Hayward Council member praises turnout for No Kings rally and ice out protest

The Hayward City Council convened on June 17, 2025, to discuss various community initiatives and updates. The meeting began with Council Member Syra expressing gratitude to the residents of Hayward and surrounding areas for their participation in the recent No Kings rally and Ice Out of Hayward protest. This event, organized in collaboration with the Hayward Community Coalition, saw an impressive turnout of over 2,000 attendees, showcasing community solidarity, particularly among immigrant residents. Syra emphasized the importance of Hayward's status as a sanctuary city and thanked fellow council members who joined the rally.

Following this, Mayor Pro Tem Roach provided an update on the previous week's meeting, which he led in the absence of the mayor. He reported on his advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., with the Alameda County Transportation Commission, where he met with California Senators Padilla and Schiff, as well as representatives from the Department of Transportation and the White House. The discussions focused on enhancing transportation safety, particularly for children and families, and modernizing rail infrastructure along the 880 Corridor.

The mayor also noted that he would be attending the U.S. Mayors Conference in Tampa, Florida, from June 18 to June 22, 2025. He acknowledged the productive nature of his recent meetings in Washington and expressed hope for continued support from the federal administration regarding transportation commitments in Alameda County.

Before concluding the meeting, the mayor announced an extension of paid administrative leave for Dr. Ana Alvarez until June 24, 2025. The next city council meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2025, at 7 PM, with a correction noted on the agenda regarding the date. The meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.