From: Jeff Rooney
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2026 3:44 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Regarding agenda for tomorrows meeting and the recent racist and fascist symbols affecting residents on Pitt Ave behind Safeway
Hello City Council Members,
Firstly I appreciate this council taking up these issues and hosting a public forum. I am in an informal grouping of people in West County who have coalesced around this recent series of incidents. Stephen Zollman shared the agenda with us and also the previous council document number 6403-2022 Resolution of a Public Statement on Racism and Social Equity and the other "Resolution of a public statement on racism and social equity" also from 2022.
I think these two resolutions should be reissued (and updated) for use in this current situation. I think members of the community including the informal group I mentioned could use these statements for distribution in the neighborhood and among the students who often gather at Safeway or elsewhere. The schools could also endorse the use and distribution of these. Further I think it would be wise to have some community forums that enlist experts on these issues including the NAACP who apparently was contacted by the parent of one of the students and is willing to present on the history in this county of white supremacy going way back. Essentially we want to foment dialogue. This issue is deeply embedded in our culture from the beginnings of this country's origins. I believe racist and fascist ideology is actually emanating from the centers of our national government and President with a giant megaphone and it is no wonder that it is percolating within the ideological currents of the youth
Events like what has transpired are opportunities to recommit to the ideals of the resolutions issued in 2022 and I believe where informed by the upsurge in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder that took place before our eyes via cellphone coverage. This is a never ending struggle. One thing I would also like to suggest is that representatives of the native peoples and other people of color be brought into the picture whenever possible to expand our awareness and also the web of connectedness in our broader community.
I am not able to make the meeting tomorrow so wanted to share my thoughts to you all and do thank councilmember Zollman to inform us of the meeting, agenda and these 2022 documents.
Warmly,
Jeff Rooney
--
“Roots tell us
through the flowers,
what the Earth is like on the inside…..”
Humberto Ak’abal
Jeff Rooney
Posture Alignment Specialist