Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Protests Policing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters press council on Gaza fast and criticize police conduct and council responsiveness
Summary
During public comment, Reverend Joyce Penfield described a 40-day fast and called for an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel; Autumn Bridal accused council and the police union of ignoring protesters and described ongoing harassment by Akron police.
Two speakers addressed the council during the public comment period. Reverend Dr. Joyce Penfield described participating in a 40-day fast for Gaza and urged the council and community to "stop the forced starvation of Gazans and to stop arming Israel." She said the fast had drawn 700 participants across the United States and mentioned upcoming public witness events in front of the federal building.
"Why is our government putting itself in harm's way for a foreign government which commits war crimes with no accountability?" Penfield asked, and she cited a U.S. weapons figure she gave as "$39,200,000,000" in relation to arms provided to Israel. She also asserted that Iran has no nuclear weapons and criticized media coverage and political narratives during her three-minute comment.
Autumn Bridal spoke next and criticized the council for what she described as selective enforcement of a 30-day speaking rule, and she accused council members and the Akron Police Department of ignoring or dismissing protesters. Bridal said she had been harassed by police patrols near her home and that images posted by others had led to unwanted attention; she said she had raised the issue with the mayor's office and the police chief without satisfactory remedy.
"We're tired of backpedaling, tired of the disrespect," Bridal said, adding that she felt the council had tried to "silence us and make us feel like we aren't getting anywhere." The council did not act on the topics raised during public comment; the clerk swore in speakers and the council thanked the participants at the end of the public comment period.
