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Huntington Beach councilmembers call for denouncing hate

June 20, 2023

Three Huntington Beach councilmembers want the city on Tuesday, June 20, to condemn recent flarings of antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the community.

Councilmembers Dan Kalmick, Rhonda Bolton and Natalie Moser are introducing a resolution to say: “The City Council of the city of Huntington Beach denounces antisemitism, white supremacy and anti-LGBTQ hate.”

Moser said antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ fliers that neighborhoods of residents have found in their yards this month prompted the resolution to denounce hate.

“We need to choose what type of community where we are going to be,” Moser said. “I don’t believe we are one where hate should rule the day. I want people to feel safe here and welcomed here.”

“We have an opportunity as leaders to set the tone,” she said.

Maneck Bhujwala, president of the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council, already wrote the council a letter in support of the resolution.

“The Greater Huntington Beach Council is alarmed at the rise of racist, hate propaganda that tarnishes the good name of our city,” Bhujwala said. “We the representatives of various religious communities of Huntington Beach unitedly condemn this dangerous development.”

The City Council on Tuesday will also consider the city’s next fiscal budget and a request from Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark to direct city staff to draft a new law to make it harder for children to obtain “obscene and pornographic books” at Huntington Beach Public Libraries, though the request did not offer examples. Van Der Mark said she will make a presentation at the meeting.

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 2000 Main St.

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