <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2026 9:32 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: #16A Support appointment of Dr. Karen S Gunn
EXTERNAL
Mayor & Council,
I am writing to enthusiastically support the appointment of Dr. Karen S. Gunn to the City's new Restorative Justice Commission (07.28.26 item #16A).
Karen is exceptionally well qualified, having dedicated much of her professional career and community leadership to advancing social and economic justice. As college professor and organizational psychologist, her work has long been grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion — well before DEI became a part of the broader public conversation.
We began working together when Karen was appointed to the City's Social Services Commission in 1998. I was the City’s Human Services Manager. Together, Karen and I navigated a wide range of controversial and sensitive community issues requiring civic engagement, particularly in the years when Karen was the elected Commission Chair. I also had the privilege of working with Karen on the Human Relations Council (HRC). Over the past six years, we have served on the HRC’s Executive Committee including several years as Board Co-Chairs.
I have consistently found Karen to be an insightful, strategic, and highly effective leader bringing clarity of purpose and building consensus across diverse perspectives. She approaches complex issues with integrity, sounds judgment, and intellectual rigor. Karen is steadfast in her commitment to public service.
I am confident that the City would be exceptionally well served by Dr. Karen S. Gunn’s appointment. I offer my strongest recommendation and encourage you to select her for this important role.
Respectfully,
Julie Rusk
—
Julie Rusk
Co-Founder, Civic Wellbeing Partners
Board Co-Chair, Santa Monica Human Relations Council
Community Wellbeing Program
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 11:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council
EXTERNAL
Mayor & Council,
I am writing to enthusiastically support the appointment of Dr.
Karen S. Gunn to the City's new Restorative Justice
Commission (07.28.26 item #16A).
Karen is exceptionally well qualified, and has an enormous amount of experience. She is not only compassionate,
dedicated and intelligent, she knows how to navigate systems.
Navigating oppressive systems and working with committees and getting things done are vital in this work and Dr Gunn has the expertise in all three. She also is adept and working with challenging personalities without disrespecting the people involved. She has dedicated much of her professional career and community leadership to advancing social and economic justice and she spent years helping to create the Equity Center at Santa Monica College
Dr. Gunn is insightful, strategic, and has immense amount of integrity. She does not play the games that keep progress from happening
I offer my strongest recommendation and encourage you to select her for this important role.
Rev Janet Gollery McKeithen
Minister, The Church in Ocean Park
Director, Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council
Steering Committee, the Committee for Racial Justice
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Erika Bell <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 2:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item #16A - Support appointment of Dr. Karen Gunn to the RJ Commission
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing in support of the appointment of Dr. Karen Gunn to the Restorative Justice Commission.
I have known Dr. Gunn for a few years now while serving on the Board of the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council. As a Santa Monica resident, college professor, organizational psychologist, and active social justice advocate, Dr. Gunn brings exactly what the Commission needs. Our city would truly benefit.
I urge you to select her for the Restorative Justice Commission.
Take care,
Erika Bell
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026
Item 16-A
July 14, 2026
July 28, 2026