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Livermore city leaders publicly reiterated their support for law enforcement last Thursday, and apologized for any “confusion” stemming from recent controversy over the city’s new Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee discussions related to the Thin Blue Line flag.
“I sincerely regret all the trouble and angst and want to apologize for any part I may have had in not preventing all the confusion,” Mayor Bob Woerner wrote in a Dec. 17 letter to the community.
Last week, Woerner, Vice Mayor Trish Munro and the subcommittee issued a joint statement about an article circulating online that they said took notes from a Nov. 17 subcommittee working group meeting “badly out of context.”
A pro-law enforcement group, Law Enforcement Today, penned a Dec. 12 editorial, which referred to the subcommittee’s notes on the “Thin Blue Line” flag — viewed by some people as a show of appreciation for law enforcement, and a symbol of injustice and racism by others — and whether it was being scrutinized as a symbol of hate in the city’s conversation about equity.
Comprising local newcomers to multi-generational Livermore residents, the Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee and its associated working groups, which aim to create a more welcoming and inclusive community through outreach and engagement, were formed in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Recently, a subcommittee working group proposed an inventory and assessment of “symbols, artwork, objects, artifacts, etc. in Livermore that represent and signify systemic racism as well as symbols, etc. that signify equity and inclusion” was one of “action steps” first suggested in October.
The assessment was originally limited to city-owned property and referred to images such as the “Pride flag, cowboy, field/vineyard worker, murals, Livermore seal (cowboy), sculptures of families/children with Eurocentric features, ranch brands, totem pole.”
However, the working group suggested expanding the inventory to include both hate and equity symbols and items on private properties, including the “Confederate flag, Thin Blue Line flag, inclusive signs.”
After the debate made the rounds on local social media, residents on both sides turned out to the City Council meeting on Dec. 14 to address the matter, which has also prompted significant local debate along with a Dec. 16 pro-police demonstration in downtown Livermore attended by community members and Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern.
Some people argue the Thin Blue Line flag represents a symbol of upholding white supremacy and systemic racism. However, it has a completely different meaning for law enforcement, Ahern told local news outlets.
“The thin blue line actually stands for the line between justice and injustice and evil and righteousness,” Ahern said. “So we support the thin blue line and we do that every day in our job.”
Woerner, who served in the Air Force and again expressed his support for local police in his Dec. 17 letter, maintained the meeting notes posted on the city website “were extrapolated into some extreme interpretations,” which led to “considerable further social media commentary that continues to swirl.”
The city is also compiling and plans to publish “a list of lessons learned so that we can all do better in the future, especially regarding communications.”
Woerner added, “I regard the Thin Blue Line flag as expressing deep respect and appreciation for those who have fallen in the line of duty. However, I understand that some may view it differently, and respect their right to do so.”
In a separate Dec. 17 letter, Munro said she refuses “to make the police scapegoats for greater societal issues” and believes that “we duck our own responsibility for addressing community-wide issues” in doing so.
Munro added that she supports “ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement” and takes her responsibility of upholding free speech “very seriously.”
“Freedom of speech means anyone can fly a flag. Freedom of thought means that others can like that flag or not,” Munro said.
Both leaders clarified they were speaking for themselves, and the council hasn’t deliberated on the issues or considered any policies yet. Woerner said the topic will be discussed at the next council meeting in January “so that the whole community can influence and observe our collective thinking at this stage.”
“Woerner, who served in the Air Force and again expressed his support for local police in his Dec. 17 letter, maintained the meeting notes posted on the city website “were extrapolated into some extreme interpretations,” which led to “considerable further social media commentary that continues to swirl.”
Try again. No “extrapolation” was required.
The notes clearly specified certain items were considered “racist” and that the city wanted to document them on private property that would require an eventual “inclusive solution” (punishment, removal, “education”, etc.) for owners to resolve. If the city officials didn’t agree, they should have never allowed the notes to be posted and/or told their subcommittee their recommendations were unacceptable beforehand.
“In a separate Dec. 17 letter, Munro said she refuses “to make the police scapegoats for greater societal issues” and believes that “we duck our own responsibility for addressing community-wide issues” in doing so.”
You are doing exactly that (ducking responsibility) – by assigning blame to community and social issues/problems on “systemic racism”.
Let’s not forget about our Firefighters. A Flag with a Red Line would sure be appreciated as well. Thank You!
I’m confused. How does a symbol of a cowboy, ranch brand, etc., convey wildly alleged ‘systemic racism’?
BTW, 25% of cowboys were black.
I do not see why this committee is even needed. Sounds like just they are just trying to appease the radical mob. The notes are the notes so do not try and make excuses. Police, Firefighters, Ranch Brands are not the issue, so don’t make it one, Failed Democratic polices are. From this point forward I would call on all Citizens of Livermore to start attending city council meetings and holding these council members/ Mayors accountable. They need to abide by we the people and if they don’t then they need to be removed from the City Council . For too long I have been a passive citizen, no more.