Letter to the Editor: September 16, 2025 City Council Meeting
Daily Pilot - Letter to the Editor
Over the last couple of weeks, Huntington Beach has once again been in the news for all the wrong reasons. And yes, at the Sept. 16 City Council meeting, the members of the City Council finally denounced the hate group that infiltrated the vigil held for Charlie Kirk. But what they failed to address is the deeper political climate that allows extremists to believe they are welcome here in our city and at our pier.
Huntington Beach has a long history of racism and white nationalism. But this does not need to be our future. The current council has failed to move our city away from this negative reputation. Instead of working to bring our community together, they have continued to fuel division by putting national politics first and by dismissing anyone who shares a different opinion.
Under their leadership, invocations are now only made by those handpicked by the City Council. Under the current council, our government website endorses a program ostensibly about civic education that per their own website, seeks to “help restore our Constitutional Republic and the Biblical principles that cause our nation to thrive.”
These actions speak far louder than any “public statement denouncing hate groups.”
These statements failed to address the root cause — that the actions by the current council have created an environment where the groups feel they will find like minds.
Since my announcement that I will run for City Council I have been grateful to have experienced such a warm reception. Because when you ask people what they want, they will tell you.
We are a beautiful, warm, friendly city of people who choose to live here for the beaches, great schools, and the strong quality of life. Isn’t it time that our City Council acts in a way that supports these values as well?
Taryn Palumbo
Huntington Beach