John Harrington, Denise Menchaca and Eric Chen voted to dissolve the HEAR Commission on April 16, 2024 (Photo – Screebgrabs, YouTube)
In a San Gabriel City Council meeting on April 16th, the HEAR commission, or Human, Equity, Access, and Relations Commission was dissolved, and may be replaced with an ad hoc subcommittee.
By Kayleigh Scott
During the April 16 San Gabriel City Council meeting, the hall was full, with members of the community who were present to comment on the HEAR Commission issue. Before the decision was made, the City Council heard 28 online written comments and 30 in-person comments. Of the online comments, 23 supported the hear commission and 6 motioned for a shift or dissolvement of the HEAR commission. Of the in-person comments, only 1 of the 30 comments recommended dissolution of the commission.
Members of the community opposed to the commission expressed that the commission focused on a vision of inclusion that focused narrowly on the issues of some, notably the LGBTQ community.
A safe place for marginalized citizens
Others said that the HEAR commission provided a safe place for marginalized citizens of the San Gabriel Valley. Many also noted a rise in hate crimes not only for LGBTQ residents but for Jewish, Muslim, and Asian as well. Leaders who spoke in favor of the continuation of the HEAR commission included Congresswoman Judy Chu, Members of the Department of Public Health, Director of national center for the preservation of democracy, Religious leaders, and LGBTQ community organizers.
First, the Council members all expressed thanks to members of the public that had shown up to speak. Vice Mayor Menchaca then began the discussion, expressing that the commission should be dissolved, maintaining that “this commission was never about only LGBT issues”. Councilmember Harrington agreed, verbalizing that he had never agreed with the commission at its formation as “Equity can be exploited” and that the HEAR commission has done this. Councilmember Ding expressed that the commission might be better off with more specific direction, to allow for the advocacy of more voices. Mayor Wu urged his fellow council members to “allow the HEAR commission to address these issues with new direction”
The vote
Vice Mayor Menchaca moved forward with a motion to dissolve the HEAR Commission, seconded by Harrington. The final vote was 3/2:
Denise Menchaca, John Harrington and Eric Chen voting yes and with Mayor John Wu and Councilmember Tony Ding voting against the motion. Constituents left the meeting with no further public comment.
> Watch the full San Gabriel City Council meeting on April 16, 2024 below:
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